Toronto Audiofest 2024: Focal – EQ Audio

Toronto Audiofest 2024: Focal – EQ Audio


During our recent visit to the Focal room, we had the privilege of experiencing the grand unveiling of the Diva Utopia wireless loudspeaker—a product born out of five years of intensive R&D. Upon stepping into the room, a light-hearted debate arose between David and me regarding the material of the speakers. I was convinced they were covered in felt, while David was somewhat skeptical. After a quick touch test, I was proven right—felt it was!

The use of felt is an ingenious touch, especially for someone like me (Melissa-Sue), who manages to scratch every piece of wooden furniture I own. The felt not only gives the speakers a unique and soft aesthetic, but it also serves a practical purpose. Handcrafted in France from OEKO-TEX-certified polyester fibers, these speakers adhere to stringent sustainability and environmental standards. This makes them not only distinctive but eco-conscious as well. However, I must admit, these speakers might not be for everyone—I can already picture my cat eagerly digging her claws into them! But that aside, the daring design really impressed us with its originality and audacity.

As for the listening experience, we decided to test the Diva Utopia with Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish. With the room all to ourselves, we couldn’t resist cranking up the volume to see what these speakers were truly capable of. The result? An impeccable balance of highs and lows. David: As someone who’s obsessed with subwoofers, I was surprised to admit there was no need for one here. The bass was deep and full, but without overwhelming the clarity of the higher frequencies.

The speakers feature electronics by Naim, delivering an impressive 400 watts of total power. We were also treated by Iain Richardson to a playback of Sixteen Tons by Geoff Castellucci (a track we may have heard one too many times over the weekend, to be honest). Nonetheless, it was the perfect test track to showcase the speakers’ ability to reach impressively low frequencies. The minimalist cabling design keeps everything neat and clean—no unsightly wires cluttering up the space.

In short, the Focal Diva Utopia is a remarkable fusion of Focal’s acoustic expertise and Naim’s electronic precision. It’s an ambitious leap into the future of wireless audio, offering bold design and even bolder performance. For those willing to embrace its unconventional style, it delivers a sonic experience that’s as unique as its appearance.

2024 PMA Magazine. All rights reserved.


PMA Poll: How much did you spend on your last pair of speakers?

Dear readers,

As you might know, PMA is an independent consumer audio and music magazine that prides itself on doing things differently. For the past three years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to bringing you an authentic reading experience. We steer clear of commercial influences, ensuring that what you hear from us is genuine, unfiltered, and true to our values.

However, independence comes with its challenges. To continue our journey of honest journalism and to maintain the quality of content you love, we find ourselves turning to you, our community, for support. Your contributions, no matter how small, will help us sustain our operations and continue to deliver the content you trust and enjoy. It’s your support that empowers us to remain independent and keep our ears to the ground, listening and sharing stories that matter, without any external pressures or biases.

Thank you so much for being a part of our journey.

The PMA Team

If you wish to donate, you can do so here.

Search for a Topic

and enjoy exclusive content and early offers

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Email field is required to subscribe.