Focal
Grande Utopia EM
  • IAL 2
  • W
  • OPC+
  • Focus Time
  • Specifications

 

A crossover is
acoustically perfect
when it only filters

Another key innovation linked to the 1995 Grande Utopia, the Optimum Phase Crossover (OPC) arises from a very simple thought: a crossover is acoustically perfect, in phase as in amplitude, when it only filters – but in no way corrects a transducer fault – which means that the drivers must have a linear and extended bandwidth far beyond the filtering frequency not to interfere.

It’s a permanent approach at Focal: solve the problem at its source in order not to have to electrically correct mechanical faults that only mask a problem without ever solving it.

The OPC+ is in line with this measure, but offers for the first time the ability to adapt the loudspeaker response curve to the room acoustics, to personalize the tonal balance according to the reverberation time, linked to the room size, the nature of clear or mat surfaces, Furniture or only the sound preferences of each individual. Fine tunings are then available to adjust the bass, mid-bass, midrange and tweeter, without altering the sound integrity.

Indeed the additional components necessary for these corrections are systematically placed in parallel with the resistance, inductors and capacitors used in original nominal configuration. Those components have been blindly tested in order not to be influenced by fashion or by famous brands. In the end, the 4-way crossover of the Grande Utopia EM is divided into 3 blocks in the loudspeaker body.

OPC, Optimum Phase CrossoverOPC, Optimum Phase Crossover

  

OPC+ loudspeaker

The control panel of the Grande Utopia EM is hidden behind a trapdoor at the back of the loudspeaker. Multiple setting combinations allow to adapt to the listening room acoustics. All the settings can be done during listening with direct and immediate comparison effect.