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Focal 1038 be VS B&W 802D : mid-range

Hello there,
If you were to choose one fine loudspeaker based on its sweet mid-range, Focal 1038 be VS B&W 802D, which one would you choose?

In the past I owned B&W 804n, its sweet mid-range very much impressed me. I am in love with B&W mid-range Kevlar unit.
However the 804n is getting old (almost 11 years). it's time to upgrade.

"W" cone is what Focal names it mid-range driver
while B&W uses Kevlar-based driver. Any one with personal experience with these two speakers? Real world comments are very much welcome.
narut

Showing 2 responses by pkelly1504

pkelly1504
62 posts
 
I recently auditioned both speakers specifically against each other. The Focal 1038 be was $12500 and the 802D $15000. The Focal to my and my friends ear was the superior speaker. I really could not believe it so I went back another day and listened to them both back to back a few times and again came away choosing the Focal.

This was a huge surprise to me as I am a current B&W owner looking to upgrade.

Good luck in your search.
pkelly1504
62 posts
 
Jeffkad,

Yes it was the new 802D. The 802 went a little deeper however the bass in the focal was tighter. The mids and highs we thought the focal was cleaner, crisper.

They are both great speakers however to our ears the focal simply sounded better. We listened to them cranked up a bit and I couldn't believe that I preferred the focals. That is coming from someone that owned B&W 803's for 16 years. I was looking to stay with B&W. Again the 802D is a great speaker.

We also felt the focal Electra 1028 be was superior to the 804 Diamonds. I really didn't care for the 804's. They did not have the 803D's to audition.

All that being said I purchased the Sonus Faber Cremona M's
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