AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > Focal Speakers

Focal Speakers The Spirit of Sound

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-04-2018, 10:14 PM
phunge phunge is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 289
Default Maestro Evo

has anyone seen / heard the new Maestro Evo's?



The new Evos are new a 3-way which should make them somewhat easier to drive. Improvements to the drivers and internal damping as well. Also now bi-wireable.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-05-2018, 04:20 AM
Bar81 Bar81 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 248
Default

That's the first Evo color scheme that looks good that I've seen to date, thanks for the pic. The matte black accents and chrome tweeter cover look like ass with other colors imo.

I'll be surprised if you get a lot of replies given that as long as you have the amp current into 2ohms the Evo is a downgrade from the 3 1/2 way Utopia so existing owners of the Utopia aren't rushing to change, the price hike is beginning to creep into range of the Stella but without EM woofer, and unlike Wilson who killed it with their Alexia V1 to V2 upgrade plan Focal expects existing Utopia owners to take a bath to upgrade to Evo.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-05-2018, 11:27 PM
greekspec2 greekspec2 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 33
Default

I agree with Bar81 the evo’s look like shit even with the tweeter grill removed
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-06-2018, 08:26 PM
phunge phunge is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 289
Default

Hmmmm, beauty is in the eye of the beholder I suppose

The green and grey don't excite me, but I don't think the blue looks like 'ass'



The white could be nice in the right setting too



If I get these, it would likely be in black. I do agree the new tweeter cover is not as nice as the old -- I wonder if it is removable.

More important, I think, is how they sound. I did find this:
Quote:
The Evo versions of both the Scala and Maestro receive redesigned midrange drivers, incorporating the Tuned Mass Damping (TMD) suspension system and Neutral Inductance Circuit (NIC) that helped the Sopras sound so natural and expressive. The measurements show a significant 5dB drop in distortion and far better time-delay performance, evidence that certainly backs up the sonic impressions. Every component in the crossovers has also been replaced with superior parts, selected after exhaustive auditioning, with the slopes trimmed to accommodate the new drivers. In the case of the Maestro III Evo, the bass has benefited from a Magnetic Damping Circuit on the motor and new internal damping materials within its enclosure, improving linearity and integration -- and making the speaker far easier to position in room.
the audio beat


Also this:
Quote:
The most recent acoustic innovations developed by Focal further enhance the Utopia III line. It was not just a simple update, however, the project was also the perfect opportunity to enhance every detail we could in order to improve the clarity and finesse of the sound even further. It was natural for us to capitalize on the research carried out in 2008, which resulted in new and exclusive innovations, particularly in the mid-range register - TMD suspension and NIC (Neutral Inductance Circuit). TMD suspension provides a linear frequency response curve between 1 and 4 kHz, while significantly reducing distortion in this range. The mid-range register benefits from remarkable neutrality, and it contributes to the excellent precision of the overall stereo image. Stabilizing the magnetic field was a challenge to overcome, in order to avoid harmonic distortion and intermodulation. The research carried out enabled Focal's engineers to come up with an extremely stable magnetic circuit - NIC technology (Neutral Inductance Circuit).

The 2017 edition integrates a major new feature - Scala Utopia Evo and Maestro Utopia Evo now offer bi-amplification. Bi-amping is now possible by separating the bass and mid-range/treble registers, just like the line's two top-of-the-range loudspeakers. The most discerning music lovers will be able to fine-tune their sound by personalizing the registers depending on the sound architecture they want. For this reason, the loudspeakers are equipped with a double terminal board. What's more, in order to avoid magnetic disturbance in the components reproducing high frequencies, from vibrations of bass section, the two crossovers have been separated within the enclosure. A loudspeaker distinguishes itself through its overall coherence, and the level of perfection depends on many other components besides the speaker driver. As a result, improving every aspect of the Utopia III's performance was at the top of our list. We integrated new components which are essential to improving audio quality.

Since 2008, manufacturers have significantly improved the performance of their components. So, our engineers selected the very best components on the market, choosing them from among the finest brands around after testing them in real conditions. All the internal wiring within the units is crafted in France. While looking at the wiring aspects of these new loudspeakers, we decided to increase the wire gauge of the cabling by 20%. The results can be heard immediately - the sound is even clearer and even more natural. Finally, for the bass register, the acoustic wadding lining we included inside the enclosure has been thickened for even tighter bass with more control and increased precision.
stereolifemagazine


I imagine would be a huge step up from my scalas, I may find out soon...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-06-2018, 11:45 PM
Formerly YB-2's Avatar
Formerly YB-2 Formerly YB-2 is online now
Retired

 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NJ Shore
Posts: 8,404
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by phunge View Post
Hmmmm, beauty is in the eye of the beholder I suppose
Indeed. I think they all look nice, other than being far to large.
__________________
Glenn...
Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-07-2018, 02:09 AM
Bar81 Bar81 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 248
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by phunge View Post
I imagine would be a huge step up from my scalas
If that's the real question you're asking then absolutely. The Maestro Utopia is on a whole other level than the Scala, there is no comparison. As such I would expect the same from the Maestro Evo.

Quote:
Originally Posted by phunge View Post
If I get these, it would likely be in black. I do agree the new tweeter cover is not as nice as the old -- I wonder if it is removable.
I'm sure it's removable as it has to be screwed on in some manner; the question is whether it's a good idea given that the tweeter is voiced with the cover on (unlike on Utopia, it's not an aesthetic cover to keep the wife happy). I would suggest asking to see if Focal will powder coat the outside of the tweeter cover in black rather than removing it.

Last edited by Bar81; 04-07-2018 at 03:25 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-07-2018, 04:40 AM
bart's Avatar
bart bart is offline
Life is beautiful
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Belgium
Posts: 19,867
Default

The reviewer of Hifi Critic (English magazine without commercial revenue) preferred them over his own B&W 800D3s...
__________________
Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux
AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E
Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-07-2018, 04:33 PM
Formerly YB-2's Avatar
Formerly YB-2 Formerly YB-2 is online now
Retired

 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NJ Shore
Posts: 8,404
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bar81 View Post
I'm sure it's removable as it has to be screwed on in some manner................
Not necessarily. They were held in place on the Electra 1038/1028/1008Be series with a magnet. Easy to remove by hand.
__________________
Glenn...
Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-07-2018, 04:46 PM
Bar81 Bar81 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 248
Default

It's not a magnet.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-08-2018, 01:22 PM
greekspec2 greekspec2 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 33
Default

it's removable 1.5mm hex comes off just like the Sopra...KJ West One in London has a few pics of the tweeter grills removed on a pair of Scala EVO's. the Sopra's and the Evo's were designed by a German woman to look more masculine hence the matte finished accents, now if Focal offers custom finishes like the Scala V2 I'd have the tweeter box painted gloss black and the plinth

https://twitter.com/kjwestonelondon

Last edited by greekspec2; 04-08-2018 at 02:05 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:04 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video