Focal Utopia High Fidelity Headphone User Manual

UTOPIA High Fidelity Headphone
User Manual

UTOPIA High Fidelity Headphone

UTOPIA

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS!

We recommend thoroughly reading all the instructions in this manual, and that you keep it somewhere safe for future reference.
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1. READ these instructions.
2. KEEP these instructions.
3. RESPECT all the warnings.
4. FOLLOW all the instructions.
5. In order to avoid damaging your hearing, do not listen to headphones at high volumes for extended periods of time.
   Listening to a portable stereo at high volumes can cause damage to the user’s ears and may lead to hearing problems (temporary or permanent deafness, buzzing in the ears, tinnitus, hyperacusis).
   It is strongly advised not to listen to a portable stereo at full volume or for more than one hour per day at an average volume.
   Don’t use the headphones continuously, take frequent breaks. Pay particular attention to children and teenagers who use these devices at a younger age and often at excessive volume.
6. If you begin to hear buzzing or ringing in the ears (tinnitus), experience a loss of hearing or ‘muffled’ hearing, stop using the headphones immediately. If the symptoms continue after a few hours, consult an ENT doctor immediately. In some cases, immediate treatment may avoid permanent hearing problems.
   Exposure to excessive volumes (over 85dB) for more than one hour can cause irreparable damage to your hearing.
7. Set the volume to minimum before connecting your Focal headphones, then turn up the volume. Once the headphones are in place, gradually increase the volume to a comfortable and reasonable level. Always use the headphones with the protective ear cushions or tips.
8. NEVER drive a vehicle (car, motorbike, boat…) or ride a bike while wearing the headphones. Not only is this behaviour dangerous, it is also illegal. In some countries, a breach of the highway code for driving without due care and attention (if the driver’s concentration is reduced in any way) may result in a penalty.
   We advise against wearing the headphones while riding a bike, running, walking or carrying out any other activities in busy places. If you do wear the headphones in such places,set to a low volume so you can hear surrounding noises, including horns, alarms and warning signals. Generally speaking, reducing your chances of hearing surrounding noises poses a threat to yourself and to others.
9. NEVER use the headphones as ear defenders.
10. If you feel the headphones heat up or if there is a loss of the audio signal, remove the headphones and disconnect immediately.
11. Do not install the device close to a heat source such as a radiator, cooker, heat vent or any other appliance (including amplifiers) that gives out heat.
12. Never leave your headphones exposed to humidity and never submerge them in water.
13. The headphones do not require any particular cleaning. If necessary, clean with a dry, soft duster. Do not use cleaning products containing solvents.
14. Entrust any repairs or maintenance to a qualified professional. Repair or maintenance may be required in case of any kind of damage (spillages, damaged cable, exposure to rain, if the device is dropped etc.).
15. Only connect this product to devices with a headphone output. If you are not sure about the type of device, ask your retailer.
16. Only use accessories recommended by the manufacturer.
17. Do not obstruct any openings. Never insert any objects into the openings.
18. Do not attempt to repair this device yourself. Contact a qualified professional for all maintenance work.
19. Do not use this device in tropical climates.
20. If the device has been transported from a cold environment to a warm environment, make sure no condensation has accumulated before connecting the cable.

Do not make any modifications to the system or to the accessories. Any unauthorised modifications may put you in danger, be illegal or reduce the performance of the device.
This device contains the products listed in the table, and may pose (CEI 60417-6044) a risk of:

• suffocation (do not give the device to children less than 3 years of age);
• fire or electrocution (do not expose the device to rain or moisture, or any other liquid).
  This product contains magnetic components and generates a magnetic field which may cause interference with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Consult your doctor if you have any questions about the effect these components may have on an implanted medical device.

Please validate your Focal-JMlab warranty, it is now possible to register your product online: www.focal.com/warranty

http://www.focal.com/warranty/

Package contents

• 1 x Utopia headphones
• 1 x carrying case
• 1 x 5ft OFC 24 AWG cable (1 x 1/4″ TRS Jack connector and 2 x LEMO® connectors)
• 1 x Jack adapter, 1/8″ female – 1/4″ male
• 1 x accessory storage box containing:
• 1 x 10ft OFC 24 AWG cable (1 x 4-pin XLR connector and 2 x LEMO® connectors)
• 1 x user manual
• 1 x brand content

Connecting the headphones
Each end of the cable is labelled with either an “L” for left, or an “R” for right (fig.2). Make sure you connect each end of the cable to the correct headphone inputs which are also labelled “L” and “R” inside the headband (fig.1).
Note: cable connectors can be plugged into the headphones in one sense only (fig.2).
Storage 
You can store your headphones in the carrying case. To disconnect the cable from the headphones, hold the ends of the cable by the “grip” (fig.2) to unlock the security. Then place them in their relative compartment in the carrying case (fig.3).
Care and maintenance 
It is advisable to clean your headphones regularly to limit wear and tear. We recommend using a clean, dry, lint-free cloth for this. After a lot of use, you may notice wear marks on the ear cushions. In this case, you can replace the ear cushions if you wish. Ask your local Focal retailer for replacement parts. Carefully remove the worn cushions from your headphone earcups and clip in the new ear pads, checking that the 5 pins are in place (fig.4).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• These headphones require a running-in period in order to operate at their best.
• They will run themselves in naturally after several hours of listening time.
• If you want to speed up the process, we recommend playing very bassy music through them for at least 24 hours at a relatively high volume.
• This will stabilise the speaker drivers and allow you to get the very best out of your headphones.

Correct elimination of this product.
This marking indicates that within the EU this product should not be disposed of with other household wastes. To prevent any risk to the environment or human health, please recycle them responsibly to encourage the reuse of material resources. To return your used device, please use the return and collection systems available, or contact the retailer where you purchased the product. They can ecycle this product safely.
Focal-JMlab® – BP 374 – 108, rue de l’Avenir – 42353 La Talaudière cedex – France – www.focal.com Tel. (+33) 04 77 43 57 00 – Fax (+33) 04 77 43 57 04 – SCCG – 18/08/2021 – v1 – CODO1717
Product data sheet
Utopia are the ultimate Focal headphones. They are the brand’s flagship product, combining the best of our technologies with assertive design, to enhance your listening xperience.
Their full-range, Beryllium, ‘M’-shaped speaker drivers are fully open-backed and run with no passive or active correction, from 5 Hz to over 50 kHz! The listening experience they deliver is strikingly real, precise and dynamic, with a soundstage that is both wide and deep: close your eyes and feel the musicians beside you. Combining comfort and aesthetics, Utopia delivers uncompromising design and conception. The forged, recycled carbon yokes are modern and sophisticated in style, whilst providing more lightness. The honeycomb grille and Black Chrome ring showcase subtle design details, like the Yin & Yang on the outer case, the black and red double grille on the speaker driver, and more.
So many elements that fiercely embody Utopia: the perfect balance between technology and design!Key points

• High-end, open-back, high-fidelity headphones ; for home use
• Full-range speaker driver with ‘M’-shaped, pure Beryllium dome: pure, dynamic and perfectly balanced sound
• Made in France in the Focal workshops
• Design that adapts to all head morphologies: optimum comfort
• Premium materials and sophisticated finishes: genuine leather, forged, recycled carbon, aluminium, etc.

HOME COLLECTION

HANDCRAFTED IN FRANCE HEADPHONES
For more than four decades, Focal has created speaker drivers and high-end loudspeakers that deliver a unique sound. Our brand values are innovation and performance; excellence and pleasure. We are globally renowned for our exclusive technologies. The result of this technological heritage is class-leading products offering a natural, authentic performance, imbued with clarity and power. Our handcrafted headphone collection combines this outstanding listening experience with exquisite, high-quality design, for an all-round luxury sensation.

OPEN-BACK
HEADPHONES
Ultimate listening experiences at home
Utopia and Clear Mg are high-fidelity headphones with an openback design, offering exceptional audio reproduction hanks to their latest eneration speaker drivers with no restriction: completely free, the sound is pure and sensational. Their carefully selected finishes, meticulous detailing and fine materials augment the elegance of Utopia and Clear Mg, enhancing your listening pleasure.  

CLOSED-BACK HEADPHONES
Sound immersion
Focal’s engineers have used cutting-edge techniques to bring the best aspects of open-back headphone performance to closed-back design. Stellia and Celestee incorporate speaker drivers capable of working within a limited space, while offering perfect soundproofing and exceptional listening quality. These headphones perfectly illustrate the brand’s refusal to compromise, finished with a touch of French sophistication. ANC HEADPHONES FOR TRAVEL
Travel with Hi-Fi
The Bathys wireless headphones bring you Focal pure sound while you’re on the move. Its speaker drivers are made in France, delivering a pure hi-fi sound while its Bluetooth® and Active Noise Cancellation technologies allow you to listen to music without being disturbed by noises around you. This result is achieved thanks to a microphone system which captures ambient sounds and analyses them to produce a reverse fre- quency, reducing unwanted background noise. This technology is ideal for enjoying your favourite music, a podcast or a film, or answering calls. Take your emotions along for the ride, with Focal headphones for travel.PASSIVE HEADPHONES
Passive headphones require external amplification and digital/analog converter (DAC), connected to the headphones by a cable (a Jack, for example). The DAC converts the digital signal from the source (streaming or other) into an analog signal. This is then processed by the amplifier, which increases the amplitude of the signal and provides the necessary power for the speaker drivers to faithfully reproduce the sound.
While smartphones/computers have an amplifier built-in, we advise the use of a dedicated headphone amplifier, as Naim Uniti Atom Headphone dition, to allow the headphones to deliver their full performance.
ACTIVE HEADPHONES Active headphones incorporate an amplifier and digital/analog converter (DAC) which directly process the sound signal mitted from their wireless audio source (smartphone,
tablet, etc.) and amplify it to deliver high-quality sound reproduction. The headphones operate on an internal battery, so all you need to do is ensure that it’s charged. “All-in-one”, the Bathys active headphones offer freedom of movement and Hi-Fi sound.
UTOPIA
Pure sound at its finest
Utopia are Focal’s flagship headphones. Thanks to their innovative speaker drivers, the listening experience is stunningly realistic. The leather used on the earcups, as well as the woven carbon fibre of the headband, lend an elegant touch to the high-performing, highly comfortable Utopia. The honeycomb grilles and the Black Chrome colour ring highlight subtle details of the design, such as the ‘Yin and Yang’ on the exterior of the earcup, which represents the perfect harmony between high technology and design.

Real leather	Black Chrome finish	Forged, recycled carbon

Unrivalled open design	Leather earpads	Woven carrying case

UTOPIA
Over-ear open-back headphones

STELLIA
Pure sound everywhere
Each Stellia component is developed in the pursuit of excellence and refinement, down to the full-grain leather of the headband, the beautifully styled earcups and the ultra-comfortable earpads. The full-range driver, with its ‘M’-shaped pure Beryllium dome, combines an array of Focal innovations – together they deliver an incredible listening experience. Stellia pushes the acoustic boundaries of the very best closedback headphones and stands out as the reference model in its class.

Full-grain leather	Cognac finish	Solid Aluminium

Focal signature	Mocha finish	Woven carrying case

STELLIA
Over-ear closed-back headphones 

CLEAR MG
Experience excellence

Thanks to their Magnesium drivers, fully open at the back, Clear Mg headphones reveal the smallest details of your music with precision and finesse. You’ll even forget you’re
wearing them… The solid aluminium yoke offers pure, seamless design. The exterior of the earcups features a honeycomb pattern for yet more sophisticated elegance, enhanced further by the Chestnut and Mixed- Metals finish, as well as the genuine leather and microfibre earpads.

Semi-aniline leather	Chestnut & Mixed-Metals finish	Honeycomb grille

Focal signature	Perforated microfibre	Woven carrying case

CLEAR MG
Over-ear open-back headphones

CELESTEE
Reveal the intensity of every moment
Enjoy a listening experience without a noisy environment disturbing your pleasure or worrying about annoying the person next to you: this is the promise made and kept by Celestee. Thanks to its drivers, Celestee delivers audio quality without compromise, with outstanding soundproofing and comfort. Precision and balance define the sound reproduction, while elegance embodies the design. Lastly, the Navy Blue finish and carefully selected materials further refine these headphones.

Semi-aniline leather	Soft Copper finish	Solid Aluminium

Stainless steel grille	Navy Blue finish	Woven carrying case

CELESTEE
Over-ear closed-back headphones

RADIANCE
Bentley Special Edition
Focal for Bentley Radiance closed-back headphones are a special edition created in honour of the partnership between Focal,Naim Audio and prestigious car manufacturer, Bentley Motors.Engineers and designers have worked together to develop thesehigh-end and elegant headphones. Authentic, refined Bentleytouches are added with Copper finishes and Diamond motifs:every detail has been considered, making Radiance a collector’s item.

Full-grain leather	Bentley special edition	Solid Aluminium

Diamond motifs	Copper finishes	Woven carrying case

RADIANCE
Over-ear closed-back headphones

RADIANCE
Bentley Special Edition
Focal for Bentley Radiance closed-back headphones are a special edition created in honour of the partnership between Focal,Naim Audio and prestigious car manufacturer, Bentley Motors.Engineers and designers have worked together to develop thesehigh-end and elegant headphones. Authentic, refined Bentletouches are added with Copper finishes and Diamond motifs:every detail has been considered, making Radiance a collector’s item.

Full-grain leather	Bentley special edition	Solid Aluminium

Diamond motifs	Copper finishes	Woven carrying case

RADIANCE
Over-ear closed-back headphones

UNITI ATOM
Headphone Edition
Built-to-last in Britain in the Naim workshops, Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is designed to be the ultimate solo listening source at home. This innovative all-in-one system  combines beautiful design with stunning functionalities and all the streaming features you need (Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify®). Simply connect it to your wifi, plug in your favourite headphones and escape into a world of superior-quality music streaming, radio, podcasts and more.

Sleek volume wheel	High performance transformer	32bits/384kHz resolution

Multiple streaming services	All-in-one system	Digital and analogue inputs

UNITI ATOM
Headphone Edition

BATHYS
Travel with High-Fidelity
Bathys, the wireless headphones with Active Noise Cancellation are the perfect travel companion. In addition to offering perfect soundproofing from your surroundings, they
deliver a pure hi-fi sound thanks to Focal’s, made in France, speaker drivers and to the integrated USB-DAC mode  offering aresolution of up to 24  its/192kHz. Comfortable and  refined, Bathys features numerous functionalities as well as easy-to-access control buttons for a very simple Bluetooth® use.

Real leather	Metallic finish	Light Magnesium yoke

Backlighted logo	Solid Aluminium	Woven carrying case

BATHYS
Closed-back wireless headphones with active noise cancelling

ACCESSORY
Headphones stand
Specifically designed for Focal headphones, this stainless steel stand is also available as part of our collection. Its stylish shape, reminiscent of the Focal flame logo, provides a simple, aesthetic storage solution for your headphones, while the sleek design is finished with laser engraving. Thanks to its Setapan®  base, it ensures perfectstability. 
UTOPIA

‘The Focal Utopia turn listening to music into a full-on experience’ GQ‘I consider this headphone a masterpiece’ HIFI +
‘With Focal, engineering and craftsmanship always serves the art. Beautiful to behold, yes. But remarkable to listen to’ TONE

CLEAR MG

‘Everything about the Focal Clear Mg is close to perfect’ FORBES‘Clear Mg is masterful. Fo- cal’s promise of excellence is warranted’ HI-FI TRENDS

STELLIA

‘They are a slam dunk.’ THE ABSOLUTE SOUND‘Simply the best closed-back headphones we’ve heard’ WHAT HI-FI

CELESTEE

‘It really was love at first sight – and at first listen’ MOON AUDIO
‘Easily the most subtly stunning-looking Focal headphone’ AUDIOHOLICS

‘These closed-back headphones ooze sophistication and have sound quality to match with electrifying detail and timing’ BBC MUSIC

RADIANCE

‘Focal has made a pair of headphones that sound as good as they look’ FORBES
‘The French manufacturer Focal is no stranger to producing high-quality headphones, but I think the Radiance deserves its unique spot in their catalog’ MAJOR HIFI‘Focal has managed to create what I honestly believe is the price-to-performance champion in the high-end closedback headphone category’ HEADFONIA

UNITI

‘Naim’s new Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is just perfect for private listening’ FORBES‘Luxury-tier quality in hardware, design and sound, built to keep pace with the best headphones made today’ AUDIOHOLICS
‘You really get the Naim sound, now delivered straight to your ears’ HI-FI.NL
COLLECTIONS
Combining performance and design, Focal’s collections are a revelation, awakening the emotions. And it doesn’t matter where you are. At home with hi-fi and in-wall/in-ceiling loudspeakers, Home Cinema systems and open-/closed-back headphones; on the go with incar kits; during travel with Bluetooth® Noise Cancelling Headphones; in the studio with monitors and at sea with specialist yacht solutions.
Home Collection
Motorities Collection
Professional Collection
Enjoy an incredible sound experience
Find our products in 10,000 retail partner stores across the world, but also in our Focal Powered by Naim shops. These stores, dedicated to our brands, invite you to dive into our world, our savoir-faire and immerse yourself in the Focal & Naim sound.

For more information, scan the QR code or find us at:
www.focal.com Focal JMLab®
Focal JMLab®
BP 374 – 108, rue de l’Avenir – 42353 La Talaudière cedex – France – +33 (0) 477 435 700
BP 374 – 108, rue de l’Avenir – 42353 La Talaudière cedex – France – +33 (0) 477 435 700
Focal® is a registered trademark of Focal JMLab®, Naim® is a registered trademark of Naim Audio®.
Due to constant technological advances, Focal JMLab® and Naim Audio® reserve the right to modify prices and specifications without notice.
Non-binding pictures. Pictures : L’Atelier Sylvain Madelon / p.47-49: Die Frau / Envato Elements. SCCG/17/08/2022 – v3

References

• HiFi.nl - Muziek - Film - Lifestyle - Hoogwaardige weergave van audio, video, muziek en film
• USA | Focal
• Focal