Short answer: the Focal Utopia 2022. Both are rated 3.5/5 for sound quality (#125 and #128 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Focal Utopia 2022 costs $4,089 against $4,890 for the T+A Solitaire PSE, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
What the Focal Utopia 2022 does well: The midrange is very close to target, within about 0.7 dB from 60 Hz through 3 kHz, so vocals and instruments sit naturally. Watch for: Sub-bass is about 5.5 dB under target and treble is about 5.4 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, with a 12.6 dB dip near 10 kHz, so cymbals and air sound muted and deep bass lacks rumble.
Why pick the T+A Solitaire PSE: The large 110 x 80mm planar driver delivers a warm, bass-leaning tuning in oratory1990’s measurement, with the upper bass 1.1 dB and the low mids 2.2 dB above target for a full, rich body on vocals and acoustic instruments. Watch for: A peak of about 7.4 dB near 11.4 kHz lifts the air band 5 dB above target while the presence region sits 3.7 dB low, so cymbals can sound splashy even as vocals lose some edge.
Buy the Focal Utopia 2022. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $801 less than the T+A Solitaire PSE.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Utopia 2022 | T+A Solitaire PSE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,089.00 | $4,890.00 |
| Ranked | #125 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #128 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.70 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.69 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 110 x 80mm elliptical planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 80 ohms | 45 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/mW | - |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (490 g) | 1 lbs (440 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Focal Utopia 2022: $4,089.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The midrange is very close to target, within about 0.7 dB from 60 Hz through 3 kHz, so vocals and instruments sit naturally. A 2.62 dB deviation and a preference score of 71 show a smooth profile with no large peaks, the biggest being only 0.3 dB near 1.5 kHz. An 80 ohm, 104 dB/mW design is manageable from a decent amplifier, and the open back gives a spacious presentation.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 5.5 dB under target and treble is about 5.4 dB low from 6 to 10 kHz, with a 12.6 dB dip near 10 kHz, so cymbals and air sound muted and deep bass lacks rumble. Presence is also about 3 dB low, which makes the sound dark and veiled. It weighs 490 g, the open back leaks sound, and it sits well below higher rated rivals like the HIFIMAN Susvara.
Full Focal Utopia 2022 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 80 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.70 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (490 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +9.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 65 Hz | -5.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 1,227 Hz | -3.1 dB | 1.92 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +6.3 dB | 0.87 |
| Peak | 1,980 Hz | +2.9 dB | 3.30 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,018 Hz | +2.9 dB | 4.42 |
| Peak | 5,972 Hz | -3.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 3,000 Hz | -1.7 dB | 4.41 |
| Peak | 3,578 Hz | +1.5 dB | 6.00 |
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T+A Solitaire PSE: $4,890.00 Audio46 eBay
Pros: The large 110 x 80mm planar driver delivers a warm, bass-leaning tuning in oratory1990’s measurement, with the upper bass 1.1 dB and the low mids 2.2 dB above target for a full, rich body on vocals and acoustic instruments. At 45 ohms it runs from most headphone amps without needing extreme power. It suits listeners who prefer warmth over a lean, analytical sound.
Cons: A peak of about 7.4 dB near 11.4 kHz lifts the air band 5 dB above target while the presence region sits 3.7 dB low, so cymbals can sound splashy even as vocals lose some edge. Sub-bass falls 6 dB below target by 42 Hz, thinning the deepest rumble. At 440 g it is heavy, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full T+A Solitaire PSE review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.62 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 110 x 80mm elliptical planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 45kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 45 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-6.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.69 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (440 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,999 Hz | +4.4 dB | 1.91 |
| Peak | 105 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.33 |
| Peak | 801 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.31 |
| Peak | 1,976 Hz | +3.8 dB | 1.53 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -8.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 59 Hz | -1.9 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 42 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 5,241 Hz | +2.3 dB | 5.21 |
| Peak | 47 Hz | +0.4 dB | 1.85 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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