Loudspeakers

As this is an active loudspeaker, with both analogue and digital inputs, then many standard lab tests – including impedance/phase (amplifier loading) and speaker sensitivity – become redundant. We can examine frequency response, pair matching and distortion, the latter predominantly third-order but very low (for a loudspeaker!) at <0.2% for much of its working range (re. 90dB SPL/1m, 100Hz-10kHz). This result might have been anticipated, courtesy of the DSP and custom amplification dedicated to the two pairs of 165mm ‘W’ coned bass units, matching 165mm mid and 27mm ‘M’ shaped beryllium tweeter.

DSP also allows for some control over forward and off-axis response but Graph 1 illustrates that Focal has approached this with a light touch, resisting the temptation to iron-out minor ripples around the mid and beryllium dome crossover from 3-6kHz. There are other driver/side panel modes at 500Hz-2kHz [see CSD waterfall, Graph 2]. Otherwise, the response is slightly dished in trend but the errors are small at ±2.4dB and the pair matching truly superb at 0.3dB (all re. 200Hz-20kHz). The optional midrange grille has little adverse impact [blue trace] while the speaker’s response is arguably even more uniform with a slight toe-in [grey trace]. The ~22kHz response limit seen here is a function of Naim’s digital filter, and there’s a latency of 10.5msec for both the Master (left) and Slave (right) channels.

The large, down-firing port, channelled via the Diva Utopia’s integral alloy plinth, is tuned to 40Hz and is remarkably clear of any quarterwave or other cabinet/port modes. Combined with the quartet of actively-driven 165mm bass drivers, whose output peaks around 100Hz, it supports a diffraction-corrected bass extension of 34Hz (–6dB re. 200Hz). While the roll-off is steep beyond this point [green shaded area, Graph 1] the Diva Utopia’s bass weight can be further reinforced by near-wall positioning, although Focal recommends this speaker still be kept clear of room corners. PM