As technology is getting better and better, Active speakers are getting more popular. Active speakers have an amplifier built-in, and just need power to the amplifier to produce sound, whereas if you had a Passive speaker (without an integrated amplifier), you would need to get an external amplifier for more money.
The new Focal DIVA UTOPIA takes active speaker technology to the next level, and you might just prefer this in your room instead of the more traditional component speaker systems. In this article, we will review the new Focal Diva Utopia Active Wireless Loudspeakers, and see if they can compete with traditional passive speakers.
Focal is known for developing high-quality speakers like the Focal Kanta N1, and for the past five years Focal has been working on perfecting their active speakers. With the new Diva Utopia, Focal partnered with Naim Audio to make a perfect power supply and structure so that the speaker would produce the best quality sound.
Review
The new Focal Diva Utopia speakers look amazing. They only come in one finish, Grey Felt, and they take inspiration from the original Focal Utopia speakers, with some new touches. There is a polymer enclosure that keeps vibrations and resonance at a minimum. The side panels look like they are floating and give the speaker a futuristic look, and you can also remove and replace them with new side panels that Focal will be releasing soon.
The base of the Focal Diva Utopia speakers is made from injected aluminum, and it covers the port venting for the woofers. The base comes with rolling wheels that you can spin 360 degrees, which makes it very easy for you to move the 140-pound speakers around.
On the back panel, there is a USB-A port, HDMI eARC and CEC ports, a TOSLINK optical port, RCA analog, and an RJ45 Ethernet port for internet and to link the speakers together. I would have liked to see a subwoofer out, but that doesn’t mean that the bass is not good.
The Focal Diva Utopia has a beryllium tweeter, a mid-bass speaker driver, and four side-mounted woofers to deliver extremely precise sound. The tweeter is made from pure beryllium, it is M shaped and it is an inverted dome tweeter, this is housed in an infinite acoustic loading enclosure that reduces resonance and controls the acoustic pressure. The woofers are in a bass reflex enclosure which allows a frequency response of 27 Hz- 40 kHz.
Naim Audio shines in amplification, and they put in the best of their work in the Diva Utopia speakers. The tweeters and the midrange drivers get a 75-watt amplifier, each. Each bass section gets a 250-watt amplifier, which totals up to 400 watts of Class A/B power per speaker. You can also monitor the amplifiers and drivers and check for distortion.
For connectivity, the Focal Diva Utopia speakers have Bluetooth, Google Cast, Internet Radio, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, Google Home, AirPlay, and more. You can access these services from the Focal and Naim app. The Diva Utopia supports Bluetooth aptX Adaptive, SBC, and AAC. The speakers handle smooth, gapless playback on all the formats listed below:
– WAV, FLAC, and AIFF – up to 24bits/384kHz
– ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) – up to 24bits/384kHz
– MP3 – up to 48kHz/ 320kbits (16bits)
– AAC – up to 48kHz/320kbits (16bits)
– OGG and AAC – up to 48kHz (16bits)
– DSD64 and DSD128
The speakers can also be used wirelessly. With Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, the sound quality is exceptional, delivering sound at 192kHz/24bits. For added convenience, the speaker can be controlled via the Focal & Naim app, a remote control, and voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Siri.
The Focal Diva Utopia speakers also come with Focal’s patented room correction software which is called ADAPT (Adaptive Acoustic Personal Tuning). You can turn on room correction in the Focal and Naim app, and it will take you through all of the steps. You need to indicate the position of your loudspeakers in your room, and then the app will ask you for your room’s measurements.
If you have an Android device, you will have to manually input the measurements. If you have an iPhone, ADAPT will enable you to calculate distances using augmented reality. Simply aim the camera at the measurement points, and follow the instructions on the app. It is also possible to use the manual version.
After this, the app will conduct tests to fine-tune the left and right frequency balance of the loudspeakers according to your listening position, for unrivaled personalized immersion. There will be another series of tests to balance sound levels by frequency, always according to your listening point, for optimum loudspeaker performance. Once you have room correction set up, you can tune it according to your liking.
All of the processing in the Focal Diva Utopia is done with a Shark DSP Processor which divides incoming audio into the different driver sections and sends it to the separate DACs for bass, treble, and midrange. Focal and Naim also chose Burr-Brown’s DACs for these speakers, and Burr-Brown is famous for making good-quality DACs.
All of these technologies and softwares worked really well in the Focal Diva Utopia loudspeakers. On my first listen, I could tell Focal and Naim put a lot of work into these speakers. Vocals were clear and had depth and clarity, instruments were realistic and the bass filled the entire room. The soundstage was excellent, and the sound was detailed.
Verdict
The Focal Diva Utopia loudspeakers deliver an exceptional listening experience, combining cutting-edge technology, premium build quality, and seamless wireless integration. With their stunning design, powerful amplification, and precise audio reproduction, these speakers stand as a testament to Focal and Naim’s expertise in high-end sound. While the $40,000 price tag is steep, it reflects the level of engineering and performance packed into this all-in-one system. If you’re looking for an active speaker system that rivals traditional high-end setups, the Diva Utopia is a worthy contender that justifies its cost with impeccable sound and convenience.
FAQs
1. What makes the Focal Diva Utopia speakers unique?
The Focal Diva Utopia speakers combine state-of-the-art amplification from Naim Audio, premium materials like a beryllium tweeter, and advanced digital signal processing (DSP) with wireless connectivity options, making them a high-end, all-in-one active speaker solution.
2. Can the Focal Diva Utopia speakers be used wirelessly?
Yes, they support Ultra Wideband (UWB) wireless technology, allowing high-resolution audio playback at 192kHz/24bit without compromising sound quality.
3. Do these speakers require an external amplifier?
No, they are active speakers with built-in amplifiers, delivering 400 watts of Class A/B power per speaker.
4. What streaming services are supported?
They support Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, Google Cast, Apple AirPlay, and internet radio, all accessible through the Focal & Naim app.
5. Is there a room correction feature?
Yes, Focal’s ADAPT room correction system customizes the speaker’s sound profile based on your room’s acoustics, ensuring optimal performance.
6. How heavy are the speakers?
Each speaker weighs approximately 140 pounds but comes with rolling wheels for easier movement.
7. What audio formats are supported?
The speakers support high-resolution formats, including WAV, FLAC, AIFF (up to 24bit/384kHz), DSD64/128, AAC, MP3, and OGG.
8. Can I connect these speakers to my TV?
Yes, they feature HDMI eARC and CEC ports for seamless TV integration.
9. Is there a subwoofer output?
No, there is no dedicated subwoofer out, but the speakers deliver deep and well-balanced bass on their own.
10. Are the side panels replaceable?
Yes, Focal will release customizable side panels that users can swap out to match their preferences.