Focal Speakers?

[admin_exported]

I'm getting close to spending some money and I'm thinking of a pair of 685's, or something similar. I saw a post that mentioned the Focal speakers and I'd like to try and hear the 706V's. Has anybody got them or heard them? What's your opinion of them and how do they compare to the 685s?

Thanks

Mart

 

[matthewpiano]

I heard the 806Vs with the Arcam CD37 and A38 at the Manchester show yesterday, and I own a pair of B&W 686s, and have extensively auditioned the 685s at home and at the dealer.

The Focals are more natural and open sounding than the B&Ws. Very musical with tighter bass and much more realistic midrange. The 806Vs are very similar to the 706Vs - same drive units, crossover components etc. but the 806Vs have a better quality cabinet.

The Focals sounded so good yesterday that they made me question whether the B&Ws are getting the most out of my Arcam amp. When I came home I pulled my old Mission 751s out and they nailed the 686s into subsmission, sounding much more like the Focals did at the show. My aim is to go for some Focals at some point.

The B&Ws are great speakers, but IMO the Focals are better. I would strongly recommend booking an audition so that you can compare them side-by-side and see which suits you the best.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Matthew. I think my trouble might be finding somewhere in Essex to demo them!

 

[The_Lhc]

MartSmith:Thanks Matthew. I think my trouble might be finding somewhere in Essex to demo them!

No you won't, Rayleigh Hi-fi in Rayleigh (who'd have thunk it?) carry Focal, I had a look at them in there a year or so back.

 

[Anonymous]

In fact, Audio T in Brentwood are even closer. Google is my friend

 

[matthewpiano]

Maybe last night, after a day of being in a noisy environment for several hours listening to all sorts of kit, wasn't the best time for judging my own system.

Listening this afternoon, I've gone straight back to the B&W 686s. They are clearly better than the 751s.

My comments about the Focals stand though. Both the Focals and the B&Ws are excellent and both deserve a proper audition, as do the new KEF Q100 and Q300.

 

[Anonymous]

matthewpiano:Maybe last night, after a day of being in a noisy environment for several hours listening to all sorts of kit, wasn't the best time for judging my own system. Listening this afternoon, I've gone straight back to the B&W 686s. They are clearly better than the 751s. My comments about the Focals stand though. Both the Focals and the B&Ws are excellent and both deserve a proper audition, as do the new KEF Q100 and Q300.

It's good to come home from a show and really enjoy your own system after hearing the stuff costing££££££££££££££.

 

[matthewpiano]

Completely agree Dave. I wouldn't even consider swapping my little Arcam for some of those mega-bucks amps. I could hear that the A38 is better (but is it 3x better?) and also the new Quad amps, but much of the really expensive kit just didn't do it for me this year. Last year I loved the Sugden and Unison Research amps, but neither of them were present this year.

 

[the record spot]

matthewpiano:Maybe last night, after a day of being in a noisy environment for several hours listening to all sorts of kit, wasn't the best time for judging my own system.

Listening this afternoon, I've gone straight back to the B&W 686s. They are clearly better than the 751s.

My comments about the Focals stand though. Both the Focals and the B&Ws are excellent and both deserve a proper audition, as do the new KEF Q100 and Q300.

Oh dear Matthew, do try and make your mind up!! Maybe they are to your ears, but "clearly" is another thing entirely...as ever, to some degree, I suspect you're not too clear in your own mind about what you're trying to achieve?

 

[matthewpiano]

the record spot:matthewpiano:Maybe last night, after a day of being in a noisy environment for several hours listening to all sorts of kit, wasn't the best time for judging my own system.

Listening this afternoon, I've gone straight back to the B&W 686s. They are clearly better than the 751s.

My comments about the Focals stand though. Both the Focals and the B&Ws are excellent and both deserve a proper audition, as do the new KEF Q100 and Q300.

Oh dear Matthew, do try and make your mind up!! Maybe they are to your ears, but "clearly" is another thing entirely...as ever, to some degree, I suspect you're not too clear in your own mind about what you're trying to achieve?

RS, this was this afternoon when I was trying to convince myself, before I put the 751s back on. I don't have to convince myself with the Missions, only scratch my head a little over why they should be better.

 

[the record spot]

I'll take a stab at it; better partnership with the Arcam, a better speaker (IMO) and a killer design from Henry Azima at Mission. They whys I wouldn't lose sleep over, the fact there's an "is" is more relevant. Then again, it's fun to swap sometimes - I occasionally do with other sources, but the core system for me is the one that's been on the go for most of this year and simply as the sound is far more enjoyable than anything else I've had.

 

[Anonymous]

matthewpiano:the record spot:matthewpiano:Maybe last night, after a day of being in a noisy environment for several hours listening to all sorts of kit, wasn't the best time for judging my own system. Listening this afternoon, I've gone straight back to the B&W 686s. They are clearly better than the 751s. My comments about the Focals stand though. Both the Focals and the B&Ws are excellent and both deserve a proper audition, as do the new KEF Q100 and Q300.

Oh dear Matthew, do try and make your mind up!! Maybe they are to your ears, but "clearly" is another thing entirely...as ever, to some degree, I suspect you're not too clear in your own mind about what you're trying to achieve? RS, this was this afternoon when I was trying to convince myself, before I put the 751s back on. I don't have to convince myself with the Missions, only scratch my head a little over why they should be better.

I should just go with it if they sound better then so be it. Sit down listen to your favourite album and get lost in the music.........incidently how much did you pay for the 686's

 

[matthewpiano]

£289. :-(

 

[the record spot]

I suspect the B&Ws show their limitations up fairly early on, whereas the 751s will happily partner and do well out of higher priced kit quite easily. Try them out with something costing £1000 for an amp and source and you'd be smiling alright. The range works incredibly well as I found when putting the Sansui on the 752, so I doubt the 751 will be any different. Examples below:-

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews77603.html

 

[Anonymous]

All very nice, but any other opinions on the Focals?

 

[Anonymous]

I haven't heard the 706v's but I do own a pair of 714v speakers and I'd have to agree with Matthewpiano's description of the sound they produce- Rich, natural and with a detailed and realistic midrange. I first encountered the Focals when auditioning a new amp at my local Audio Excellence and I was impressed enough with them to start saving up to buy a pair. They were definitely an improvement over my slightly dry AE Evo 3's but noticeably just a tad restrained during faster tracks. As long as the rest of your hardware doesn't lean in this direction though you shouldn't really have a problem. I can't see me changing my 714v's any time soon as I'm very happy with the sweet lifelike sound they produce and so I'd certainly recommend that you audition the 706v's.

 

[Anonymous]

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[cyrus fan]

I've had the 806V's for about 3 years now, I think: bought from Audio T in Brentwood

They let me have them over the weekend to try at home along with the B&W CM1, Quad 11L and another I can't recall.

They suit my Cyrus system very well and were a clear winner for me. Also, they have a classy finish and look good. They could cost a lot more, based on sound and appearances.

WHF hardly ever seem to test Focal, in my experience. Don't know why.

Highly recommend trying a few at home with your current system rather than with different equipment in a room with different acoustics in-store.

Best of luck!