Latest news with #Focal
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Focal and SPARK Microsystems Expand Collaboration for Premium Wireless Audio Speakers Powered by UWB
Focal's new Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers join growing product family leveraging SPARK UWB for unparalleled audio delivery MONTREAL, July 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SPARK Microsystems, a Canadian fabless semiconductor company specializing in next-generation short-range wireless communications, today welcomed the newest entry in Hi-Fi audio speakers from Focal, the renowned French audio brand. The new Diva Mezza Utopia active wireless 3-way loudspeakers expand the design collaboration initiated with the Diva Utopia speakers, extending the prestigious Focal Diva range to a new performance tier with SPARK's Ultra-Wideband (SPARK LE-UWB™) wireless platform. SPARK LE-UWB™ connectivity enables a robust, reliable wireless link between paired Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers while maintaining a stable and lossless signal at 96kHz/24-bit resolution with no compression. Delivering the performance of wired connectivity without the wires – the hallmark of SPARK's innovation – Focal's growing line of Diva loudspeakers redefines the standards for high-fidelity wireless listening. Focal's Diva Mezza Utopia speakers deliver a deep, wide, and vibrant soundstage, with the freedom and flexibility of wireless connectivity. SPARK LE-UWB™ technology enables Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers to support multiroom configurations in spaces up to 100 m², making it easier than ever to wirelessly integrate premium audio experiences into a home music ecosystem. "The scalability of the SPARK transceiver portfolio has likewise equipped Focal to scale its product collection to new heights with the Diva Mezza Utopia system," said Jocelyn Carroue, Sr. Director, Sales and Technical Support, SPARK Microsystems. "Our continued collaboration with Focal is helping to bring bit-perfect audio quality – indistinguishable from wired sound – to its discerning clientele." "Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers build upon the design quality and warm customer reception achieved with the first Diva Utopia, combining audiophile excellence with ease of use in perfect balance," said Rejean Bedel, Group Marketing Manager, Focal & Naim. "SPARK's innovation in UWB wireless connectivity is essential to the sound of all Diva Utopia loudspeakers." Focal's Diva Mezza Utopia and Diva Utopia loudspeakers are available today exclusively at qualified Focal Powered by Naim retailers. For more information, visit Focal's website. About Focal Since 1979, Focal has stood out from the crowd in manufacturing loudspeakers and acoustic speakers. Their expertise extends to headphones, car audio kits, professional speakers, and installations for yachts. This unique know-how, combined with their in-house manufacturing in France, puts Focal among the top audio brands globally. In 2011, Focal joined forces with Naim — the British leader in high-end electronics — under the VerVent Audio group to offer exquisite complete audio systems. About SPARK Microsystems SPARK Microsystems is building next generation short-range wireless communication devices. SPARK UWB provides high data rate and very low latency wireless communication links at an ultra-low power profile, making it ideal for personal area networks (PANs) used in mobile, consumer and IoT-connected products. Leveraging patented technologies, SPARK Microsystems strives to minimize and ultimately eliminate wires and batteries from a wide range of applications. For more information, please visit SPARK MICROSYSTEMS and LE‑UWB are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARK Microsystems in Canada and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Rainier Communications, on behalf of SPARK Microsystemsspark@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
National Post
22-07-2025
- National Post
Focal and SPARK Microsystems Expand Collaboration for Premium Wireless Audio Speakers Powered by UWB
Article content Focal's new Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers join growing product family leveraging SPARK UWB for unparalleled audio delivery Article content MONTREAL — SPARK Microsystems, a Canadian fabless semiconductor company specializing in next-generation short-range wireless communications, today welcomed the newest entry in Hi-Fi audio speakers from Focal, the renowned French audio brand. The new Diva Mezza Utopia active wireless 3-way loudspeakers expand the design collaboration initiated with the Diva Utopia speakers, extending the prestigious Focal Diva range to a new performance tier with SPARK's Ultra-Wideband (SPARK LE-UWB™) wireless platform. Article content Delivering the performance of wired connectivity without the wires – the hallmark of SPARK's innovation – Focal's growing line of Diva loudspeakers redefines the standards for high-fidelity wireless listening. Article content SPARK LE-UWB™ connectivity enables a robust, reliable wireless link between paired Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers while maintaining a stable and lossless signal at 96kHz/24-bit resolution with no compression. Delivering the performance of wired connectivity without the wires – the hallmark of SPARK's innovation – Focal's growing line of Diva loudspeakers redefines the standards for high-fidelity wireless listening. Article content Focal's Diva Mezza Utopia speakers deliver a deep, wide, and vibrant soundstage, with the freedom and flexibility of wireless connectivity. SPARK LE-UWB™ technology enables Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers to support multiroom configurations in spaces up to 100 m², making it easier than ever to wirelessly integrate premium audio experiences into a home music ecosystem. Article content 'The scalability of the SPARK transceiver portfolio has likewise equipped Focal to scale its product collection to new heights with the Diva Mezza Utopia system,' said Jocelyn Carroue, Sr. Director, Sales and Technical Support, SPARK Microsystems. 'Our continued collaboration with Focal is helping to bring bit-perfect audio quality – indistinguishable from wired sound – to its discerning clientele.' Article content 'Diva Mezza Utopia loudspeakers build upon the design quality and warm customer reception achieved with the first Diva Utopia, combining audiophile excellence with ease of use in perfect balance,' said Rejean Bedel, Group Marketing Manager, Focal & Naim. 'SPARK's innovation in UWB wireless connectivity is essential to the sound of all Diva Utopia loudspeakers.' Article content Focal's Diva Mezza Utopia and Diva Utopia loudspeakers are available today exclusively at qualified Focal Powered by Naim retailers. For more information, visit Focal's website. Article content About Focal Article content Since 1979, Focal has stood out from the crowd in manufacturing loudspeakers and acoustic speakers. Their expertise extends to headphones, car audio kits, professional speakers, and installations for yachts. This unique know-how, combined with their in-house manufacturing in France, puts Focal among the top audio brands globally. In 2011, Focal joined forces with Naim — the British leader in high-end electronics — under the VerVent Audio group to offer exquisite complete audio systems. About SPARK Microsystems SPARK Microsystems is building next generation short-range wireless communication devices. SPARK UWB provides high data rate and very low latency wireless communication links at an ultra-low power profile, making it ideal for personal area networks (PANs) used in mobile, consumer and IoT-connected products. Leveraging patented technologies, SPARK Microsystems strives to minimize and ultimately eliminate wires and batteries from a wide range of applications. For more information, please visit Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Stuff.tv
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
These Focal Diva Mezza Utopia speakers take streaming hi-fi to a whole new level
In the lingo of musical instruction, 'mezza' means to play softly or at half volume, but there are absolutely no half measures when it comes to these Focal Diva Mezza Utopia speakers. Following on from last year's Diva Utopia, which would set you back a hefty £29,999, the Mezza require even deeper pockets at £55,000 per pair. So what do you get for your gigantic pile of cash? Standing slightly taller than an Emperor penguin at 50in, each speaker has a frankly ludicrous 500W of total amplification inside, with 90W going to the tweeter, 130W to the 6.5in mid driver, and 280W shared between the four 8in bass drivers (two on either side of each speaker). Never mind bothering the neighbours, there'll be flightless birds in Antarctica who'll be annoyed with you if you crank these right up. You can feed them (the speakers, not the penguins) wirelessly using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and if you've got a hi-res source the ultra-wide band connection between them allows for playback at up to 96kHz/24-bit without needing to use a cable. Tether them together using ethernet and that jumps to studio-level 192kHz/24-bit. As we said at the start: no half measures. There's a companion app you can use to control music playback, but the Focal Diva Mezza Utopia also support various Wi-Fi standards, including AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and Spotify Connect. With so much sonic power on offer the speakers need a little taming, so you can also run sound tests via the app that will calibrate them to the acoustics of your room. If you'd rather hook up your kit the old-fashioned way you also get a good array of physical connections on the primary speaker too, including optical, RCA, HDMI eARC and USB. The Focal Diva Mezza Utopia aren't the kind of speakers you can just order on Amazon, so if you're interested in a pair you'll need to head to Focal's website to find a dealer near you. And don't forget to warn your credit card of what's to come.
Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Focal Teams Up with Marquee Equity to Power the Future of Gen Z Media and Community Engagement
Delhi,, India, July 10th, 2025, FinanceWire In a world where Gen Z is constantly online yet increasingly disconnected from their surroundings, Focal is pioneering a new kind of digital experience rooted in relevance, locality, and real-world connection. Founded by Jakob Klinenberg in Eugene, Oregon, Focal is a location-based, AI-enhanced, social news app with a completely customizable interface that helps connect Gen Z to what's happening around them — a live layer of local culture, events, and experiences all focused around a specific location. No doom-scrolling. No noise. A fully immersive tool to help Gen Z connect to their community. 'Partnering with Marquee Equity has been an incredible experience and has made a complex and overwhelming process into something clear, manageable, and effective,' said Jakob Klinenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of Focal. 'They've opened up our outreach and connected us with a broad network of investors we likely wouldn't have been able to reach on our own.' As Focal gears up to launch, Marquee Equity has been instrumental in supporting its fundraising journey, not just with capital access but with the right investor alignment. Leveraging a network of over 32,000 global investors, Marquee created a curated outreach plan targeting Gen Z-focused consumer tech VCs, digital media, and engagement funds, as well as angels and family offices aligned with youth wellness. 'Focal is solving a deeply human and timely problem, helping Gen Z re-engage with the real world in a way that feels fresh and relevant,' said Nikita Garg, Director at Marquee Equity. 'We were excited to help build investor momentum around a product that's as culturally relevant as it is technically sound.' With investor conversations already underway, Focal is focused on expanding its reach, enhancing product features, and forming partnerships with communities and college campuses nationwide. As the digital landscape shifts toward wellness, sustainability, and meaningful engagement, Focal stands out for its clarity of purpose. With Marquee Equity by their side, they are now positioned to scale that vision with speed and precision. About Marquee Equity Marquee Equity is a fundraising enablement platform designed to take the guesswork out of raising capital. Whether you're a pre-seed founder or a post-revenue scaleup, Marquee helps you connect with thousands of aligned investors, fast. From creating compelling pitch materials to running personalized investor outreach campaigns, Marquee supports founders end-to-end. With a global network of 32,000+ investors and a client base spanning 60+ countries, Marquee has quietly powered hundreds of fundraises behind the scenes, bringing capital access, strategy, and dealflow into one seamless system.
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Focal Launches Diva Mezza Utopia Active Loudspeaker With Hi-Fi Wireless Audio
The Focal Diva Mezza Utopia is a new loudspeaker from the French audio brand and designed to ... More transmit hi-res music wirelessly. French luxury speaker maker Focal has announced its brand-new Diva Mezza Utopia wireless active speakers. This latest addition to the Focal range sits alongside the company's prestigious Diva Utopia range of speakers. Sporting a striking and futuristic look, the Diva Mezza Utopia are designed to transform home listening by providing 'an immersive sound with remarkable depth.' More than just a loudspeaker, the Diva Mezza Utopia represents a significant staging post in Focal's aim to redefine home Hi-Fi by blending uncompromising sound with a wireless speaker that's ease of use. Larger and more powerful than its predecessor, the Diva Mezza Utopia features a quartet of 8-inch 'W' cone woofers, which measure a full 4cm larger than the ones used on the Diva Utopia. Configured in a push-push layout, the woofers can generate an exceptionally deep, dynamic and controlled bass. Big Bass From Bigger Woofers Focal says the low-end response of the Diva Mezza Utopia is achieved by allowing the full capabilities of the 'M'-shaped Beryllium tweeter and 'W' cone midrange driver to shine, resulting in a wider and more articulate soundstage. It's an uncompromising expression of Focal's acoustic engineering expertise. A pair of Diva Mezza Utopia from Focal will set you back £55,000 or €65,000. No dollar price has ... More been announced yet. As an active loudspeaker, the Diva Mezza Utopia has a completely re-engineered electronics package supplied by Focal's sister company, Naim Audio. Delivering 500W per speaker, the system has a dual-stage power supply for dynamics and precision across the entire frequency range. At the rear there is a sculpted and high-efficiency heat sink designed for optimal thermal performance. High-Resolution Wireless Music To meet the demands of high-resolution wireless listening, the Diva Utopia have a suite of technical innovations. Firstly, the Ultra-Wideband wireless technology is a unique audio innovation that enables uncompressed, high-resolution signal transmission at 96kHz/24-bit. Focal says UWB delivers the clarity and precision of wired speakers, surpassing traditional CD quality without the physical constraints of cabling. For listeners looking for maximum fidelity, there's a direct wired option that can unlock studio-grade resolution audio up to 192kHz/24-bit. An Intelligent Dynamics Clocking is a precision clock-control system that Focal uses to ensure exact synchronization between channels for a more coherent and stable soundstage. Data transfer is defined by speed, reliability and timing accuracy. Focal's patented Adaptive Acoustic Personal Tuning technology uses a sophisticated algorithm to calibrate the system for both a room's individual acoustics and the user's preferences. The Diva Mezza Utopia has a quartet of 8-inch 'W' cone woofers, which are a full 4cm larger than ... More those used on the Diva Utopia. Like Diva Utopia, Diva Mezza Utopia benefits from the Focal and Naim ecosystem thanks to the advanced Pulse Platform. This offers extensive wireless connectivity adn includes support for Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and UPnP, enabling access to streaming services from Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz Connect, and QQ Music. The system also supports high-resolution multi-room streaming and is compatible with smart home platforms such as Control4, Crestron, Savant and RTI. Users can control the system using the Focal and Naim smartphone app. A remote control is also included and users can control music with their voice using Google Assistant and Siri. Sculptural Design Behind the distinctly sculptural design of Focal's Diva Mezza Utopia is the same level of craftsmanship used to manufacture all the company's products. The cabinet is made from a high-density polymer using a low-pressure molding process, ensuring precise construction, efficient use of materials and acoustic optimization. The speaker rests on a double-level and beveled base featuring signature floating side panels. The panels are made from felt, an eco-friendly material in a new ivory hue that highlights the speaker's contours. The design has distinctive touches, including a dual red and black grille on the tweeter and a brushed aluminum band encircling it, forming the iconic 'signature watch' detail. The Focal Diva Mezza Utopia is available from July 8 via the Focal Powered by Naim network of authorized retailers. The price is $70,000 / £55,000 / €65,000. aaaa
