Focal 816W SE vs Electra 1007Be

[Oliverswing77]

As sugested by the title, I'm thinking of replacing my 816W SE with a pair of Electra 1007Be, even though I prefer the looks of floorstanding speakers. I know the tweeter on the Electra is a big plus but would that alone justify the swap? I do love the sound of my current speakers but I'm always open to upgrades that do the word justice.

Thanks in advance

 

[mute]

Not an easy question, I think it depends on your room size and the type of music you like. The 1007be is probably a better speaker (with probably less bass than the 816w), but it requires high quality amp to sound good. I replaced my 826v with 1028be and only after upgrading the m6i to a class-a amp, it started to sound good. Try listening to the speakers with your amp and see if you like them.

-mute

 

[CnoEvil]

Without meaning to throw a spanner in the works, have you considered any other speakers with a similar presentation, like:

- Usher

- Triangle

- Elac

- ATC (new passive range looks interesting....see WHF recent review)

 

[MUSICRAFT]

with 1028be

Hi mute

Excellent speakers

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[mute]

Tnx! These babies can indeed play music :bounce:

Yesterday a friend came to my apartment with a PsAudio PerfectWave 2 dac that was connected direcrly to the power amp... system sounded amaizing, better than my current setup |(

So when money comes, I know what will be my next upgrade...

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi mute

Indeed 8) 1028 Be's :rockout:

Anyway something to look forward to

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Infiniteloop]

Hi,

The Focal Electra's are now 1008Be.

I think the 1007Be's were a previous incarnation.

Anyway, I have a pair of the 1008Be's and they are very accurate with plenty of bass. (which can be controlled a bit with the use of some foam bungs!)

The tweeter is very detailed and in my system (using a Valve Amp) very sweet.

Female voices and midrange in general is beautiful and holographic.

I had a pair of Sonus Fabers before these and although very good, the 1008Be's are far more accurate.

They even rock when we have a party!

 

[CnoEvil]

Hi,

The Focal Electra's are now 1008Be.

I think the 1007Be's were a previous incarnation.

Anyway, I have a pair of the 1008Be's and they are very accurate with plenty of bass. (which can be controlled a bit with the use of some foam bungs!)

The tweeter is very detailed and in my system (using a Valve Amp) very sweet.

Female voices and midrange in general is beautiful and holographic.

I had a pair of Sonus Fabers before these and although very good, the 1008Be's are far more accurate.

They even rock when we have a party!

IMO. They are a great match with a Valve amp, but for my taste, can get a little forward on the wrong SS amp.

 

[Infiniteloop]

I agree.

The tweeter is very accurate and can be a bit unforgiving on bright equipment.

Just the tonic for a warm sounding Valve Amp though.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi Infiniteloop

I've used amplification from Naim, ATC, Krell, Yamaha, Anthem, Plinius, Audiolab, Densen and Rega with Electra 1008 Be 2 speakers and found all to pair well with the 1008's.

Btw, out of interest what finish are your Electra 1008 Be speakers in please?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Infiniteloop]

Hi Rick,

They're called 'Slate Grey' but are actually black with a subtle silver metallic spangly finish.

I have them on the gloss black Focal stands.

They have a look of 'Baby Grand Piano' about them.

Thankfully they have a pretty high WAF.

 

[Oliverswing77]

Hi Mute,

the room is medium sized, roughly a 4m x 4m cubicle. I listen to a lot of electronic music, mainly house and techno. So the difference between those models is negligible? That's not very encouraging. Seeing that the 1007Be retailed at nearly half the price of the 1028Be there should be a very little improvement to be had by going from the 816W SE to the 1007Be. Better forget that isn't it?

 

[mute]

I think for your room size the 1008be (1007 is an older model) will be an improvment over the 816w. I was trying to say that for me, the result was not immediately improved just by replacing the speakers, it was too forward for my taste. The 1008be are very tansparemt and resolving, so they require high quality amp/source to drive them. But once you find this amp... these babies sounds better than the 816W.

I would try audit them at the dealer's shop (or better at your apartment if possible) with your amp and figure out if you like them better. I suspect you will :dance:

-mute

 

[mute]

Hi Oliver,

Did you get a chance listening to the 1008BE's by now?

-mute