Over-Ear
Focal Utopia
81Outstanding
$5,000
Full review dataFocal Utopia vs HiFiMAN Susvara: 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
HiFiMAN Susvara
77Great
$6,000
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Focal Utopia leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- Focal Utopia
- HiFiMAN Susvara
HearWiki score
81
77
Sound
9.7
9.6
Value
5.8
4.4
Price (USD)
$5,000
$6,000
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
The Focal Utopia is 5 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 5 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Utopia20225 yr newer
- Susvara2017
Specifications
UtopiaSusvara
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $5,000
- $6,000
- HearWiki score
- 81
- 77
- Released
- 2022
- 2017
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 40 mm dynamic
- planar magnetic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- planar
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 5 Hz - 23 kHz
- 6 Hz - 75 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- neutral
- Impedance
- 80 Ω
- 60 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 104 dB/mW
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- -
- Weight
- 490 g
- 450 g
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- 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
HiFiMAN Susvara
The HiFiMAN Susvara is a flagship planar magnetic headphone with a neutral sound signature, delivering exceptional detail, natural timbre, and fast, textured bass. It offers a highly refined and airy presentation, though it demands powerful amplification to reach its full potential. This reference-class model is built for audiophiles seeking top-tier transparency and technical performance.
- Pro:Exceptional resolution and detail retrieval
- Pro:Natural, realistic midrange and timbre
- Pro:Fast, textured bass response
- Con:Extremely power-hungry, requires high-end amplification
- Con:Very expensive flagship pricing
- Con:Heavy at 450g, may cause fatigue over long sessions
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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