Focal Scala v1/v2 | VS | Focal Scala Evo | VS | Focal Maestro
 

I will be closing on a home within the next year or so.
Hoping to upgrade my speakers from Focal Aria 936's.

I was hoping someone here might have experiences with some of the speakers in the title.

The current used averages I have found are:

Scala v1: $10,000-$13,000 shipped
Scala v2: $16,000-18,000 shipped
Scala Evo: $25,000-$28,000 shipped
Maestro III: $22,000-26,000 shipped

I am trying to be at least a little bit weary of price, but I also want something that will last me awhile.

My current thought is to get a Scala v2, as it seems to be a good step up from the v1, and the Evo from what I have heard is a smaller step up from the v2.

The Maestro is tempting, but it supposedly shares the Scala v1 bass flaws.

The Evo is tempting to have something newer, but I am not sure there are enough benefits over the v2 to warrant a massive price hike.

The original Scala is still in the running, but I would guess the v2 would serve me better in the longer run.

Realistically, these options are all head and shoulders above the Aria 936, but I want to cure my upgradeitis for awhile.

Thanks!

Are those pair prices? what is your budget? I like the looks, but I really like the sound stage and tone of the Focals.

I heard the Maestro Utopia Evo at a show, wow.. I was wowed :)

Those are pair prices, correct.

I am trying to stay within $10,000-$30,000.
Much prefer to stay in the middle or on the lower half of that, unless something really sways me, or a steal comes up.

The Maestro III doesn't have the same bass flaws as the Scala V1. The issue with the Maestro III is that the design makes it pretty hard to drive. The impedance in the bass range requires a pretty hefty amplifier to make it sing. The Maestro Evo (which I own) changed the design to make it easier to drive.

If you have an amp that can tame them, and bass performance is important for you, I would pick the Maestro III over Scala Evo.

You might want to throw a pair of Sopra 3's into the mix. Not quite Utopia, but still a great speaker.

Thanks for the thoughts, both of you.

Good to know that the Maestro III doesn't have any bass troubles.
Might keep a closer eye on listings for them.

Part of me thinks I might be better off with a Scala v2 or something a bit smaller, though. I do not have a massive room to fill, although I do love my bass...

The Sopra series has been tempting me this entire time, as well.
Part of me just figures I might as well get into the Utopia series now and call it quits, though. My guess is that it would eat me alive if I purchased a Sopra over a Utopia (until I eventually gave in and upgraded)

The main purpose of going from the Aria series upwards for me is to make sure I have something that will last me a chunk of time. Preferably the next 5-10 years at minimum.

This has been an incredibly difficult decision that I have been considering for the last two years at this point. I have tried a lot of these speakers and enjoyed all of them immensely, I am a sucker for the Focal sound and "art-like" design.

My experience.
The Scala v1 should be avoided. The v2 is a major improvement and for the moment the loudspeaker to buy. The Scala Evo is even better, but much more expensive these days.
The Maestro is clearly above. But very difficult to drive. While the Scala v2 or Evo even runs with an integrated amp, the Maestro needs two monoblocs! Again, the Maestro Evo seems to be a clear improvement.
The Sopra's are in a different league, far away from the Utopia's.
I would go for the Scala v2 (that's what I did, and I am still working on the system around these fantastic speakers).
So, it is a question of budget, but also of the size of the room. The Maestro is built for a much bigger room. The "bookshelf" Diablo's are outstanding, for a small apartment...