Focal - JM Lab Owner's Thread - Page 102

certainlly agreed- all reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt--i am aware of the anti-class d bias of a lot of magazines--what surprised me about their review is that they did actually really like some of them.keep up teh reporting though--as more class d come out I am sure they will improve and it will be great to keep track of how they sound with our speakers.

Hey MikeDuke,

Firstly happy new year mate and to all focal owners around the world. Just jumped on this thread today and was wondering if you have taken the plunge in getting a Electra CC1000BE? Will this be the year for one?

Hi ufcrusher I've never heard Electra IW 1000 BE's mind you there meant to sound like the Electras 1027BE, but being INWALL I dont know how they will compare in sound. My guess if done right they should sound sensational, I've heard some Inwalls(Not Focals) before and they sounded terrible. Are you using mainly for theatre? If your using for music it will be good to see if you can audition them already setup so you can get an idea if your pleased with the sound.Problem is trying to find someone who has them setup, hopefully in your area they have.The IC 908 don't pivot at all and for surrounds it will be good to have them able to pivot. I went with the Sonance Virtuoso 834DR berylluim tweeter and drivers. These speakers can pivot the whole sub mid and tweeter. For rear surrounds I went with the IW908 in the ceiling facing down works extremeley well.

Cheers

Hello all,
I have the jmlab electra 927be w/ krell hts7.1 and multi-amps. Let say my main gear is done for now. What would you suggest for ic interconnect cable to further improve the sound? my listening reference is all vocal & upbeat contemp/smooth jazz. I'm currently using all AQ brand cable with some kingcobra IC cable. Any other brand you guys recommend for IC cable? what's about kimber, tara lab, etc.. ?

Thanks

I've been very happy with these.

I did some comparisons with several different cables, and the BJC always came out on top. No need to spend a small fortune on marketing hype and snake oil, IMHO. I still get a kick out of one ad I saw, which claimed music flowed "faster" through their cable

i have used both king cobras and most currently have switched to kimber hero and silver streak. i may still have some king cobras here and there--honestly the cables you have are pretty good and probably suit your listening tastes well--I think what you have should be great--if you are looking to change the sound in some way there are other ways to do it (room treatments etc)--those imho are great for your application and listening tastes.

if you believe that cables make a diference (a subject of great debate here)
people in general i have spoken to seem to feel aq are a fairly transparent but perhaps a bit laid back cable whereas kimber cables seem a bit more neutral and nordost on the brighter side. tara cables are fantastic--no question about that. not sure you would need to spend that much.

honestly cables dont tend to take much abuse--you can get great cables on audiogon at 50% the price--twice the cable for your budget.

Hi,

I have listened to the Studio 100's (source and amplification by Parasound, D200 + 7100/5125) but not the Focals. I liked the Studio's a lot (all-around effortless delivery), and am seriously considering them, but since the Focals can now be had for virtually the same price, I would be willing to consider them. Unfortunately, I have very little free time, and cannot arrange for a convenient demo session (a cardinal sin ), so any impressions, comparative or otherwise would be most welcome.

Thanks!

Transparent? Why not get some Transparent cables with their proprietary networks?

Btw, I had the Kimber Hero when it was first released, had the Blue Heaven full set, ahh the memories... I Nowadays, I just make my own interconnects and speaker cables.

Well, I'm not sure how much help this will be.

I have a pair of 918's, which are just the 928's minus a woofer so apart from a little less bottom end, they are the same.
I guess I can't give you a good comparison with anything else because i only auditioned mine against other Focals...(800 series, and the 714s's i owned at the time).
I found them to have a smoother, more defined delivery. Although not a "warm" speaker, they were warmer than the 826v and the high end is very clean and crisp.
I, too, was also swayed by the good deals you can get on them now. And considering you seem to be powering your speakers better than i am, I can't see you being dissapointed at all.
Hopefully someone else can ring in about the Paradigms.

Thanks Franin. It is on the long list of things to do. Where on the list is another story. I am getting my turntable in a little bit and then some room treatments. I might do it after that I just don't know yet.

For cables I am using some older Transparent Audio plus level speaker wire and interconnects. I have heard that these guys are good also
http://www.virtualdynamics.ca/
Not sure how they are priced though.

I sold my Transparent cables more than a decade ago when I found out the networks are nothing more than a scam. Not sure about virtualdynamics but as long as it's thick enough, the sound quality degradation shouldn't be apparent. Unless of course you're looking for cables that are tune controls.

I will change cables eventually. I have a line on what I want get. The Transparent have been fine and I did not pay retail on them so I am staying with them for a while longer.

Well Im a paitient man, happy to wait and read your reviews.

posted this in another forum but thought it may be relevant here too...

focal 1027 be compared to mirage omd5--prelim results.

cd's were stereophile's new recording of one of the reviewer's jazz band (r. reinas') and patricia barber companion sacd (familiar with great imaging on these.)

omd5: VERY good stereo imaging, wonderful sense of 3d space. VERY limited midbass--didn't play very nicely with my velo subs( which have never seen a 100-120hz crossover point before). Images were well localized in 2-d space. Image width for specific instruments was increased--perhaps by 50% (25% increase on r and l sides. Image was perojected a good 5 ft behing where the focals put it.

At first I thought the 3-d space was deeper with the mirages' but what I realized ovbver some time was that it was actually not as deep but I had initially been fooled by the fact that the image was projected back so much further (mirages were set on top of the focals so they were in exactly the same place). Soundstage was a bit flatter. they had soome trouble keeping up with patty barbers' throaty vocals at when pushed a bit by the brawny sunfire beast. overall character was more euphonic, laid back and easy on the ears.

The focals had a good deal more sparkle on top as well as a much more palpable midbass and low end. The realism (close your eyes and you feel 'there' )with the focals was better. The images were more specifically placed (oh yes hat instrument is right THERE!).

Overall I was impressed with the imaging of the mirages=nort quite as focused but without a direct comparison you wouldn;t miss it. Their stereo imaging was actually very good (you could tell which cymbal was coming from where and place them in space fairly well, just not as well as the focals. The image was a bit flatter and the midbass was missing despite turning up the sub to 120hz.

But this a completely unfair comparison--a $500 pair of speakers compared to a an 8500 pair of beryllium tweeter equipped full range speakers. I was delighted overall by the more laid back sound and the fact that I felt more like 15th row center compared to 5th row--in that regard I didn't necessarily prefer one over the other but the focals did have a bit more front to back depth despite having a more forward placed image.

I really like the mirage omd-5's. Keep in mind also these were being listened to in a 600+ sq ft room. I think stereo imaging is definitely NOT a flaw of these speakers but midbass performance clearly was as was power handling in a very large room--no surprises here. These would mate well with a sparkly clean amplifier, punchy sub with higer than usual upper frequency extension, and a small to mid sized room (like my reading room)

Thank you, acopeman. Extremely valuable info, especially since I have some familiarity with the 726v's and have found them to be more restrained in the mid-to-low bass range than the Studio's, and also "colder" (marginally less resolution, but imaging definitely wasn't quite as good, so they sounded more analytical/less involving) in the upper end. Glad to know the 918's are "warmer" than the 800's, which in turn should breathe better than the 726's.

Looks like the 928's are a go (although largely secondary, the styling and finish also earn them plus points over the Paradigms). I shall post again with first-hand listening impressions, and hopefully no regrets.

Great comparo Deno. You seem to really give a very detailed description of both. It seems the mirage are pretty good. They may react differently with different electronics. I remember hearing them many many years ago and they did sound nice to me.

Glad to hear....i think you will be very pleased. They are definitely a step up from the 726's (actually 2 to be exact).

I had a quick peak at the Parasound gear you are using and its definetly a step up from the Denon 2807 i;m using. I actually base most of my impressions on the 908 bookshelf demo that i did. I actually stopped in the other day and they had some .flac files playing through an Arcam AVR350 (which mind you, is my first choice to replace the Denon) and it sounded better than my 918 towers. With your stuff it should sound quite nice.
I also had a look at the Paradigms, and those 5 - 7" drivers would probably melt your face, but i doubt that is what you are going for.
Anxious to hear your impressions. Don't forget they will need a little break in time. The manual says 20 hours but I would give them closer to 100 hours before they "settle in".

Are you running a sub?
What finish are 928's ?

thanks mike--indeed even with the voltage source output on the sunfire they have a bit more sparkle and sound great with the HK receiver they are used with normally. the older polk sub has a punchy top end that works well with them in the smaller room. i was surprised at how good the imaging was for an omnipolar design! one thing i had forgotten was that their vertical imaging was superb as well--in fact at least as good as the focals.

Deno, just to give you an update on the turn table front, I think I have made my choice. I am probably going to with the well tempered Amadeus. It is their new table that is supposed to out perform the old Reference. My cartridge will be the Dynavector 17mkII. I was told that I should also get a cleaning machine so I will get one from VPI. I still have a ways to save, but I can't wait to hear how records sound on my system with the 1027's.

In my never ending quest for the perfect center channel I'd like to know which, if any, Focal center speaker can handle my requirements.

I want to listen at reference levels, so the center channel must not only be extremely clean and articulate it needs to play very loud. My room is ~3,500 cubic feet. I want a center channel that costs LESS than $2,000. I also want one that has nice matching L/R and either bipole or dipole surround speakers. I've been to the Focal website and all their lines seem to meet my last two conditions - but can the center handle my high volume, large room requirements?

I'm most curious as to the Profile and Chorus lines. Please tell me if you listen to movies/music at reference levels (85 db normal dialogue and 105 peak) and your room size.


I know for a fact that the following center speakers will work:
Triad Gold LCR
Paradigm Studio CC-590
PSB Synchrony One C

I know for a fact the following center speakers will NOT work:
Totem Rainmaker Center

My theater is small, but the 901 has no problems getting loud and staying composed. I have heard it in a larger room and it still sounded great at high levels. I would say the profile has a better shot then the chours. The Electra CC1000S has a retail of $2,295 so you may be able to get close to your desired price with a deal. I know this is a focal thread, but the Triad might also be what you are looking for.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ighlight=triad

The owner of the company is a contributor here on this forum. His name is Paul Scarpelli. If you are thinking about them, I would definitely drop in that thread and ask your question there as well.
BTW what will you be powering the speakers with?

Mike, thanks for the info. I've got Triad's on my short list and have been on the Triad site checking out their speakers. I just wish these decisions were cut and dry.


I've got an NAD T775.

Wow! that is quite an upgrade from the music hall were talking about earlier! I have not heard of well tempered or heard them before but it sounds like you have found some great stuff--cant wait for your review when you get it.

seems like the vpi cleaners are great and more affordable (if "affordable" means 500 for a record cleaner!)--i gotta get me one of those at some point too. still going with the dv pre? that would ouutclass my very modest TT setup by at least an order of magnitude. everyone who comes over prefers vinyl to the denon compared head to head on sacd vs vinyl through the 1027s. looking forward to your impressions!.

used cc1000be would be a little over 2k. handles peaks pretty well including anything my sunfire amp will throw at it. very clear for sure.

you may also want to check out def tech and b&w if none of these suit you.

used cc1000be would be a little over 2k. handles peaks pretty well including anything my sunfire amp will throw at it. very clear for sure.

you may also want to check out def tech and b&w if none of these suit you.

What size is your room? Thanks.

My thinking was I have a lot of things I want to with my setup. So whatever table I get will have to last me for a long time. So, why not get something that is pretty good. Yea, I would still go with the Dynavctor pre. The table and all the other items to go with it has inflated the budget. But oh well, sometimes it happens. I hoping by June to have it done. I have no doubt that your system sounds great. I heard some systems that clearly out classed me but they were more money than mine. As long as you like it, that is what matters. And if it outclasses SACD for you, then that must sound very nice. I will keep updating. I heard the table at CES and I was very impressed with it. It sounded fantastic and this was after coming from a room where I just listened to a $30,000 table. I can't wait.

NAD is good stuff and the Triads are sensitive enough to where they should sound pretty good with the power that it has. I knowthat the choices are hard. The best way I found to limit regret is to do as much research as you can, and listen as much as you can. The speakers you are looking at are top notch. I really don't think that you will have a bad sounding system. But just get what really moves you. That is the best way I limit regret.
Good luck

625 sq ft with 8ft ceilings--i guess about 4800+ cu ft. pictures are earlier on in this thread.