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Anyone receive Focal Utopia speakers with defects?

I recently took delivery on a pair of Focal Utopia Scala speakers. I bought these new from a authorized dealer and have been waiting years to be able to get the chance to own these.

I have had a few pair of speakers from Focal before, mostly Electra line and have been very pleased with the quality, fit and finish. So I figured moving from a $11,000 a pair to a $30,000 a pair of speakers I could only expect that quality to be even better.

the day I received them I had my brother drive a two hours to help me along with my fiancée help unpack. I took every precaution so that these speakers would come out of the boxes as they when in. Luckily everything went as planed and they were unpack without incident.

First off I noticed that they only had a white sock coving then. Now when I looked up pictures I've noticed a clear plastic wrap on the Utpoia line, mine didn't have this. Also noticed I didn't have a blue foam surround on the plinth. This could be that the Scala doesn't come with these as do the higher end models, or that they maybe and early production run? I only say this because of the low serial number. Being that just over 300 (15B0003xx)

Next thing I noticed that they speakers had a white dry powdery substance in the joints and around the speaker input and even on the tweeter metal cross section.

I've since then have gone over the paint and have noticed a lot of blemishes, even chips around the lower speaker input/level control. So far I have four what look to be 2" lines where it looks to me like something rubbed against the speakers. These looked like they can be buffed out and shouldn't be a problem. Also around the speaker input/level control I found three chips in the paint where it looked like it was forced in to it position along with plastic coming up from under this piece as well. Two areas in the metallic flake coat of paint where it was smeared and has no metallic look to it. Then was touched up with black paint and then lacquered. Lastly I have hazy spots where the white sock cover rubbed the lacquer and looks like the speaker has acne. I'm guessing this is why they have the plastic wrap on them now?????

I'm not try to imply anything by this, to my belief they were unopened and were sold to me under truthful means. I really do like these speakers, but just expected so much more from a $30,000 pair of speakers. I am still cleaning what I think is wax out of the joints in the speakers and just unhappy with the over quality. I have contacted Focal and am hoping for a solution to the hazy spots. Maybe they can be buffed out. I'm just waiting to hear from them because I would hate to make them worse.

I am very happy with the sound. I can say they are better than my last pair of 1037be electras as far a sound quality. I am by no means a rich man and it took me a long hard time to aquire these. I am reaching out to see if any other Focal Utopia owner(s) has noticed any of these issues?

Thank you for any information, Jon
yamahafirth
yamahafirth OP
18 posts
 
Thanks for the response.

I think these days you have to spend $50,000 to get your speakers delivered in wooden vampire boxes. Lol.

I know Focal do sell "demo" units that have been on display and used for either show purposes or sent out to be reveiwed. I know this because I had a pair of Focal Electras I bought used that were in Stereophile. They listed the serial numbers in the review and matched the pair I had. So it does happen, Focal does sell "open" speakers.

I DID SAY THIS EARLIER, I DID RECEIVE A BIG DISCOUNT on these speakers, not because of them being opened but from being an out going model do to the V2. I guess it didn't charge that the fact they do have defects.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Do you think the discount you got is sufficient to cover both a discontinued model and demo units?

Another way to look at it, if you had bought a pre-owned pair of v1 Scalas in 9/10 or 8.5/10 condition, would you have paid about the same or significantly less?

If about the same, enjoy the speakers. It looks like your buff-out took care of most of it.

Good idea to upgrade your upstream components. As a fellow owner of low cost vintage amps, you can do a lot better than the Forte.

Any chance you'd consider getting a turntable front end?
deceiver777
11 posts
 
I have a big discount ----------------

From that you must be start this thread.

And for stereophile Focal delivered speakers with any kind of serial number - it's produced only for test not for the customer. Serial number can be mutch with your speakers - but it's not the same speakers.
henrycai's avatar
henrycai
120 posts
 

I think you should go see a Doctor....
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"06-27-15: Johnnyb53
Do you think the discount you got is sufficient to cover both a discontinued model and demo units?

Another way to look at it, if you had bought a pre-owned pair of v1 Scalas in 9/10 or 8.5/10 condition, would you have paid about the same or significantly less?"

He really shouldn't have to settle for that. The OP was sold a new pair of speakers. NOS is still new. They should be in the same exact condition as the current model. Also, the discount is irrelevant for a couple of reasons. He should still get a full warranty regardless of price because the speakers were sold as new. Not only that, JM Labs did make their full markup on the speakers even though they were sold at a discount at the retail level. A dealer had to buy them at dealer cost. If the speakers get sold for less than retail, its the dealer who settles for a lesser profit. JM Labs got paid the full amount for those speakers. They shouldn't have a problem when it comes to warranty issues.
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