Magico A1 or Sopra 1 or Marten Oscar Duo


Hello,

I am looking for a new speaker to replace my 803d3’s. I don’t need the lowest frequencies in my 4 by 6 meter room. So, what would be a good replacement?

Can someone tell me about differences in sound?

- Focal Sopra 1

- Magico A1

- Marten Oscar/ Parker Duo

My amps are: pass labs xp12, Bryston 14bsst2

cd: simaudio 650d, Bryston bcd3.

 

thanks!,

audiogek

The Marten's are a little easier to listen too and I think they are extremely well made. The wait for new ones is brutal but you could also look at the Vimberg monitors.  Maybe find a used pair?  

If you are looking new, I would also look for the Vivid Kaya S12s. They look a little weird but they sound incredible.  The Wilson Benesh P1.0s might also be an interesting option as they are definitely less forward than the others on this list but are incredibly revealing.  You might be able to find a demo pair of Vertexes as they were recently discontinued and they are INCREDIBLE.  

If you were in North America I would send you a pair of mine to demo for free.  We are quite competitive in this range but shipping to Europe stings a bit.  

Focal: Grainy sounding I have never experienced myself or taken from test reports.

Of course everyone can experience it differently.

I also find the Focal glary. The A1 would be my choice, try listing to a pair.   

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I own the Marten Duke 2, not the Parker Duo that you shortlisted. The Marten is smooth and detailed at the same time which may sound contradictory. The treble is just so smooth and liquid with all the details sounding crystal clear. It’s a fatigue free listen with the Marten, only if you get the matching amp right. It will sound rough and forced with a metallic piercing treble if you match it with the wrong amps.

With other less revealing speakers such as Harbeth for instance, you don’t get the same result if you use the same amps as the speakers won’t reveal the character of the amps as much as the Marten. In other words, these loudspeakers have a larger influence to the sound than the amp. On the other hand, the Marten will show up the shortcomings of the amps that are matched to it, sounding quite different when matched to different amps.

I haven’t listened to the Focal Sopra or Magico but read that the Sopras have a bright sound.