Focal Utopia Diablo

[Al ears]

Definitely try to audition the Sopra 1's, as suggested by Clare.

Another plus is they are cheaper.

 

[CnoEvil]

Hi CnoEvil - I tried the Kefs but thought they sounded a bit artificial. Harbeths have been mentioned more than once so they seem to have a good reputation. Thanks for taking thr trouble to come back to me.

 

I also think that the suggestions of Proac, Sonus Faber and Dali are good...and would add Diapason.

 

[Infiniteloop]

I've heard the Diablo's with a Devialet 200 (and SAM) and I thought them to be spellbinding....

They're still on my list of potential future upgrades.

 

[CnoEvil]

Hi M1GS

I have heard the Utopias on quite a few occasions and really don't get on with them. They completely split opinion and it is my view that you will not grow to like them.

I recommend that you try Kef Reference 1s or something from Harbeth.

 

[M1GS]

Yes, I just found the Devialet but had to ask them what I needed to get SAM - one of their amps. apparently. Would love to hear the setup but I don't think there is a UK dealer. They have a 40 day trial option but I'd hate to get rid of the Accuphase. And then there's the spending more money part of the equation.....

Thanks for your thought though; going the same way as mine.

 

[Infiniteloop]

Yes, I just found the Devialet but had to ask them what I needed to get SAM - one of their amps. apparently. Would love to hear the setup but I don't think there is a UK dealer. They have a 40 day trial option but I'd hate to get rid of the Accuphase. And then there's the spending more money part of the equation.....

Thanks for your thought though; going the same way as mine.

If you're in or near the Midlands, Call John Roberts at Midland Audio Exchange. Really nice guy. He'll sort you out and would probably take your Accuphase in PX. He has the Diablo's too, so you could hear them together.

 

[iceman16]

Yes, I just found the Devialet but had to ask them what I needed to get SAM - one of their amps. apparently. Would love to hear the setup but I don't think there is a UK dealer. They have a 40 day trial option but I'd hate to get rid of the Accuphase. And then there's the spending more money part of the equation.....

Thanks for your thought though; going the same way as mine.

He's keeping the amp.

If you're in or near the Midlands, Call John Roberts at Midland Audio Exchange. Really nice guy. He'll sort you out and would probably take your Accuphase in PX. He has the Diablo's too, so you could hear them together.

 

[matt49]

Yes, if I were M1GS I'd stick with the Accuphase (and I say that as a Devialet owner). The cost of switching amps is prohibitive -- and that cash could be put towards different speakers.

It seems like the dreaded WAF is a big factor here. (I'm going through something similar myself at the moment.) Sonus faber could be just the job in sonic and WAF terms.

 

[iceman16]

Yes, if I were M1GS I'd stick with the Accuphase (and I say that as a Devialet owner). The cost of switching amps is prohibitive -- and that cash could be put towards different speakers.

It seems like the dreaded WAF is a big factor here. (I'm going through something similar myself at the moment.) Sonus faber could be just the job in sonic and WAF terms.

There some scientist .. who woulld argue with rates etc. IMHO If it does'nt affect "any" of the components..whether it distortion in "science" is audibble .. I think we should F...off

 

[M1GS]

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone that has taken the time to share their thoughts and suggestions in an attempt to help me.

They always say to try the simple things first and I didn't pay enough attention to this. Thankfully I did take the suggestion from Bigfish786 to try repositioning and what a difference it's made! Thank you big time, Bigfish786 because a fairly small change has resulted in a transformation in the sound. I did have them quite heavily toed in but now have them at a 90degree angle to the rear wall. All that high end nastiness has gone. I can't believe it. They now sound fantastic.

In my (rather weak) defence, there are a lot of statement on the web that say these speakers aren't fussy about positioning, but believe me, THEY ARE! If I had chucked these speakers and then heard them sounding like they do now, I'd have jumped out of the window.

So all sorted and again, thank you to everyone that took the trouble to try and help, but an extra big thankyou to Bigfish!

Gary

 

[CnoEvil]

Glad you got sorted....cheaply.

 

[jonathanRD]

A great result and it just shows how if posters give enough details and ask the right questions, and listen to the answers - that there is a huge amount of experience, knowledge and useful suggestions to gain from this forum.

In another thread recently somebody asked for advice. They were asked for more details of their room how far away from the rear wall they could position their speakers?

They answered

'average sitting room, maybe I should direct this to owners of xxxxxxxx for a more honest opinion'.

*dash1*

 

[Infiniteloop]

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone that has taken the time to share their thoughts and suggestions in an attempt to help me.

They always say to try the simple things first and I didn't pay enough attention to this. Thankfully I did take the suggestion from Bigfish786 to try repositioning and what a difference it's made! Thank you big time, Bigfish786 because a fairly small change has resulted in a transformation in the sound. I did have them quite heavily toed in but now have them at a 90degree angle to the rear wall. All that high end nastiness has gone. I can't believe it. They now sound fantastic.

In my (rather weak) defence, there are a lot of statement on the web that say these speakers aren't fussy about positioning, but believe me, THEY ARE! If I had chucked these speakers and then heard them sounding like they do now, I'd have jumped out of the window.

So all sorted and again, thank you to everyone that took the trouble to try and help, but an extra big thankyou to Bigfish!

Gary

Glad you got sorted. They really are fantastic speakers.

Focal sometimes get a bad rap for sounding 'too bright'. (I've never found this) - Maybe you've just proven it's simply a positioning issue.

 

[Jota180]

It could be they are playing up when fed some poorly recorded music. Lesser speakers paper over the cracks.

 

[CnoEvil]

Lesser speakers paper over the cracks.

...and some better speakers accentuate them. *unknw*

 

[Infiniteloop]

Lesser speakers paper over the cracks.

...and some better speakers accentuate them. *unknw*

... and the best speakers tell it like it is.

 

[CnoEvil]

Lesser speakers paper over the cracks.

...and some better speakers accentuate them. *unknw*

?

... and the best speakers tell it like it is.

...aspirational, but nebulous concept.

 

[matt49]

Lesser speakers paper over the cracks.

...and some better speakers accentuate them. *unknw*

... and the best speakers tell it like it is.

...aspirational, but nebulous concept.

... without which the very idea of hi-fi becomes meaningless.

 

[CnoEvil]

Lesser speakers paper over the cracks.

...and some better speakers accentuate them. *unknw*

?

... and the best speakers tell it like it is.

...aspirational, but nebulous concept.

... without which the very idea of hi-fi becomes meaningless.

I thought the very idea of HFi was to argue.

 

[matt49]

Lesser speakers paper over the cracks.

...and some better speakers accentuate them. *unknw*

... and the best speakers tell it like it is.

...aspirational, but nebulous concept.

... without which the very idea of hi-fi becomes meaningless.

I thought the very idea of HFi was to argue.

I don't know about you, but my hi-fi always agrees with me.

 

[CnoEvil]

I don't know about you, but my hi-fi always agrees with me.

My amp gets hot under the collar.

 

[M1GS]

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone that has taken the time to share their thoughts and suggestions in an attempt to help me.

They always say to try the simple things first and I didn't pay enough attention to this. Thankfully I did take the suggestion from Bigfish786 to try repositioning and what a difference it's made! Thank you big time, Bigfish786 because a fairly small change has resulted in a transformation in the sound. I did have them quite heavily toed in but now have them at a 90degree angle to the rear wall. All that high end nastiness has gone. I can't believe it. They now sound fantastic.

In my (rather weak) defence, there are a lot of statement on the web that say these speakers aren't fussy about positioning, but believe me, THEY ARE! If I had chucked these speakers and then heard them sounding like they do now, I'd have jumped out of the window.

So all sorted and again, thank you to everyone that took the trouble to try and help, but an extra big thankyou to Bigfish!

Gary