(April 11, 2025) Focal used Integrated Systems Europe 2025 to debut its new Utopia Cinema line of in-wall speakers; now, it's using the grand stage of AXPONA to show them off in North America. Designed and assembled in France, the lineup comprises the LCR Utopia and SUB Utopia—both developed to match the performance, construction, and visual identity of Focal’s most elite loudspeakers.
The Cinema LCR is a three-way, full-range loudspeaker designed for use as a left, center, or right channel while also maintaining the ability to serve surround duties in cinemas with superior depth on side and rear walls. It boasts a 1.5-inch M-shaped beryllium tweeter—Focal’s flagship driver type—engineered with an “Infinite Acoustic Load” waveguide and TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) suspension to eliminate unwanted distortion. The midrange is handled by a 5-inch W-cone driver shaped for flat wave propagation, while the low end comes courtesy of a 13-inch high-excursion W-cone woofer built for high SPL applications and clean articulation. Each driver is housed in a robust cabinet structure with a large front-firing vent, with mounting options for in-wall or on-wall installations. Internally, its crossover and cabinet design allows for tight integration in multi-channel formats, and the system can scale depending on room size and performance needs.
Paired with it is the Cinema SUB, an imposing dual 13-inch subwoofer tuned to 19Hz – perfect for large-format private theaters. It’s a bass-reflex design with a front-facing laminar port intended to minimize vent noise while maximizing low-end impact. Rated at 300 watts RMS with a suggested peak amp input of 400 to 800 watts, the sub is capable of high output and deep extension. Its enclosure is designed for either vertical or horizontal orientations and, like the LCR, can be mounted on or in the wall with included multi-point mounting options.
Together, the Cinema LCR and SUB represent Focal’s flagship solution for integrators building dedicated private theaters with no compromises. While they share aesthetic DNA with the brand’s 1000 Series, these speakers are positioned higher in terms of performance capability, output, and price. The LCR is priced at $11,999 each, and the SUB at $5,999.
As I mentioned, Focal is showcasing the Utopia Cinema line at AXPONA 2025 as part of a full 7.2.4 Atmos system valued at $150,000, including the speakers and a full suite of Naim electronics. Demos of this system will take place at the top of every hour throughout the show, offering attendees a real-world experience of how the Utopia Cinema line performs in a high-spec theater environment.
In addition to the cinema showcase, Focal is presenting four other audio systems across a range of price points:
- System 2: Focal Sopra N2 speakers paired with the high-end Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista preamp and monoblocks—total system value just over $75K.
- System 3: Focal Kanta N2 loudspeakers powered by Naim’s New Classic 200 Series electronics, including the NSC 222, NAP 250, and NPX 300—roughly $39K total.
- System 4: A more accessible setup featuring Focal Theva N3 towers with the Naim CI-Uniti 102 all-in-one streaming amplifier—priced around $4,100.
- System 5: Outdoor audio demo with a 4.1 Focal Littora system, additional OD Stone 8 speakers, and a Naim CI-Uniti 102 amp—valued at over $9,800.
And for those of you looking to scratch the personal audio itch, Focal has you covered. This year’s AXPONA presece includes a dedicated Focal Headphone Bar, where attendees can demo a full lineup of headphones—including models like the Utopia 2022, Bathys MG, and Clear MG—alongside a Naim Uniti Atom streaming DAC/amp.
Related Reading:
- Focal Unveils Bathys MG: A Premium Wireless Headphone for Audiophiles on the Move
- HTNR Gets a Video Reboot for YouTube and Spotify Listeners... Plus, We Spotlight Focal's New Utopia Cinema Line!
- Focal Announces New "Powered by Naim" Location in Tampa, Reveals Florida International Audio Expo Plans
- StormAudio 4.6r1p2 Firmware Delivers Adaptive Loudness, Center Shift, Dirac ART for Focal's Astral 16, and More!
