Harbeth Super HL5+ vs. Focal Kanta No.2


This is an extension of my Harbeth Super HL5+ vs. Spendor D7 discussion where I received numerous excellent responses. I am nearing 150 hours break in on my Harbeth Super HL5+ speakers which seem to be coming around. Early on in their break in they sounded nice but didn't have the upper mid & high end sizzle & snap I desire so I ordered a pair of Focal Kanta No.2 floorstanders. They will be arriving in about a week. 

This forum is for those who have either owned or have auditioned either or both speakers. Your impressions? What amp used with them. I am using a Conrad Johnson LP70s tube amp with their ET5 preamp. 
routeman21

Showing 2 responses by prof

You like "sizzle" in your speaker's highs?

Most try to avoid that. 


FWIW, I auditioned the Focal Kanta 2 in my speaker search a while back.They did the forward-sounding brilliant highs thing Focal always does, and sounded quite clean.  But I found the sound artificial, and the integration of the midbass on down to be slighty disjointed - a super clear, clean high end down to the midrange that sat upon some muddiness below.






I've heard the Kanta 2 on Naim and Anthem amplification, and one other place, can't remember the amplification there.