Focal Utopia Micro BE setup help

Thanks for all the phase tips. They are indeed wired correctly. The center image is a real center image, it just does not have that "point in space" definition. It might be the nature of the speakers. I have them toed in so that they cross just at my face. I have had some scary razor sharp imaging speakers before (SF Cremona Auditor M, PSB Imagine B) but the Focals have a different approach. The sound field is very deep (front to back) so I may just be missing a flatter, 2d type of image where everything is easy to locate like on a map.

Thanks for the tips. Michael

Yes, I have checked the ohm setting. Also I have tried other amps. I think it is just getting used to the speakers. The Focals have a presence and balance that no other speakers I have have. I think I might just be looking for attributes of other speakers in the Focals. The imaging is there but it is not as black and white as other speakers. However, I can listen to them for HOURS without fatigue or boredom. They are always interesting.

Hello Paul,

Thank you for your detailed comments. I have read your thread comparing the C1 MKI/II to the BEs and found it to be very informative regarding the nature of the BE tweeter. I think you really nailed it when you mentioned that the BE tweeter puts out a tremendous amount of energy into the room without being fatiguing. This is exactly my experience as well. They are highly articulate but non-fatiguing which I never knew could be a combination until I heard the BEs.

When I got them, I was impressed but not overly. It took me a while to understand the Focal BE sound. Now that I do, I enjoy the speakers very much - especially for films / dialogue. They offer insight into my recordings that I have not heard through my other speakers. Classical / rap is also amazing through them. As you can see my taste is all over the map.

Regarding positioning, I have them about 8' (2.5m) apart. I sit about 3m back. I have them toed in so they are looking directly at me. I do not see the sides of the speakers at all - just the front. I am getting central voices, very clearly, but they are unlike other speakers in that the center image is quite large and deep - also being so large, the center image can overlap with sounds placed to the left or right. I will try your string technique. When you toed them, what angles did you use?

Another note on their sound - the soundstage is massive - mich larger than any other speaker I have had. Sound comes from much farther than I would expect it to and is very deep as well. Now, if I can get the imaging to lock up a bit more, these will be hard to ever get rid of!

Regards,
Michael

All these tips have been very helpful. I have gone from toe-in crossing at my nose (45 degrees) to just about a 10 degree toe-in. It has improved the imaging. As mentioned, I am getting a center image, I am just not getting the uncanny "point in space" imaging I have experienced from other smaller monitors - particularly the PSB Imagine B and the Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor M. However, the strengths of the Utopia Micro BEs lay in their ability to magnify the sound. I feel very close to the recording.

I have noticed that they are very sensitive to where I sit. By moving slightly to the left/right from the sweet spot, the center image seems to move in accordance. I love this hobby.

Okay, after a long time I finally found my issue. A little silly but I thought I'd post it. I've been running the Focals through an Arcam AVR600. The Arcam contains processing that compensates for speaker distances. I noticed that I had the "distance from speaker" settings AN INCH off. I played around with the setting and changing the distance on the Arcam to equidistant solidified my soundfield and produced the center image I was lacking. While the Arcam was only off by 1 inch, my spoiled ears knew there was something odd.