I just bought some B&W 686s, and they are an order of magnitude better than I expected them to be. I discovered this by accident while putting together a system for my daughter. Not finding anything that really fit the bill on E-bay for cheap, or audiogon for a little more, I decided to up the budget and support my favorite local dealer, Audio FX, in Sacramento. Upon arriving at home, I decided to give the lil' 686s a test run in the main sytem. Not wanting to move my main speakers, which are Sonus Faber Electa Amators, or reroute my cables, I just set them up in a nearfield position, toed in on a couple of barstools with some audioquest type 4. I was amazed at the sound quality they offer. I'm still listening to them, three days later, in my main system. I think these things are Killers! They look like a thousand bucks, and sound like more. After two days of use with my Jadis Defy 7, I hooked up the amp they will be used with, a Hafler P1500 TransNova. Once again, I am blown away by these little guys. They can definitely be used in a primary system, in my opinion. All I was looking for was something better than the usual small bookshelf fare. Now I feel it will be an injustice if I don't perform wholesale upgrades to the front end of the system these speakers will be used with. So that's my opinion, may it reinforces yours.
I can't comment on your Focals, because I haven't owned a pair. But based on some previous speakers I've owned, the 686s compare favorably. I feel they're almost as good as Totem Model Ones, and Reference 3A MMs, for a LOT less money. Well done B&W!
