- Focal Utopia Main 112 and 212 studio monitors have arrived
- The UM 112 is a three-way monitor; UM 212 is a 3.5-way design
- This is a high-end audio brand, and the Utopia Main’s pricing reflects that
French audio specialist Focal needs no introduction from me (but check out the phenomenal Diva Utopia or Aria Evo X floorstanding speakers if you’d like a refresher), and now the famous hi-fi brand is introducing something a little different. Something the company proudly calls the Utopia Main, it’s a new line of studio monitors launched specifically for engineers, musicians, producers and other audio professionals – as long as they have pretty deep pockets…
Focal tells me that every component in the two models (one a three-way pair; the other a 3.5-way option) has been carefully crafted for these models alone, and when Focal directs you to new technology such as a ” M-Shaped Diaphragm” on the all-new 5-inch midrange unit, plus a “W-diaphragm Beryllium tweeter”, it’s worth noting – this company has produced some of the finest audio equipment we’ve ever heard. (Did I ever tell you about the Focal Celestee or the Focal Bathys? I guess I have now.)
The company also tells me that many elements of its Utopia range have been in development since 2017, and that the Utopia Main marks “the most significant milestone” for Focal’s pro division since its inception.
Looking for Utopia, in Main
Shall we delve a little deeper into Focal’s technical wizardry? I will not try to simplify the work of the Utopia Main press release, which says: “The force sent to a diaphragm is determined by the equation F=B*l*i, where B is the magnetic field in the voice coil, l the length of the coil, and I the current” . But I can tell you that for the first time ever, Focal’s Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) technology has been integrated into the high frequency driver. According to Focal, this halved the total harmonic distortion – also known as those annoying unwanted intonations in an audio signal – at 3 kHz, a high treble frequency.
In addition to this, the diameter of the voice coil was increased to 25 mm for better heat dissipation. Then there are the patented three-way UM 112 and 3.5-way UM 212 amplifiers. These use a combination of lesser-seen class H amplification (which typically modulates the supply voltage to the output devices so that it is never higher than necessary to support the signal) with a current-state gain. Focal says that by controlling the current in the amplification stage (rather than the voltage), engineers have been able to directly control the power sent to the diaphragm, all-but-eliminating any additional unwanted audio artifacts and nasties.
I’ll tell you one thing: I’ve heard the big, floor-standing Diva Utopia, and while they’re too high-end for our dedicated buying guide, they’re still some of the best stereo speakers money can buy. If the Utopia Main series can perform anywhere near as commandingly and insightfully in a smaller, studio-friendly package, they’d get my vote for reference recording.
Pricing? Sure, but brace yourself: the Focal UM 112 is priced at $30,000 / £22,000 (so around AU$43,000), while the Focal UM 212 will set you back a cool $50,000 / £38,000 (or closer to AU$75,000). Two on the wish list, so…
