Focal Utopia 33 WX

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from Stereo1 in Reseda

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2002 Focal 33WX

Strengths:
The sub has a re. of 3.3 Ohms, that basically means these are insane. Max power, 600 watts. Distortion....NONE

Weaknesses:
Not as powerful as I would have liked. The box has to be specially made, these are 13" subs so I guess they are a bit difficult to enclose properly.

Summary:
Focal makes simply the best products on the market today. They are the most expensive sub retailing at around $1,300 per sub. The acuracy of the Focal subwoofers is unnatural. They are still the very best subwoofer sold anywhere in the world. Focal does not mess around, these are pro level subs.

Similar Products Used:
Cerwin Vegas Stroker 15", Kicker Solo Baric 12" round, and 12" square. The Focals are on a different level comletely.

Price Paid:  $850.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 33wx utopia

Strengths:
clear accurate high volume handling

Weaknesses:
none that ive found

Summary:
best sound quality sub period. nothing else even close.can hold its own in spl.not alot of difference between todays top spl subs.but sq is a different story,focal speakers and subs cant be compared to anything on market,33wx best sub in the world.check % of what world champs use in there cars at focal .com

Price Paid:  $0.00

Strengths:
Tight accurate base

Weaknesses:
not built for SPL. Who cares! :)

Summary:
Originally installed 165W3 Focal 3 ways with an IDQ12 off an RF Power 800a4, with an older pioneer 7010 head. The sound jump was huge from the old pioneer fronts. Then came into some money and upgraded to a Nak cd700 head, and a 33WX Focal Utopia sub. Oh..... My...... God!..... The Nak lifted the sound stage to the roof, I now get instruments and vocals from all over my bonnet, the dash, my feet, the rear vision mirror! the sun visor! everywhere! The Bass became so punchy, very strong, deep and tight (sealed rear corner largish box). And itegrates seamlessly with the fronts. I can''t fault the sound reproduction of the system, nak and focal were born to play together and the RF amp is great, very amp hungry. I''ve since picked up a bd1000a1 for the sub and I''m going to active split the fronts off the 800a4 (Looking at maybe the audiocontrol 4XS). Then drop a second 33WX in the other rear corner paralleled off the bd1000! For pure sound brilliance, go focal. The end of "clint eastwood" makes the sub cone flop around like a fish on land, and you feel like you''re in a wind tunnel.

Similar Products Used:
IDQ12 Image Dynamics, no comparison, not in the same league.