Since this is a translation of an overseas article, there may be some mistranslations.
https://www.ecoustics.com/products/focal-scala-utopia-evo-m/
Focal Scala Utopia Evo M Speaker Unveiled with New Drivers, Crossovers and Utopia Enhancements
Focal's $50,000 Scala Utopia Evo M speaker adds a PRISM tweeter, an M-Profile midrange driver, and a redesigned bass system to its iconic French floorstanding speaker.
Focal isn't starting the third quarter of 2026 slowly. The French manufacturer has already made a significant splash with its ambitious all-in-one Dolby Atmos system, the Mu-so Hekla, which is currently under review, and unveiled its $210,000 Diva Alta Utopia wireless flagship, while also hosting one of the busiest and most talked-about demos at AXPONA 2026. This marks a rather strong start to the year for a company that hasn't traditionally been keen on playing small.
Now, Focal has unveiled the Scala Utopia Evo M, which effectively evolves one of its flagship passive speakers. This is not just a cosmetic refresh with new lacquer options and revised brochures. The new model, still made in France and retaining the Scala's signature three-way architecture, introduces Focal's PRISM tweeter and M-Profile W midrange driver, technologies drawn from the company's latest wireless and professional monitor developments.
The goal is straightforward enough. To achieve greater midrange transparency, lower distortion, more controlled highs, and a far more convincing musical scale from a speaker that has long been one of the most celebrated pronouncements in high-end audio.
New Drivers, New Crossovers, Same Scala DNA
The Scala Utopia Evo M retains the familiar three-way bass reflex architecture of its predecessor, but Focal has reworked almost every key component, including the drivers, crossovers, cabinet tuning, and mechanical structure. The result is a speaker that still undeniably embodies Scala's DNA, with a compact footprint and multi-cabinet silhouette. If you expected anything less from Focal, where restraint is usually confined to the grille cloth, you weren't paying attention.
At the heart of the update is a new 5-inch reinforced W-cone midrange driver, featuring an M-Profile diaphragm borrowed from Focal's Utopia Main professional monitor lineup. This driver combines the company's composite W sandwich construction with integrated M-Profile geometry, TMD suspension, a neodymium motor, and an 80mm voice coil.
Focal aims for a cleaner, more linear midrange with lower distortion and greater control at higher listening levels. Considering that a significant portion of music resides in the midband, this is where the update should begin for a speaker of this caliber.
The Scala Utopia Evo M also incorporates Focal's new 27mm PRISM M-Profile inverted dome tweeter, first introduced in the Diva Alta Utopia wireless flagship. PRISM, short for Photon-Refined Intelligent Structured Membrane, utilizes a multi-material diaphragm and micro-structure geometry to deliver greater stiffness than beryllium while preserving the low mass and damping required for refined high-frequency reproduction, according to Focal.
Combined with Focal's IAL2 Infinite Acoustic Loading system, this lowers the tweeter's resonance frequency to 528Hz and enables an claimed extension up to 40kHz.
Uncompromising Bass
The 11-inch W-cone woofer has also been redesigned, using a more precise laser cutting of the dual ferrite motor and composite sandwich diaphragm. This works in conjunction with a large laminar port (laminar port), designed to move air without the chuffing, compression, and general malfunction that can occur when pushing the speaker hard.
Focal measured the frequency response of the Scala Utopia Evo M to within ±3dB down to 27Hz, and it has a low-frequency point of 24Hz at -6dB. It doesn't turn the Scala into a Grand Utopia, and it shouldn't. However, this suggests that from a speaker designed to be more manageable in a home environment, there is genuine authority in the bass.
More Control for Real Spaces
The revised OPC+ crossover uses high-end components, large gauge internal cabling, and four isolated WBT binding posts that support bi-wiring or bi-amping. More importantly, it provides user adjustments for bass, midrange, and treble with ±1dB adjustment, while the bass and treble controls are in place.
Focal has also maintained the structural thinking that has long defined the Utopia lineup. The Gamma structure employs high-density MDF panels up to 60mm thick, along with a heavy and vibration-controlled framework formed through vibration mapping. Focus Time mechanically aligns the drivers towards the listening position to improve time alignment, while separate cabinet sections help preserve phase coherence between the bass, midrange, and treble drivers.
French Craftsmanship Without Frills
The Scala Utopia Evo M remains a very French speaker in both execution and attitude. The cabinets are made by Focal's cabinet makers in Burgundy, and the drivers are manufactured in Saint-Étienne. This level of vertical control is crucial at this price point, especially when the product relies heavily on very specific driver geometry, cabinet tolerances, crossover settings, and aesthetic execution to justify itself.
Focal will offer five finishes. Black High Gloss, Off White High Gloss, and Warm Top High Gloss are priced at $50,000 USD per pair (or $58,000 CAD). Light Walnut with an Off White front panel and Dark Walnut with a Sepia Brown front panel go up to $56,000 USD per pair (or $64,000 CAD). Availability starts in August 2026.
Focal is also positioning the Scala Utopia Evo M as a natural partner for Naim Electronics. This makes sense. While on paper, a speaker with 92dB sensitivity and a minimum impedance of 3 ohms isn't particularly difficult to drive, it deserves amplification that provides real current delivery and control.
Focal Scala Utopia Evo M Specifications
• Type: 3-way bass reflex floorstanding speaker
• Woofer: 11-inch (27cm) W-cone woofer with dual ferrite motor
• Midrange: 5-inch (13cm) reinforced W-cone driver with M-profile diaphragm, TMD suspension, neodymium motor and 80mm voice coil
• Tweeter: 27mm prism M-profile inverted dome tweeter with IAL2
• 주파수 응답: 27Hz ~ 40kHz, ±3dB
• 저주파 확장: 24Hz, -6dB
• 감도: 92dB, 2.83V/1m
• 공칭 임피던스: 6옴
• 최소 임피던스: 3옴
• 크로스오버 주파수: 230Hz 및 2.8kHz
• 권장 앰프 출력: 채널당 50 ~ 500와트
• 사용자 조절: 베이스, 미드레인지, 트레블 (베이스와 트레블은 ±1dB 조절 가능)
• 연결: 4개의 절연된 WBT 바인딩 포스트 (바이와이어링 및 바이앰핑 가능)
• 크기 (높이 × 너비 × 깊이): 49.1 × 15.5 × 26.4 인치 (124.7 × 39.3 × 67cm)
• 무게: 187.4파운드 (85kg)
• 마감: 블랙 하이 글로스, 오프 화이트 하이 글로스, 웜 토프 하이 글로스, 오프 화이트 전면 패널이 있는 라이트 월넛, 세피아 브라운 전면 패널이 있는 다크 월넛
스칼라 유토피아 에보 M은 스칼라를 성공으로 이끈 모든 것을 버린다는 의미에서의 혁명은 아닙니다. 이는 포칼의 최신 프로페셔널 모니터 및 무선 스피커 개발 내용을 가장 잘 알려진 패시브 스피커 중 하나에 결합한 신중하게 조준된 진화입니다. 한 조당 50,000달러라는 가격을 고려하면 신선한 래커 칠 한 겹 그 이상이어야 마땅하며, 새로운 프리즘 트위터, M-프로필 미드레인지, 조절 가능한 크로스오버 보이싱, 그리고 재설계된 듀얼 페라이트 우퍼는 포칼이 이 과제를 상당히 진지하게 받아들였음을 시사합니다.
스칼라 유토피아 에보 M을 특히 흥미롭게 만드는 점은, 거대한 그랜드 유토피아보다 제대로 된 청취 공간에 여전히 더 현실적인 스피커에서 포칼의 최신 유토피아 사고방식을 상당 부분 제공한다는 것입니다. 이는 진정한 풀레인지 스케일, 시각적 존재감, 그리고 스피커를 공간에 맞게 미세 조정할 수 있는 능력을 원하지만 무도회장이나 전용 장비실을 가지고 있지 않고 6자리 수의 시스템 비용과 가벼운 관계를 맺고 있지 않은 구매자들을 위한 것입니다.
92dB의 감도를 유니티 아톰(Uniti Atom)을 연결하고 끝내라는 초대장으로 오해하지 마십시오. 스칼라의 3옴 최소 임피던스와 50,000달러라는 가격표는 진정한 전류 공급, 그립감, 그리고 정교함을 갖춘 앰프를 요구합니다. 네임의 뉴 클래식 300 시리즈, 특히 NAP 250 또는 NAP 350 증폭을 갖춘 NSS 333 및 NSC 222가 네임의 40와트짜리 유니티 아톰보다 의도된 이웃에 훨씬 더 가깝습니다. 포칼과 네임이 동일한 기업 주소를 공유할지는 몰라도, 이것은 컴팩트한 올인원 시스템을 위해 설계된 스피커가 아닙니다.
스칼라 유토피아 에보 M은 똑같이 진지한 일렉트로닉스를 중심으로 진지한 2채널 시스템을 구축하는 기성 하이엔드 청취자들을 위한 것입니다. 의미 있는 한 걸음 전진을 찾고 있는 기존 스칼라 소유주들에게 매력적일 것이며, 현대적인 포칼 기술, 수제작된 프랑스식 실행, 그리고 깃털처럼 가벼운 크루아상보다는 주철 카술레처럼 행동하는 베이스(깊고 밀도 있으며 원격으로도 섬세한 것에 관심이 없는 베이스)를 원하는 구매자들에게도 매력적일 것입니다.
▶ 원문 출처: https://www.ecoustics.com/products/focal-scala-utopia-evo-m/
