Focal 814v vs cheaper alternatives?

[photo Tom]

Bear with me, fair amount of info here:

I have a Denon 1912 (90w x 7 @ 8ohms), Polk PSW10 (I know, not great but may upgrade later) and I am looking to add two towers and a center channel to the collection for 50/50 music/HT purposes. My room is 14'x17' open at the rear to the kitchen, 8ft ceilings.

I have listened to Polk's RTi series at Fry's and they are entirely too bright for me. The TSi's were nice, but I felt there was something lacking at the mid/high end. I enjoy warm/neutral and full-bodied sound with great mids and controlled highs. Proper balance is very important. Will vary rarely be played at house-shaking levels.

I am at a deciding point. Go low budget with the Polk 75T (new version of Polk Monitor 70) and the matching CS2 --- total of about $620.

OR

Go all out and get the Focal Chorus 814v and matching CC814v --- $1,150. (beyond max budget but willing to do for something so good that my head will explode!)

Can anyone tell me objectively why the Focal's would be so much better of a speaker? Side note, I am not opposed to suggestions outside those two as long as there is a specific reason for the suggestion. Thank you all so much!!!

 

[zieglj01]

Go all out and get the Focal Chorus 814v and matching CC814v --- $1,150. (beyond max budget but willing to do for something so good that my head will explode!)

Can anyone tell me objectively why the Focal's would be so much better of a speaker? Side note, I am not opposed to suggestions outside those two as long as there is a specific reason for the suggestion. Thank you all so much!!!

If someone is looking for a smooth and open sound, with good detail and definition - with good imaging
and soundstage presentation - and not really harsh, edgy or sharp sounding > then the Focal Chorus line
should be a nice option for you.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Can anyone tell me objectively why the Focal's would be so much better of a speaker?

You can be objective about measurements. In general, but not always, Focal measures better than Polk. But measurements don't guarantee that you will like the speakers.

As far as liking the actual sound, there's nothing objective about it!

It's pure personal preference. 100% subjective.

Everyone has a different perception of what is "neutral", ""bright", "warm", "fatiguing", etc.

It's amazing what a great sub or two will do for you. I would focus on getting great subs first.

As far as Focal, I own the Focal 826V and I think they sound pretty great............with subwoofers.

 

[KEW]

I'll have to disagree with ADTG on this one. Speakers are more important than subs in my book.
However, it wouldn't surprise me if you liked the sound of the CC814's better without the Polk sub than with it.
I would rather have the CC814 and no sub than crappy speakers with a great sub.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'll have to disagree with ADTG on this one. Speakers are more important than subs in my book.
However, it wouldn't surprise me if you liked the sound of the CC814's better without the Polk sub than with it.
I would rather have the CC814 and no sub than crappy speakers with a great sub.

Wait, how do you know he has CRAPPY speakers?

A lot of people upgrade, but not just because they have crappy speakers.

 

[GranteedEV]

Yku may wNt to consider the ArX A5, EMP E55Ti, and Ascend Sierra Tower as well.

 

[cpp]

Yku may wNt to consider the ArX A5, EMP E55Ti, and Ascend Sierra Tower as well.

Good suggestion,.

Hey GranteedEv, where ya been, school no doubt

 

[KEW]

Wait, how do you know he has CRAPPY speakers?

I don't, I was just saying speaker quality is more important than even having a sub, IMHO!

A lot of people upgrade, but not just because they have crappy speakers.

I think you are mixing up "upgrade" with "supplement"!

 

[gtpsuper24]

+1 on the Arx A5. At $749 is a hell of a bargin and great sounding/quality speaker.

I haven't heard the Focal but I would be totally confident the A5 would compete well against it. Although each speaker will have its own signiture sound. The Arx tends to be neutral to laid back across its freq range, nothing really shouts at you or gets your attention.

Focals at least some of the car audio stuff i've heard has little brighter highs, which can be good or bad depending on your tastes. Might find the Arx too restrained or Focal too forward.

 

[ousooner2]

+1 on the Arx A5. At $749 is a hell of a bargin and great sounding/quality speaker.

I haven't heard the Focal but I would be totally confident the A5 would compete well against it. Although each speaker will have its own signiture sound. The Arx tends to be neutral to laid back across its freq range, nothing really shouts at you or gets your attention.

Focals at least some of the car audio stuff i've heard has little brighter highs, which can be good or bad depending on your tastes. Might find the Arx too restrained or Focal too forward.

Yeah it seems the EMP's, Arx's, Focal Chorus 814's and Ascend 340's are always the talk when it comes to budget setups. With the EMP's being the best.JK

Most or darn close to all focals I've heard in my car audio experience were on the brighter side of things (polyglass line mostly). Especially the people that just throw them in there without any EQ, gains cranked, x'd too low on both the tweeter and the mid/midrange, etc. Even the few I've heard with good EQ on them were a tad harsh throughout the midrange and upper treble. With all the reflections, rattles, etc to deal with in cars it's a totally different ballgame.

 

[gtpsuper24]

I'd like to see someone who isn't biased toward one brand and hasn't heard any of them. Do a review on the Arx A5, EMP E55, HTD Level 3 tower, Ascend 340s and the Focals.

For hometheater/music I like a neutral to laid back. For car audio I like the Hertz very crisp highs which seem to do great in car setup.

 

[GranteedEV]

that's the gist of it CPP. I do expect to be posting something rather fun within the next month or two though ;P

 

[ousooner2]

And what's that?

 

[photo Tom]

Wait, how do you know he has CRAPPY speakers?

A lot of people upgrade, but not just because they have crappy speakers.

Well, I for one actually do have crappy speakers. I'm a statistic of those who are upgrading my early college Sony towers. Honestly at this point anything will be an upgrade. Cans of cambell's soup with an electrical circuit would suffice.

 

[photo Tom]

Great recommendations as I had read much about those speakers. Unfortunately, I think I'm stuck with front-facing ports due to the asthetics/spacing of my family room. Placing a tower speaker even a foot away from the wall would seem intruding on the living space. =( Sorry for not mentioning this in the initial post, thought it was info overload already.