The Focal Diva Utopia: a $40,000 statement in high-end wireless audio. This review delves into the experience of owning and listening to Focal's flagship speaker, examining its striking design, effortless setup, and powerful sound reproduction. From its unboxing, a luxurious experience in itself, to the meticulous engineering evident in its three-way bass-reflex system, the Diva Utopia leaves a lasting impression. We explore the impressive connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Google Cast, alongside a closer look at its performance in delivering exceptional mid-range and treble clarity.However, this high price tag demands scrutiny. This review assesses the Diva Utopia's sonic capabilities against its competitors, such as the KEF LS60 Wireless and the Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 90, considering factors such as bass response, spatial audio, and feature sets. We weigh the strengths—the stunning aesthetics, ease of use, and remarkably detailed sound—against the minor shortcomings, such as occasional HDMI connectivity issues and a subtle noise floor. Ultimately, we determine whether the Diva Utopia justifies its premium price point and delivers the ultimate luxury audio experience.
Pros And Cons
- Easy installation due to 360° wheels and substantial aluminum base.
- Impressive bass response, described as 'low, controlled, and punchy'.
- Extraordinary resolving power and clarity in the mid-range and treble.
- Natural and articulate sound, even at low volumes.
- Detailed sound without being harsh or fatiguing.
- Good width and depth in soundstage with solid center imaging.
- Exceptional dynamics, able to start and stop with ease.
- Represents decent value compared to its passive counterpart, the Scala Utopia Evo, when considering the cost of necessary electronics.
- Lacks native support for Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Roon.
- Room correction (Adapt) is not as automated as expected and requires manual matching of tones.
- HDMI eARC connection experienced occasional unexpected power-offs and communication issues with Apple TV and Sony TV.
- Noticeable noise floor at idle.
- App crashed repeatedly when attempting to adjust room correction settings after initial setup.
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Unboxing and Design: A Masterclass in Luxury and Convenience
The Focal Diva Utopia's unboxing experience is nothing short of exceptional. The inclusion of 360° wheels makes maneuvering these substantial speakers effortless, a genius design choice. The hard gray felt shell exterior exudes modern brutalist aesthetics, aligning with Focal's inspiration from luxury fashion brands.
The speaker's impressive size (almost 4ft tall!) doesn't detract from its elegance. The aluminum base adds to the overall premium feel. Setup is remarkably simple thanks to the thoughtful design details.
Technology and Connectivity: Seamless Integration and Streaming Capabilities
Underneath the stylish exterior lies a powerful three-way bass-reflex active tower speaker. This system incorporates Focal's acclaimed technology, boasting four side-mounted 6.5-inch woofers, a 6.5-inch mid-range driver, and a Beryllium inverted dome tweeter.
Connectivity is extensive, encompassing Ethernet, USB 2.0, RCA analog, optical, and HDMI with eARC. Wireless options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Google Cast. The Focal Naim app provides access to popular streaming services, although support for Apple Music and Amazon Music is notably absent.
Sound Quality: Exceptional Detail and Imaging with Room Correction
The Diva Utopia's sound quality is remarkable, particularly in the mid-range and treble. Instruments and vocals are exceptionally clear and well-defined. The Beryllium tweeter delivers detail without harshness, even at higher volumes.
Bass response is impressive, with solid punch and extension, though lacking the textural nuance of some competitors. The room correction, while effective, requires manual adjustment, lacking the automation found in some other systems. Overall, sound staging is wide and deep, if not as three-dimensional as some competing models.
Comparison and Value: Weighing the Diva Against the Competition
Priced at $40,000, the Diva Utopia competes with other high-end wireless speakers like the KEF LS60 Wireless and the Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 90. The KEF LS60 offers more features and flexibility at a significantly lower price, while the BeoLab 90 surpasses the Diva in terms of immersive spatial audio.
The Diva's strength lies in its exceptional mid-range and treble clarity, detailed sound, and powerful bass, despite a slight lack of textural bass nuance. The easy setup and elegant design are also major pluses. However, minor issues with HDMI connectivity and a noticeable noise floor need to be considered.
Conclusion: A Luxurious Audio Experience with Minor Caveats
The Focal Diva Utopia is a truly luxurious audio experience, excelling in detail and clarity. Its design is stunning, and the unboxing experience is seamless, thanks to intelligent engineering. While slightly lacking in features compared to some competitors, the Diva provides exceptional sound quality for most listening scenarios.
However, minor issues like occasional HDMI connectivity problems and a subtle noise floor could be dealbreakers for some. Compared to the KEF LS60, the Diva offers superior sound quality but at a substantially higher price. The BeoLab 90, while much more expensive, delivers a more encompassing and three-dimensional soundscape.