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Focal Scala Utopia Owners - I Need Your Help

Hi,

I currently have the Focal Diablo. I am moving to a new place and the listening room (also living room) is 13'W x 20'L x 9'H. One of the side walls has an opening that is 5 feet wide leading to the dinning room.

I am thinking about getting a pair of Scala. Would the room be too small for the Scala? Would they look too imposing (I have not seen the speakers so don't know how big they look in real life) and would the sound overwhelm the room?

Another concern I have is that my in-laws live downstairs. Would the sound especially the bass travels downstairs? I mostly listen at low and moderate volumes and I am thinking about adding another ceiling within the ceiling downstairs and also use green glue.

Finally, I am thinking about driving the speakers using Pass Labs XA60.5 or the XA100.5. Do any of you currently use the amps to drive the Scala? Please share your thoughts.

Thanks very much in advance!
lucky_boy
9 responses Add your response
talk2me's avatar
talk2me
325 posts
 
If you can, get a listen to Venture speakers, e.g. the CR-8 for $28,000. You will never, ever need a sub. I had the Alto Be for 6 years, and was going to get the Scala and/or Maestro, but fell in love with the Venture speakers.
mert's avatar
mert
132 posts
 
based on the past experience:
1) if you go with JL Audio Sub, you must buy an active crossover( Bryston makes) it will be costly as buying sub, plus, another set of cables, a descent sub cable.......
2)Pass XA series overall a good contender but if you talk about bass which is kingdom of Krell since it keeps pumping the bass even load is less than 1 ohm. With Pass amp you are limited between 4-8 ohms.
3)Seriously, Scala did better and observable compared to Wilson Sophia as far as bass concerned. Didn't do the faults of Sophia since all variables of the setup remained constant.

In other words, a loudspeaker which is comparable or even better than Wilson Sophia is likely to be very good speaker indeed. Ofcourse you may compare wilson sasha to Scala or maestro Utopia but mind you there are not many manufacturers in this particular price range...
sounds_real_audio
1,012 posts
 

Besides getting more bass is there anything else your current speakers are lacking, in your opinion?
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
Correction, I was thinking of the new Stella and not the Scalla. The Scalla isn't nearly as big and is fairly reasonable for a normal room, but I'd still think a JL Audio subwoofer sitting in the corner might have a higher WAF than spending double to get larger speakers. I've heard the Scalla speakers at the store a little bit and was impressed, but I've never heard them in the main listening room hooked to identical equipment to make a true comparison to the other speakers. I think I've heard them hooked to some Pathos equipment rather than Krell or Asthetix like the others.
lucky_boy OP
29 posts
 
I have given serious thoughts about using the subwoofer. However, my wife does not want too many of my toys shown in the living room. The less the better. As a result, that is the reason for me to look into bigger speakers. Currently looking at YG Carmel, Scala, Tidal Piano and Revel Studio2.

Thanks very much for your input.
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
My local Focal dealer always pairs the Utopia speakers with JL Audio subwoofers. The most impressed I've been was Diablo's with JL Audio subwoofer, bit I don't know which model other than it wasn't the Gothom (they do have one). I liked the Diablo's better than the Grande's. I have not heard the Scala but they did have a pair and they are about three quarters of the Grande, still very large. I think a subwoofer would be a better investment if it were my money. You can't go wrong with Diablo's in my opinion.
elviukai's avatar
elviukai
135 posts
 
sorry I missmach your room dimensions and coment on room size I thought that you asking if Scala will bee no too small for new room.
sounds_real_audio
1,012 posts
 
Lucky boy

My bigest concern here is your moniker. With your in-laws living in your basement not sure I would call you Lucky boy.

I may not be the best one to do the talking here however, I live in the basement and my soon to be ex-wife lives upstairs.

Good luck
elviukai's avatar
elviukai
135 posts
 
Just get a utopia sub(current or wait new em) and cross at 40hz.diablo is better on low levels listening than scala IMHO.
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