Focal chorus 706

[tmurnin]

Anyone know if Focal changed anything besides the grill design when they released a new version of the Choral 706? Music Direct has a pair of the old style ones on sale now for $349 vs $799 for the new ones and I'm not sure what the difference is.

 

[ImcLoud]

Not sure, haven't heard the "new" ones, and I haven't seen them that cheap, seen them for $400 they sound good for the price, but there are a few other options in that price range, J garcia just turned me onto these Affordable Audiophile Speakers - CARNEGIE ACOUSTICS csb1's I havent heard them yet {just ordered today} but the reviews look good and he says they are amazing... Then there are some kefs available in that range, cbm170's, ect.. the $400 range for bookshelfs can get you a good amount of speaker...

 

[tmurnin]

I'm upgrading my family room L/R/C from DefTech ProMonitor 1000s, so they need to be a significant upgrade sonically and be attractive at the same time. Budget for all three is ~$1500. Do you like the KEFs above the Focals?

 

[ImcLoud]

It looks like you can get the cst1 and csc1 on sale for $1300 or so, I haven't heard them yet and don't make it a habit of recommending stuff i havent heard but I just bought a set and jgarcia says they sound strong, plus the reviews are all great... the fit and finish look good, magnetic grilles, piano finish.... the regular price is over $2500... may be worth looking into...
call danny at 940-592-3400 may be worth a conversation...

I personally don't like towers in HT setups, so I would probably opt for 3 of the csc1's and turn the tweeters on two of them, for $1050 {may be able to get a better deal on three of them} it may be a great deal...

 

[tmurnin]

I'm a bookshelf guy myself which is why I was looking at those Focals. The Cambridge bookshelves look interesting, but cant find any reviews on them - some on the towers, but not much on the bookshelves, plus they're almost double the price of the Focals.

 

[GranteedEV]

Don't forget to check out the EMP E55Ti towers.

 

[ImcLoud]

I'm a bookshelf guy myself which is why I was looking at those Focals. The Cambridge bookshelves look interesting, but cant find any reviews on them - some on the towers, but not much on the bookshelves, plus they're almost double the price of the Focals.

The csb1's are on sale for $399 a pair and the CSC-1 center is on sale for $349 I just bought a set of the bookshelfs {I am also a "bookshelf guy" and hear good things...
They look pretty solid for the price, half off is hard to ignore... You have to call him to order them, I think its about the best option in your price range, I will let you know as soon as mine come in how they sound...

 

[tmurnin]

thanks. Would love to hear how yours sound before committing!

 

[ImcLoud]

I should have them soon, I think they shipped last night, so from Ohio to me is about 3 days, maybe Ill have them for Monday, give me a couple days to spend with them and Ill let you know.... You can also ask Jgarcia what he thought of them, he just got a pair...