Focal Diva Utopia: High-End Wireless Speakers Redefining Lifestyle Audio

Experience the Focal Diva Utopia wireless speakers blending premium sound and sleek design for a truly immersive lifestyle audio experience.

Introduction to the Focal Diva Utopia Launch

Last October, I joined Tom Martin in Lower Manhattan for the exclusive launch of Focal's new Diva Utopia loudspeaker. The event took place in a chic New York City showroom owned by a Paris-based interior design company known for its pricey, yet uncomfortable, white-toned furniture. Surrounded by stylish French staff offering wine, sparkling water, and charcuterie, Focal unveiled their collaboration with Naim Audio: the brand’s first-ever wireless active speaker.

Tom shared his detailed impressions shortly after the event, while I took a slower, deeper listening journey to deliver my thoughts on this exciting new product.

Lifestyle Appeal vs. Audiophile Performance

At the event, it was clear the Diva Utopias were marketed as a “lifestyle product.” As John Spacey of the Simplicable blog puts it, a lifestyle product reflects an individual's style, values, and social status. Focal emphasized user-friendly features that would appeal even to those not deeply into audiophile gear:

• Single-person unpacking and easy setup
• Integrated streamer, DAC, and amplifiers inside the cabinet, minimizing wires (just power cords needed)
• A soft grey felt finish to blend with stylish interiors
• A dedicated app to stream music from local or popular services

The Divas are designed to be as much a statement piece as high-fidelity speakers, aiming to please even the most discerning interior aesthetes.

Design and Build: Beauty Meets Brawn

The Diva Utopia is a three-way, six-driver bass-reflex design housed in a high-density polymer enclosure with a distinctive grey felt wrap. The speaker stands tall and imposing, with a downward-sloping module for the beryllium tweeter atop a rounded cabinet tapering to the rear, containing the midrange and four woofers.

Key design details include:

• A 5/8" beryllium inverted dome tweeter with a large 25mm voice coil for less directional sound and better power handling
• A 6.5" midrange and four 6.5" woofers using Focal’s signature “W” sandwich membranes (fiberglass layers around foam core)
• Removable felt panels with plans for alternative finishes soon
• A glowing white Focal logo on a disc near the bottom front panel

Despite its elegance, these speakers aren’t lightweights—each weighs 141 lbs, and unpacking them requires at least two people. Thankfully, casters and spikes make positioning easier once unboxed.

Advanced Electronics and Wireless Connectivity

Since Focal acquired Naim Audio in 2011, the collaboration has birthed the Diva’s advanced electronics. The signal path includes:

• Naim’s streaming engine with WiFi and wired connection options
• A SHARC DSP chip (ADSP-21563) acting as a fully digital active crossover
• Three Burr-Brown 1791A DAC chips compatible with DSD 64/128
• Four Class AB amplifiers delivering a hefty 400 watts total

Notably, Focal chose Class AB over the more common Class D amps for superior sound quality, despite increased weight and heat output.

A standout feature is the wireless tech developed with Canadian company SPARKS Microsystems, utilizing ultra-wideband (UWB) for high-bandwidth, low-latency speaker synchronization. This tech achieves near-perfect timing with jitter on par with wired systems.

Setup and User Experience

Once unpacked and rolled into position, setup is simple—minimal acoustic fuss, and placement isn't hyper-critical according to Focal. The process involves:

• Downloading the Focal/Naim app for easy control via smartphone or tablet
• Using the included remote control for precise volume adjustments
• Connecting to local music libraries or streaming services effortlessly
• Utilizing various inputs including RCA, optical, USB, HDMI, and Ethernet

A handy room-correction feature called ADAPT helps compensate for challenging environments by emitting paired test tones. While not as sophisticated as professional calibration, it addresses common low-frequency room issues, making the Divas adaptable for less-than-ideal setups.

Sound Quality: Where the Divas Truly Shine

Initial listening sessions revealed exceptional dynamics and powerful, well-defined bass that truly drives music forward. The bass “heft” delivered by the ported design is reminiscent of live club experiences with a fat, concussive presence without overwhelming slam or distortion.

Highlights of the Diva’s sound profile:

• Bass: Punchy, substantial, and well-controlled, perfect for jazz, rock, and orchestral music
• Dynamics: Exceptional range from whisper-quiet passages to thunderous crescendos, capturing the emotional contrast in music
• Treble: Open, extended, and textured, delivering refined detail in strings and percussion
• Spatiality: A seamless soundstage with clear layering, allowing instruments and vocals to breathe
• Microdynamics: Subtle volume and emphasis shifts captured with elegance, enhancing intimacy in vocals and chamber music

Whether it’s the powerful French horns of Mahler’s symphonies or the delicate nuances of Billie Holiday’s ballads, the Diva Utopias impress with their mastery over musical expression.

"The walking bass line from Brian Bromberg’s instrumental track was simply phenomenal, taking me back to those bars and lounges where I felt the band’s presence without jeopardizing my hearing."

– Reviewer

Tweaks and Considerations for Audiophiles

While the Divas are designed for ease of use, audiophiles might consider:

• Using the provided Ethernet cable between speakers for improved sound over wireless, even at lower resolutions
• Upgrading the stock AC power cords for enhanced dynamics and fuller bass

These tweaks highlight subtle sonic improvements, proving the Divas can satisfy even the most restless audio enthusiasts.

Lifestyle Product or Serious Audiophile Gear?

Is the Focal Diva Utopia just a lifestyle product? Opinions vary:

• Google AI suggests it’s a lifestyle product combining design, ease, and sound quality for luxury living.
• ChatGPT argues it’s primarily a high-performance system for audiophiles, with lifestyle appeal as a bonus.

Personally, I lean toward the latter. Priced at $39,999 per pair, the Divas represent a complete, world-class two-channel audio system that balances form and function superbly, making it a serious contender in today’s high-end audio market.

Specs & Pricing

• Type: Three-way, bass reflex active, wireless
• Drivers: 5/8″ beryllium tweeter, 6.5″ midrange, four 6.5″ woofers
• Inputs: Optical (TosLink), RCA analog, USB, HDMI, Ethernet
• Frequency Response: 27Hz–40kHz (±3dB)
• Low Frequency Cutoff: 24Hz (–6dB)
• Dimensions (max): 16.5” x 47.6” x 22”
• Weight: 141 lbs. each
• Price: $39,999 per pair

Conclusion

The Focal Diva Utopia merges stunning aesthetics with uncompromising sound quality, making it a remarkable choice for those seeking both convenience and performance in a wireless active loudspeaker. Whether you’re drawn by the design or the sound, these speakers promise to deliver an immersive, dynamic listening experience with minimal setup fuss.

FAQ

• What makes the Focal Diva Utopia different from other wireless speakers?
  It combines premium Class AB amplification, advanced DAC technology, and a unique ultra-wideband wireless system, delivering audiophile-quality sound without cumbersome wires.
• Is the setup process complicated for these speakers?
  Not at all. The speakers come with casters for easy positioning and a user-friendly app for control, making setup straightforward once unpacked.
• Can I use the speakers with my existing audio sources?
  Yes, the Divas support various inputs including analog RCA, optical, USB, HDMI, and Ethernet, allowing versatile connectivity.
• Are these speakers suitable for rooms with challenging acoustics?
  Yes, the ADAPT room correction feature helps mitigate common low-frequency issues, improving sound even in less-than-ideal spaces.
• Do I need professional help to unpack and set up the Divas?
  Because each speaker weighs 141 lbs, it’s recommended to have two people for unpacking and positioning, or ask your dealer for assistance.

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