New Products

French audio manufacturer Focal has unveiled the DIVA UTOPIA, its first wireless, connected, active loudspeaker. This model aims to deliver audiophile-grade sound paired with the convenience of modern wireless technology.

Developed over five years, the flagship speaker merges Focal’s renowned acoustic engineering with advanced electronics from Naim Audio, setting a new standard in high-fidelity sound systems. Available in October 2024, the DIVA UTOPIA is priced at $39,999 USD (or $51,999 CAD) per pair, sold exclusively at Focal Powered by Naim stores.

A Paradigm Shift in High-Fidelity Audio
The DIVA UTOPIA caters to those who demand uncompromising sound quality with the ease of a wireless system. As a 3-way bass-reflex floorstanding speaker, it eliminates the need for external amplifiers or speaker cables between units, simplifying installation compared to traditional high-end audio setups. Focal and Naim integrated Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, ensuring high-resolution audio transmission without compression, signal loss, or latency.

This UWB technology, developed with a partner company, offers audio quality surpassing CDs and approaching professional studio recordings. It ensures the DIVA UTOPIA maintains clarity and precision wirelessly.

“We aimed to create a user-friendly experience without sacrificing performance,” said Cédrick Boutonet, CEO of Focal & Naim. “We believe the DIVA UTOPIA achieves that.”

Users can control the speaker via a dedicated app, a remote, or voice assistants like Google Assistant and Siri, making it a seamless addition to modern smart homes.

Comprehensive Connectivity
The DIVA UTOPIA supports a wide range of wireless protocols, including Bluetooth®, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and UPnP™, allowing audio streaming from virtually any device or service. Popular platforms such as Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, and QQ Music (for China) are all supported, giving users access to an extensive music library.

Beyond wireless capabilities, the DIVA UTOPIA offers multiple wired inputs for versatile setups. It features HDMI eARC for TV connections, providing cinema-quality sound for movies and gaming. Other inputs include optical, RCA, and USB, accommodating sources from vinyl turntables to digital players.

The system integrates smoothly into the Focal and Naim ecosystems, enabling multiroom setups controlled via the Focal & Naim app. The app syncs audio across rooms or allows different music in various zones. For smart homes with systems like Control4, Crestron, and Google Home, the DIVA UTOPIA can integrate into the overall automation, enhancing home control.

Focal’s Acclaimed Acoustic Engineering
Focal’s legacy of loudspeaker innovation continues with the DIVA UTOPIA, featuring the brand’s signature technologies for detailed, natural sound. The 3-way design includes a 6.5-inch ‘W’ cone midbass driver and four 6.5-inch ‘W’ woofers in a push-push configuration, delivering deep, controlled bass without distortion, suitable for rooms up to 80 square meters.

The ‘W’ cone, first introduced in 1995, uses a sandwich construction of glass fiber around a foam core, optimizing rigidity, lightness, and damping. This results in minimal distortion and precise midrange frequencies.

For high frequencies, the DIVA UTOPIA features a 1.6-inch beryllium tweeter with Focal’s proprietary ‘M’ profile. Beryllium’s stiffness and lightness make it ideal for high-frequency drivers, while the ‘M’ profile ensures wide sound dispersion and remarkable accuracy. Focal’s IAL (Infinite Acoustic Loading) technology further reduces distortion by managing acoustic pressure behind the dome.

Naim-Powered Electronics and Amplification
Naim, a British specialist in high-fidelity electronics, provides the amplification for the DIVA UTOPIA. Each speaker has 400 watts of Class AB amplification, divided across the tweeter, midrange, and bass drivers. This amplification ensures both power and detailed sound with minimal distortion, contributing to a balanced, dynamic soundstage.

The DIVA UTOPIA also features Naim’s Pulse Platform, a streaming architecture supporting resolutions up to 384kHz/32bits. This captures even the subtlest musical details, providing an experience that rivals live performances.

A high-performance DAC and digital signal processor (DSP) ensure precise audio signal processing, preserving the original recording's integrity. To maintain optimal performance, a custom heatsink from Naim’s flagship Statement amplifier regulates component temperatures, ensuring long-term reliability.

Refined Design with a Focus on Detail
Focal has designed the DIVA UTOPIA to be both visually striking and acoustically optimized. The bass drivers are discreetly side-mounted, giving the speaker a clean look. Floating side panels and a backlit Focal logo add sophistication, while the grey felt side panels, chosen for both aesthetic and environmental reasons, complete the design.

A standout feature is the brushed aluminum ribbon encircling the tweeter, symbolizing Yin and Yang—representing the harmony between Focal’s acoustics and Naim’s electronics expertise.

Pricing and Availability
The DIVA UTOPIA will be available starting October 2024 at select Focal Powered by Naim locations, priced at $39,999 USD or $51,999 CAD per pair. For further details, visit Focal’s website.