AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > Focal Speakers

Focal Speakers The Spirit of Sound

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old 02-10-2014, 01:50 PM
enit's Avatar
enit enit is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,278
Default

During your audition, look for imaging and staging. The MTM design of the Stella is a huge plus for me.

The EM woofer has this Force factor that not many speakers have, so feel free to hit them hard with drum tracks, enjoy the utter speed of these drivers in the speakers. Snare drums and hi-hats and pressure of the drum sticks on the skin is very telling with the Stella. Totally authoritative, totally majestic. Does extremely well in Jazz, Blues, string ensemble.

If a soothing tone is what you're looking for, Aida's are great. Has a nice relaxed bass, and warmish mid-highs. Elegant sounding. Aida does well with vocals, and has a totally different feel to the Stella with string ensemble.

Personally, for $90k, maybe Xrt2k should be a serious contender, with a bit more stretch. Then you'll know what McIntosh is really about, even with 150watts. Just personally. Not many share my appreciation of the Xrt2k over the competition for strange reasons. Just my opinion.

Cheers!

Enit.

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-11-2014, 09:11 AM
dkrm's Avatar
dkrm dkrm is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 134
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by enit View Post
During your audition, look for imaging and staging. The MTM design of the Stella is a huge plus for me. The EM woofer has this Force factor that not many speakers have, so feel free to hit them hard with drum tracks, enjoy the utter speed of these drivers in the speakers. Snare drums and hi-hats and pressure of the drum sticks on the skin is very telling with the Stella. Totally authoritative, totally majestic. Does extremely well in Jazz, Blues, string ensemble. If a soothing tone is what you're looking for, Aida's are great. Has a nice relaxed bass, and warmish mid-highs. Elegant sounding. Aida does well with vocals, and has a totally different feel to the Stella with string ensemble. Personally, for $90k, maybe Xrt2k should be a serious contender, with a bit more stretch. Then you'll know what McIntosh is really about, even with 150watts. Just personally. Not many share my appreciation of the Xrt2k over the competition for strange reasons. Just my opinion. Cheers! Enit. Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado
Thanks. Will let you know how it goes

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado
__________________
Goldmund 32.5, Goldmund Apologue Anniversary, MC1.2kw, PS10, MT5 (Miyajima Zero), Linn LP12SE (EKOS SE, Kandid, Radikal Klimak, Urika), Raven AC3 (Reed 3P, Miyajima Kansui, Durand Talea II, MC Anna), TechDAS Airforce One (Durand Talea, Anna Diamond), ARC Ref Phono 10, Miyajima ETR Mono, Vivaldi DCS, Vivaldi Upsampler, Vivaldi Clock, Valhalla 2 SC & IC, Transparent MM2 Ultra and Reference IC
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-12-2014, 04:55 PM
intouch1 intouch1 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 85
Default

i tend to vary the amps used for the fun of it.
mainly i use a pass x350.5 with a n xp-10 pre and naim hdx.

but i have also powered them with audio research reference 210, halcro dm 78 and bryston 28B.

all with great result, hence i find them an easy match with a lot of amps.

what amazes me about the stella, is how versatile they are in the choice of music genres. they just seem to do it all very well.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 02-12-2014, 05:13 PM
-E-'s Avatar
-E- -E- is offline
Media Server Aficionado



 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: East Bay SF, CA
Posts: 7,055
Default

Halcro+Utopia to this day is still one of my absolute favorite gear combos.
__________________
Main: McIntosh XRT1K MDA1000 MC402 | JL F113 | Bryston BUC-1 | WireWorld Cabling | RGPC1200C | PPP
Office: Bel Canto S300iu 24/96 | KEF LS50 | REL R218 | WW Mini Eclipse | 18 TB Media Server
Mobile: McIntosh MX406 MDA5000 MCD4000 MCC420M | JM Lab/Focal Utopia
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-14-2014, 08:19 AM
dkrm's Avatar
dkrm dkrm is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 134
Default

I went to listen to Aida today. It was paired with AR Anniversary 40 and Ref 250. I am not good in writing review but suffice to say the sound was excellent - warm, massive sound stage and big depth. We listen to varieties of music from Jazz in pawnshop to frances black to steely dan. I was demo'ed goldmund telos 250. While it was ok but certainly not match to AR preamp. I think the impedance was not right.

Overall i really enjoyed Aida. Obviously i cant compare with scala that i currently have.

Next week will be stella paired with Mc1.2kw.

Attached some pics.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg image-3188452202.jpg (45.0 KB, 141 views)
File Type: jpg image-1217851062.jpg (46.8 KB, 123 views)
File Type: jpg image-42766868.jpg (48.8 KB, 98 views)
__________________
Goldmund 32.5, Goldmund Apologue Anniversary, MC1.2kw, PS10, MT5 (Miyajima Zero), Linn LP12SE (EKOS SE, Kandid, Radikal Klimak, Urika), Raven AC3 (Reed 3P, Miyajima Kansui, Durand Talea II, MC Anna), TechDAS Airforce One (Durand Talea, Anna Diamond), ARC Ref Phono 10, Miyajima ETR Mono, Vivaldi DCS, Vivaldi Upsampler, Vivaldi Clock, Valhalla 2 SC & IC, Transparent MM2 Ultra and Reference IC
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 02-18-2014, 08:08 AM
dkrm's Avatar
dkrm dkrm is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 134
Default

Stella hands down.

Now deciding MC2301 or MC1.2kw to drive stella.

Cant wait :-)
__________________
Goldmund 32.5, Goldmund Apologue Anniversary, MC1.2kw, PS10, MT5 (Miyajima Zero), Linn LP12SE (EKOS SE, Kandid, Radikal Klimak, Urika), Raven AC3 (Reed 3P, Miyajima Kansui, Durand Talea II, MC Anna), TechDAS Airforce One (Durand Talea, Anna Diamond), ARC Ref Phono 10, Miyajima ETR Mono, Vivaldi DCS, Vivaldi Upsampler, Vivaldi Clock, Valhalla 2 SC & IC, Transparent MM2 Ultra and Reference IC
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 02-18-2014, 08:26 AM
vinod_david vinod_david is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: India
Posts: 1,250
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dkrm View Post
Stella hands down.

Now deciding MC2301 or MC1.2kw to drive stella.

Cant wait :-)
Wow, congratulations.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 02-18-2014, 08:38 AM
dkrm's Avatar
dkrm dkrm is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 134
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by enit View Post
But I heard an MC2301 and Mc1.2KW into the Stellas, and it was quite formidable to say the least. We had the MEN220 as an active crossover, and did some tweaking to the gain, which gave excellent results. Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado
Enit, would you rate 2301 or 1.2kw be better match for Stella for you. Why?
__________________
Goldmund 32.5, Goldmund Apologue Anniversary, MC1.2kw, PS10, MT5 (Miyajima Zero), Linn LP12SE (EKOS SE, Kandid, Radikal Klimak, Urika), Raven AC3 (Reed 3P, Miyajima Kansui, Durand Talea II, MC Anna), TechDAS Airforce One (Durand Talea, Anna Diamond), ARC Ref Phono 10, Miyajima ETR Mono, Vivaldi DCS, Vivaldi Upsampler, Vivaldi Clock, Valhalla 2 SC & IC, Transparent MM2 Ultra and Reference IC
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 02-18-2014, 08:38 AM
dkrm's Avatar
dkrm dkrm is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 134
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by vinod_david View Post
Wow, congratulations.
Thanks
__________________
Goldmund 32.5, Goldmund Apologue Anniversary, MC1.2kw, PS10, MT5 (Miyajima Zero), Linn LP12SE (EKOS SE, Kandid, Radikal Klimak, Urika), Raven AC3 (Reed 3P, Miyajima Kansui, Durand Talea II, MC Anna), TechDAS Airforce One (Durand Talea, Anna Diamond), ARC Ref Phono 10, Miyajima ETR Mono, Vivaldi DCS, Vivaldi Upsampler, Vivaldi Clock, Valhalla 2 SC & IC, Transparent MM2 Ultra and Reference IC
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 02-18-2014, 03:46 PM
enit's Avatar
enit enit is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,278
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dkrm View Post
Enit, would you rate 2301 or 1.2kw be better match for Stella for you. Why?
If you play dynamic tracks, this would be relatively straight forward. MC1.2kW gives you so much headroom, effortlessness, control than the MC2301 ever will. Not to say MC2301 isn't great- MC2301's tube-ness is a perfect blend of high fidelity response and just a little roll off.

While the Stellas are real sensitive, the EM Woofer needs some very good control, and the MC1.2kW does it much better for me, there's more force factor with the MC1.2kWs.

I've heard them on bi-amp- MC1.2kW on bass, and MC2301 on the MTMs, and I thought it was perfect. MEN220 as active crossover.

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:08 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video