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The end of Focal based speakers like Wilson Audio?

Focal issued the following statement:

"Starting September 1st 2004, separate Focal Hi-Fi drivers intended for the public and loudspeaker manfacturers will not be available for sale anymore. This catalogue is desappearing for good and has been removed from our web site.

That decision enters the Focal-JMlab growth strategy and will allow to focus human and technical resources on high end home and car loudspeaker manufacturing and developement."

So it seems thet Focal drive units will not be available anymore to any speaker manufacturer on OEM basis.

The similar move has been made by Dynaudio a few years back.

Are we gonna see a Scan-Speak based Wilson WATT ?
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Showing 3 responses by trelja

trelja
3,223 posts
 
Correct me if I am wrong, but the only part of the Wilson WATT/Puppy loudspeakers that use a Focal driver are the tweeters. And, at least to my ears, it's the achilles heel of the speaker.

Don't worry, they'll still be able to source a more lively tweeter, from the likes of Accuton or the ScanSpeak Ring Revelator. And, if they want to back things off a bit, the ScanSpeak Revelator is an option. I definitely cannot see them using the Dynaudio Esotar, its laid back presentation would be a complete 180 turn about.
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Didn't I just say that???
trelja
3,223 posts
 
If the bigger Wilsons are using Focal mids and woofers, they'll need to get cracking. But, there are a lot of drivers in the world, though I really like the Focals for their speed and highish sensitivity. I would more worry about the excellent smaller companies, such as Osborn, who use these Focal drivers exclusively as opposed to the very low volume Wilson lines.

Jhp, the JMlabs and the Wilsons sound VERY different, and it comes down to a question of your preferences. The Wilsons are much more forward and dynamic, where the JMlabs are more relaxed and easy to listen to. Many like each brand's sound as witnessed by the success of each company.
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