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Focal Utopia vs Ultrasone Edition 15 Veritas: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Focal Utopia vs Ultrasone Edition 15 Veritas, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Score breakdown

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

Focal Utopia leads on 3 of 4 measures.

  • Focal Utopia
  • Ultrasone Edition 15 Veritas
HearWiki score
81
-
Sound
9.7
-
Value
5.8
-
Price (USD)
$5,000
$3,000

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 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.

  • Utopia20224 yr newer
  • Edition 15 Veritas2018

Specifications

UtopiaEdition 15 Veritas
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$5,000
$3,000
HearWiki score
81
Not scored
Released
2022
2018
Availability
Still sold new
Discontinued
Driver
40 mm dynamic
hybrid
Driver type
dynamic
hybrid
Driver size
40 mm
40 mm
Drivers per side
1
-
Frequency response
5 Hz - 23 kHz
5 Hz - 48 kHz
Sound signature
neutral
warm
Impedance
80 Ω
40 Ω
Sensitivity
104 dB/mW
96 dB/mW
Active noise cancelling
No
No
Weight
490 g
314 g
Water resistance
none
none
Foldable
-
No
Detachable cable
Yes
Yes
USB-C
No
No
Model code
-
10 1517 E5V

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

Ultrasone Edition 15 Veritas

The Ultrasone Edition 15 Veritas is a premium closed-back headphone that pairs a gold-titanium compound driver with a warm, musical tuning for detailed listening. Its cherry wood frames and detachable LEMO cables add a refined, luxury touch, while the 40-ohm impedance and high sensitivity make it easy to drive from quality sources.

  • Pro:Warm, musical sound signature
  • Pro:High-end build with cherry wood accents
  • Pro:Detachable LEMO cables for reliability
  • Con:Very expensive at around $3000
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Not foldable for easy transport

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 UtopiaUltrasone Edition 15 Veritas