Focal - JM Lab Owner's Thread - Page 111

Hi Denophile, I found this forum while searching . please contact me if you want to really pump up your electras :-) and i mean not caps change

so do you have the electras as well? if so would love to hear what you are powering them with and what you think of the sound.

That's great to know. The more places to ask the better.

hey guys what speaker wires did you use for your electras? im thinking furutech alpha S14, is that good? cant find a review on it

i use kimber 8tc's--have also used audioquest cv8 the kimbers had a more neutral presentation and better high end sparkle--the audioquest was a bit more euphonic (but pleasant).

I use older Transparent Audio cables. It's what my first dealer recomended so that's what I went for. I have no complaints. But I may try something else down the line.

what about furutech S14? is it good? is gauge14 ok? its pricey but hope its good

http://www.furutech.com/a2008/product2.asp?prodNo=299

Personally, I go by this. If it's true, 14AWG is fine for over 50 feet.

I'm currently using 12 AWG from Blue Jeans Cable in my temporary set-up, but as soon as I finish the work on the living room, I'll be relocating the speakers and making longer runs with 12 AWG from Monoprice. I got the clear ones for the runs that don't go in the walls, since it blends better with my hardwood floors. Obviously, I had to go with the in-wall rated cable for the rest.

ill be using 3yards per speaker, is that ok?

Just a quick update from a post I wrote some months ago.
I was at the time hesitating between Focal and Paragon for the speakers and Rotel 1080 and Rotel 1092 for the amps.
I listened to both speakers with the Rotels the Focal had definitely the edge so my original choice was confirmed.
But then I had the opportunity to try a McCormack amp/preamp
Well, there was turning back I have been a Rotel user and fan for more than 18 years but the difference was to big so I ended up with the 826 V + Mc Cormack set (with Apollo Rega player).
I have them for a month now it's like I had never listen to my CDs before the sound is... beautiful
Love it.

Sounds like a winning combo. Thanks for posting. Now everyone has another choice to think about when it comes to electronics. What specific McComack gear did you get?

mikeduke is 3 yards per speaker(L/R and center) ok? with gauge14

You should be be fine at that length.

ok ok thanks sir

Hey Mike,

I see you are saving up for the cc1000be and I'm thinking of doing the same since I upgraded to the 1027be. I'm a little reluctant upgrading the center from my current cc700 since it will not be powered by the Sim I-3 as with the 1027be. The Sim I-3 made a huge improvement over the Outlaw avp/amp for 2 channel. I currently use the Outlaw to power the center and the rears only when using 5.1. I'm just wondering if the upgrade is worth the investment?

More like eventually will be saving up. I need to get my TT and room treatments first. Including the center I have now, I have had three centers. The first one was just a basic def tech center jr. Then I moved up to a def tech c/l/r 1000. It was a big change for the better. Then I upgraded to the CC901. WOW it was a big change for the better. The center will be a long term investment that you will probably keep as long as you have the 1027's. You will probably end up getting a 3ch amp at some point. That is what I did. It is unavoidable . I first got the three channel. Then I got the two channel. Then I started upgrading my speakers. Is the Outlaw a receiver? If so, how many watts does it put out. Will the 1000be center sound fantastic with just that receiver, probably not. Will it utterly suck, probably not. But you should be able to hear an improvement over what you have now. My guess is that the outlaw is "good enough" to power that center. But when you get a dedicated 3ch amp, and trust me, you will, you will be able to hear how good the cc1000be can sound.

if it makes any difference to you having upgraded to the cc1000be made a hige difference for me as well--it is such a full and clear sounding center, which is so important for movies and multichannel audio--it just blends so seemlessly with the l/r and surrounds. plays quite loud--and handles plenty of power without breakup to fill a large room. definitely well worth the investment imho.
cheers!

Mike/Denophile,

The Outlaw set-up has a separate avp and amp with 200w/channel. I'm not so concerned with the power output but the quality of the sound. I'm not saying the Outlaw is bad, but the Sim brought out more detail, soundstage and punch especially with 2 channel.

The reason why I'm inquiring, I've been trying to sell my 726V speakers for around a month. If I can't sell them, then maybe I could trade them in along with the cc700 hopefully for a decent price and buy the 1000be new.

The quality will be fine. Of course as you go "up" in quality you will get better sound but running the center with the outlaw will not sound horrible. Hopefully you can sell or trade in your gear towards the purchase of the center. That is in fact I am going to try and do when I am ready. I will see if I can trade in my 901 center along with the SW900 I have sitting in the closet as a partial trade for the cc1000 center and one or possible two surrounds. But I do think that you will be fine with the outlaw amp.

i also think youll be fine--outlaw makes pretty good stuff--probably not up to the standard of sim but shouldn't embarass you for ht use--i used a polk center for multichannel for quite a while which sounded fine--wasnt till i upgraded that i really found out how much more cohesive the sound could be. As im sure mike will tell you (after demoing a dartzeel in his system (not to mention his incredible reference setup--drool drool!!)) the better the quality of the stuff you use in your rig the better the focals will sound. i think you will be making a great upgrade by trading in those speakers for the center--i wasnt nearly as excited about it when I purchased it as I have been the more I have had a chance to use it.

which is better lexicon rv5 or rotel rsx1560 for my 1027Be and cc1000Be?

If you go by the specs, the Rotel is better. It has a little more power, although the difference may not be that easily noticed and it also decodes
Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. I don't think the Lexicon does that directly. Now sound wise I don't know. Rotel has been known as the "budget" perfomer. Lexicon is a somewhat higher name brand. They have always been known for great HT sound but not so much for 2ch sound.

"As im sure mike will tell you (after demoing a dartzeel in his system (not to mention his incredible reference setup--drool drool!!)) the better the quality of the stuff you use in your rig the better the focals will sound. "
Thatnks for the props Deno. Yes, that Dart sure sounded mighty fine. It showed me that these speakers have a lot to give if you "feed" the right .

You're probably right concerning the outlaw for ht use and 5.1 audio. I was hoping to buy a used cc1000 and save some money, but the problem is selling my 726v and the cc700. If I can't sell them, then I'm forced to trade them in.

What's your take concerning the 1007be as surrounds?

i got my 1007s used--much like with the center the imrovement from the polk fxis was dramatic in detail and presence. with the whole focal setup i think the most noticable differences are in setail and coherence not to mention impact and visveral and palpable nature of all frequencies intead of just bass frequencies. with that said im not sure i would buy them as main l/r's to me not enough balance and midbass warmth so they come off as a bit bright with digital sources. however if you like the 1027's sound i think they do become a requisite part of your system even if only a ht buff. good voice matching makes for good coherence.

I currently own Focal Colbat's 2 - 826S ,1 - CC800, 2 - SR800 for my 5.1 System.. I've own them for about 4 years. I just update My AVR. Was using a Yamha RX-V2600. I Downgraded to a Pioneer VSX-03 because my old RX-V2600 would not do 1080P or HD audio. I can get a good deal on a pair of Cobalt 806s to use as rear surrounds. Was also going to purchase 2 Emotiva amps to run 7.1. Should I consider This?

Or do you think these speakers are outdated and purchase something newer?

Am I missing out on sound quality for my HT using these?

If I may, I would like to show my new toy's.



They are prety sweet, I wish had better electronics runing them but that is a whole 'nother story.

Very very nice overtone. In case you did not know, Cambridge and Focal are under the same umbrella of audio plus services. That is the reason they sound so good together. You made some good quality choices there. They should last you for some time. Congrats and keep us updated on how your system progresses.

I currently own Focal Colbat's 2 - 826S ,1 - CC800, 2 - SR800 for my 5.1 System.. I've own them for about 4 years. I just update My AVR. Was using a Yamha RX-V2600. I Downgraded to a Pioneer VSX-03 because my old RX-V2600 would not do 1080P or HD audio. I can get a good deal on a pair of Cobalt 806s to use as rear surrounds. Was also going to purchase 2 Emotiva amps to run 7.1. Should I consider This?

Or do you think these speakers are outdated and purchase something newer?

Am I missing out on sound quality for my HT using these?

perhaps consider the higher models sc05 or sc07?

the ice power will provide more details, less heat and cleaner sound