Focal - JM Lab Owner's Thread - Page 5

I would not pair the 800V center with the Cobalts. The 800V is a total redisgned series from the ground up. The tweats in the 800V series are far superior so I doubt they would balance, then again I heard The Cobalts all the way up to the 1020Be and they all had that Sweat JM Lab sound only more of it as you went up the line. The Profile series is perhaps the most diverse of the Focal line up, not really sounding like the others.

If anyone knows what a good speaker cable to run with Focals is I would really like to know. I currently use Analysis plus Oval 12, they are very detail and true to the music but maybe just a bit neutral. At one time I had the Nordos Flatline in my rear 705 S seires and the speed, sound quality and detail was exceptional.

Nordost wire is also marketed by the same company who sells Arcam. I was told that I should not go above the copper wire Nordost because the higher up Silver plated i.e Blue Heaven, Red Dawn, would make the JL's sound to bright- Could this be true? It I can't go to that level I will just settle for the Nordost Flatline MKII gold.

Does sim have a 2ch amp. That other one looks very nice. My brystons still sound great and I have other things I want to do but...
I will keep them in mind.
Lazzman, I use transparent audio Plus level and it is fine. I have a feeling that Kubala Sosna would be very nice also.

simaudio titan comes with 3, 5 or 7 channels

for 2 channel you may go for the classic series

I would check Audiogon for the Cobalt center. I normally see various Cobalt's on a regular basis as people are trying to clear them out. Lots of good deals.

Nice workmanship on the Chorus 826, can anyone offer a detailed reveiw of the sound to someone that hasn't heard speakers by JMLab? Thanks.

The best way for me to describe what I heard from the 826v at the audio show is exceptionally well balanced and refined. It was very easy to forget that there were speakers in the room. They did nothing to call attention to themselves, and that is exactly what I'm looking for from a speaker.

There was an extremely hyped new release from an internet only company down the hall, and they drew my attention like a magnet. They were so in your face, IMO. Even with my eyes closed I knew for certain that I was listening to reproduced music through speakers voiced to grab attention. Much like the TV in the showroom with the contrast and sharpness cranked to the max in order to stand out from the crowd. It will get the attention, but it isn't even close to being accurate. The Focals simply disappear.

hey Mike

Noticied you're a bryston fan. A chance to acquire the BP-25 has come up and I'm wondering what your thoughts are with the 4B ST and Focals

I've now got the 1007 BE's, considering the purchase of a used BP-25 and 4B SST . Originally I was considering music fidelity , their a5i , to complete my 2CH setup but i've heard good things about bryston

Is the bryston setup musical with the focals, not too bright? Comments? Am I best to stick with the A5i or look at a used Bryston setup?

Cheers

I use a 4b-ST with my 1027's. I have used it for about 5-6 years now. It is a great combo. Not harsh at all. With the 1007's it should really be sweet. You might be surprised at the quantity and quality of bass you get from them. I have not heard the BP-25 but I know by reputation that it is supposed to be a great pre. Again, I have not heard MF, but I am very happy with the Bryston. A while ago I was thinking about changing amps. I was thinking about Jeff Rowland. But as I thought about it I realized that I really liked the Brystons. I don't see myself changing them in this setup. I think that would make a fine sounding system.

Saw them online yesterday, today Im a proud owner of these great speakers!
I feel like Ive been waiting a long time for the right speakers to come about and this was them!

Mike,

That's nice to hear! What pre are you using? I suspect I can find a fairly well priced 4B-ST or SST and the BP-25 would be nice with the upgraded DAC/Power supply. It would be nice to have 1 box for my Pre/DAC rather than a seperate outboard unit.

The 20 year warranty is also hard to over look.

I think i'll bid on this BP-25 in the hope I can find a well priced Bryston Amp

I'm already amazed with the bass from the 1007s so early into their life. They have less than 25hrs on them so far ! The bass is superior to my B&W 603 S3 that they replaced

kris

mike's system is multi channel while yours 2 channel

for pre i would suggest you get something with stereo bypass in case you may want to add a multi channel ht pre/pro or receiver to enjoy movies in a different way

tube pre can be an option

cpu, I do need HT bypass as I have a Pioneer AX4ASI (84TXi you guys call it)

I thought the BP-25 can be used with its Tape outputs for integration, is that not the case?

your speakers connect with power amp. main objective is to get signals from pioneer revceiver to the power amp.

your power amp already accepts signal from the preamp so whats the use of the tape output from preamp to power amp again?

I have no idea.. I just heard the BP-25 can connect to a HT reciever..

As for now, i have no clue.

Doesnt sound like the BP-25 will work?

you can always have receiver pre out to connect with a 2 channel pre line or tape in but then the volume control of the 2 channel preamp will affect sound level output to power amp and speakers.

musical fidelity a5 integrated and a5 pre both have home theatre bypass. there are many other 2 channel preamps have this function too

Yeah, the volume is the issue and a pain!

ok, so the BP-25 won't do the job.

Basically I'm just trying to look at other options before I settle on the MF A5i.

I just would hate to know I could have got somethign better for a little more money...

ideally, if I can get seperates with a DAC option (like the BP-25) for a bit more than the A5i then great. A used 4B ST and DP-25 would suit but like you said, no HT Bypass.

i always go for external dac. easier to upgrade or repaired

CPU is right. I have mainly a HT setup. I have a Halo C2 that I use for everything. But eventually I will be looking for a 2ch pre as well for my system. Also, there are a number of pre's that have a bypass feature.

Good stuff Vampyro. I am sure that they will give you years of enjoyment.

Thanks Mike, These speakers sound fantastic. I was coming off a sweet love affair with my Polk Audio LSi9, which can't be beat for the price. But I needed to take my music a step further and the Chorus 826V is doing a splendid job of it. So glad to be part of the JM Lab/Focal family.

I heard the LSi9's at a show once and they are nice. But i am %100 positive the the 826v's will give you allot of good times listening. Enjoy them

Just a quick question here, where is a good place to get a deal on the Focal Chorus 807v's?

They are one of the main speakers I am considering as an upgrade, but cannot find any info on them other than at the Focal website.

Please help!!

Go to this site
http://www.audioplusservices.com/frame.html
Then click on dealers.
You see a section for you to choose what your are interested in. I would choose just the one that said JMLab. Put in your zip and you should find dealers that are hopefully close to you.

KrisKeen,
I have the 1027BEs and an A5 CD player, pre and power amp.
I listened to the Krell 400 versus the A5 integrated, and the A5 sounded better, less electronic.
But when I listened to the Pre and power amp combo, it was noticeably better than the integrated, so I decided for those.
More detail and clarity came through. Timbre seemed more pleasant and rich.
I'm very happy with my setup.

The next step I guess would be the Alto Utopias ;-)
I demoed them with a Krell Evolution setup and they are wonderful. Great staging, deeper and clearer lows. Even closer to the real-life concert experience.

"The next step I guess would be the Alto Utopias ;-)"
Nah, Don't hold back Nova's all the way

in a proper sized room, i believe 1027be is comparable to alto be. just wait and see how the new wave of utopias will sound

regarding krell evolution pairing with grand utopia be. that compo did nothing to me. while using musical fidelity kw it was magic. that was even better than halcro pre and dm58

just my ears not yours

Hmm, haven't tried with the MF kW.
I shall put it down on my todo list.

Well it may have been the room dynamics, but I distinctly remember that the 1027Bes at my place have less expansive staging as the Alto's. Plus, the bass is markedly better with the Alto's.
My bass has improved since I got the speakers but they haven't reached the punchiness and 'discreteness' of the Alto's.

What's this about a new series of Utopias???????

yes alto would need a bigger room

eventually existing utopias will be upgraded. focal is working on this project now.

Maybe it is my room, but I am totaly happy with the bass from my 1027's. It can really slam if called upon but it also has great definition. These speakers are very sensitive to placement in the room. It took me about 2 1/2 weeks of little changes then listening and then a few more little changes before I got it right. I have heard the Alto's and it is true that the bass may be stronger. A bit. But I have no feelings of want in my system regarding speakers anymore. If they are new, you need to give them time. Also, if you are open minded and like to experiment, send me a PM. I have a tweak for you.

Well well well.
I just checked out a review of the 1027be's which had some helpful notes about the positioning of them - mainly: turn them inward so their forward axes cross about 1m in front of the listener.
So I gave the new positions a go, and lo and behold!
Punchy bass and expressively larger and deeper soundstage and more detail!
It's like my speakers have moved up another dimension!

Honestly, I'm flabbergasted - that's how much they improved in sound quality and staging.