focus audio 788's

ok, since Maxxc asked so nicely (:-)), I'll chime in with my two cents. Basically, yes...the FS688 and FS788 generally have the same character in terms of its general sound, but the FS788 does pretty much everything a bit better (more detail, more bass extension, more full-bodied sound, etc). One of my customers, a music professor for a college in Wisconsin, was going to use the FS688 as his reference monitor in a new recording studio until I played the FS788 for him (direct comparison)...and to him, there was no question that it clearly justified the higher price.

Suprisingly, even though the FS788 is rated only 1db higher in sensitivity, I've found that it is noticeably easier to drive than the FS688. With the FS688, you really need 80wpc or more to get something approaching the best sound from it...but I've driven the FS788 with a 50wpc integrated and it actually sounded better. Still, if given a choice, I'd use more power if possible.

Note that the break-in time on the FS788 is at least 75 hours...the amount of detail that you get before/after 75 hours is signfiicant; I guess the Scanspeak Revelator tweeter definitely needs it.

The FS788 will benefit from bi-wiring, but I also think that replacing the stock copper jumpers with something better can get you a long way there without spending on bi-wire cables (I use Audience Au24 jumpers on my FS788...I am also an Audience dealer).

FWIW, the Focus FS788 was the first Focus speaker I had ever heard...demoed them against a pair of Audio Physic Virgo II's when I was evaluating whether to become a dealer for them or not. To my ears, the FS788 made the choice easy...the Virgo II was doing something really special with acoustic music, but the FS788 being more credible and engaging overall on a much wider variety of music. I found that after getting the FS788, I was listening to my entire CD collection rather than just the acoustic stuff I was listening to with the Virgos...

Recently heard the 788s on a visit to Toronto. I spent that weekend listening to a number of speakers from different manufacturers, at different stores, up to around the price range of the 788s, and beyond. The 788s left the best overall impression with me; very complete and well balanced across the spectrum, very well-balanced, and exceptional in the ability to render highs with great detail, sweetness, but no harsh glare. I preferred them to the comparably priced Dynaudio Special 25s, though these were also excellent, and were being driven by more humble electronics. Allowing for the imperfect comparison, there was more life in the 788s, with no sense of exaggeration. I also felt the 788s had more clarity or coherence than comparably priced three-ways I've heard.
I'm more likely to look at the 688s for my own small room, so no axe to grind. Happy hunting...

hello,
i've got 888s, with BAT VK-300x ( amperex 6922) , kimber monocle xl speaker cable , audioquest cheetha interconnect, and dcs elgar and verdi , i found my system a little dark side, tube amplifier could be a better choice, or simply to change cable , what about jumper, can i have a gerat improvement if i change jumper cardas?
thanks
sorry for my poor english , i'm a french people