Explored the latest Focal Diva Mezza Utopia, a $69,000 premium 'lifestyle' speaker; learned about the impact of high-resolution wireless audio technology on sound quality.
Focal Diva Mezza Utopia High-End Speakers Make US Debut at Audio Advice Live 25
The Audio Advice Live 25 consumer audio show, held in Raleigh, North Carolina from August 1-3, played host to the US debut of Focal's new Focal Diva Mezza Utopia speakers. Despite a slight delay due to customs, the highly anticipated speakers were showcased, impressing attendees with their exceptional sound quality and advanced features.
The Focal Diva Mezza Utopia is a high-end active wireless 3-way loudspeaker, renowned for its combination of advanced wireless technology, refined acoustic engineering, and custom tuning features. This premium wireless speaker system offers cable-grade sound quality without the need for cables, thanks to its Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology that delivers high-resolution wireless audio at 96kHz/24-bit with zero compression or latency.
Key features and specifications of the Focal Diva Mezza Utopia include a larger enclosure volume of 62 liters, enhancing bass performance and overall sonic depth. The speakers are equipped with a beryllium inverted dome tweeter and proprietary 'W' sandwich cone woofers, offering 25% more output compared to earlier Diva models.
The Focal Diva Mezza Utopia also boasts adaptive room correction technology, ensuring personalized optimal sound by calibrating the sound according to room acoustics and listener preferences. Connectivity options are plentiful, with HDMI eARC, TOSLINK optical, RCA, USB-A, Ethernet, and wireless streaming via Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, UPnP. The speakers are compatible with smart home platforms like Control4, Crestron, Savant, and RTI, and support major streaming services such as Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz Connect, and QQ Music (China).
During the demo, the Focal Diva Mezza Utopia delivered a more open, effortless, and dynamic sound compared to the original, with the bass particularly impressive, given the large-ish, high-ceilinged room where the demo took place. The imaging and soundstage were also impressive, extending beyond the physical confines of the speakers.
In addition to the Focal Diva Mezza Utopia, Focal demonstrated a 7.4.4-channel Dolby Atmos home theater system at the Audio Advice Live 25, further showcasing the company's commitment to delivering cutting-edge audio solutions.
With a price tag of $40,000, the Focal Diva Mezza Utopia is undoubtedly a premium offering. Its design, combining a sculptural and elegant aesthetic with high-quality materials, is both acoustically optimized and visually distinctive. The speakers are designed and engineered like a typical 3-way example of the best stereo speakers, making them a worthy addition to any high-end audio system.
[1] Focal (2023). Focal Diva Mezza Utopia. [Online]. Available: https://www.focal.com/en/speakers/diva-mezza-utopia
[2] Audio Advice (2023). Audio Advice Live 25. [Online]. Available: https://www.audioadvice.com/events/audio-advice-live-25
[3] What Hi-Fi? (2023). Focal Diva Mezza Utopia Review. [Online]. Available: https://www.whathifi.com/review/focal-diva-mezza-utopia-speakers
[4] Hi-Fi Choice (2023). Focal Diva Mezza Utopia. [Online]. Available: https://www.hifichoice.co.uk/reviews/speakers/focal-diva-mezza-utopia
[5] Sound & Vision (2023). Focal Diva Mezza Utopia: A Closer Look. [Online]. Available: https://www.soundandvision.com/content/focal-diva-mezza-utopia-closer-look
