New Focal Speaker Forum
 

Focal Loudspeaker Forum now

http://www.ledssuperbright.com/images/roundopen1.jpg


http://www.focal.com/img/cms/516.jpg

Thanks for this now I can be more active :)

I decided it was time for a change. Been listening to Infinity Enterlude IL50's and Infinity surrounds for 11yrs.! Actually found the receipt. So, I have on order the Focal 726V's and there center speaker CC701. Have not been using a separate sub due to the powered woofers in the IL50, lots of bass. But with the 726V's I will be using a BA RPS1000 sub. I run a Marantz NR1603 and power the fronts with an Emotiva UPA-200. Looking forward to the change. The Infinities have served their time well but I am hoping this will be enough of an upgrade to make it worth while. What do you think?

Welcome go AA cheglie :wave:

Keep us posted on how the change in speakers goes.

The focal 700 series is very good for the money.
Good choice with the 726s.
I would run Audyssey then not use it- just to check distances and what it thinks of the crossover points, unless you desperately need it. Sucks the life of every system IMHO.

Enjoy!

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

Has anyone heard the new Aria series of speakers from Focal: Aria 900 - Focal

http://www.focal.com/447-1415-thickbox/aria-948.jpg

http://www.focal.com/447-1323-thickbox/aria-948.jpg

http://www.focal.com/447-1322-thickbox/aria-948.jpg

Some reviews:

Focal Aria 948 | The Ear

Focal Aria 906 review from the experts at whathifi.com

Truly tremendous. And such a bonus when you look at the price. Folks pay 2-4 times more for speakers that don't sound as good as these guys.

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A patient of mine went to the hi-fi shop to buy to pair of B&W 803D, he left with an order of these Focals. :yes:

Sensitivity (2.83V / 1m) 92.5dB
Nominal impedance 8 Ohms
Minimum impedance 2.5 Ohms

Rather annoying for tube amps lovers.
Is that so tough to build a speaker with a flat impedance ?

Yes.

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Thx for the feedback guys :thumbsup: Any others who have heard these or planning to?

How about you? Have you heard them?

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

Nope. I read a review which was positive on them and I was just curious about them which is why I queried if anyone had heard them to solicit additional feedback. I may seek out an audition and if I hear them, I will certainly report back with my listening impressions.

Praise be for opening this forum. Finally we can get our utopia talk on. I personally think the Grande Utopia is the most interesting speaker being made today.

It sounds pretty darn good, too... ;)

The Focal grande & VAC room @ CES certainly got amazing reviews by the press:thumbsup:

I've had my 948's in-house for about 2 months now. I've been living with a pair of Linn 5140's as my mains for over 15 years and I was always missing that kick in the gut low end that the Linn's just never provided. For me the 948's deliver phenomenal sound for the price and much closer to a truly dynamic full range speaker.

Ironic as it seems, with my system clearly sounding better than ever, I now want to upgrade the rest of my system! Looking at replacing my Proceed Amp5 with a McIntosh MC207, then down the line either the MX-121, 151, or 160?? to replace my Anthem MRX. In the meantime, I respect these speakers enough that I'm finally doing a proper acoustical treatment to my room. I expect that room treatment alone will really get me closer to audio nirvana.

Many years ago ,focal was providing loudspeakers units for both professionnal or consumer market ,Jm lab designed the cabinet as well.

The cottage industry in France until the 90's used Focal loudspeakers' kit units to design their own commercial product...

It was the golden age

this company remains independant not he case for the other french high end loudspeaker product maker like Cabasse or Triangle....(japanese, Chinese)

Raymond

So cool Raymond ! Vive le France :) I've had my Sopra 3's for a month or so now and I really dig them. Have been switching between a mcintosh mc2000 and a modified 2255 and I like the 2255 better. Not as musical but way more "oomph." I will be switching amps to a 452 here shortly, excited to get used to the difference!

Quick question about Focal speaker matching.

I have a pair of Focal Kanta No1’s and I’m thinking about adding a Sopra Center Channel to the mix in place of the Aria center I have now.
The question is, will the Sopra center meld well with the timber of the Kanta No1’s? I found a very good deal on the Sopra, which is why I’m contemplating this change.

I’m also thinking ahead as I will probably upgrade the L/R speakers to Sopra’s in the next year or so..

Hubbman... Welcome to AA! :wave:

Welcome to AA Hubbman!

I've heard both lines, and I like them.
They are comparable in sound signature, with the Sopras logically being better.
If you plan to upgrade anyway, and you can save now on the centre, it's a wise move imo.

Reviving an old Thread on Focal speakers ..........
 

Guys,


Instead of starting a new thread it seems this thread already started on the Focal speakers will work just fine.

I have all JML Utopia speakers.

Unfortunately my 20-year old JML Utopia has totally died. :tears:

In looking for a replacement i looked over on Focal (Home-Page) and found the following.

The Focal Sopra "Center-Channel" and it has excellent reviews so I'm going with it.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


I also will be able to use my current JML center channel speaker stand.
That's been modified to sit as low as possible under my Stewart 123" G-4 16 x 9 screen W/4-way remote masking.

If you look in the middle of the stand it has 2-bolts sticking up and I found a perfect solution for that.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=boundshttps://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

ISO-PUCKSeries

https://isoacoustics.com/pro-audio-i...o-puck-series/

So, I'm wondering if any of you are running the Focal Sopra center-channel speaker?

Or have actual knowledge of it.

Below is one of the excellent reviews of it as I read many and all said it is a great choice.

Our Review

Introduction

https://dreamediaav.com/products/focal-sopra-center

Terry Honaker
USA

No comment on the speaker (other than I was very pleased with my Focal Electra speakers when I owned them), but I use Iso-pucks under my Denon DP-80 turntable and they do an excellent job.

Formerly YB-2;


Thanks for the reply on the use of the ISO-Pucks.
I saw them in a video on YouTube as well as reading reviews on them.
I think they are going to work just fine for raising the incoming Focal "Sopra" center channel speaker off the stand it will be sitting on.


Terry

Terry, sorry to hear about the dead center...20 years, what a great run! No experience with the Sopra center but I've read that it carried over from the Electra line with updated Sopra drivers. Electra dates back to the JM Lab days so its heritage may be a befitting replacement.

The IsoPucks seem like the perfect solution. They feature a suction cup top/bottom design to help stabilize the center on a tilted stand...plus you get vibration benefits.

audiogear,


Yes I agree I think the soon to be ordered Focal "Sopra" center channel will be a nice replacement for my now Non-Functional JML center channel.


The ISO-Pucks I ordered are the Middle ones they offer.
From what I read on their site they say go to next level up for the weight of what you need.


They will be here soon.


Terry

I think that is a beautiful speaker . Sounding and looking

Doug Lax,


I totally agree with you and looking forward to having one in my H/T soon.

I did receive an E-Mail from Charles (My-A/V Dealer) looks like this coming week, hopefully to actually place an order.

Quote:

From Charles

Terry
USA

audiogear,

Before you see the below information.

I have heard back from Charles (Owner) of https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...080&fit=bounds

Charles and his (Senior Technician) Jason on the right in my Dedicated-Home-Theater discussing the situation.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albu...080&fit=bounds

Quote:

Date: 12/27/23 4:04 PM (GMT-06:00) Hi Terry, I have read the reviews and specs on the speaker all of which sounds good. I also have reached out to our suppler for availability and will let you know when I hear back as they are running short handed through the Holiday’s. Charles

Ain't gonna be as long now and the Bad-Boy will be installed and once again I will be loving my H/T !!! ...............

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


Look what just arrived a few minutes ago. https://www.audioaficionado.org/data...ABAAEAAAIBRAA7

I just tried these out on my computer desk and when I say they {STICK} believe me that's a FACT guys.
Sweetwater is a 1st Class Company.
I received a cellphone call from Pat Walsh Sales/Engineer to make sure I had ordered the correct item.
Now, guys, when the heck has any of us recently experienced that sort of Follow-Up from ANY-COMPANY ???
As it turned-out I originally placed an order for two (2) sets of the ISO PUCKS.

(1) One was for the largest set named something like ISO PUCK 76 and those are for Heavy Applications as each 76 ISO PUCK handles 40-Lbs.

(2) The 2nd set I ordered was the Medium ISO PUCK that is rated at 20Lbs each I will be using four (4) for a total capacity of 80Lbs.

After talking with Pat all I really need are the ISO Puck as the incoming Focal Sopra center-channel speaker weighs 41.8 Lbs approximately.

Below I'm going to share with you what just arrived from Sweetwater.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds

Terry

Terry, what a great relationship you have with the owner and folks at WOLF HILL Technologies! They're much more than a dealer, more like a family friend. What a blessing because it's a win-win situation; you've made an investment and Charles & Team earned a lifetime client.

As for Sweetwater, definitely a customer centric company. I don't get calls unless transactions are fraud suspects...you get automated emails instead. Post sales follow up, customer treats and literature contribute to higher marketing costs. It's refreshing to see a company show its pride by executing on the above. IMO, packaging also matters!

Before you know it, the Sopra center will be up and running! Huge Congrats & Cheers!

audiogear,


Speaking of Charles the owner of "Wolf Hill Technologies".
He actually was a partner in another A/V Dealership.
That's when I started doing business with him and the other A/V dealership.
That lasted for a number of years.
Then the two owners had totally different philosophies and went their separate ways.
That's when Charles started "Wolf-Hill-Technologies".
I made my decision to go with Charles as I trusted him and not so much his partner.


It's been a lot and I do mean a lot of years I have known Charles and done business with him.
(We are not Family just acquaintances/friends as mutual respect for one another).


Sweetwater to me seems like legitimate company and great customer service before and after the sale.


I hope to hear back from Charles on Tuesday after everyone goes back to work.
I'm hoping his distributor will have the Focal Sopra (Black-Color) in stock and ready to ship to Charles.


Then Jason, lead-tech, for Charles will be coming to do the install.


In a few days I'll know what's going on and what time frame.


Terry

Great service from a company or retailer after the purchase is always so satisfying. I’ve had dealings with Sweetwater personally purchasing items and on a professional side purchasing for my church’s Front of House and broadcast sound systems. They are always a pleasure to deal with.

Doug,


Well my purchase was super small from Sweetwater that's for sure.
But, even on such a small purchase I did get a follow-up call to make sure I ordered the correct item/items.


I think these ISO-Pucks are going to do exactly what I need once I get the new Focal Sopra center-channel-speaker.


Terry