Naim Uniti Nova PE & FOCAL Diablo Utopia Review

Last year, FOCAL made waves in the audio industry with the launch of their groundbreaking Diva Utopia active streaming speakers, a development that left FOCAL enthusiasts both surprised and impressed. This addition further enriched FOCAL's prestigious Utopia lineup, a series that has long represented the pinnacle of the company's achievements. The Utopia range exemplifies FOCAL's masterful integration of cutting-edge technology, contemporary design, and artistic excellence, all balanced with remarkable precision.

Over the past year, we've had the privilege of experiencing various configurations of these flagship systems, from the summit-level Grande Utopia EM EVO to the impressive Stella Utopia and Scala Utopia. While these formidable systems, with their awe-inspiring price tags, have consistently delivered unforgettable listening experiences, some audiophiles have noted that their substantial size might overwhelm certain listening spaces. However, the Utopia magic isn't limited to these larger systems. Recently, I had the opportunity to evaluate a more compact yet equally enchanting setup: the Naim Uniti Nova PE streaming amplifier paired with FOCAL Diablo Utopia bookshelf speakers.

Naim Uniti Nova PE: Evolution in Power and Versatility

Having previously tested the Naim Uniti Nova PE with the floor-standing FOCAL Scala Utopia, I anticipated its capability to effortlessly drive the smaller Diablo Utopia bookshelf speakers. Naim has maintained its commitment to traditional CD players and amplifiers while embracing modern digital audio demands. The Uniti Nova Power Edition (PE) represents a significant upgrade from the standard version, doubling the power output to 150W per channel (8Ω) from the original 80W. This substantial power increase explains why this compact unit can confidently drive even large floor-standing speakers.

The Uniti Nova PE maintains Naim's signature minimalist aesthetic with its brushed aluminum chassis and LCD display. Its streaming capabilities are comprehensive, offering seamless access to various music services including Spotify Connect, Apple Music, TIDAL, and Qobuz. The unit supports high-resolution streaming and features AirPlay 2, Chromecast, UPnP, Roon Ready, and Bluetooth AptX HD connectivity. Through the Focal & Naim app, users can easily control their music from smartphones or tablets. The system also supports multi-room functionality, ensuring consistent audio quality throughout the home.

FOCAL Diablo Utopia: Compact Excellence

FOCAL's commitment to technological advancement is evident in their continuous acoustic research and development. Their expertise in materials like glass fiber, Kevlar, flax fiber cones, and beryllium/aluminum-magnesium diaphragms has set industry standards. The Utopia series, introduced in 2009, represents FOCAL's ultimate achievement, comparable to what Maybach is to Mercedes-Benz.

The Diablo Utopia, the sole bookshelf speaker in the Utopia lineup, embodies FOCAL's finest engineering. Its distinctive design features a split cabinet structure with a slightly curved front baffle, creating an illusion of the tweeter floating in space. This design optimizes phase alignment, directing all drivers' acoustic centers toward the listening position for more focused sound reproduction.

The speaker's 27mm pure beryllium tweeter demonstrates remarkable improvements over its predecessor, with 1.5dB higher efficiency and an extended frequency response from 580Hz to 40kHz. The 16.5cm mid-bass driver features FOCAL's third-generation W composite sandwich cone, utilizing glass fiber layers and specialized foam material, precision-cut by laser for optimal performance.

System Performance

In our 20m² listening room, the combination of the Naim Uniti Nova PE and FOCAL Diablo Utopia created an immersive soundstage that could easily accommodate larger spaces. Testing with diverse musical selections revealed the system's versatility:

Mariah Carey's "Without You" (1994) emerged from a pristinely quiet background, showcasing exceptional detail retrieval and precise imaging. The system handled Carey's powerful high notes with remarkable control and clarity.

Diana Krall's "From This Moment On" demonstrated the setup's ability to reproduce natural vocal timbre and maintain excellent tonal balance. The presentation was notably three-dimensional and effortless.

B.B. King's "20th Century Masters" revealed outstanding resolution of guitar strings and timing precision, while maintaining the authentic blues feeling and rhythmic accuracy.

Anne-Sophie Mutter's "Carmen-Fantasy" showcased the system's capability to reproduce both macro and micro dynamics faithfully, with particular excellence in rendering string harmonics and spatial information.

The Famous "Ein Straussfest" test track demonstrated the system's prowess with both delicate passages and dynamic outbursts, handling orchestral complexity with remarkable ease.

Conclusion

The Naim Uniti Nova PE and FOCAL Diablo Utopia combination proves that exceptional audio performance doesn't require massive speakers. This system delivers an engaging, refined sound with impressive scale and control, making it an ideal choice for those seeking Utopia-level performance in smaller spaces. The presentation is clean, authoritative, and thoroughly engaging, setting a new standard for what's possible in a compact high-end system.