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Focal Scala or Diablos with subs?

Hi all,

was looking for some advice discussion regarding a potential upgrade/purchase that I am considering.

I currently own a pair of Focal Diablos which I have had for around 6months. Amplifier is Musical Fidelity AMS Primo pre amp / AMS35P 35w class A amp. Source is Linn Akurate DS streamer.

Room size is fairly small, 4mtr x 4mtr x 2.4mtr ceiling, carpet floor brink render walls. Listening position is about 2.5mtr from the fronts. I also use the Diablos as part of my HT set-up.

I am very happy with the sound quality that the Diablos give me & feel that they suit the size of the room quite well. Synergy with the MF gear is good, the warmth of the a-class amp fits well with the detailed nature of the Focals, nice & silky. At times however I do feel that they lack a little in the bottom end.

Recently had a chance to listen to a pair of Scalas which a local dealer has as trade in, was very impressed. Everything that the Diablos offered and so much more. They will push my budget but with a trade in on the Diablos it can be done (& please don't start talking about the Maestros!!!)

However I have just started using my JL Audio F110 sub with my hifi & I have to say that it has made me stop & think. I can appreciate that the bass is not as tight or as perfectly integrated as the Scalas but it would be a lot cheaper to buy one more sub than stretch for the Scalas. It would also have the added advantage of beefing up the sub section of my HT set-up.

So questions are:
1) Thoughts on comparison of Scalas to Diablos/subs
2) Suitability of Scalas to room size
3) Suitability of Scalas in a HT set-up (I use the same speakers for both)
4) Suitability of AMS35P 35watt class A amp to run the Scalas (won't be able to change the amp any time soon, have been told that it should be more than adequate)

TBH I already feel that the Scalas are the way to go, they pretty much blew me away when I listened to them & I think that the deal I can strike is great value. But interested to get thoughts/advice from those with more experience than myself.
neuphonix
washline
202 posts
 
I have a room that's a bit larger than yours and run the Alto Utopias. I've also run them in smaller rooms than yours. Obviously they do better in larger rooms though not too large. I think that given the modest power of your amp, and assuming you can get your speakers away from the walls, add in some room treatments, especially some absorption above and in the corners and diffusion behind, the Scalas should do fine in your space. Trying to dial in the subs with the Diablos is going to be a difficult proposition. I'd use the sub for watching films, assuming you do so with your system. Meanwhile, trade up for the Scalas if you have the opportunity. You'll be happy you did.

By the way, I would strongly recommend if you are not doing so to use the Cardas method for setting up your speakers. That system will help you align them properly in relation to your walls. You can get the details at the Cardas website.
neuphonix OP
19 posts
 
Hi Washline,
thanks for your thoughts, I will definitely have a look at the Cardas website for the set-up method.
Unfortunately given the room size/layout the speakers have to go up against walls/corners.
I did some room testing yesterday which I will post in more detail later, but it was very interesting.
I hadn't had the chance to listen to the speakers separately. WOW. The left channel which is hard up in a corner was extremely bass loaded, the right which is on the open side of the room sounded so different, much leaner.
Some sort of room treatment is on the cards for sure.
If I do use two subs one will be set-up very differently to the other which could complicate matters..
Perhaps the adjustable nature of the Scalas may help to compensate for this?
Will post findings in more detail later today.
washline
202 posts
 
I think that if your speakers have to be up against the walls, you should probably stick with the monitors. Large floorstanders up that tight against the walls will certainly get boomy and you'll have a lot of trouble with image and staging. The Scalas will need some space to perform their magic.
kzhtoo
222 posts
 
Hi Neuphonix,
Please keep it posted. Looking forward to the details. :)
neuphonix OP
19 posts
 
Hi Washline,
until I heard the difference of the speaker in the corner to the open side I might have questioned your statement. But after the other day I think that you are right.
I always felt that the Scalas are going to be a bit OTT for my room, but the deal is tempting & who knows if I ever move to a different place the room will most definitely be bigger.
But it is a lot of money to spend on a maybe.
Starting to think that it might be better spent on a second sub / room treatments & some other tweaks instead.

Hey Kzhtoo,
I'm just waiting to get PDFs of the tests so that I can give some more detail analysis on the side by side results. In short though, Elviukai was on the money when he said the Diablos dropped of quite sharply below 70hz. The sub did go a long way to lifting things up again below 40 but there was a dip between 50hz & 40hz that I couldn't smooth out. But we didn't have enough time to play around to much with the sub placement / set-up.
At this point I'm leaning towards the second sub for a number of reasons, budget being the big one.
Will try to post the results over the week-end
=)
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