I'm the opposite, the Utopia 2022 is way better, yes "way". After owning the OG for 4 years (and selling it in the end of '22), I couldn't get myself past the forward hot presentation and ended up reaching for the HD650's more often (even Tyll pulled the OGs off the Innerfidelity Wall of Fame because of the forwardness). The new one is more euphoric, better bass, better spatial presentation, better build & aesthetic and more reliable by design (my OGs had a driver failure in 2020). I wish the OG has the tuning of the 2022 from the beginning; its like the HD650s with much lower distortion, much faster and far more punch.
I felt the same way about the Susvara, where the detail was almost overwhelming at times. Thought I was crazy for thinking that, but found that I am willing to sacrifice technical detail for a more euphoric sound signature.
I very much agree with your review. I had the 2022 and the 2020 and concur that the 2022 missed in excitement. Just sold the 2022. I use the 2020 with the Danacable Rhapsody and the SP3000 DAP. One question - did you think th 2020 is a bit light in bass?
Great video! I have the Utopia 2022 and just bought a Utopia 2020 new in box to compare. So far I would agree with your review. I think maybe the higher frequency reach on the 2020 is resulting in better engagement particularly with rock. Also, I don’t experience any peakyness in the 2020.
Wonderful Comparison ! Sennheiser HD800 is what i would buy after my extensive testing. A Song called Juditha Triumphans - Aria Vagus version which has 3 minutes 25 seconds is a wonderful song to test out headphones ( Make sure its Aria Vagus version - there are like 30 songs in the same album )
Same feeling with LCD-5! ...You literally just said this (in the video) as I typed it. Wow. But they're similar styles of presentation, while LCD-5 is reference accurate, detailed, but "distant". It doesn't pull me in like Utopia, with its smooth, fluid + mind-trickery it does
thanks for the review! you helped me with the debate as i seem to prefer the 2020. would u say the 2020 will be a wise choice for "the weekend" songs in terms of vocals, bass and overall joy? plan to pair it with the wa7 3rd gen. or u'd suggest a different headphones for my use case? p.s sold the 800s for diana v2 which perform rly well for my use case, just got tired of the diana despite how much i like it, plus it lacks power on the wa7 imo. thanks a bunch! :)
Great review as always. I love hearing your take and your thoughts are very much appreciated. For the prices that the older model is going for (currently around $2000 second hand) I’d go for the older model as well.
I agree with you 100%. The OG imparts magic to vocals that is difficult to achieve across the hobby. I have gone through speakers and multiple headphones, and they can't do what the OG's can do.
Very Interesting take. I’ve learned over time I’m really a Focal guy (Clear OG and Elex) after owning comparable Hifiman, DCA, Kennerton along with a number of lower end models from other manufacturers. That has me eyeing the Utopia (if I sell everything 😂) and this review provides some great insight for that big decision both in terms of what I would gain over my beloved Clears and what I wouldn’t gain by saving up for the “Newtopia”. Thanks! The only other interesting thing on the horizon is the ZMF Caldera. If you ever get a chance to hear and review those, I’d love your expert take.
Well I appreciate you calling me an "expert", although I don't know if I'd put myself in that category. I believe I will have the opportunity for a Caldera before too long.
The Headphone Show says the only sonic difference is a slight reduction in treble above 1000hz by 2db based on the graphs. No bass boost etc. I got the 2020 og as soon as price dropped and very happy
100% agree on your statement about the OG Clears. I’ve mostly been a Sennheiser guy but recently due to all the hype + massive discount I ended up purchasing the OG clear. And while the detail retrieval is all that I don’t feel as connected to the music as I do with my Sennheiser HD600. However because of how right you are about the Clears I’m wondering if I should consider the old Utopia, if I can find one that is 😅
Hello, I own a focal clear mg, but this headphone on certain songs is phenomenal. I have to say the Utopia has grabbed my interest, like many people I have watched many many reviews until I watched this one. I have been on the fence as to get the new model or the original model ( New one) some places still have a couple around.After listening to you, I purchased (gulp) the original model and just got it yesterday I was blown away! wow, what a headphone. They say the new one sounds the same, so I,m very happy with my discounted, but new Utopia .I,m glad I got one before there all gone. You help me decide, Thanks!!!
I feel this way often. It has been my experience when upgrading that the improvement in materials outside the electronics - or the improvements in the electrical components, did not result in anything more meaningful than a different sound. Maybe technically better- neutral or accurate- even, er, natural sound. All good things , and definitely the right direction. But not satisfying to me. In some things there is something to be learned from where you started- like, for instance, the way you hear, how you best hear.
I just bought the 2020 utopias, I've only been listening to them for an hour ,they were 1000 dollars off a brand new pair, I also have the og clear, I didn't notice that big a difference between the clear and the utopia when I first started listening to them ,but all I have is a mojo 2, the longer I listen the more I like the utopia, it's less harsh than the clears and almost all music sounds good on them, I'm sure they will sound better when I upgrade my amp/dac, I also have a 2021 lcdx and it seems to have better bass than the utopia
I have a clear MG and I’m experiencing some clipping in the bass at louder volumes. I’ve been eyeing the Utopia now wondering how much better it is. I don’t have anywhere local to listen to them
@@jdlc-df1ueIt's really the law of diminishing returns at this point. I just got the 2022 Utopia coming from Elear and the difference is not night and day, listening on Auralic Gemini 2000, using the XLR input. And while I'm liking the Utopia more and more, it made me realise what exceptional value the Elears are (it helped that I got them at a great price).
warmer and richer means not automatically "more exciting" if you like excitement and btw. most youtubers say the the new stuff is better then old stuff, it´s most all for advetisement, that´s why like MrAyrit´s honest opinons so much
Yeah, I heard a couple of people say that, but it isn't the impression I got. The only thought I have is I wonder if the bass drops off just a bit before the main vocal range. After thinking about it, that could have been the case... I should probably look at a FR graph.
I've had my 2020 utopias for about 5 hours now, im listening to them on a mojo 2, Its probably the mojo 2 but I'm not hearing that much of a difference from the clear og, I think I even like the lcdx 2021 alot better, I just don't hear the speed of the utopia that everyone talks about, im going to listen to them until next week before I decide whether to keep them our not
