After 5 years of development, Focal has unveiled the DIVA UTOPIA Active Wireless Loudspeakers; the $39,999 USD asking price includes four Naim Audio power amplifiers integrated inside each loudspeaker.
What makes the DIVA UTOPIA different than the rest of the speakers in the UTOPIA line (such as the “entry-level” La Scala Utopia EVO and the flagship Grand Utopia EM EVO) is that the DIVA is a powered wireless speaker.
This means it has everything built-in and one can start streaming to it directly from a network player or their smart phone. Focal has taken the power amplifier, pre-amplifier, and external DAC out of your equipment rack and integrated them into the chassis of the loudspeakers.
Cabinet Design
To start off, the DIVA shares design elements with the rest of FOCAL’s UTOPIA speaker line. This includes the trademark molded curved body, isolated tweeter chamber, bottom vent, and anti-vibration base.
Speaker Configuration
Starting with the speaker section the DIVA UTOPIA is a 3-way design with a beryllium ‘M’-shaped inverted dome tweeter, a ‘W’ cone midbass, and four 6.5″ (16.5cm) ‘W’ woofers in a push-push configuration. This driver configuration is engineered to deliver powerful, precise sound reproduction in rooms of up to 80 square meters.
The DIVA UTOPIA system is comprised of two speakers. The master speaker contains all of the inputs, streaming, and control options. The master speaker then connects to the secondary speaker via an RJ45 Speaker Link cable to form a two-channel stereo setup.
Amplification
To support the DIVA, Focal has included 400 Watts of total amplification power per loudspeaker, spread across four Naim Audio Class-A/B amplifiers in each speaker for the treble, midrange, and bass.
Wireless Technology
The DIVA’s wireless features (streaming and multi-room audio) incorporate UWB (Ultra Wide Band) technology. This provides high-def audio transmission with no loss, no compression, and imperceptible latency. The Naim Pulse Platform active model delivers fluid wireless connectivity and seamless integration within a Focal & Naim ecosystem.
Streaming and Control
You can operate and access content using the provided remote control, the Focal/Naim smartphone App, including Google Assistant and Siri voice control.
Pro Tip: The Focal Naim app also includes a room speaker calibration tool (aka Adapt Technology).
The DIVA is also compatible with the Control4, Crestron, Savant, and RTI control systems as well as Apple Homekit and Google Home.
Content is accessible wirelessly using AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Bluetooth, and more, while wired sources are accessible via HDMI, Toslink, RCA, and USB input connections.
Pro Tip: The HDMI input is eARC-enabled for easy connection to a TV to facilitate better audio for TV or movie viewing, as well as for gameplay audio.
Specifications
| Focal DIVA UTOPIA | |
| Price (pair) | $39,999 |
| Speaker Type | 3-way, Bass-Reflex, Active (Powered) |
| Speaker Drivers | Floorstanding bass: 4 x ‘W’ 61/2″ (16.5cm) push-push configuration Midbass: ‘W’ 61/2″ (16.5cm) with TMD surround and NIC motor Tweeter: IAL2 1-5/8″ (27mm) pure beryllium ‘M’-shaped inverted dome |
| Frequency Response | 27Hz – 40kHz |
| Low-frequency cut-off (-6dB) | 24Hz |
| Maximum SPL (per pair) | 116dB (@ 1m) |
| Amplifier Type | Class AB |
| Amplification Power per Loudspeaker | LF: 250W MF: 75W HF: 75W |
| Power Supply | 110-120V/220-240V ~50/60Hz |
| Power consumption | Usage type: 280W Network standby mode: <2W No-network standby mode: <0.5W |
| Inputs (Wired) | Primary loudspeaker: – HDMI eARC, CEC – TOSLINK Optical – RCA analog – Type A USB 2.0 – RJ45 Ethernet Secondary loudspeaker: – RJ45 Speaker Link |
| Internet Radio Formats | Windows Media-formatted content, MP3, ACC, Ogg Vorbis streams, and MMS |
| Audio File Formats | WAV, FLAC, and AIFF – up to 24-bit/384kHz ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) – up to 24-bit/384kHz MP3 – up to 48kHz/ 320kbits (16-bit) AAC – up to 48kHz/320kbits (16-bit) OGG and AAC – up to 48kHz (16-bit) DSD64 and DSD128 Bluetooth – aptX Adaptive, SBC, AAC |
| Gapless Playback (all formats) | Yes |
| Multiroom Audio | Sync up to 32 Focal & Naim streaming devices and control them from the Focal & Naim app |
| Wireless Streaming Platforms | AirPlay 2 Google Cast Bluetooth 5.3 Spotify via Spotify Connect TIDAL via TIDAL Connect QQ Music via QPlay |
| Music Streaming Services via the Focal & Naim app | TIDAL Qobuz QPlay Internet radio Podcasts depend on services available in each country |
| Network | Ethernet (1000/100/10Mbps), Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6) |
| UPnP™ | Yes |
| Wireless connection | UWB (Ultra Wide Band) 96kHz/24-bit |
| Connection with Hi-Res Link | 192kHz/24-bit |
| Remote control | Integrated remote control Focal & Naim control app for iOS and Android Zigbee |
| Dimensions (HLD) | 475/8 x 161/2 x 22 inches (121 x 42 x 56 cm) |
| Net Weight | 141 lbs (64kg) |
| Weight (with packaging) | 174 lbs (79kg) |
The Bottom Line
Wireless powered speakers have made big inroads into the consumer market. What was once a product category of inexpensive tabletop and bookshelf models has grown to offer some very high-end floorstanding models from well-established reputable audiophile speaker makers that are quite expensive.
Focal is the latest to pursue this path with the introduction of the $39,999/pair DIVA UTOPIA. Having heard Focal speakers from across their product range, we have no doubt that these will sound great – the question for Focal (and others) is whether serious music listeners will dig deep into their wallets to meet that price tag.
Pricing & Availability
The Focal DIVA UTOPIA comes in a Grey Felt finish priced at $39,999/pair and is available for audition and purchase at Focal powered by Naim Store locations and select authorized dealers.
Other Focal UTOPIA floorstanding speakers (passive models) include:
- SCALA UTOPIA EVO – Smallest Utopia floor stander (from $39,998 per pair)
- MAESTRO UTOPIA EVO – 2nd Level up (from $75,998 per pair)
- STELLA UTOPIA EM EVO – 3rd Level up (from $149,998 per pair)
- GRANDE UTOPIA EM EVO – Flagship Level (from $279,998 per pair)
Note: All models may also be labeled as UTOPIA III EVO.
Related Reading
Keith McAvoy
October 5, 2024 at 8:21 pm
Their maybe a big roll-out here, an opportunity to market an item for shareholders; however let’s be frank, nothing new under the sun. Other audiophile companies have been doing for years. However very beautiful design, if not a bit industrial looking and cold in that color.