cobalt or Mozart Grand???

[Ichiro1]

Hello everyone! Been around lurking and reading posts for a while, but this is my first time to post a question.

I am looking to upgrade my current front loudspeakers to either JM Lab's cobalt 826s or Vienna acoustics Mozart grand. Both have very good reviews, but can't decide on which to buy. I use my home system to listen to music and watch dvd's equally. I currently have a Denon PMA 1500 that I want to hook them up to and eventually wanna add a couple of tube mono blocks to the system. The Cobalts have a nominal impedance of 8 ohms with a frequency response of 40Hz-22kHz (92dB). The Mozarts are 4 ohms, 32Hz-22kHz (90dB). Of note I have a Victor SX-DW75 600W active sub(from Japan) that really rocks the lows 16Hz-250Hz (88dB).

To keep the sound stage balanced best should I go with the Mozarts or is the 4dB efficiency difference between the Cobalts and the woofer not something to be worried about?

Any advice would be MUCH appreciated!

 

[alphamajor]

While I haven't had experience with those exact speakers, or many speakers for that matter, I can say this. My system is composed of the Chorus S line from Focal.JMlab and I have the 726s as my fronts. They truly sound amazing. My only complaint, which isn't even really a complaint, is that the low end is a tad weak for my tastes. I tend to like bass heavy music, so I probably like more than what the average person likes. Of course, I currently don't have a subwoofer. I also have a really basic, cheap Harman/Kardon AVR-130 amp driving them, which could possibly be a bit weak for those speakers, though they are quite effecient. I plan on upgrading to a better receiver or seperates in the near future.

Of special note, the Focal tweeter design is truly amazing. I personally don't like the tinny sound of most metal tweeters, but these sound so natural, plus their off-axis performance is very good. I can put my hear right up to them and they don't sound tinny like metal at all, just nice and clear.

Overall the quality of the Focal.JMlab speakers is top-notch. The fact that they design the drivers in house as well gives them an edge I think. They know exactly how to use their own drivers. I really don't think I could have gotten a better speaker for the price, especially since I got 33% off on the floor models of the 726s since the Chorus S line has been discontinued. The shop treated them like babies, they only had a few hours of play time at most. I think the Cobalt line has been discontinued as well. They've been replaced by the Chorus 800V and Chorus 700V lines, which are considerably more expensive.

Just my $0.02.

 

[emorphien]

You should see how the Denon handles 4ohm speakers, some receivers can do it and other's cannot. Denons usually can but it's worth checking in to.

I haven't heard the Viennas nor those Cobalts so I can't offer much input. I did audition the newest Focal Chorus series (Chorus 800 series replaced the Cobalts as mentioned) and they are very good. They seem to be a great speaker for both home theater and music. If you haven't already, you should definitely audition both rather than rely on the opinions of others.

 

[$ithr32]

While I have not heard JM Lab speakers, I have heard the Vienna Acoustic Mozarts and they are fantastic ! Some may describe the vocals to be a little recessed compared to Sonus Faber, but female vocals sound very smooth and sweet. Classical music, jazz, R&B, blues, and country REALLY shine on these speakers. They can play rock and pop, but choose your receiver wisely!

When my neighbor purchased them from Magnolia Audio/Video, he got the entire Vienna Surround package: Mozarts, Maestro (Center), Waltz (Rears), and REL R305 Subwoofer. This system kicks butt for movies and games !

Because of the Ohm rating, you may want do a little research in the electronics you use. Pioneer Elite receivers sound great on these because the speakers are a little warm while the Pioneer tends to sound brighter. Denon can handle it, but I would look at AVR3806 or AVR4306. Of course you get better performance from separates, but if your looking at a stand alone receiver, go for the Pioneer Elite VSX84TSX. It has plenty of power for the Mozarts.

Hope that helps!

 

[no. 5]

To keep the sound stage balanced best should I go with the Mozarts or is the 4dB efficiency difference between the Cobalts and the woofer not something to be worried about?

It's not something to be worried about; the sub has its own amplifier that has far more available power then a receiver ever could have, and besides, that is what the channel level trim is for.

 

[Nick250]

To the OP: You did not mention if you have auditioned the speakers yet. If not, that's job one. If you have auditioned them and still can not decide, a lot of audio shops have loaners so you can try them at home.

Nick

 

[Ichiro1]

Thanks for all the replies!

Have heard them both and they are both truly great, the bass on the Mozarts is a little better, but in combination with my woofer I won't have a problem there. The denon amp has two speaker outs (high and low) for each speaker rated at 4 ohms each when run seperately, but when bridged it runs at 8 ohms.

 

[Ichiro1]

Didn't go with either. Just bought a pair of demo B&W 703s.

Anyone know how tube amps sound on B&W's loudspeakers? I hear they like lots of power. Is solid state the best way to go with these?