Finally, my review of the Focal Stella Utopia EM speakers.
I recently upgraded my front speakers from Focal Maestro Utopias to Focal Stella Utopia EM’s.
The flagship speakers of Focal are the Grande Utopia EM, they are nearly 7’ high and they weigh 573 pounds each. The Stella Utopia EM speakers are next in line and they are large but look small beside the Grand Utopia. They are 61” high and weigh 363 pounds each.
More important, the Stella Utopia EM speakers are the only other speakers that use the ground-breaking electromagnet (EM) technology. Instead of using a permanent magnet, the Grande and Stella Utopias use an electromagnet which is much more powerful than a standard magnet but lighter. This basically results in 2 to 4 times less distortion and in an incredibly detailed and tight bass. As is typical, this clean-up of the bass frequencies likewise results in clearer mids which are no longer masked by excessive bass ringing and distortion. The Stella speakers love drums and I honestly have never heard such a wonderful reproduction of drums from tympani and kick drum to snare to congas to tom-toms.
The improvement in bass frequencies is confirmed by measurements. Using the XTZ Room Analyzer system, I have verified that the typical modal problems of my room have somehow been significantly tamed. This improvement may be attributed not only to the electromagnet of the Stella but also its passive EQ controls. There are 2 controls for the bass, 2 for the tweeter and 1 for the mid-range, each with 3 settings. This results in 243 possible combinations, which is an audiophile’s dream. Using these controls, combined with the acoustic treatment of the room and proper speaker placement, you can get very nice sound quality, which is then finally passed through the electronic EQ treatment of Audyssey MultEQ Pro that results in excellent frequency response and reduced ringing.
Fortunately, it is not only the bass frequencies which are superb but a lot of other things as well. One of the most striking features is the sweetness of its tweeter and mid-range, while retaining the Utopia characteristic of intricate detail. This allows you to jack up the volume, even all the way up to reference level without causing your ears to bleed. How has this been achieved? Maybe the extra mid-range tweeter? Maybe the new cabinet? I don’t know but it results in incredibly sweet sound, a deep soundstage and airiness surrounding the musical instruments. I would describe this as a 3D sound with instruments floating in the air.
Another incredible feature is its astounding dynamic range. It has beautiful detail in both the softest and loudest passages. Even more impressive, when you have a complicated musical passage with a lot of instruments, you can distinctly hear the sound of a tiny triangle piercing through a wall of heavy drum beats – both the heavy boom of big drums and the tiny sparkle of a triangle at the same moment.
Finally, all of this results in a beautifully balanced sound. From the top to the bottom, from violins to upright bass, from trombones to sax, from triangle to cymbals, from soprano to tenor, I have never heard a more accurate reproduction of sound than from the Focal Stella Utopia EM (but of course, I am biased
).
