U T O P I A B E R Y L L I U M

G R A N D E
N O V A
A L T O
Te l . 0 0 3 3 4 7 7 4 3 5 7 0 0 - Fa x 0 0 3 3 4 7 7 4 3 5 7 0 4 - w w w. f o c a l - f r. c o m
© Focal-JMlab 2004
JMlab®, Utopia®, “W”® sandwich, OPC® crossover, Gamma Structure®, Focus Time®, Focus Ring®, Power Flower® Be Tweeter® are registred trademarks of Focal-JMlab®
Due to constant technological advances, Focal-JMlab reserves its right to modify specifications without notice. Images may not conform exactly to specific product.
®
Focal-JMlab - BP 374 - 108, rue de l’Avenir - 42353 La Talaudière cedex - France
Focal-JMlab® - SC/AB 040305/1 - Photos Studio 36 - Saint-Etienne
D I V A
M I C R O
C E N T E R
S U B
U T O P I A
B e r y l l i u m
G R A N D E U TO P I A B E RY L L I U M : A W O R L D R E F E R E N C E
Winner Golden Sound and Grand Prix awards
Best Sound of the year
S t e r e o S o u n d m a g a z i n e , J A PA N .
“A remarkable tour de force”
Hifi News magazine, UK.
“The finest loudspeaker on the planet? Possibly”
> Jacques MAHUL - Founder of Focal-JMlab
Stereophile magazine, USA.
™
utopia beryllium
of the World!”
A u d i o , G E R M A N Y.
“A new and fascinating sound universe”
Uniquely Utopia
Uniqueness symbolizes the Utopia Be
range of loudspeakers.
Unique by their technological achievements.
The Beryllium tweeter of course, but
also the numerous innovations and
refinements they encompass: “W” cone
sandwich, magnet systems (Focus Ring,
Power Flower, Multiferrite), cabinetry
(Focus Time, Gamma Structure) and
crossover (OPC).
Unique in quality of materials and craftsmanship. The aerospace materials used
in the composite W cones, the finest
lacquers from the automobile industry,
the careful selection of the real woods,
the 14 coats of varnish – each layer
hand sanded to perfection.
Unique in the harmony of function and
form they embody. A blend of super high
technology, luxurious materials and elegant form to bring the ultimate stereo or
multichannel experience to your home.
“The Grande Utopia Be the best speaker
Re v u e d u S o n , F R A N C E .
In short, uniqueness born from our
obsession for attention to detail…
This Utopia Be range of loudspeakers is
the result of 25 years of research and
development, brilliantly orchestrated by
Jacques Mahul, driven by a passion for
the accurate reproduction of music.
25 years of continual investment in novel
industrial solutions to gain complete
control of the whole manufacturing
process. From the forming of the pure Be
metal dome to the final finishing of the
cabinetwork, every element is under the
total control of our French workshops.
It’s the ultimate in freedom of development - every detail can be examined,
adjusted, tuned, evaluated and finalized
with the utmost control and efficiency.
This applies not only to each individual
component, but also the whole.
Each loudspeaker in the Utopia Be range
has undergone a thorough technical
research, followed by countless hours
of listening and evaluation to achieve…
total enchantment. It is our great pleasure
to share our “Spirit of Sound” with you.
Beyond this, the Utopia Be range that
you will discover over the following
pages was a unique human adventure
for the team at Focal-JMlab. Enthusiasm
and passion are the most powerful
driving forces…
Here they have been greeted by praise
from the most renowned international
audio critics, beginning with the Grande
Utopia Be in 2003, recognizing the
arrival of a new landmark in the history
of sound reproduction.
> Gérard CHRÉTIEN - Managing Director
> Structure of the Utopia Beryllium tweeter
Focal-JMlab’s acknowledged expertise
in the field of loudspeaker design is largely
based upon the company’s development of the inverted dome tweeter: a
major innovation refined and improved
throughout the past twenty years.
Famed for offering superb directivity
and exceptional dynamic behavior, the
Utopia Beryllium Line now takes the
inverted dome concept on to an altogether higher plane by introducing the
first dome made of pure Beryllium (Be).
Such a significant technological advance
is due to the metal’s exceptional properties: Beryllium is 2.5 times lighter than
Titanium yet 3 times more rigid and
propagates sound 3 times faster. Witch
means that for a dome of identical mass,
a beryllium version is 7 times more rigid
than one made of titanium.
These three fundamental characteristics
allow the new Utopia Beryllium Tweeter
to offer performance that was previously
considered impossible. Beryllium allows
a single driver to accurately reproduce
frequencies over five octaves from 1kHz
to more than 40kHz, thereby answering
the demands made by new formats such
as SACD and DVD-A without the compromises associated with simply adding
an additional “super-tweeter”.
Using just one driver to accurately
reproduce all of the high frequencies
results in a perfect impulse response,
but without creating phase problems, to
ensure the total coherence of the loudspeaker - something no other technology
or solution can currently guarantee.
In fact, the benefits of Beryllium proved
so significant to Focal-JMlab that the
company was compelled to try and
overcome the enormous challenge of
developing a new manufacturing process
to form pure Beryllium domes.
After years of intense research the company has successfully found a solution
and a patent has been filed. Such an
enormous undertaking is unusual in the
world of sound reproduction, but it is
proof of Focal-JMlab’s philosophy: true
progress can only be made when design
and manufacturing are controlled directly,
without compromise.
The use of Beryllium is a direct consequence of its exceptional properties,
but is also due to the limitations of
traditional materials.
beryllium tweeter
When only the best will do
™
The precision machined
Aluminum fascia allows
a precise flush-fitting of
the tweeter to guarantee
a reflection free response.
Aluminum
Utopia Beryllium tweeter
Titanum
Beryllium
> Comparison of Beryllium with Titanium
and Aluminum. Beryllium is the
lightest, stiffest and has the highest
velocity of sound.
Real size view
Stainless steel machine screws
are used throughout the
Utopia Be Line.
Utopia Beryllium tweeter measurments
> Frequency response
extends over five octaves
from 1kHz to more than
40kHz. A factor determining how a single tweeter
succeeds in offering a
“broad band” while
avoiding the phase
problems caused by an
additional “super-tweeter”.
> The impulse response
clearly shows the exceptional characteristics of
the Utopia Beryllium
Tweeter - a clean and
fast initial transient
response is perfectly
damped for a detailled
sound free of coloration.
Pole piece
Neodymium
Focus Ring
Top Plate
Samarium
Cobalt
principal
magnet
Terminals
> A central Samarium Cobalt magnet is
surrounded by Neodymium Focus Rings.
™
focus ring
Addressing the limitations of the magnet
The exceptional performance of the
Beryllium Tweeter demanded new
technical solutions to be found in other
areas. In addition, the more extreme
requirements created by modern recording
technology also have to be taken into
account.
The very high energy levels that can
be developed impose new demands in
terms of power and temperature handling
and in particular impose limitations on
the use of Neodymium magnets.
Although Neodymium does not have
a very low Curie value, the material
can not be used in situations where
very high, localised temperatures are
generated without the risk of irreversibly
demagnetizing the magnetic circuit.
Focal-JMlab’s new Focus Ring technology innovates by adopting a rare earth
magnet of Samarium Cobalt which has
a much higher Curie value.
To further increase the output of the
Samarium Cobalt, a peripheral ring of
Neodymium is used to concentrate the
magnetic field within the gap.
By combining the characteristics of the
two materials a considerable magnetic
field of 2 teslas is generated, while also
guaranteeing an increase in reliability and
a consistent performance even under
the most extreme conditions.
Magnetic material
Neodymium Nd Fe B
319° C
Ferrite
450° C
AINiCo
810° C
2
> The very high Curie point of Samarium Cobalt compared to Neodymium makes it possible to
preserve a comfortable safety margin against any risk of demagnetization.
Curie Temp.
14
Samarium Cobalt Sm Co
2
17
825° C
> The Power Flower® structure matches
shaped plates to a Multiferrite
magnetic circuit and guarantees the
maximum performance of the driver
thanks to a significant reduction in
magnetic losses.
power flower
The search for ultimate performance leads to novel solutions
While the acoustic engineering of
loudspeakers is often compared to
alchemy - producing magic from an
extraordinarily subtle application of
infinite parameters and know-how the Utopia Be Line sets new standards
of performance thanks to its major
technological innovations.
The new 61/2” (165mm) mid-range driver
is one such example of Focal-JMlab’s
search for perfection, because by
specifying a cone capable of accurately
reproducing a frequency range from
250 to 2500Hz, the company is seeking
to create an exceptional driver.
The composite structure of the “W”
membrane is Focal-JMlab’s solution in
offering a combination of lightness, high
rigidity and damping without equal.
It is a driver so close to the ideal that the
phase plug that is usually required to
control dispersion problems can be
removed and replaced by a large
aluminum focus plug.
However, it is also a driver that requires
extremely high manufacturing tolerances
and mechanical optimization with regards
to the associated motor assembly, including
the Multiferrite array - a solution pioneered
by Focal-JMlab 20 years ago.
In the Utopia Be line, the Multiferrite
assembly has been further refined into a
new configuration called “Power Flower“
which is designed to guarantee that the
new “W” cone reaches its full potential.
The Power Flower technology makes it
possible to reproduce the full performance of one very large and powerful
magnet, but without the considerable
magnetic losses that can be created
when attempting to produce and bond a
large diameter ferrite and thick plates.
The flower shape of the plates marries
perfectly to the reduced area of the
six magnets to eliminate projecting
edges and surface irregularities. These
irregularities could produce unacceptable losses, especially when the aim
is to produce a driver with exceptional
qualities.
™
™
“w” cone
composite membrane technology
The“W”cone was already a leading innovation: yet we have improved it further
Having introduced the concept of composite membrane drivers, Focal-JMlab
are launching a new refined version of
the technology in the Grande Utopia
Beryllium, despite the fact that the original formulation launched in 1995 still
outclasses all alternative solutions.
The discussion of the relative merits of
different cone materials could go on
into eternity. However, there are three
key fundamental characteristics that
have a direct effect on outright sound
fidelity and realism: the rigidity of the
cone, its weight and damping.
Higher rigidity guarantees reduced rates
of distortion because the behavior of the
cone remains that of a perfect piston.
The lighter the cone’s weight the more
ideal its dynamic performance and
cones with high internal damping give a
more natural and uncolored sound.
Almost uniquely, the design of cone “W”
is capable of reconciling these three
normally contradictory demands.
The concept is based on a structural
foam normally used in the aerospace
industry and which has exceptional
characteristics (weight/rigidity ratio,
constant tolerances and high internal
damping). The foam is then bonded
to tissues “glass” layers whose fibrous
nature also ensures an uncolored
sound reproduction.
The composite nature of the structure
allows Focal-JMlab to optimize the characteristics of each driver for the frequency
band in which it will operate.
By adjusting the thickness of the foam,
or the number of ‘glass’ layers, the weight,
rigidity and damping can all be altered independently or in combination.
Focal-JMlab believe that this accurate
mechanical control of the behavior of
the membrane is essential to its superb
performance and allows the optimization
of the driver at the “source” as a
opposed to the alternative of adding
electrical filtering.
This flexibility sets the material apart and
also in the case of the cone “W” woofer
used in the Utopia Be Line reaches a
record index of rigidity, at least 20 times
more rigid than other materials.
But Focal-JMlab realises that numbers
are only part of the story and the science
of dynamics needs to partner total transparency and neutrality to ensure that the
expression and emotion of the music are
also conveyed.
The optimization of the cone “W” concept
ensures that the Focal-JMlab drivers
can be matched to ensure a remarkable
performance consistency across the full
frequency range. The structure of cone
“W” answers all of the demands placed
on a speaker cone to ensure absolute
realistic sound reproduction.
15”
11”
6”
> For an equal mass and diameter, the indices of rigidity for the
“W” cone woofer outclass all other commonly used materials.
> The hand-made manufacturing of the “W” cone.
> “W” cone uses a high tech structural foam covered by “glass” tissues. By varying the layers of glass tissue and the thickness of foam it is possible to modulate the characteristics
of the membrane avoiding the need to use corrective filtering elements.
“W” sandwich cone
of foam and woven glass
tissue for rigidity
and low mass.
Multiferrite
TECHNOLOGY
Voice coil edge
wound with flat
copper ribbon on a
Kapton® former.
Individually machined
parts for the highest
precision.
Low carbon steel
for maximum
magnetic charge.
“Butyl” rubber surround
for a long life
and consistent
performance.
A massive die-cast
aluminum chassis
- mechanical
vibration is kept to
a minimum.
Twelve magnets
for maximum
magnetic force
and ideal ventilation.
The sandwich “W” cone of the woofer is highly
optimized over its range, in particular
in terms of rigidity. This high rigidity allows
the membrane to behave as a true piston
reducing distortion to an absolute minimum.
This membrane is powered by a Multiferrite
magnet system which has a highly stable
magnetic field and also decompresses the air
under the dust-cap. The result; exceptional
dynamics free from compression even at high
levels, ultra low distortion and deep firm bass.
T I M E
U S
F O C
> The Focus Time design is curved to follow
the principle that all drivers should be an
equal distance from the listener.
™
focus time
Fonction dictates form
The striking form of the Utopia Be Line
has not just been dictated by athestic
considerations. It is the result of many
years of research into what represents
the ideal form for a loudspeaker.
Theoretically, the perfect loudspeaker
would be able to reproduce the full
range of audio frequencies from a
single point. However, Focal-JMlab’s
performance parameters for the Utopia
Be Line are to reproduce an extended
bandwidth, which represents an impossible target for a single driver.
The only possible solution is to divide
the frequency range between an array
of drivers each dedicated to a specified
frequency band and carefully arranged
to simulate a single emissive point.
It is commonly accepted that it is essential that all the frequencies emitted by
each loudspeaker arrive simultaneously
at the listener’s ear. If the high, medium
or low register arrives in advance of one
or the other, the coherence of the overall
sound will be inevitably corrupted.
The concept takes on more significance
when considering the operation of the
OPC filter, which has been optimized
assuming that this alignment ideal will
be achieved.
Focus Time is Focal-JMlab’s solution
and aligns all of the drivers on a “virtual”
circle, the centre of which corresponds
to the distance and height of the listeners
> On a traditional enclosure, the loudspeakers are
placed in the same plane. The distances between
the listener and the emission points for the high,
mid and low register are not equal leading to time
distortion and poor sound coherence.
ear and ensures that all frequencies
- low, medium and high - arrive simultaneously.
Critically the tweeter is placed in the
center of the array to guarantee that it is
directly on axis with the listener’s ear.
Focus Time thus brings a real solution
despite the many constraints imposed
when attempting to reach a theoretical
ideal. The sound’s image is always
reproduced with exemplary stability
whatever the amplitude of the signal.
> When the drivers are aligned in a curve, they are
at an equal distance from the listener’s ear, recreating the fundamental advantage of the ideal single
point source.
> Panel sizing
> Computer controlled machining
> Real wood veneering
> The hardwood edging
is ultra sonically bonded
> Manuel sanding
> Assembly
γ
gamma struc ture “ ”
> Gloss laquering
> Final polishing
™
Music starts with silence
The mass of an enclosure is very important.
It is well known that loudspeakers convert
electrical energy into a mechanical force
that energises the driver membranes
allowing them move air molecules. And
to create reference class performance,
the energy generated needs to be transmitted directly into driver cones and not
lost to movement within the structure.
Physics tells us that there is only one way
to prevent such losses and it requires the
mass of the enclosure to be increased and as close to infinity as possible.
The structure of the Utopia Be speakers
offers many radical solutions and in particular the use of massive - 2” (50mm)
thick - MDF panels. Already rigid and
inert, the enclosure also benefits from
many internal reinforcements that have
been designed to ensure maximum
strength but without restricting the
movement of air within its interior.
In fact, after detailed research the enclosure reinforcements have been designed
so that they act as “wave guides“ to
prevent the risk of distortion caused by
standing wave reflections reaching the
rear of the cones.
The result is a speaker with an authoritative performance, superb dynamics and
a more precise sound representation,
free from the parasitic vibrations likely
to mask the detail within the reproduced
material.
The Grande Utopia Be consists
of five cabinets each with a 2”
(50mm) thick front baffle.
Each driver is completely isolated,
both physically and mechanically,
from the others.
The Utopia Be Line is assembled in a
separate dedicated manufacturing unit
and under highly controlled conditions.
The luxurious finish is the result of
exceptional skill from a dedicated team
of experienced technicians responsible
for the cabinet assembly. All work is conducted under precise lighting conditions
(700 lux per square meter) to ensure
total quality control and zero defects.
opc
> Grande Utopia Be aluminum crossover
panel allows bi-amplification.
™
The purpose of a filter? To filter, nothing more
The crossover is a key element in the
design of a loudspeaker. Its role and its
design are very complicated; the quality
of a loudspeaker depends on it.
Taking the full range signal from the
amplifier, the crossover has the task of
distributing the correct level, frequency
range and frequency contour to each
of the drive units in a multiple way
loudspeaker. The human ear is most
sensitive at upper midrange frequencies,
precisely the point where, for other
reasons explained below, we need to
integrate the midrange and tweeter of
a loudspeaker.
The size of a midrange driver dictates
the frequency after which the dispersion
of sound becomes narrow and inaccurate
in energy distribution, often referred to
as “beaming”. Without a wide distribution
of energy it is impossible to faithfully
reproduce the distinct characteristic of
an instrument, so it is very important
that the tweeter takes over before the
dispersion of the midrange driver starts
to narrow. Here our inverted dome
tweeter offers a unique advantage in
that its design allows it to work down to
frequencies sufficiently low enough to
avoid the effects of midrange beaming.
To be able to radiate sound coherently
over a wide dispersion angle, the phase
relation between each of the drive
units in a system must also be carefully
aligned. With the phase between each
of the drive units perfectly matched, a
loudspeaker system is capable of
producing a stable wave front of energy
and can become truly capable of reproducing a realistic image of a musical
instrument.
These aforementioned criteria form the
basis of OPC technology. However, it
would be naive to think that this ideal
could be reached simply through an
extensive development of crossover
technology. It is necessary to have total
control over the response and performance of the transducers themselves,
as is only possible for a few manufacturers who develop their own drive
units. Focal-JMlab develops a specific
drive unit for each individual product,
taking into consideration the form and
size of the cabinet as well as all other
acoustical parameters. This translates
into a sound that is extremely coherent
and with a natural timbre. Imaging is
extremely precise and at the same time
dispersion wide so that the result can be
enjoyed over a wide listening area.
> WBT specially developed binding posts for Focal-JMlab.
™
opc
optimum phase crossover
Coherence is a question of phase…
5 000Hz
> A single pair of WBT terminals
are provided.
2 500Hz
> A bass-mid drive unit will radiate sound in an increasingly directional manner as frequency increases.
It becomes more directive.Therefore the crossover should introduce the tweeter before this phenomena starts to take effect.
> Grande Utopia Be frequency response
> Grande Utopia Be impedance
> Grande Utopia Be impulse response
gr ande utopia be
To create the absolute reference loudspeaker; forever a benchmark for others to try and reach
The Grande Utopia represents much
more than a speaker. It is a true technical
concept and the end result of a single
idea: to create the ultimate reference
product without limitation, constraint or
compromise.
The first Grande Utopia of 1995 was
originally developed as an experimental
vehicle that would be used both to
guide all of the company’s research and
development and to also act as an absolute bench mark for all of Focal-JMLab’s
future products.
In fact a number of technical innovations that are the foundation of today’s
Focal-JMLab designs were developed
for the original Grande Utopia project
including: “W” membrane cones, Focus
Time and Gamma construction.
The successful realisation of this idea
resulted in the Grande Utopia being
quickly elevated to the position of World
reference loudspeaker, creating a new
standard that other manufacturers
would have to attempt to match.
Launched in 2003, the Grande Utopia Be
is effectively a completely new loudspeaker which does not share any common
parts with the original version. In fact,
each and every element has been
carefully reconsidered and optimised.
But more was needed: it was necessary
for the company to set the development
team new goals and challenges.
Mastering the exclusive production
and implementation of pure Beryllium
cones and the creation of Focus Ring
and Power Flower magnetic motors are
some of the key innovations that resulted
and have moved Focal-JMLab one step
nearer to perfection.
As a true technological work of art, the
Grande Utopia Be has once again set
the International reference standard:
proven by the speaker winning all of the
most prestigious global awards.
> The spikes are
presented in a
miniature wooden box
that mimics that of the
loudspeakers.
> Four cones with adjustable points provided.
GRANDE utopia
be
Woofer
> 11” (27cm) W-type cone
> 21/2” (65mm) coil
> 12 x 23/8” (60mm) magnets
Midranges
> Two 61/2” (16,5cm) W-type cone
> 11/2” (40mm) voice coil
> Focus plug
> “Power Flower” magnet system
Port
> Rear firing twin circular
for woofer
Tweeter
> Pure Beryllium inverted dome
> 3/4” (20mm) voice coil
> “Focus Ring” magnet system
> Avant Garde
> Classic
> Signature
Subwoofer
> 15” (38cm) W-type cone
> 3” (75mm) coil
> 12 x 27/8” (72mm) Multiferrite
magnet system
Description
4-way bass reflex floor standing speaker
Low frequency point (-6dB)
16Hz
Frequency response (+/ -3dB)
20Hz - 40kHz on reference axis
Efficiency (2.8V/1m)
92dB
Nominal impedance
8Ω
Minimum impedance
3Ω
Crossover frequencies
50Hz / 250Hz / 2500Hz at 24dB/octave
Maximum power handling with music program
500W
Recommended amplifier
From 50W
Dimensions (HxWxD)
681/2x195/8x303/4“ (1740x500x780mm) (without cones)
Weight
462,5lbs (210kg)
Front covers
Two grilles for subwoofer and woofer
Accessories
Adjustable spikes
Port
> Front firing laminar
for subwoofer
Crossover technology
> OPC
> WBT binding post
terminals
> High purity silver plated
copper internal wiring
> Biamplification possible
Cabinet
> “Focus Time”
construction
> “Gamma” structure
NOVA utopia
be
Concentrated form for the outright reference
The form factor of the Grande Utopia
Be, but concentrates it’s components
into a much smaller enclosure. However,
the speaker still enjoys the extraordinary
finesse of the pure Beryllium inverted
dome tweeter and has the two midrange
Power Flower drivers arranged in a similar
configuration to the larger model.
ALTO utopia
be
The Nova Utopia Be follows much of
The junior reference
nova
a lto
Closely derived from the Nova, the Alto
Utopia Be once again features all of the
common technological elements of the
Utopia Be range. However, the Alto establishes a more simple technical solution
with a single Power Flower mid-range
driver and a 11“ (27cm) woofer, acting
together with exceptional integration.
Simple to set-up and an easy load to
drive, the Alto Utopia Be is above all a
reference quality speaker that is still easy
to live with day to day.
A fascinating speaker, of pure heritage
and design and with an ability to reach
the most exceptional musical performance.
The elaborately constructed cabinet
again adopts independent enclosures,
for each of the drivers, to avoid any
form of unwanted interaction. The Nova
Utopia represents a reference quality
solution for a wide range of rooms.
nova utopia
alto utopia
be
Midranges
> Two 61/2” (16,5cm)
W-type cone
> 11/2” (40mm) voice coil
> Focus plug
> “Power Flower” magnet
system
be
Midrange
> 61/2” (16,5cm) W-type cone
> 11/2” (40mm) voice coil
> Focus plug
> “Power Flower” magnet
system
> Natural Burr Ash
Tweeter
> Pure Beryllium inverted dome
> 3/4“ (20mm) voice coil
> “Focus Ring” magnet system
> Slate grey metallic lacque
Tweeter
> Pure Beryllium inverted dome
> 3/4” (20mm) voice coil
> “Focus Ring” magnet system
Crossover technology
> “OPC”
> WBT binding post
terminals
> High purity silver plated
copper internal wiring
Woofer
> 13” (33cm) W-type cone
> 3” (75mm) voice coil
> 12 x 27/8” (72mm)
Multiferrite magnet system
Port
> Front firing laminar
Cabinet
> “Focus Time” construction
> “Gamma” structure
Crossover technology
> “OPC”
> WBT binding post
terminals
> High purity silver plated
copper internal wiring
Woofer
> 11”(27cm) W-type cone
> 11/2” (40mm) voice coil
> 55/8” (135mm) magnets
> Gold Burr Ash
> Slate grey metallic lacque
Cabinet
> “Focus Time” construction
> “Gamma” structure
Port
> Front firing laminar
Description
3-way bass reflex floor standing speaker
Description
3-way bass reflex floor standing speaker
Low frequency point (-6dB)
20Hz
Low frequency point (-6dB)
25Hz
Frequency response (+/ -3dB)
25Hz - 40kHz on reference axis
Frequency response (+/ -3dB)
30Hz - 40kHz on reference axis
Efficiency (2.8V/1m)
91,5dB
Efficiency (2.8V/1m)
91dB
Nominal impedance
8Ω
Nominal impedance
8Ω
Minimum impedance
3,6Ω
Minimum impedance
3,2Ω
Crossover frequencies
250Hz / 2 500Hz at 24dB/octave
Crossover frequencies
250Hz / 2 500Hz at 24dB/octave
Maximum power handling with music program
350W
Maximum power handling with music program
250W
Recommended amplifier
From 50W
Recommended amplifier
From 30W
Dimensions (HxWxD)
521/2x171/4x241/2” (1 337x440x621mm) without cones
Dimensions (HxWxD)
471/4x143/4x203/4” (1 208x370x530mm) without cones
Weight
274,2lbs (124kg)
Weight
166,2lbs (75,5kg)
Front covers
Grille for woofer
Front covers
Grille for woofer
Accessories
Adjustable spikes
Accessories
Adjustable spikes
> Burgundy Burr Ash
> Slate grey metallic lacque
> Detailed representation of the two 21cm loudspeakers,
benefiting from the “W” cone and “push-push” technologies.
diva utopia
Performance, integration
Midrange
> 61/2” (16,5cm) W-type cone
> 11/2” (40mm) voice coil
> Focus plug
> “Power Flower” magnet system
Cabinet
> “Focus Time” construction
> “Gamma” structure
Tweeter
> Pure Beryllium inverted dome
> 3/4” (20mm) voice coil
> “Focus Ring” magnet system
Crossover technology
> “OPC”
> WBT binding post terminals
> High purity silver plated
copper internal wiring
Port
> Front firing
Woofers
> Two 8” (21cm) W-type cone
> 11/2” (40mm) voice coil
> 43/4” (120mm) magnets
Description
3-way bass reflex floor standing speaker
Low frequency point (-6dB)
30Hz
Frequency response (+/ -3dB)
35Hz - 40kHz on reference axis
Efficiency (2.8V/1m)
90dB
Nominal impedance
8Ω
Minimum impedance
3Ω
Crossover frequencies
180Hz / 2 500Hz at 24dB/octave
Maximum power handling with music program
200W
Recommended amplifier
From 20W
Dimensions (HxWxD)
431/4x95/8x21” (1 100x250x532mm) without cones
Weight
105,7lbs (48kg)
Front covers
Two lateral grilles for woofers
Accessories
Adjustable spikes
be
and design at the highest level
As the first “lifestyle” speaker in the
Utopia Be range, the Diva is the result of
a clear brief: to adapt and transfer all of
the technologies of the Utopia Be line-up
into in a compact floor-stander, optimised
to operate in any size of room.
The Diva adopts a mid-high end driver
arrangement, closely derived from the
two-way compact Micro Utopia Be
speaker, including the famous pure
Beryllium inverted dome tweeter and a
61/2“ (165mm) Power Flower mid-range
cone, but develops extra deep bass from
twin 8“ (21cm) “W” cones - operating
in push-push mode - mounted on each
side at the base of the speaker.
This original solution makes it possible
to preserve the natural fluid sound of a
narrow column, but without conceding a
loss in overall performance. The magic
of the beryllium tweeter and the definition
and natural sound of the Power Flower
mid-range are now delivered together
with an exceptionally deep and detailed
bass performance for such a compact
enclosure.
Thanks to this approach, the Diva represents the ideal choice for smaller rooms,
allowing outright performance and easy
integration to co-exist.
The Micro Utopia Be is the latest and ultimate
incarnation of a long line of high performance
co mpact two-way loudspeakers developed at
Focal-JMLab.
By assembling, in a compact enclosure,
the same collection of hi-end technologies
- Beryllium tweeter, Focus ring, “W” cone,
Power Flower, OPC, Gamma and Focus
Time construction – found in the Grande
Utopia Be, the Micro Utopia Be can still
rightly claim its place as a true member
of the Utopia Be family; right down to
the same high quality WBT connectors.
Designed to be mounted on the
dedicated, sand filled and cosmetically matched SMU stand, the Micro
Utopia Be has the most appealing
and accurate sound thanks to the
superb integration of mid-range
and tweeter while the warm but
detailed bass ensures a performance which is exceptional for
such small enclosure.
m icro utopia
be
The simplest expression of what is Utopia Be
Tweeter
> Pure Beryllium inverted dome
> 3/4” (20mm) voice coil
> “Focus Ring” magnet system
Cabinet
> “Focus Time” construction
> “Gamma” structure
Port
> Front laminar
Crossover technology
> “OPC”
> WBT binding post terminals
> High purity silver plated
copper internal wiring
Mid-bass
> 61/2” (16,5cm) W-type cone
> 11/2” (40mm) voice coil
> Focus plug
> “Power Flower” magnet system
Description
2-way bass reflex stand mounting speaker
Low frequency point (-6dB)
40Hz
Frequency response (+/ -3dB)
50Hz - 40kHz on reference axis
Efficiency (2.8V/1m)
89dB
Nominal impedance
8Ω
Minimum impedance
5Ω
Crossover frequencies
2 500Hz at 24dB/octave
Maximum power handling with music program
100W
Recommended amplifier
From 20W
Dimensions (HxWxD)
165/8x97/8x15” (425x250x380mm)
Weight
38,5lbs (17.5kg)
Front covers
-
Accessories
Optional SMU stand (241/2’’ height)
Rightly considered an essential part of
any multi-channel system, the center
speaker needs to be exceptional if it is to
match the quality of the other speakers
in the Utopia Be range. A true three-way
model, the Center Utopia Be incorporates a 10” (25cm) bass driver on the
top of the enclosure, with two Power
Flower mid-range cone “W” drivers, one
mounted on each side of the pure beryllium inverted dome tweeter.
The L&R Utopia Be version is specially
adapted technically and aesthetically to
allow the speaker to be used vertically
mounted. It provides an ideal solution
for very high quality Home Cinema or
multichannel music systems that require
all of the speakers to be of an identical
size and type.
The Center and L&R Utopia Be has
also been designed to be mounted on
the dedicated, sand filled SCU stand
which positions the speaker at the
optimal height.
center
and
L&R utopia
be
Two speakers for multichannel in all dimensions
Crossover technology
> “OPC”
> WBT binding post terminals
> High purity silver plated
copper internal wiring
Woofer
> 10” (25cm) W-type cone
> 2” (50mm) voice coil
> 61/4” (160mm) magnets
Tweeter
> Pure Beryllium inverted dome
> 3/4” (20mm) voice coil
> “Focus Ring” magnet system
Port
> Rear firing twin circular
Cabinet
> “Focus Time” construction
> “Gamma” structure
Midranges
> Two 61/2” (16,5cm) W-type cone
> 11/2” (40mm) voice coil
> Focus plug
> “ Power Flower ” magnet system
L&R
Description
3-way bass reflex stand-mounted speaker
Low frequency point (-6dB)
35Hz
Frequency response (+/ -3dB)
45Hz - 40kHz on reference axis
Efficiency (2.8V/1m)
90dB
Nominal impedance
8Ω
Minimum impedance
3,4Ω
Crossover frequencies
250Hz / 2 500Hz at 24 dB/octave
Maximum power handling with music program
250W
Recommended amplifier
From 40W
Dimensions (HxWxD)
113/4x275/8x171/2” (300x700x443mm) without cones
Weight
85,9lbs (39kg)
Front covers
Top grille for woofer
Accessories
Optional SCU stand (20” height)
Center
L &R
L &R
L &R
L &R
sub uto pia
> The Sub Utopia Be features an
exclusive back TFP port, which ideally
controls the air flow within the port.
be
Do in the bottom what we have achieved in the top end with Beryllium
Amplifier
> 1000W BASH™ Amplifier
> Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA
connectors
> Stereo and Multi channel modes
Subwoofer
> 16” (40cm) W-type cone
> 3” (75mm) voice coil
> 18 x 3” (75mm) Multiferrite
magnet system
Cabinet
> “Gamma” structure
Port
> Turbulence Free Port (TFP)
Description
Active bass-reflex subwoofer
Low frequency point (-6dB)
16Hz
Frequency response (+/ -3dB)
20Hz – 160Hz
Amplifier
BASH™ 1000W
Line inputs
LFE Direct on RCA
LFE Direct on XLR (balanced)
Stereo on RCA
Stereo on XLR (balanced)
Line outputs
LFE Direct on XLR (balanced)
Active crossover
Adjustable from 40 to 160Hz (18dB/octave)
Stereo on XLR (balanced)
Phase
Adjustable from 0 to 180°
Mode selector
Auto/off/on
Dimensions (HxWxD)
193/4x205/8x245/8” (500x530x633mm)
Weight
114,6lbs (52kg)
Front covers
Grille for woofer
Accessories
Adjustable spikes
The Sub Utopia Be completes
the last link in creating a
multichannel or stereo system
of the very highest level. The
16“ (40cm) “W” membrane is
powered by a gigantic Multiferrite
motor adding up to more than
8kg of magnet and delivering
considerable energy into a high
tech four-layer voice coil.
The motor is driven by a high-output 1000 watts BASH® technology
amplifier. This combination delivers
an exceptional output level of 125dB
and reaches a real 16Hz in normal
domestic rooms. With such very high
performance levels, the Sub Utopia
Be can faithfully recreate the most
demanding movie sound effects with
a realistic, punchy delivery guaranteed
whatever the dimensions of the listening
room. But the design of the Sub Utopia
Be is not just about the recreation of
impressive numbers. Much attention was
paid to dynamic qualities of the low
bass reproduction. A new Turbulence
Free port (TFP) was also developed to
remove the “chuffing” effect and
dynamic compression. The cabinet is
in MDF to a thickness of 21/2“(65mm).
It results in a weight of some 114,6lbs
(52kg), and presents the only solution to
guaranteeing a vibration free, mechanically-stable and totally inert structure.