#1
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Focal 807W
Have been looking around for a set of speakers for my SET amps. Tried a pair of the new Klipsch Heresy and couldn't get them to work for my ears either on the floor or a couple of different stands. Guess I'm not a Klipsch person, though my brother's Chorus IIs sound decent in his system. Was looking at the Triangle Comete, which is also horn-loaded hybrid, but couldn't find any to listen to. But, having heard the Utopia and the Focal with the W mid-range/woofers I've been keeping my eye out for a pair and just found the 807W, their large-ish stand-mounted 2-way. With my slamming 20wpc of SET power, these 92db efficient speakers should be just the ticket. Will have them here next week and will post a pic or two. Not had a pair of "arrest me red" speakers before.
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Glenn... Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag |
#2
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Glenn.......Hot Lips Red. .
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A |
#3
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The limited W series from Focal were a screaming bargain. They were sold for not much more than the cost of the mid/bass driver.
Not sure how they will go with a SET. My 300B could not get a balanced sound from my Electra 1007Be, which have the same mid/bass unit with the Beryllium tweeter. But then the crossover would be quite different. I think with a SET it comes down to the impedance curve and phase angle as much if not more than efficiency. But then my SET only has a measly 8 watts compared to your powerhouse |
#4
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Yes........... that's the reason my current speakers aren't going anywhere until the 807Ws are fully broken in. Another reason I went for them is the price. Amazing clearance deals out there at the moment. There is a pair in walnut only 15min from the house, but they are $150 more then these were new, with free shipping. Wonder if my wife will notice the change from cherry veneer to 'hot lips red'?
BAT, which is about ~45mi from where I live, uses(d?) the smallest of the floor-standing Utopia series (Diva?) in their demo room. They were about as good sounding to my ears as any speaker I've heard with their VK-55SE PP amp. Am hoping for similar results with my near-field listening in my 7' ceiling listen space.
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Glenn... Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag |
#5
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Quote:
Of course, I am just theorizing not knowing how tube-friendly the 807Ws are (without the impedance curve in front of us) but just trying to illustrate what you should listen for. Hopefully, it's a great match and you are very happy with the combo Last edited by cmalak; 12-13-2014 at 09:05 PM. |
#6
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I have seen some of the clearance deals that Glenn spoke of. Where I am, which is Focal territory, they were recognised as a bargain at the full price, and the various iterations sold out quite quickly.
So even if they are not a perfect fit with Glenn's SET, at the clearance price these are well worth having for a second / third system. They match perfectly with Arcam integrated amps, BTW. |
#7
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Avid Acutus SP, NO ARM, Benz Micro LP-S, Whest Audio PS.40RDT SE, PS Audio DSMP+DS DAC, Simaudio Moon 700i, Dali Epicon 6, Simaudio Moon Nēo 430HAD, HiFiMan HE-1000v2, Chord Sarum SA XLR, RCA, USB, Chord Sarum speaker, Nordost Vishnu power, Furutech plugs, PS Audio P10+Chord Sarum SA power, Stillpoints Ultra SS, Ultra Mini and LPI, HiFi Racks rack, Audio Desk Systeme PRO+Keith Monks Omni RCM |
#8
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John, I have never heard any Simaudio amps. Their reputation seems to be for a clean and neutral sound, not sure whether that generalisation fits with what you hear from yours.
The inverted aluminium/magnesium dome tweeter that Focal have used can be aggressive with some amps. I think it needs a touch of warmth to balance out, and I am not sure Simaudio has that? Although in the new Aria range, this tweeter seems much calmer (they changed the suspension). This difference is quite significant. I use the Aria 906 with a small Naim system (UnitiServe/V1/NAP100) which is a well balanced and musical combination. Put an 8 series Focal, or an Electra series, and it is too bright/fatiguing for my taste. But the latter two balance nicely for me with an Arcam: A38 in my case. Which in turn sounds too thick and slow with the Aria. And so it goes The W series mid/bass driver is punchier and more transparent than the new flax based drivers used in the Aria, as you would expect. |
#9
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Glenn... Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag |
#10
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