Chord Electronics Hugo 2 + Focal Utopia Headphones

The Choice for you

The Chord Electronics Hugo 2 is an exceptionally versatile device that will efficiently drive the focal headphones.

There are two primary types of headphones to consider for your purchase: open-back and closed-back.

Open-back headphones are known for their expansive, Hi-Fi-like sound, offering a more natural and spacious audio experience. They are ideal for quieter, more controlled environments where the listener can fully appreciate the soundstage and detail of their music.

In contrast, closed-back headphones provide superior sound insulation, minimising sound leakage and reducing distractions for others. They are particularly suited to noisier environments or situations where external noise might interfere with the listening experience.

Closed-back designs also help to prevent external sounds from intruding into your music, making them more suitable for use on-the-go or in less tranquil settings.

• Focal Clear MG (Open-back Headphones) - A great sounding pair of headphones with open soundstage, offering more punch in the bass. 
• Focal Stellia (Closed-back Headphones) - Sounding smooth, with nice deep bass and impressive soundstage. 
• Focal Utopia (Open-back Headphones) - The Utopias offer an extremely comfortable fit, with fantastic high end and detail and more dynamism.

The Focal Utopian

The Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC and headphone amp and the 2022 Focal Utopia headphones are a superb combination for those seeking unparalleled sound quality and comfort in a small form factor.

It supports a wide range of inputs and high-resolution playback, while its flexible digital filters and crossfeed functions allow users to tailor the sound to their preferences. This flexibility makes the Hugo 2 an ideal partner for the Utopia headphones, providing the perfect source to reveal their full potential.

The Focal Utopia headphones are celebrated for their exceptional sound reproduction and luxurious build. The open-back design of the Utopia allows for a transparent and dynamic soundstage, complementing the Hugo 2's ability to deliver high-quality, precise audio. 

Together, the Hugo 2 and Utopia headphones offer a harmonious blend of advanced audio technology and refined design. The Hugo 2’s versatile and high-fidelity output matches perfectly with the Utopia’s detailed and comfortable listening experience, creating an ideal setup for those wanting more from their headphone listening experience. 

The Hugo 2

Hugo 2 is a powerful DAC and headphone amp that builds on the ground-breaking original. Designed for both home and mobile use, Hugo 2 transforms headphones and audio systems’ sound quality with its cutting-edge proprietary DAC technology.

Hugo 2 can be used both at home and on-the-go, either with headphones or within a conventional audio system. Its line-level output and full-function remote control adds real flexibility in full-size and desktop systems.

The device offers four digital inputs (optical, coaxial and HD USB) plus extended-range Bluetooth, with high-resolution file playback up to 768kHz and up to DSD512 (Octa DSD), via its HD USB input. Analogue outputs include 2x RCA, plus 3.5mm and 6.35mm headphone outputs.

A four-function switch filter offers a useful degree of user-selectable frequency-shaping, bringing warm and soft or transparent and incisive presentations, giving additional flexibility and user control. For headphone-listening, Hugo 2 retains the popular digital crossfeed function of the original and offers three operation modes. The system duplicates the effect of listening to speakers and is based on advanced binaural audio research.

Focal Utopia Headphone

The 2022 Focal Utopia headphones represent the pinnacle of Focal's audio technology, combining the latest advancements with an assertive design to offer an unparalleled listening experience. As the brand's flagship model, the Utopia features full-range, Beryllium ‘M’-shaped speaker drivers that operate without passive or active correction, covering an extensive frequency range from 5 Hz to over 50 kHz. This design ensures that every detail of the audio is reproduced with striking realism, providing a soundstage that feels both wide and deep, making you feel as if the musicians are performing right beside you.

The Utopia headphones not only excel in acoustic performance but also in design and comfort. They are crafted with premium materials including forged, recycled carbon yokes, genuine leather, and perforated memory foam earcups. The headphones' aesthetics are enhanced by the honeycomb grille, Black Chrome rings, and distinctive design elements like the "Yin & Yang" symbol, which signify the perfect balance between technology and design. These features contribute to both the sophisticated look and the comfortable fit, adapting to various head shapes for extended listening sessions.

Technologically, the new Utopia continues to build on the success of its predecessors with several enhancements. The updated voice coil, made from copper and aluminium, offers improved reliability and a lighter build, contributing to a rejuvenated sound signature with more neutral bass and mellow treble. The innovative ‘M’-shaped grilles inside the earcups enhance linearity and precision, while the open-back design ensures a transparent and dynamic sound. Accompanied by high-fidelity cables and a premium carrying case, the Utopia headphones deliver a blend of exceptional sound quality and luxurious comfort, making them a top choice for audiophiles seeking the ultimate home listening experience.

Features

• High-end, open-back, high-fidelity headphones ; for home use
• Full-range speaker driver with ‘M’-shaped, pure Beryllium dome: pure, dynamic and perfectly balanced sound
• Made in France in the Focal workshops
• Design that adapts to all head morphologies: optimum comfort
• Premium materials and sophisticated finishes: genuine leather, forged, recycled carbon, aluminium, etc.

Chord Hugo 2 Specifications

Focal Utopia Headphones Specifications