Utopia Main 112 & 212: Focal strengthens its range of studio speakers with two new standard bearers

Along with brands such as Yamaha, Genelec, Adam, and many others, French Focal monitoring speakers have become essential in recording studios around the world. In order to perfect its position on this market, it was probably missing two formats completing its range until then composed of speakers near-field Shape and Alpha Evo, as well as the iconic ST6 and SM6 models, for which horizontal placement is recommended.

This is how Focal unveils a new range called Utopia Main, bringing together the large 3-way UM 112 bookshelf speakers and the 3.5-way UM 212 in-wall speakers. The result of more than 8 years of development, these studio monitors would mark a breakthrough significant for Focal in the world of professional audio. Affirming a high-end positioning, Focal has even decided to offer them the name Utopia, a symbol of exceptional acoustics.

Optimized speakers and unique remote amplification

Broadly speaking, these two iterations were the subject of common optimizations. Among them, we include the deployment of a new 13 cm “M” midrange driver with a highly rigid “W” membrane offering “sound reproduction”without resonance and very low distortion“, according to the brand. An improved 3.8 cm Beryllium tweeter would also be required to promote better transient response, “without hearing fatigue“. Above all, the UM 112 and UM 212 stand out for their unique remote amplification at Focal. By controlling current instead of voltage, this new process would allow better control of the membrane to more effectively eliminate artifacts.

Emphasis has also been placed on construction, with 30mm thick MDF panels capable of dampening vibrations and reducing resonances. Obviously, the remote amps of both models are equipped with a parametric equalizer and sensitivity adjustment in order to adapt to all acoustics and the different preamplification stages.

Monitoring speakers for large studios

Beyond their size making them suitable for different uses, the UM 112 for recessed or installation on stands and the UM 212 only for recessed into the walls of a large studio, they are distinguished by their speaker configurations . The UM 212s are equipped with a double 33 cm woofer and a double 13 cm midrange driver, whereas the UM 112s are limited to a single unit of each. In the UM 212, the laminar vent is also doubled, while their mid-high deck can be oriented according to the user's position.

In addition, the UM 112 and UM 212 develop total powers of 770 Watts and 1500 Watts respectively, as well as a frequency response of 28 Hz – 40 kHz.

These two new pairs of Focal speakers are already available on the Focal website, although no price has yet been announced.