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Focal Micro Utopia + REL or 1028be II ?

Hey,

I have to chose from those:

Focal Micro Utopia Be (incl original SMU stands) + REL R-528
or
Focal Electra 1028be II (can link the REL as well)

The Micro Utopia used to be (or still is) one of the best stand-mount speakers, with the first generation of the Beryllium tweeter, but the 1028 has the second generation of the Be tweeter + of the floor-standing speakers advantages.

What would you choose ?
kipikipod

Showing 2 responses by nvp

nvp
317 posts
 
Kipikipod, congratulation for the new speakers. You did very good (IMO)!

Which amp/cd-player are you using?
nvp
317 posts
 
Kipikipod, your comment "Utopia line is more... 'conservative' and mature than the Electra" is certainly correct. Jond too made a similar remarked, and this is also my experience with Older Utopia models vs. newer Electra models. I would look at Alto Be instead of 1028Be.

Regarding monitors + sub vs. floor-standers, the most important issue is the size of your room. Monitors + a sub are much easier to integrate in a smaller room. They may still not be able to play as loud as some floor-standers but they will play much better and fuller at lower levels.

I have the Micro Be paired with a REL Stentor 3 sub and I find the combination wonderful.

Finally, in response to Missioncoonery's remark, like any other speaker, the MicroBes can certainly sound sterile when paired with the wrong electronics (e.g. a Bryston pre-power combo) but with such a combination the Electra models will sound even worse than the Utopia speakers.
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