Focal Utopia (2022) vs HIFIMAN Susvara

The Utopia is a dynamic open-back headphone and the Susvara is a planar magnetic open-back one.

The Susvara is 40 g lighter, at 450 g against 490 g.

The Susvara needs 21 dB more power to reach a loud 110 dB peak, so it asks more of the amplifier.

The Utopia lists for $1,001 less.

$4,999

$6,000

Side by side

UtopiaSusvaraDifference

UtopiaSusvara

Driver: Dynamic; Planar magnetic
Diaphragm: Pure beryllium M-shaped dome; Nanometer Grade film under 1 micrometer thick, gold-coated conductor
Driver size: 40 mm; Not published
Enclosure: Open-back; Open-back
Weight: 490 g; 450 g; Susvara is 40 g lighter
Impedance: 80 ohms; 60 ohms
Sensitivity: 104 dB SPL / 1 mW @ 1 kHz; 83 dB
Power for 110 dB: 3.98 mW, 0.56 V; 501 mW, 5.48 V; Susvara needs 21 dB more
Drive: Easy to drive; Demanding
Frequency response: 5 Hz – 23 kHz (±3 dB); 6 Hz – 75 kHz
Made in: France; China
Released: 2022; 2017
List price: $4,999; $6,000; Utopia is $1,001 less
Materials: Beryllium Carbon fibre Leather; Wood Leather Engineered films; Both use leather

From each maker’s published figures; sources are on each headphone’s page. Power for 110 dB is worked out from sensitivity and impedance.

Each of these has 10 dB or more in reserve above a loud 110 dB peak on both headphones, so one amplifier serves either.

List $4,999

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works

List $6,000

Retailer prices checked 2026-10-21. We may earn a commission on purchases. How this works