Help with Focal speakers

[ematthews]

Was going to spend about a grand on main speakers. I have 6 year old Polk RTi 8
speakers. These sound like crap with my Onkyo 606 rec. They are too muddy and don't have enough high end for me.

New system came in today. New Onkyo 805...found the last NEW one from Amazon. Martin Logan Grotto I sub

I was going to purchase some Klipsch RF82..... In the store I listed to some Focal Chorus 816v speakers and just couldn't buy the RF82'S

My question...............Is there anything out there that is close to sounding like a Focal for under 1500 for the pair. I will need to buy a center as well, but later on..Or, if there is not. What is a great speaker at the 1500 mark?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Speakers are completely subjective and only you can tell if you like how they sound. Take your time and audition as many as you can find, in your price range, with music you are very familar with.

I would look for the follow to audition:

PSB
Dynaudio
Paradigm
B&W
Monitor Audio
Swanz
Wharfs

 

[ematthews]

In my area there are not any places that carry mid level or high end av equipment.... Looking for people with more knowledge who happen to know a good clean speaker like the Focals at a better price point.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Maybe you need to take a weekend trip.

 

[ematthews]

Problem is to where????
I would need some names of speakers first to look for a dealer. I may just be able to look in Orlando for a general mid-high end dealer...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I gave you a list of speakers to look at. Get on their websites and see what the closest dealer is to you.

Problem is to where????
I would need some names of speakers first to look for a dealer. I may just be able to look in Orlando for a general mid-high end dealer...

 

[ematthews]

Sorry....Just call me stupid!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

lol....BTW...Warfs are actually named Wharfedales.

Sorry....Just call me stupid!

 

[the grunt]

Have you listened to or considered a smaller Focal like the Chorus 807v.

http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/loudspeakers

They sounded very similar to the Chorus 816v to me with just a little bit less low frequency impact but just as detailed and room filling.

Another possibility not mentioned above are Axiom M80s.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/m80.html

Also very detailed even at higher volumes.

I compared both in the same room with the same equipment and thought that the Chorus 807v had a little better clarity while the M80 had more impact.

As suggested above by ParadigmDawg you really should listen to the speakers before buying them, preferably in your own room with your equipment. If you can’t hear them in your room try to make sure you can return them because how they sound in the studio may not be how they sound when you get them home.

Another suggestion is to see if your local Focal dealer has a trade-up program. That way if they carry a smaller Chorus like the 807v you could buy that now and upgrade to the one you want later.

My last suggestion is that if you really liked the Chorus 816v delay your purchase until you can afford them. At least this way you may avoid second guessing your purchase.

Cheers,
Dean

 

[MidnightSensi]

You should be able to find a few good stores in the Orlando area, if not you could even venture to South Florida for a day trip if you had some brands you were interested in.

Check out the Dynaudio Focus and Excite lines. Excite would probably be better with your receiver because its an easier load to drive (Dynaudios generally need a 4-ohm stable amp, the Excites are designed to be easier to drive for those who are using receivers rather than seperates).

Oh, and have fun with it. The end result is important, but, take some time shopping and listening and think of it as a process. Don't rush it, have fun!

 

[ematthews]

Have you listened to or considered a smaller Focal like the Chorus 807v.

http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/loudspeakers

They sounded very similar to the Chorus 816v to me with just a little bit less low frequency impact but just as detailed and room filling.

Another possibility not mentioned above are Axiom M80s.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/m80.html

Also very detailed even at higher volumes.

I compared both in the same room with the same equipment and thought that the Chorus 807v had a little better clarity while the M80 had more impact.

As suggested above by ParadigmDawg you really should listen to the speakers before buying them, preferably in your own room with your equipment. If you can’t hear them in your room try to make sure you can return them because how they sound in the studio may not be how they sound when you get them home.

Another suggestion is to see if your local Focal dealer has a trade-up program. That way if they carry a smaller Chorus like the 807v you could buy that now and upgrade to the one you want later.

My last suggestion is that if you really liked the Chorus 816v delay your purchase until you can afford them. At least this way you may avoid second guessing your purchase.

Cheers,
Dean

I think the Axiom would be great and they sound good too. But I was told that my Onkyo 805 would not work with these speakers. Can someone confirm this?

 

[the grunt]

I think the Axiom would be great and they sound good too. But I was told that my Onkyo 805 would not work with these speakers. Can someone confirm this?

I have heard that some Onkyos especially older ones do have problems driving the M80s. You may want to post this question in the Axiom Forum for the best informed/experienced response.

If bookshelves are an option you could get the M22s. I have a couple of them along with my M80s and IMO when paired with a subwoofer they get sound about 95% as good as the M80s for HT and about 105% as good with music. The difference is that I like the directional feel the M80s give to bass for HT while the M22s seem a little more detailed and are easier to place while avoiding bass issues because they don’t go as low. I also think that the M22s sound even closer to the Focals than the M80s but don’t go as low. So while I could listen to music with the Chorus 807v alone I would want a subwoofer with the M22s even for music. Just my opinion.

Another advantage of using bookshelf speakers up front is that it’s often possible to use one as a center speaker which gives you the ideal situation of 3 identical speakers across the front. If I couldn’t have found a way to fit a 3rd M80 up front as a center I would have gone with 3xM22s up front. Unless you really want tower speakers (big room, personal preference) I think that most people would get better overall sound from buying better bookshelf speakers paired with good subwoofer than buying tower speakers. Especially if you plan to use an 80hz crossover which IMO pretty much turns your towers into big overpriced bookshelf speakers. Even if you don’t have a subwoofer now you will really want to get one if you like action movies. Also Axiom has some sort of trade-up program (I’m not familiar with the details) which you could use to upgrade to the M80s should you chose to do so later.