Focal Utopia vs Focal Utopia 2022: which should you buy?

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

Our pick: Focal Utopia - Outstanding overall at around $4999.

Over-Ear

Focal Utopia

81Outstanding

$5,000

Full review data

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

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

Focal Utopia leads on 1 of 4 measures.

Focal Utopia
Focal Utopia 2022

HearWiki score

Sound

9.7

Value

5.8

Price (USD)

$5,000

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

Both shipped in 2022. These are 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.

Utopia2022
Utopia 20222022

Specifications

UtopiaUtopia 2022

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $5,000; $5,000
HearWiki score: 81; 81
Released: 2022; 2022
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 40 mm dynamic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 40 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 23 kHz; 5 Hz - 23 kHz
Sound signature: neutral; -
Impedance: 80 Ω; 80 Ω
Sensitivity: 104 dB/mW; 104 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling: No; No
Weight: 490 g; 490 g
Water resistance: none; -
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: No; -
Balanced connection: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Focal Utopia vs Focal Utopia 2022
Spec	Focal Utopia	Focal Utopia 2022
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$5,000	$5,000
HearWiki score	81 / 100 Outstanding	81 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2022	2022
Audio
Driver	40 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	40 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	5 Hz - 23 kHz	5 Hz - 23 kHz
Sound signature	neutral	-
Impedance	80 Ω	80 Ω
Sensitivity	104 dB/mW	104 dB/mW
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	No
Design
Weight	490 g	490 g
Water resistance	none	-
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	No	-
Balanced connection	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Focal Utopia

The Focal Utopia is a premium open-back wired headphone engineered for audiophiles seeking reference-grade neutrality. Its 40mm beryllium driver delivers exceptional detail, low distortion, and a finely tuned high-frequency response, making it a top-tier choice for critical listening. While its performance is class-leading, the steep price positions it as a luxury investment rather than a practical everyday option.

Pro:Outstanding resolution and micro-detail retrieval
Pro:Very low distortion with a neutral, accurate sound signature
Pro:Premium build quality and detachable cable design

Con:Extremely high price point
Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless connectivity
Con:Heavy weight (490g) may be tiring during long sessions

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

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

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