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Focal Speakers The Spirit of Sound

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Old 11-13-2014, 02:12 PM
amorrisjr amorrisjr is offline
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Default Focal Stella, Sonus Faber Lilium or TAD R-1 speakers

An upgrade from my current Focal 1038Be speakers is in my 2015/2016 plans and I would appreciate comments and comparisons of the listed speakers from those with prior experience. Others suggestions in the 75-100K range would also be appreciated. I like the current Focals but am looking to move up in performance and have been impressed by comments from Ivan on the Sonus Faber and TAD speaker lines.

My current system is Krell 600e monoblocks, Esoteric K-1 player, Esoteric C-2 pre-amp with an order for a Esoteric G-01 in the next 4-6 weeks. Thanks
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Old 11-13-2014, 03:43 PM
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I haven't heard the Lilium yet, but the R1's sure are amazing!
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Old 11-13-2014, 06:33 PM
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Those are three fine speakers. I have heard them all. The Liliums powered by MC 601's and the new AR G amp, the TAD's with Tad gear, and the Focals by Accuphase. I think I could be happy with any of the three, but I would probably lean to the Focal's. Before I made a final decision I would want to hear them with my gear first.
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Old 11-13-2014, 07:21 PM
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I'm with Jim on this one. My only pullback would be the Krell dryness with the Focal top-end. First world problem, I know, I know...
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Old 11-13-2014, 07:51 PM
amorrisjr amorrisjr is offline
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Thanks for the feedback. I hate to ask the question, but how do you describe dryness and is there a wide range in this characteristic among amps? This is my first venture into high end audio so I am learning as I go and have tried to invest for long term rather than make periodic changes. I anticipate the addition of the G-01 clock and the speaker upgrade to be my last major expense for quite a while. Thanks again
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Old 11-14-2014, 12:17 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amorrisjr View Post
Thanks for the feedback. I hate to ask the question, but how do you describe dryness and is there a wide range in this characteristic among amps? This is my first venture into high end audio so I am learning as I go and have tried to invest for long term rather than make periodic changes. I anticipate the addition of the G-01 clock and the speaker upgrade to be my last major expense for quite a while. Thanks again
I'm not the best at audio descriptions, but I'll take a shot at it......I would characterize dryness is a hardness or slight harshness in the upper treble that you may hear with vocals, especially female vocals. Imagine listening to a vocalist that has a bit of an edge rather than a warm, smooth sound that you may feel like you want to turn up the volume, even at higher listening levels. That's one of the criteria I always use when it comes to sound quality.....if I want to keep turning up the volume, I know I have a warm, smooth, natural sounding recording. Sometimes equipment that may be on the dryer side can also exhibit a little less of the upper midbass which can tend to "warm up" a recording. Different manufacturers can tend to have a signature sound, for example, McIntosh amplifiers are often described as having a warmer smoother sound rather than the more analytical sound. you've got a fine selection of candidates to audition, but as we were discussing in another thread, I don't think I'd purchase another pair of loudspeakers in that range without first auditioning a pair of Vivid Audio G1 Giyas......they seem to be taking all the loudspeaker reviewers by storm the last couple of years. I'd have to audition those before I made a final choice. As an Avalon Acoustics fan (they just don't get a lot of press), the Isis would be another must audition.....they are on the short list of best loudspeakers in the world. Those would be my top 2 along with the TADs on the list.

- Buck
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Old 11-14-2014, 12:26 AM
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Here's a pic of the Isis......I'd love to hear a pair but not sure who would have a pair on demo.

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Old 11-15-2014, 09:20 AM
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I agree with previous comments. I would take the Focals but change out my pre to an Audio Research ref 10.

I run Focal Maestros with Krell 750mcx's and audio research ref 3 pre. Massive soundstage, dynamic, very musical and great vocals.
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Old 11-15-2014, 04:22 PM
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I've heard that the newer Focals work better with the newer Krell gear though I've yet to hear the combination myself. I would also check out the Audiomachina Maestro S. I listened to the Pure System a few years ago, and I thought it was the best pair of speakers I heard up until that time, and I'm a big fan of Focal.
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Old 11-15-2014, 05:19 PM
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If you have a large room, in that price range there is also the Avantgarde Acoustic Trio. With a basshorn, the best set-up I have heard so far.
Second best for me: my Vivid Audio's. G1's if you have the space, G2's deliver 95% of the G1's performance.

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