
Erzetich Air vs Focal Utopia 2022: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Focal Utopia 2022 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Erzetich Air | Focal Utopia 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $3,260 | $5,000 |
| HearWiki score | 55 / 100 · Average | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2020 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Planar magnetic | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 1 |
| Frequency response | - | 5Hz-50kHz |
| Impedance | 43 Ω | 80 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 104 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Multipoint pairing | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 740 g | 490 g |
| Balanced connection | - | Yes |
| Model code | Charybdis | - |
What reviewers said
Erzetich Air
The Erzetich Air is a high-end planar magnetic over-ear headphone priced around $3260, designed for wired listening without active noise cancellation. It features a 43-ohm impedance and a substantial 740-gram build, suggesting a focus on audiophile-grade sound quality rather than portability or convenience.
- Pro:Planar magnetic drivers offer detailed, low-distortion sound
- Pro:High-end price point reflects premium materials and construction
- Pro:Wired design ensures consistent, lossless audio transmission
- Con:Heavy 740-gram weight may cause discomfort during long sessions
- Con:No active noise cancellation limits use in noisy environments
- Con:Expensive for most consumers, targeting niche audiophiles only
Focal Utopia 2022
This premium open-back flagship pairs a refined dynamic driver with a robust, luxurious frame, delivering exceptionally detailed and transparent sound. While it's an evolutionary step from its predecessor rather than a complete overhaul, the improvements in refinement and articulation make it a top-tier choice for discerning listeners. Its steep price and open-back nature, however, limit its appeal to dedicated audiophiles with deep pockets.
- Pro:Exceptional clarity and micro-detail retrieval
- Pro:Articulate, well-defined bass response
- Pro:Superb build quality and premium materials
- Con:Very expensive price tag
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
- Con:Included unbalanced cable is relatively short
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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