1000 SERIES UTOPIA
U s e r m a n u a l
Choosing an amplifier
• It is not an excess of amplifier power that can damage your loudspeaker and drivers, but rather a lack of power. In fact, if the
volume is too high, the amplifier saturates and generates parasite signals that may destroy the tweeter. The dynamic capacity and
definition of Integration 1000 Series UTOPIA loudspeakers are high enough to reveal the strengths and weaknesses of any amplifier
that is connected to them. Your dealer will be able to guide your choice to suit your tastes and budget.
However, Focal recommends using a stable amplifier between 3 and 2 ohms, depending on the configuration you choose. This will
avoid an untimely triggering of the amplifier's protection. Focal recommends a 250W power at 8 ohms for the loudspeakers to
operate correctly.
• Choosing the Focal Astral 16 amplifier
If you are using the Astral 16 amplifier, it is important to follow these tips to enhance your experience. Make sure that you balance the
loudspeakers over the 3 power supplies of the Astral 16 amplifier. This balance will allow you to get the best out of the loudspeakers
and the amplifier. The aim is to combine loudspeakers that consume a great deal of current (front loudspeaker, for example) with
loudspeakers that consume less (rear or Dolby Atmos loudspeakers).
• The IWLCR UTOPIA and IWSUB UTOPIA loudspeakers are compatible with the LFE routing across the Astral 16 amplifier channels.
Focal advises that you set the LFE output level at between -15 dB and -9 dB, depending on the desired volume. Finding the correct
ratio between the bass level for the channel's classic output and that of the LFE is important for achieving a balanced sound. Ensure
that you balance the LFE level on each channel. This will prevent overloading one loudspeaker and underloading another. The
rendering will be faithful and balanced.
• When using the equalisation processing module, you can adjust the midrange and tweeter jumpers, "Midrange level" and "Tweeter
Level" respectively, on their "+2 dB" and "+3 dB" positions. This allows you to use the loudspeaker across its full dynamic range.
• During assembly, ensure that the minimal impedance of the loudspeaker assembly does not fall below 2.1 ohms. We recommend
setting the limiter on each channel between -3 dB and -9 dB. Otherwise, untimely power outages and current distortion may occur.
• In order to avoid causing a fault on the Astral 16 amplifier, make sure you adhere to the following formula:
1
≥ 1,23 Ώ
1
1
1
1
RN
RN
RN
RN
1
2
3
4
INSTALLATION
Loudspeaker positioning
The loudspeakers in the 1000 Series UTOPIA range have been developed to deliver the most faithful sound reproduction, whether
they are used for stereo music or home cinema. Nonetheless, a few simple rules should be followed to optimise their performance
and to guarantee good tonal balance and a realistic sound image. We recommend positioning the 1000 IWSUB UTOPIA loudspeakers
as close as possible to the floor or in the corners of the room.
Using in Stereo systems (15m² – 50m²)
The loudspeakers should be positioned symmetrically, facing the listening area, ideally forming an isosceles triangle with it. The
angle between the listening position and the two loudspeakers must be 60° (fig. 1). The space between the two loudspeakers will
be between 10ft (3m) and 20ft (6m) (fig. 1). However, it is possible to vary these distances to find an ideal compromise depending
on the specific room layout. The loudspeakers should be positioned at the same height and in the same horizontal plane (fig. 1). We
recommend positioning the tweeter at the viewer's ear level.
Using in Home Cinema systems (20m
• Right, left and central front loudspeakers. Position the tweeters of the 1000 IWLCR UTOPIA Series at the viewer's ear level. The
vertical position is recommended for a centre speaker (behind a projection screen, for example), but it is possible to vary the
tweeter orientation depending on your configuration.
• When using wall loudspeakers, the right and left front loudspeakers should be placed symmetrically on either side of the screen
and at mid-height, facing the listening area, ideally to form an isosceles triangle with it. The angle between the listening position and
the two loudspeakers must be 60° (fig. 2). The space between the two loudspeakers must be between 10ft. and 20ft. (3m and 6m),
for a listening area between 10 and 20 feet. However, it is possible to vary these distances to find an ideal compromise depending
on the specific room layout. The centre speaker should be placed as close as possible to the screen, above or below it, for realistic
dialogue reproduction (fig. 2).
• If a micro-perforated (acoustically transparent) projection screen is used, the right and left front loudspeakers and the centre
speaker should be placed halfway up the screen, in the same horizontal plane behind this screen (fig. 3).
Surround-sound loudspeakers for the 5.1 system
When using wall loudspeakers, the surround-sound loudspeakers should be installed on the side walls, slightly behind the listening
area (0ft/0m – 3ft/0.5m) and at the same height as the right and left front loudspeakers (fig. 4). In addition, an angle between 90°
and 110° between the axis of the loudspeaker behind the listening position and the axis from the centre speaker and the listening
position must be respected in order to follow Dolby specifications (fig. 5).
With RN
: nominal impedance on the 1st amplification rail
1
With RN
: nominal impedance on the 2nd amplification rail
2
With RN
: nominal impedance on the 3rd amplification rail
3
With RN
: nominal impedance on the 4th amplification rail
4
– 75m²)
2
25