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Focal Utopia 2022 vs Yamaha Yh-4000: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Yamaha Yh-4000 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Yamaha Yh-4000 - Outstanding overall at around $2500.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Yamaha Yh-4000 leads on 3 of 4 measures.

  • Focal Utopia 2022
  • Yamaha Yh-4000
HearWiki score
81
81
Sound
9.7
9.2
Value
5.8
7.3
Price (USD)
$5,000
$2,500

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

The Yamaha Yh-4000 is 4 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 4 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.

  • Utopia 20222022
  • Yh-400020264 yr newer

Specifications

Utopia 2022Yh-4000
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$5,000
$2,500
HearWiki score
81
81
Released
2022
2026
Availability
Still sold new
Sold new
Driver
40 mm dynamic
50 mm planar magnetic
Driver type
dynamic
planar
Driver size
40 mm
50 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
5 Hz - 23 kHz
5 Hz - 70 kHz
Impedance
80 Ω
34 Ω
Sensitivity
104 dB/mW
97 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling
No
No
ANC type
-
none
Transparency mode
-
No
Companion app
-
No
Custom EQ
-
No
Wear detection
-
No
Controls
-
none
Weight
490 g
320 g
Foldable
-
No
Detachable cable
Yes
Yes
USB-C
-
No
Pad material
-
leather
Connector
-
3.5 mm
Balanced connection
Yes
Yes

What reviewers said

Focal Utopia 2022

The Focal Utopia (2022) is a premium open-back flagship headphone that refines the original's celebrated sound with enhanced clarity, tonal realism, and a luxurious build. It delivers exceptional detail and articulate bass through its 40mm dynamic drivers, making it a top-tier choice for audiophiles despite its high price and open-back nature. The design is an evolutionary upgrade rather than a radical departure, retaining the core 80-ohm impedance and 104dB sensitivity.

  • Pro:Exceptional detail and transparency
  • Pro:Articulate, well-defined bass
  • Pro:Premium, luxurious build quality
  • Con:Very expensive at roughly $5,000
  • Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
  • Con:Included unbalanced cable is relatively short

Yamaha Yh-4000

The Yamaha YH-4000 is a premium open-back planar magnetic headphone that prioritizes raw, uncolored sound over convenience, with a lightweight 320g build and a wide 5 Hz–70 kHz frequency response. It delivers exceptional detail, clean transient handling, and low distortion at typical listening volumes, making it a top-tier choice for audiophiles who value transparency and comfort over features like noise cancellation or wireless connectivity. As a wired-only model with a 3.5mm balanced option, it demands a dedicated amplifier to shine, but rewards with a composed, airy presentation.

  • Pro:Exceptional detail retrieval and composure
  • Pro:Very comfortable for extended listening
  • Pro:Low distortion and clean transient handling
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Wired-only, no USB or wireless options
  • Con:Requires a good amp due to low sensitivity

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

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New comparisonFocal Utopia 2022Yamaha Yh-4000