The French luxury loudspeaker brand Focal announced its first-ever pair of wireless active loudspeakers. These appropriately named Diva Utopia speakers have been in development for five years and combine hi-fi sound with Focal’s unique Gallic styling, alongside innovative electronics sourced from Focal’s sibling audio brand Naim.
With the Ultra-Wideband Technology developed in conjunction with Naim, the Diva Utopia can play music at a level exceeding CD quality and approaching high-resolution audio found in professional studios. For convenience, the Diva Utopia can be controlled using a dedicated smartphone app, the supplied remote control, or even a voice assistant.
Focal’s primary aim in developing the new Diva Utopia speakers was to create a user-friendly pair of wireless active speakers without compromising on audio performance. The company claims it has succeeded in meeting that challenge and then some.
The Diva Utopia offers Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and UPnP protocols for streaming music and access to a wide range of streaming platforms including Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz and QQ Music from China. The speakers can also easily connect to a television, providing a new way to enjoy movies and video games. Alternatively, the Diva Utopia can work with other audio sources, such as a vinyl turntable or a CD player.
The loudspeakers integrate into the Focal and Naim ecosystem, enabling users to set up multiroom audio around the home that can be controlled with a few clicks using the dedicated smartphone app. The speakers can also be paired with home automation systems for integration into smart homes.
The speakers’ drivers have W-shaped cones, a patented innovation that Focal claims delivers precise sound. The company goes on to say that Diva Utopia’s beryllium M-profile tweeters can deliver high-frequency reproduction with remarkable accuracy. The loudspeaker also contains Naim electronics, including 400W of Class AB-powered amplification and a new streaming architecture handling up to 348kHz / 32-bit audio.
Focal’s aim in designing the Diva Utopia was to create a musically and visually stunning loudspeaker where nothing has been left to chance. The loudspeaker has a unique and refined design with the bass drivers placed subtly on the sides of the cabinets. The floating side panels sit behind a signature divide that has a backlit logo for an ethereal, and sophisticated look.
Focal Utopia design cues can be found at the heart of the speakers, such as the red and black double grille on the tweeter and the brushed aluminum ribbon encircling it, forming a symbolic Yin & Yang motif that evokes the harmony between expertise and technology. The distinct design even extends to the felt material chosen for the side panels, a material with minimal environmental impact.
Tech Specs:
- Type: 3-way bass-reflex active.
- Floorstanding bass: 4 x W 6.5″ (16.5cm) push-push configuration.
- Midrange-bass: W 6.5″ (16.5cm) with TMD surround and NIC motor.
- Tweeter: IAL2 11/16″ (27mm) pure beryllium M-shaped inverted dome
- Bandwidth (+/-3dB): 27Hz – 40kHz.
- Low-frequency cut-off (-6dB): 24Hz.
- Maximum volume (per pair): 116dB SPL (@ 1m).
- Amplification power per loudspeaker: LF: 250W Class AB / MF: 75W Class AB / HF: 75W Class AB.
- Power supply: 110-120V/220-240V ~50/60Hz.
- Power consumption: 280W.
- Network standby mode: <2W.
- No-network standby mode: <0.5W.
- Inputs on the primary speaker: HDMI eARC, CEC / TOSLINK Optical / RCA / Type A USB 2.0 / RJ45 Ethernet / RJ45 Speaker Link
- Inputs on the secondary loudspeaker: RJ45 Speaker Link.
- Internet radio format: Streaming containers: HLS, DASH, OGG. Codecs: MP3, AAC, Vorbis, FLAC. Icecast, Shoutcast, XPeri Extended Metadata support.
- Audio formats: 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
- Bluetooth codecs: aptX Adaptive, SBC, AAC.
- Multiroom Sync with up to 32 Focal & Naim streaming devices.
- Control: Focal & Naim app, remote control, voice assistants.
- Wireless streaming: AirPlay 2, Google Cast, UPnP, Bluetooth 5.3, Spotify via Spotify Connect, TIDAL via TIDAL Connect, QQ Music via QPlay.
- Music streaming services via the Focal & Naim app: TIDAL, Qobuz, QPlay, Internet radio, and podcasts.
- Network: Ethernet (1000/100/10Mbps), Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6).
- Wireless connection: UWB 96kHz/24-bit.
- Connection with Hi-Res Link: 192kHz/24-bit.
- Focal & Naim control app: iOS and Android.
- Remote control: Zigbee.
- Dimensions (HxLxD): 121x42x56cm.
- Weight: 64kg.
