2. speakers
  3. 180433-177794

Looking for Advice on Focal Speakers

Hey everyone, so currently I have a 9.1 Klipsch RP system. I’m looking to upgrade big time with new towers and a center channel. I was able to audition some Focal 936s last week and was really impressed. The store offered me a pretty good deal on them and also a good deal on the Kantas which I love the look of, but haven’t been able to audition them. Are they worth slightly over double the price? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

These will be used in a living room, open floor plan. I have a Marantz Receiver and a Parasound Halo for the tower speakers. I am mostly upgrading for music listening, but of course I would also appreciate the extra quality for movies/tv.

I’m drawn to focal for the aesthetics and sound quality. I also like Sonus Faber but all of their speakers have leather on them which is a non starter for me. I only mention these so you can get an idea of the style I like. I dislike the more futuristic plastic looking speakers out there. I’m open to suggestions. I did audition some Paradigms and I did not like them (too bright for me).

suboost

Showing 1 response by pmg1223

pmg1223
9 posts
 

I have the 948s in my living room and the Maestro Utopias in my listening room.

If I were to compare the 2, the Maestros are about 20% better. Listening to something like Tin Pan Alley sounds amaizing on the 948s but it is holographic on the Maestro towers. The strings sound like they are above your head. The 948s have great low end and clean mids and highs. Definitely not to bright and I usually prefer a silk dome tweeter.

I have never heard the 936s but I'm very pleased with the 948s. I would purchase them again. 

The maestro towers are driven by Pass Labs 250.8 mono blocks and are fed by a Dave DAC with Mscaler. The 948s are driven by a Pass Labs x150 and a Cutest Chord DAC. 

 

More to discover