Vintage HiFi Audio Forum
Audio Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Slim-Shaddy on January 29, 2011, 11:14:47 PM
-
So, I've been requested to review these speakers by a couple of forum members, and I figure it's time to oblige.
I've shut off the subwoofer and I am using a borrowed amp (sonance 60w x 2) so my review may change once I get my main amp back. The rest of the gear involves an unmodded Oppo BDP-83, B&K AVP-2000 and a pair of $100 Monster Cable speaker wires which are absolutely nothing special.
These speakers are smooth. They are very fluid. There is nothing overly pronounced about them.
I am listening to a Tears For Fears Cd which is very well recorded and all of the guitar, bass and drums just flow at the level I'm listening.
One thing that's exceptional about these is the soundstage they set. I think it has alot to do with the inverted dome tweeters. I think with that design (thank you EPI) it's easier to spread the sound without cancellation. To me it gives some real depth to the sound and it's easy to point out the instrument's locale.
Vocals and midrange instuments come in ultra real. Right now on the cd there is a ton of middy B3 organ, and it sounds spectacular. That really helps the drums too. All percussion (at least on this recording) seem to have a great, realistic whap! to them.
The design of these speakers makes them a great participant in the "make honey happy" club.
Here's the bad:
They SHOULD NOT be valued at what they are. These are fantastic sounding speakers, don't get me wrong, but they are NOT as good as their dollar figure would anticipate.
They almost completely lack deep bass. Without a sub you are SOL! They will produce some bass, but nothing that you would expect from a speaker that recently cost $2500.
They should be waayyyy more reaching in their top end response. Although the highs sound spectacular out of these things, it's not as detailed as I would like;And my expectations aren't that high.
Bottom line... I think these should fetch no more than $1300 new. Above that, I think their competition would eat them alive. They are fantastic speakers that beat the piss out of my B&W DM 640s, but they can't hold a candle to my 30 year old McIntosh XR 16s.
This is just my opinion.
If you disagree kiss my ass :P
-
Post some pics!
-
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=354038&id=581629675&l=698b8147c6 (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=354038&id=581629675&l=698b8147c6)
-
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs789.ash1/167954_10150164659304676_581629675_8583951_3705009_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs075.snc6/168519_10150164659419676_581629675_8583954_6573878_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs746.ash1/163832_10150164659444676_581629675_8583955_8328745_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs732.ash1/162610_10150164659469676_581629675_8583956_4809320_n.jpg)
-
Excellent review Ed.
-
Thank you MB for making the pics happen
-
Very cool. At what point did they change the brand name to Focal?
-
I think Focal and JM labs are one in the same.
-
So I was playing a cd in the Living Room (where the Focals reside) and doing some bullshitting with my wife when I noticed something strange....
No this is not a joke...
We were listening to ben harper's both sides of the gun when I realized I had never heard this cd sound so lifeless. All of the components were there, but they just didn't add up to a musical experience.
So I said, " f**k this," and put it on the stereo in the next room. We both sighed a sigh of relief when we realized we hadn't forgotten what music sounds like.
The moral of this story? If you come across McIntosh speakers, buy them. If you come across Focal speakers, compare with cerwin vega before you buy!
Bottom line:
I have never been more disappointed in a pair of speakers in my life!!!!
Jesus Christ... I thought these things were supposed to be good. Any knucklehead who spent retail on these should hang himself by the wires he hooked them up with.... BLLLAAAAGHHHH. I'll be unloading these well built boxes as soon as I can!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh
-
Remember what amp you are using!!!!!! Wait till you pick up your Bryston, it sounds great and will be a HUGE improvement!
-
The amp would have to be a miracle worker!!! Absolutely horrible!!! They are bad Mike!! that's why I wanted you to take a week with them. I really want someone to prove me wrong. I had really high expectations of these!!
oh well
win some lose some
-
put them on ebay.
-
JEEEZ! I am so glad that others have found these speakers not as good as reputed. I thought my ears were failing me.
Ed, I still have the manuals, you should get them prior to sale. I have misplace the foam bung, though, I cannot see how anyone would want to cut the bass response of these. I will look for it today.
Thought you all might like to see some pics of my old sansui.
-
Gorgeous!!!
-
Sansui G-Series Rocks!!!
-
Sounds as good as it looks! ;D
-
Got my Bryston rebuilt and they still sounded like dookie. Time for drastic measures... Who needs an entry door anyway???? Apparently room placement is everything with these, cause they sound amazing like this......
-
Leave them there.. Use the back door! ;D ;D
-
Wonder how they would sound in my room?
-
Dunno? I'm down for a swap ;D
-
These are definitely keepers.
Kudos to Mike on the Bryston rebuild!! I had some buzzing. Did some troubleshooting and replaced a $20 pair of monster interconnects with a $500 pair of Discovery Plus 4's and whala... no buzz.
I've been running the amp at just below clipping for about an hour now and it just sounds amazing.
So, I've found they need:
A: meticulous speaker placement
B: quality amplification
C: Good cables
These Focals meet or exceed my expectations.
I don't have the space to a/b them with my Mac speakers, but I've heard enough to reverse all of the negatives I stated before.
-
Forgot to mention. The removal of the silly metal grille makes a huge difference. I don't know why they would use metal. It protects the speakers better, but it seems to me like it would block more sound than fabric.
-
Most excellent, glad you finally have speakers you like!!!! Also glad you like the Bryston!!
I will have to come over and listen to them now.. If little Mikey can fit it into his schedule. ;D ;D And of course if you don't mind. ;D ;D
-
No, man. Any time. As long as I'm unemployed :'(
-
Ed, I recommend you watch The Big Lebowski daily.
-
The dude abides.
-
Is this a... What day is this?
-
Mind if I do a J?
-
Are you surprised at my tears, sir?
-
Jesus!