Focal - JM Lab Owner's Thread - Page 3

That's odd, the shop I went to here in the UK (Audio-T) specifically partner Focal with Naim although the only setup they were demoing were the Ultimatum range. Well I guess I'll find out on Friday, I'm going to compare them with my Dynaudio 42 so the results should be quite interesting.

Cheers

I'm putting together my audio setup for my hdtv and music listening (time about 50/50 split on each) and wanted to hear people's opinions about which is a better speaker the Focal 816s or the Axiom M60 tower. I can purchase each pair for about the same, so price shouldn't make much difference.

Currently I am planning to attach the speakers to a Denon 2807 (maybe but not likely a 3806). The TV is a 62" Toshiba DLP.

My room is about 300 sq ft (with one of the corners cut out for a balcony - full walls around the balcony - see drawing attached below).



My questions:

1. Does the center channel really need to be the same brand as the towers? Does this make a big difference or can I mix and match?

2. Also I am considering the Rocket RS450. What are people's thoughts on this brand and speaker, and also are there other speakers I should be looking at that are not on my short list?

3. I've heard that what the Focal speakers lack on the low end they more than make up for in the mid and high range sound. I'm planning on adding a sub (TBD) to this system as well and wanted to know if that would cover my low frequencies or if I should be concerned about this weakness in the speakers.

Any opinions and advice are greatly appreciated,

Total newbie

texwahoo

this is a focal jmlab owners thread. so if you want to get advice comparing different speakers it may be better you open up a new thread.

as owners of course we would recommend focal speakers.

here i quote again
for your info (from dominic baker, the design engineer of utopia series):

"if your front speakers have 24db/octave slopes to get the sound clean, and your center channel has an 18db/octave slop (because it looks like a d'appolito on its side, and everyone knows 18db works best in d'appolito configurations), and your rear channels have a first-order crossover (most do because it costs less, and companies know that no-one wants to pay much for surround channels because they don't do much), the result is that you end up with a fundamental phase problem that guarantees the system will never "work" no matter how carefully you position the speakers or play around with your receiver's controls.

and you will find that we say you should not mix speakers from the cobalt range with those from the chorus range in the same system and expect a good result. but if you mix speakers from within one of our ranges, you will be amazed. put any five chorus models in a system and it will work straight away. why? because all chorus models have the same tweeter, the same midrange, the same crossover point and the same filter slopes."

Any updates on the Chorus 800 speakers arriving yet? What model are you expecting? The local dealer (Tweeter) plans to carry the Chorus 826 fronts. I am trying to decide if those will be sufficient or if it is worth it to go up to the 836 models. I think the only difference is additional wattage and bass. Plus I believe there are two additional ports on the front. But I have not compared the specs in detail yet. There is only about a $250 difference between the two.

@AudioArchitect

What are the MSRPs for the 800v line?

Thanks for the update. I think for the minimal price difference I might go up to the 836 model. I live in Dallas and Tweeter is our only dealer. I just hate they do not have demo's yet. But from what I have heard they come close to approaching the Profile's on overall sound quality. As long as they are better than the Cobalts which I almost purchased this summer then I am fine with them. I don't know how to post pics but I found this link that shows the whole line.

http://www.remo.nl/chorus800v.htm

My understanding on pricing is that the 826 goes for $1149 each. The 836 for $1399 each. The CC 800V is $599 and the SR 800V are $499 each.

Audio, that sounds fantasitic. As I said before, I use Bryston amps, 4b-ST, 5b-ST on my speakers and it sounds great. It is really nice to hear that Focal keeps coming uo with great speakers.

I decided to go withe Focal Chorus 836 V fronts along with the associated line's center and rear speakers. I had a couple of questions regarding speaker cable and receivers/amps.

My current Polk speaker HT setup is utilizing Monster Lock Bi-wire 1.4 cables. I know these Focal speakers are not designed for Bi-wire so I am looking to see what speaker wire/cable will best serve these new 836 V and CC 800 V center speakers. My dealer was pushing their AudioQuest Type 8 speaker line which is a step up from the Type 4 they also carry. He seems to think even the AudioQuest Type 4 would be better than the current Monster bi-wire cable I have. I have read many posts on the pros and cons of expensive speaker wiring but just wanted to get an idea of what other folks are using to wire their Focal speakers.

I currently have a 7.1 110w/channel Onkyo Receiver. I will eventually be upgrading to a Denon receiver. Most likely something like the Denon 4306 or its replacement. I keep hearing that a seperate amp really adds punch to these speakers. However, I am hesitant to drop another $2K - $3K on a seperate amp. What are the most cost effective options to power my two fronts and possibly the center? Would this possibly just be a pre-amp that would be processed through my future Denon receiver?

The amp thing would likely be a future purchase as I am curious to see how these speakers will sound with my current receiver and then with my future Denon receiver. But for now, the speaker cable is my highest priority.

Sounds like you are on your way. I have not heard the Chours speakers but I have no doubt that they will sound great in your room. I think getting an amp in the future will be a big benefit to you. You could get a three channel first for the front. I don't think you could get a pre and connect it to the Denon. Your best bet is to get your amps first and then get the pre. There is no need to get it know. Just save up and get it later. Make sure you report on how they sound.

Yes Tweeter is the only local Focal dealer and they do push the Audioquest cables just like they used to push Monster. The problem in this situation is the fact that most high end shops carry and push only one brand of cabling/wire. I did contact the HomeTheaterStore which sells B&W and they also push Audioquest because that is what they carry. Honestly, spending all this time deliberating speaker cable makes my head tired. I do not want to get anything that will be a disservice to the speakers but I also do not want to break the bank on cables. I checked out the Nordost cables but I am not sure I want to go the flat cable route. I had a chance to get a really good side deal on som extra AudoQuest CV-1 cable a local salesman had. But I backed off when I realized that I was loosing some of the shielding going with a flat. I also have no need for flat cabling since the speakers will be sitting on hard wood flooring.

I really do need another receiver at some point because I plan to use my existing Polk home theater speaker setup upstairs in my bedroom. I do want investigate going the Amp route. But I do not want to spend another $3K - $4K on a good amp. But I do not like to skimp on quality either just to meet a price. So I will initially stick with my Onkyo but I will need a replacement so I have a receiver for my old speakers. I checked out the posts on the ARCAM receiver but am not sure if I would want to go with a receiver that has fewer features than the Denon and Pioneer Elite receivers I had my eyes on. My ideal situation would be to find a good 3 channel amp for my fronts and center and then run that into my receiver for processing. Any suggestions on a good 3 channel amp that will mesh well with my new 836V speakers?

By the way, I saw and heard the 826V speakers yesterday at Tweeter for the first time. They look and sound great. So I am sure I will be happy with the 836V's. Plus mine will be in the Moka finish which I know will look great.

"My ideal situation would be to find a good 3 channel amp for my fronts and center and then run that into my receiver for processing. Any suggestions on a good 3 channel amp that will mesh well with my new 836V speakers?"

I use Bryston amps with my 1027's and I used them with my 927's. They are really good amps. I have a 5b-ST and a 4b-ST. I am sure that there are some on A-GON, if you want to that way. Anthem, B&K may be other options as well.

HJJ,

FYI - There is another location in Dallas that carries Focal/JM Lab. They're in N. Plano.

http://www.hi-endaudio.com/homepage.htm

They just moved into the new location so there wasn't much Focal on display the last time I was in but the owner, Vu Phan, is great to work with and "will work with you". I got my Utopias and SimAudio amp through him.

kevin

Flynn,
That is one nice looking setup you got there.
Anthem and Sim. Very nice.

Thanks, I will check them out tomorrow. I am currious to see what kind of speaker cable and amps they carry.

chorus 700v series is out

check focal website

I finally checked out the new high end audio shop mentioned above. They had some really nice stuff in there. I think I will end up going with the Rotel RBM-1095 amp. It seems to be the best bang for the buck with 200W x 5 channels for $1999. Already found another dealer that will at least get me 10% off that. I was hoping for an online dealer but I see the higher end I get with electronics, the less they are available from authorized online dealers. I know this unit is going to be discontinued but no one is budging off that price very much. It is at my limit of what I really wanted to spend. But in the long run I will probably appreciate my new speakers more for it.

As far as cable goes, they had AudioQuest and another brand that was almost as expensive. They even had samples of each type for the AudioQuest stuff. After going over several options with the salesperson, I still think the Type-8 will be my choice. At least I know I can get it online and at least save the tax.

I Think the Rotel will be fine. It should help you get the most out of your new Chorus speakers. I know you will let us all know how it sounds.

I'm a new Focal owner - as of today. I'm thrilled to join the club.

I was going to buy the Cobalts before they announced the phase out, so I've been waiting to hear awaited to hear the Chorus 800 Vs. I heard them today - and they are exciting! I A/B'd the 816 and the 826s. Going in, I planned on getting the 816s, but when I heard the 826's I decided to upgrade even though it's a financial stretch. They are both really nice, but to my ear the difference was stark. The imaging of the 826's were amazing - the vocals jumped to the mid-point between the speakers so distinctly that I had to check in the demo room to see if the had some kind of center speaker going (of course they didn't). The spacing was distinct, clear resolution...I wouldn't term myself an audiophile, but I have a picky ear, and these speakers got me really jazzed. They will be in my house on Monday.

The reports about the look and finish are right on - WAY better than the Cobalts. The shiny black section in the middle-top is particularly distinctive.

Anyway, just wanted to share my enthusiasm!

mknyc,
Welcome to the club. You have some nice speakers there. Sometimes we upgrade even when we don't plan too. I know the feeling. I am sure that they will continue to bring you listening pleasure for a long time.

Has anyone seen the stands for the 806v/807v aside from the drawing in the PDF? I purchased a set of the 806v & 807v, to see which would be better suited for my room. The center won't be in for another 2 weeks. Does anyone have any pics? The Mocha looks amazing on the site, but wood finishes often do not look the same in person. Anyone have any pictures of the two finishes?

Found a pic of the stands

Here's another likely soon-to-be Focal owner ... but I'm not taking the standard route

I'm planning a DIY 2.5 way vented design based on a pair of Focal 7w4411 7" woofers and TC120 tweeter. They should be nearly identical to the Profile 918, but with a touch more bass due to the slightly larger driver. I got the cabinet and crossover plans directly from a Focal USA tech, so it should be a pretty simple build it and bolt it together operation.

Best part of all, I should be in it for less than $1000 when done!

My husband and I have spent the last 3 weekends listening to PSB (Platinum Series), B&W 704/705s, Paradigm Studio 60/100s, and Focal Chorus 800s (we live in Austin, TX). After much deliberation we have decided to become part of the JMLab family. Our local Tweeter sales rep is quoting us 10% off list. However, he shows the list price for the center speaker CC800V to be $999 and everything I have seen on this thread is that it should be $599. Can anyone confirm?

The configuration we heard todays was two 826s with no center speaker or sub woofer. The sound was amazing. They then added in the Chorus SW 800V center speaker and a couple low end focals in the rear with a non-descriptive focal sub woofer. To say the least, we were impressed.

The configuration we are considering purchasing is below.

2 - 826Vs (front) ; List: $2249.99
2 - 816Vs (rear); List: $1799.99
1 - 800V (center): List: $999.99
1 - SW 800V (sub woofer); List: $999.99
Pioneer Elite VSX84TXSI

Our room has 22 ft. ceilings and is 16' x 23'.

Note: we have 2 Infinity wall speakers about 12 ft high on the back wall that will round out the 7:1 for now (eventually, we might replace).

We are considering whether we should go with the Chorus 836s in the front and keep the 816s in the back. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? The sales rep didn't actually think it is necessary since we will have the sub woofer. Has anyone heard this sub-woofer? It seems underpowered compared to the Paradigm Seismic 12 we were considering with the Paradigm Studio 100s.

Also, based on this forum, it seems that Arcam is recommended over the Pioneer Elite (supposed to be a 7x140watt). I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have on a receiver. And, finally, should we ultimately consider adding an amplifier? If so, what brand/specs should be considered?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Welcome to the family. I don't think the 816's would be needed in the back. I would go for their book shelf or surrounds. I am a huge focal(JM Lab) fan. I have the Electra 1027's. Also the 901 center and SW900 sub. That setup should be very nice. But I will agree on the sub. For that money you may want to research other brands. As far as the price on the center, sorry I don't know. But hopefully some one else is here. If it is cheaper then you could take the difference and put it in the sub. It is my experience that amps really help focals open up. You don't need to do it all at once, but just know that you will do it one day. I also know that Arcam is supposed to sound excellent. But I have no experience with them. That is just what I have read. For the price difference on the center you may want to call another store or get in touch with audioplus services www.audioplusservices.com. Call them up and ask them. They are the North American distributor for Focal speakers. When they are setup, make sure to post your feelings.

http://www.tweeter.com/product/index...entPage=search


$599 straight from the tweeter website

My guess is the salesman mistakenly quoted the surround speakers SR 800V as a pair.

I am still waiting on my 836 fronts, CC 800V center and SR 800V surrounds. Actually the surrounds are already in stock but I will pick it all up when it arrives. I am reconsidering my choice of amplifiers however. My salesman suggested I research Parasound Halo amps. They do not carry them at the store he works (Tweeter) but he owns the Halo A52 himself and swears by it. The only thing I have been trying to come to grips with is whether the Halo A52 at 5 x 125W per channel will be better than the similarly priced Rotel RBM 1095 at 5 x 200W. Everything I have read about the Parasound Halo A52 is that is is a lesser powered version of their flagship A51 model (200W). But the design and components are the same with same clarity. Any thoughts on this Halo A52 amp?

It will be next purchase after all of my speakers are in. I have been impressed every time I have heard one.