JM Labs Electra 937Be vs.Diva Utopia Be vs. Mezzo


Just got back from the audio shop this afternoon and had a fairly quick audition of the Electra 937. Very impressed I was. I was hoping to do an A/B comparison with the Diva, but for a variety of reasons was unable to do so. Perhaps will have a chance later.

I've now checked out the 907 and 927 Be, the first of which I liked a lot and the second of which I thought was disappointing. But the 937 is a whole different matter.

What I'd like to know is if others have made these comparisons as well and what were the impressions. Also how do the 937 and the Diva compare with the older Mezzo Utopia? If you had a choice, which would be the best choice and why? I had a very, very brief audition with the Mezzos a month or so ago, and liked them, but I didn't have a chance at that point for a full check with my own music. I'm still pretty blown away by the beryllium tweeter, which is just amazing with my musical tastes. Could someone also explain in more basic terms some of the technological distinctions between these three speakers? Thanks in advance.
washline
Check out the focal website if you haevnt already. I have found that it has usefull information. And just go and listen to them let your ear guide you. I have heard the 906, 907, and Utopia's in addition to the 900 and 901 center ch's. They are all excellent speakers its just a matter of how amazing they can be lol.
yeah thanks for that post. I have been reading the tech info at the Focal site and it's quite interesting. But I'm not sure what the Utopia series adds specifically from the Electra. For example, how do the different crossover points affect the sound between the two series? I'm really new to all of this, but I want to make a good investment--one to which my ears can also eventually catch up as they get more discerning. Another issue is the location of the drivers. The bass drivers on the Diva are located low and in the back of the speaker, whereas the Electra 937s go straight at you. I'm going to have to locate the speakers in front of a concrete half partition which splits my small studio apt into a 8 1/2 x 11 foot listening space, but one chock full of books, shelves speakers and wall adornments, so plenty to deaden out the sound if it becomes too boomy. I also want to buy in the eventuality of moving to a larger space in a couple of years or sooner, so I don't mind going with a floorstander.

the info on the focal website suggests that a lot of the technologies used on the Utopia series are duplicated with the Electra Be. namely, the gamma structure, focus time, OPC, W cone, and of course the Beryllium. The main difference seems to be with the Focus Ring and Power Flower magnet technologies and perhaps degrees of the other commonalities. I was only wondering how these might translate sonically. Other issues include cabinet structure and quality and the WBT vs. Focal binding posts. If anyone has any thoughts about all of this it will help in my decision. I do trust my ears, but more than my ears, I trust where my future ears might be in audio space/time and what they might be hearing that I don't right now. I'd like to plan for that eventuality, which is why I'm inquiring with sophisticated ears reading here. Thanks in advance.
I had many of the same questions comparing the pre-BE Electra 906, 926, and 936 with the 907 BE, the 927 BE, and the Micro Utopia BE and Diva. I had several at home, and fair listens in the shop for others. Only the quickest of listens to the 937 BE however, because it was way too big for my short list.

In absolute terms, I had no doubt of the superior sound of the Utopia BE models I heard, for their seamless coherence and high treble refinement,compared to their respective Electra Be counterparts. However, I say that as someone who doesn't look for a great deal of bass weight. How superior? Well, I'd call the difference substantial, even striking, yet subtle, if that's not totally inconsistent.

I wouldn't argue with someone who felt the 937 BE, or even the 927, was richer and more satisfying than the Micro Utopia Be for example, for given music in a given room, though my personal choice would be the latter.

If you want to talk about value for the dollar, diminishing returns and such, well that's another matter.