The name “FOCAL Utopia” signifies the epitome of luxury in the audio world. Just as Bentley represents automotive excellence and Patek Philippe defines horological mastery, FOCAL Utopia stands as the pinnacle of speaker design.
This visit to a high-end audio showroom offered a rare opportunity to experience the sheer power and immersive quality of a home cinema system built around seven FOCAL Scala Utopia EVO speakers.
A Departure from Conventional Utopia Setups
While previous Utopia-based home cinemas have impressed, this particular configuration takes a different approach. Employing an external placement design, the system utilizes an astounding seven FOCAL Scala Utopia EVO floor-standing speakers.
This 7.2.4 channel Dolby Atmos setup features these seven speakers handling the front and surround channels, complemented by two FOCAL SUB Utopia EM subwoofers for low-frequency reproduction, and four in-ceiling 1000 ICW6 speakers for the overhead channels.
The most visually striking aspect is undoubtedly the sheer number of Scala Utopia EVO speakers. Smaller rooms simply couldn’t accommodate such an impressive array.
The FOCAL Scala Utopia EVO speakers used in this demonstration are the third-generation models. This iteration features an innovative terminal board allowing for bi-amplification, offering further sonic refinement for discerning audiophiles. The Scala Utopia EVO incorporates several of FOCAL’s patented technologies, including the TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) and NIC (Neutral Inductance Circuit) technologies in the midrange driver. These innovations minimize distortion, delivering a nuanced and precise midrange that seamlessly integrates with the Scala’s renowned musicality.
The Scala Utopia EVO’s driver configuration consists of a 27mm IAL2 pure Beryllium inverted dome tweeter, a 6.5-inch Power Flower W composite sandwich cone midrange driver (incorporating TMD and NIC technologies), and an 11-inch W composite sandwich cone woofer.
The pure Beryllium tweeter’s inverted dome shape, unlike the more common convex dome design, extends high-frequency response effortlessly up to 40kHz. This design also provides excellent damping, effectively mitigating metallic resonances, ensuring a smooth and refined treble.
This inverted dome also ensures excellent sound dispersion and reduces distortion. Beryllium, known for its exceptional performance as a tweeter material, is notoriously challenging and costly to work with.
FOCAL is one of the few manufacturers with the expertise to master its application. The tweeter also benefits from IAL2 (Infinite Acoustic Loading) technology, improving efficiency and dispersion.
The 6.5-inch midrange driver features FOCAL’s unique Power Flower magnet structure, minimizing magnetic leakage and enhancing driver power. Like the woofer, the midrange uses a “W” composite sandwich cone, a FOCAL signature since its introduction in 1995. This lightweight, rigid, and highly damped material consists of two outer layers of glass fiber with a foam core. The Scala Utopia EVO also incorporates FOCAL’s Focus Time technology, ensuring precise and focused imaging at the listening position.
Exquisite Components for Every Channel
The low-frequency foundation of this system is provided by two FOCAL SUB Utopia EM subwoofers, the sole subwoofer model in the Utopia range.
These subwoofers inherit key technologies from the Grande Utopia EM and Stella Utopia EM speakers, most notably the Electro-Magnetic (EM) driver.
This technology delivers a significantly higher magnetic flux, allowing for more precise control of the woofer’s voice coil and cone movement, drastically improving overall low-frequency performance.
The subwoofers utilize a 13-inch EM driver housed in a rigid, die-cast aluminum frame. The EM driver boasts nearly double the magnetic force of FOCAL’s previous generation of drivers, resulting in an impressive 97dB efficiency.
The Supporting Cast
Such a stellar performance wouldn’t be possible without equally capable supporting equipment. Central to this system is the formidable FOCAL ASTRAL 16 AV receiver.
This high-end home entertainment hub boasts up to 16 channels, with 12 amplified channels and 4 DSP channels for audio processing (including filtering, equalization, and bass management). Each of the 12 amplified channels delivers 200W into 8 ohms, effortlessly driving the array of Scala speakers. Managing all 3D audio formats (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X) and channel configurations (including bi-amping), the Astral 16 elevates the performance of the entire system.
Beyond its multi-channel prowess, the Astral 16 incorporates Dirac Live room correction software, analyzing and correcting the room’s acoustics and performing phase correction on all channels. It supports 3D and high-definition video and audio, with 3D audio compatible with 2D multi-channel formats. A dedicated app provides intuitive control.
Experiences like this, outside of commercial cinemas, are rare. Sitting in the sweet spot, surrounded by FOCAL speakers, creates a truly immersive sensation.
Demonstrations showcased the system’s ability to create a powerful and expansive soundscape, with realistic gunfire and explosions. The Astral 16’s ability to effortlessly drive so many speakers was particularly impressive, maintaining detail and nuance even at lower volumes.
A demonstration using a scene from “Ip Man 3,” featuring a martial arts duel, highlighted the system’s control and speed. The sounds of punches, weapons clashing, and the whoosh of air were reproduced with remarkable precision, creating a visceral sense of presence.
Action scenes from the “John Wick” series were even more thrilling. The system conveyed the tension of a silent shootout with remarkable clarity, while dialogue remained clear and focused.
Two hours with this system simply wasn’t enough. The truly breathtaking experience was entirely due to the array of FOCAL Utopia speakers. Having previously experienced FOCAL Utopia Hi-Fi systems, this home cinema experience proved even more captivating.
This translation aims for a sophisticated and engaging tone suitable for an English-speaking audience interested in high-end audio. I have focused on conveying the key technical details while also capturing the emotional impact of the experience.
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