Focal Scala Utopia V2

Gosh, Dave. You've had a crappy year. I hope 2016 is kinder to you.

As to Focals, I've heard a few and owned a few and am a big fan. Focal speakers just seem to bring a vitality to music that I think is missing from some other well respected marques. Not heard any from the Utopia range but in November I had a demo of the Sopra 2s and they were very special indeed.  So I suspect you're in for a treat, and it sounds like you are due one.

Do keep us posted.  

Mike 

Hi, I thought I had a bad year, with a 2nd broken leg, but it's minimal compared to yours, I'm new to the forum, but have just fallen in love with the sopra 2s, and have decided to make the relationship permanent, so they have just moved in, hope you enjoy the scala utopia 2, I've not listened to them myself but have heard they are exceptionally good. Yes, keep us posted.

As one who lost their father last year - on 13 July, aged 94 - and who tomorrow will be sorting through kitchen equipment and clothes, I know a little of what you have been through. Luckily for me I still have my lovely wife in the same house. Let's hope those wonderful new speakers are a small comfort as you move forward, and I hope you rekindle what you have lost, if that's what you both want. 

Thanks to you both... I have to remain positive whatever the future holds, I think Sam and I have a future together, but it will require some hard work on my part to convince her, 

We both like to listen to music LOUD and the Focal's seem to do this rather well, so perhaps they will help us to reconcile our differences

More to follow......

Dave.

Sorry to hear of your last year. Was only  after the death of my wife that I got to really start listening to music again, and it was the Scalas Utopia, albeit the 1's, driven by a Naim 500 system that really told me what I was missing on my active brik system. I ended up going for vitus electronics with the Scalas, and am absolutely delighted with the result. Replacing my lp12 with a spiral groove turntable earlier this years pushed the system to the next level. Think I would have to spend a serious amount of money to improve on the Scalas, only wish a mod was possible to move from my version 1s to the 2s. If you enjoy as much as I do, you are in for a wonderful experience.

Well then, you work hard to secure that future. And should the worst come to the worst and it doesn't work out, never let it be said that you didn't give it your all. 

And get some Super Lumina speaker leads - they are jolly good!

I already have the full loom SL HH.... And I agree very good!!

And Jeff, the V2s seem rather special so I'm glad I waited,

Dave

They certainly look the part (and I know I'm biased):

Ohhhhhh yes!

Congratulations to you guys, they look absolutely superb, I can only imagine what they must sound like....

Ps ..despite owning the sopra2s , I'm very jealous!!!

DaveBk posted:

Hi everyone...

Sorry I've been absent for a while -  2015 turned out to be a challenging year... 

Chin up! Just to let you know the strain of looking after my mum caused the breakup of my relationship with then partner and my sister with her husband. Tough (and I mean tough) times ensued. After mum passed away both my sister and I found fantastic partners, I married mine (my sister managed to snaffle a multi-millionaire!) I then bought a pair of Focal Chorus 806W SE standmounters in gloss red and black verre, which as we all know are the pinnacle of Focal's portfolio. So there is hope for you yet. Bonne Chance!

MDS posted:

They certainly look the part (and I know I'm biased):

Super looking speakers. Good to see you back on the forum Dave and i hope you get things back on track. 

James

Don't ditch the SL2's HH!!!

Great Speakers, but they lacked the raw bass drive I hungered for. 

HH, suggest you start with the 806W, more or less entry level..........in all honesty I'm really wanting to listen to the SL2s, I can only assume from your comments that they must be exceptionally good, I hope I won't be disappointed when I get the chance.

DaveBk posted:

Hi everyone...

Sorry I've been absent for a while -  2015 turned out to be a challenging year. My Dad had a bad fall in April and was hospitalised aged 88. Between then and July we had a series of highs and lows, but ultimately on the 10th July his underlying heart condition got the better of him and he passed away. As his executor I have had both the practical and emotional matters to deal with... In September my wife asked for a separation which was completely unexpected, but perhaps my senses were dulled by the situation with my Dad. We remain great friends, and I remain hopeful that a Phoenix may arise, but at the end of the month I move out of the marital home to a rented place around the corner. We will 'date' and hopefully start again something even better. I can't stop loving her...

So, with my new found bachelor status, I have decided to try something completely different... As anyone who has followed my posts over the last few years will know, I am a big fan of the Ovatar S600s... Well, it's time for a change. At their price point, they are difficult to beat, but add some extra dosh then maybe. I had the pleasure of meeting Scotty a few months back and listening to his Focals. Generally speaking Focal speakers have left me cold at shows, but in his place they were doing wonderful things so I have decided to buy a pair.

Not sure when they will arrive, but expect this thread to continue when they do.

ATB

Dave.

 

 

 

 

Welcome back to the forum Dave.  I had noticed your absence and wondered how you were getting on.  Now I know, so sorry to hear of your continued challenges in 2015

I don't really have any meaningful input to this thread but wanted to say hello.  My system now has full SL cables and DRed amps, you're welcome to visit again if you fancy it.

Graham

Welcome back from me too Dave. I wish you all the best for your future life; you're a good sort so you deserve some good luck. 

Thanks Graham and Tony. I suspect 2016 will be a better year.

Dave, I am really sorry to hear about your difficulties, 2015 was a very difficult but it had its highs as well as lows.

Talking from experience, don't rush to change your speakers, just enjoy the next few months/years enjoying as many pairs of speakers as you can and you will find the right pair in the end.

The Focals are worthy of a home dem, enjoy them and do nothing else unless you think they are a pair of speakers you can't live without.

ATB

PB

Hi Dave,

Welcome back mate, sure had missed your posts. Everything crossed for you that things get better. Strange ol week with so many people passing, David Bowie etc.

My mum "collapsed" (74 yrs young) last Thursday which ended in ambulance being called as a stroke was suspected. We were lucky as it turned out to her fainting which we did not know at the time. God bless the NHS and our wonderful ambulance folk. Life is so fragile, music can be such a tonic during difficult times.

....Anyway, I was lucky enough to "borrow" a  pair over Christmas and really enjoyed them. Made me realise as much as I love my S600's my speaker journey is far from over. I'm in no rush as I love so much of what the Ovators do, almost as much as i love Marmite!!!!!!!

Forgive the Christmas decs pic, i leave that the wife and kids...I DO the HiFi!!!!

Keep the posts coming Dave, there are some mighty fine folks on this forum and it can be a good distraction from time to time. 

Play that "Funky Music Wild Boy"Loud...real loud!!!!!!

Just wanted to wish you all the best, having come through a nice set of rather rocky years at my end and all.

As for the speakers, I can only commend you to the Polar Bear's advice...

Dustysox posted:

Hi Dave,

Welcome back mate, sure had missed your posts. Everything crossed for you that things get better. Strange ol week with so many people passing, David Bowie etc.

My mum "collapsed" (74 yrs young) last Thursday which ended in ambulance being called as a stroke was suspected. We were lucky as it turned out to her fainting which we did not know at the time. God bless the NHS and our wonderful ambulance folk. Life is so fragile, music can be such a tonic during difficult times.

 

....Anyway, I was lucky enough to "borrow" a  pair over Christmas and really enjoyed them. Made me realise as much as I love my S600's my speaker journey is far from over. I'm in no rush as I love so much of what the Ovators do, almost as much as i love Marmite!!!!!!!

 

Forgive the Christmas decs pic, i leave that the wife and kids...I DO the HiFi!!!!

Keep the posts coming Dave, there are some mighty fine folks on this forum and it can be a good distraction from time to time. 

 

Play that "Funky Music Wild Boy"Loud...real loud!!!!!!

Drool!  Those Focals look fabulous in piano black. How did Santa get a pair of those down that small chimney?

Mike

All the best Dave.Feel for you mate.A fine example of that expression A double whammy.My father who is 88 collapsed and fell down the stairs and has a broken neck.Hopefully going home in the next couple of weeks.

Lifes to short.Only time will tell how it goes sorting your marital situation.Good luck.One thing I do know you will be getting sounds from the Scala's which will deliver in spades.

I heard them last year and thought they where awesome.Then again I think all Focal speakers are brilliant.What makes them so good is they are so efficient most over 91 dB So a really easy load. 

Dusty.....loved your pics.

Hi Dave,

Scott here. Sorry to hear all the bad news. Hope all turns out well for you. 

Really happy you decided on the Scalas. If you want another listen while you wait for yours to arrive, just let me know. 

I plan to get my 500 DR'd, so you'll definitely have to drop by when that's done. 

All the best, Scott. 

Hello everyone, and thanks for the kind and supportive thoughts...

Sorry PB (and Michael), my impatience got the better of me, so this time I have ignored your very sound advice. I realise I am taking a risk having only heard the Scalas at Scotty's place, however I was so impressed at how they performed there, I'm prepared to press ahead with limited auditioning time.

The Sopra 2s look excellent Dusty! Like you I thought the S600s could be my final speaker, and whilst they do most things really well, there is still some headroom for something better to slip in. I considered the Sopra 2s instead of the Scalas which are over twice the price, but I do occasionally play music rather loud and loved the visceral bass I heard at Scotty's. On this occasion it was definitely heart over head I'm afraid. Sorry to hear about your Mum, hope she continues to get better and you enjoy many more years together.

Thanks Tabby Cat, life is indeed short... I suspect the untimely passing of both Bowie and Rickman this week may have influenced my decision making process in some way - what use is money in the bank if you are dead...

And finally Scotty... Thanks for opening my eyes to what a properly set up pair of Focal speakers can do in a domestic environment! You started me on this particular journey, and I am very much looking forward to completing it shortly.

I placed the order yesterday and paid James a deposit, so I'm committed. Naim are checking delivery dates with the factory in France and I should hear back early next week. Mid Feb seems likely.

The DR'd 500 should work a treat - the move from 300 to 300DR was spectacular so I can only imagine what a 500DR would sound like - I'll definitely take you up on the offer to pop around again.

Thanks again everyone.

Dave