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  #11  
Old 03-16-2018, 11:00 PM
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Kanta 2's have newer Focal technology compared to the Sopra 1's and you may be able to get by without a sub.................at least for a while. A sweeter sound is also reported with the Kanta 2's.

Ron
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  #12  
Old 03-17-2018, 08:56 AM
lordemsworth lordemsworth is offline
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Any thoughts of the Kanta and the Olympica II?
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Old 03-17-2018, 10:04 AM
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Any thoughts of the Kanta and the Olympica II?
Both should be high quality builds. Both manufacturers have loyal followers. Spec wise goes to the Kanta. Cosmetic wise is ones owns preference. Sonic wise differences should only be determined listening blind so as not to be visually influenced, in the same room with proper positioning setup. Speakers are heavily influenced with room acoustics so your actual room will sound different compared to a store. I've had Sonus faber speakers for the last 10+ years so I may just be looking for a change for change sake. Best of luck!

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  #14  
Old 03-17-2018, 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by lordemsworth View Post
Any thoughts of the Kanta and the Olympica II?
Focal and Sonus faber have very different tonal qualities and unique musical perspectives. I suspect that most listeners will have a strong preference for one over the other in a given system, and the only way to know yours is to compare them. In general terms Focal tends to be more revealing and detail oriented while Sonus faber emphasizes midrange warmth and a more delicate high end.
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Old 03-17-2018, 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by audio bill View Post
Focal and Sonus faber have very different tonal qualities and unique musical perspectives. I suspect that most listeners will have a strong preference for one over the other in a given system, and the only way to know yours is to compare them. In general terms Focal tends to be more revealing and detail oriented while Sonus faber emphasizes midrange warmth and a more delicate high end.
Well, went this morning to have a listen to the Olympica II and the Focal Sopra 2 (so mission not quite accomplished).

The dealer thought I would love the sound of Sonus Faber with the Audia Flight Two integrated.

Actually, preferred the Sopra 2.

Track 1:
I played Jonas Kaufmann singing Nessun Dorma, and the Sonus Faber sounded a little slowly and plodding.

The Focal Sopra 2 on the other hand elicited goose bumps.

Track2:
Judy Dench singing "Send in the Clows". Again, the preference was with the Sopra. It was like Ms. Dench was in the room. There was that body to the voice that the I couldn't hear through the Olympica.

I the spend another hour just listeneng to music through the Sopra.

Next week, will try the Kanta against the Sopra 1.

Anyone else have experiences they would like to share?
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  #16  
Old 03-17-2018, 02:30 PM
lordemsworth lordemsworth is offline
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Originally Posted by lordemsworth View Post
Well, went this morning to have a listen to the Olympica II and the Focal Sopra 2 (so mission not quite accomplished).

The dealer thought I would love the sound of Sonus Faber with the Audia Flight Two integrated.

Actually, preferred the Sopra 2.

Track 1:
I played Jonas Kaufmann singing Nessun Dorma, and the Sonus Faber sounded a little slowly and plodding.

The Focal Sopra 2 on the other hand elicited goose bumps.

Track2:
Judy Dench singing "Send in the Clows". Again, the preference was with the Sopra. It was like Ms. Dench was in the room. There was that body to the voice that the I couldn't hear through the Olympica.

I the spend another hour just listeneng to music through the Sopra.

Next week, will try the Kanta against the Sopra 1.

Anyone else have experiences they would like to share?
Alright - was able to sneak a quick listen to the Kanta driven by a Naim Uniti Nova.

They sounded full, but the Sopra 2 sounded better.

They both were preferred to the Olympica, but the Kanta want compelling enough on audition one.

We'll try again.
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  #17  
Old 03-21-2018, 07:52 PM
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I had a pair of Paradigm prestige 95Fs, then a pair of McIntosh XR100s, and ultimately ended up with a pair of Focal Sopra 1s. I honestly couldn’t be happier with them. My room is 20x18 with 9 foot ceilings and the rear wall opens into another room. The speakers fill the room with great sound and working them out I’ve measured them at 108db from my listening position, which is 11 feet away, and they didn’t even break a sweat. They do have relatively decent low end for a pair of monitors, but could never be considered close to full range. After letting them break in and get a true feeling for how they sound I ended up adding a pair of JL Audio fathom F110v2 subwoofers. Adding the subs was a game changer. True full range with amazing mids and highs undeterred by the cabinets trying to create low end frequencies. My idea behind going with monitors and subs, as opposed to Sopra 3s, was the best place for the speakers to be placed may not be the same place for optimum low end frequency response in my room. Some people make a big deal about integrating subs but it was honestly very easy with the JLs. I see it as I’m getting true full range and if I want a little more, or less, bass the subs have volume knobs. I have also had them powered by a variety of amps such as a McIntosh MA8000, a Hegel H360, a Pass Labs INT-250, and they are currently being powered by a Hegel H20. They have been nothing less than impressive powered by all of them. After being on the speaker merry go round for a little while, I can’t see me changing these until my listening room changes.
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Last edited by Vince11281; 03-21-2018 at 07:55 PM.
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  #18  
Old 03-25-2018, 02:14 PM
lordemsworth lordemsworth is offline
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So, spent another day, but failed to listen to the Kanta.
Spent time with the Sopra 1, 2, and Olympica 2.

All three are very, very good. Anyone should be happy to own any of them.

The Sopra 2 were again preferred to the Olympica. And then I spent some serious time with Sopra 1 - they were fantastic.

They may not have the full complement of drivers of the Sopra 2, but they still sounded full and were fast and made the music sound alive.

The journey will continue in two weeks.
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  #19  
Old 03-25-2018, 10:28 PM
Berman002 Berman002 is offline
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I am fan of Focal speakers, used to owner few R range KEF, R900, R300 and LS50.
but once i heard of a focal 900's love their tone. sold all my R900 and getting ready for the Kanta2! as it's not yet in New Zealand. Guess it will be a good pair with Mac MA252.
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  #20  
Old 03-26-2018, 10:03 AM
joey_v joey_v is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Berman002 View Post
I am fan of Focal speakers, used to owner few R range KEF, R900, R300 and LS50.
but once i heard of a focal 900's love their tone. sold all my R900 and getting ready for the Kanta2! as it's not yet in New Zealand. Guess it will be a good pair with Mac MA252.
Good luck with the kanta2! It’s a great speaker

Have you decided on the color?
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