Upgrade from B&W 802D1 to Focal Utopia Scala Evo

I can understand subtle differences with time and usage, but not going from horrific to beautiful in 400 hours.

@onehorsepony speakers and phono cartridges are the two types of components that can easily go from horrible and unlistenable to great. With speakers you have drivers that need to move to loosen up and begin operating properly, e.g. woofers that will begin to push air to produce more bass. The bass is what balances out the brightness. You also have crossover parts such as capacitors that take time to settle. Wiring too. 

Am I saying that it is guaranteed that you will love the sound? No. But giving up prematurely could be a big mistake. Run the stereophile test cd with low frequency test tones to flex the woofers. Or run bass heavy music. 
 

honestly, the bass seems fine, not as tight or as controlled as the bass on the 802D, but neither is the soundstage. I think if I had to sum it up the issue is with the lack of focus and imaging on these speakers. vocals are recessed, while instruments are in your face.

@onehorsepony that makes sense. B&Ws tend to bring the vocals out into the room more. I loved it about the B&W sound. This is unlikely to change much with speaker break in. 
Once again, you made the biggest possible change by replacing speakers. It will either require more tuning with cables and components in addition to getting used to new presentation, or you give up and get the B&Ws again. 
Everything you have now was voiced for synergy with B&Ws. Keep that in mind. 
First thing I would try is different interconnects and speaker cables. Something that keeps the midrange lush but brings in clarity to the rest of the range. 

With your AQ and Cardas I am not surprised you’re hearing recessed vocals. These cables are on a warm or even darker side of neutral.
Every system is different. I highly recommend trying new cables. I would use cables that correspond more to the level of your system and will bring the besr out of these speakers. And again, take your time to get used to new sound.
If you end up hating it now or in 2-3 months the value of these Focals on a used market will be the same.