Focal Scala Utopia V2

Dustysox posted:

They look great in black - very nice. 

james n posted:

Dustysox posted:

They look great in black - very nice. 

Is it posible to put these at the end of an S1 Pre Active System?

If not, I hope The Focal/Naim R&D are hard at work!!!!!!

Allante93 posted:

james n posted:

Dustysox posted:

They look great in black - very nice. 

Is it posible to put these at the end of an S1 Pre Active System?

If not, I hope The Focal/Naim R&D are hard at work!!!!!!

 

I don't think Focal make provision for even bi-wiring/amping on the speaker terminals. At least I've never seen them. So, no. 

An interesting philosophical difference between Naim and Focal... Which will win... Will we see Active Focals, or the slow demise of the Snaxo...

BTW I've gone for the Hot Chocolate finish which is a deep brown lacquer and looks pretty fine IMO. The fronts are black, but the brown tone on the sides lifts the appearance a bit. Not to everyone's taste I suspect, but I think it will work.

Dave.

Hi Dave, I'm from across the pond, just joined the Forum last year, just getting to know the guys, if you know what I mean.  Sorry to hear the bad news, but as Nietzsche would say, That which doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger! I hope all works out for you this new Year! 

Ok, sharp As..... Speakers, but we are on the same track, here's a little something I gargled up on a previous post concerning the Merger:

“Focal has mostly loudspeaker experience but they also have powered speakers and automotive amplifiers. Naim is skilled at making compact, clean amplifiers and digital gear, so they can help further develop the amplifiers used in the Focal lines. Focal also produces powered subwoofers of course and all need amp modules, so having a top quality source is a good thing. They also push the envelope with regard to state of the art loudspeaker innovations and we might find an active x-over or powered woofer, etc in use in their home loudspeakers as well as pro monitors.”

 It appears that both Naim and Focal can benefit from the Merger, Hence a win win scenario. It’s been stated that to do active properly a company has to be controlling both loudspeakers and amplifiers at a high performance level. There are very few manufacturers that are successful in both markets." 

It will be interesting to watch developments as to whether the Focal/Naim Merger leads to more or less active systems?

I would love to those babies Active!  

I know you probably, posted already but if it's not to much trouble, but what are some of the Characteristics of this Speaker? 

Hi Allante93,

The Scalas have a very clear midband which is important to me as I listen to a lot of female vocalists. My current speaker, the Naim S600 uses a BMR which handles everything over around 400Hz. This also leads to a very clear midband without any crossover distortion in this critical zone. In my search for a new speaker, I did not want to lose this, but also wanted a more clarity and definition in the high treble. The Scalas have this which leads to a brighter overall balance which at first I was not sure about, but after a few hours listening I became used to it and begun to really enjoy the new sparkle. The bass on the Scalas is awesome... down to 24Hz in room. Very fast too.

Overall, I loved them.

Dave

DaveBk posted:

Hi Allante93,

The Sopras have a very clear midband which is important to me as I listen to a lot of female vocalists. My current speaker, the Naim S600 uses a BMR which handles everything over around 400Hz. This also leads to a very clear midband without any crossover distortion in this critical zone. In my search for a new speaker, I did not want to lose this, but also wanted a more clarity and definition in the high treble. The Sopras have this which leads to a brighter overall balance which at first I was not sure about, but after a few hours listening I became used to it and begun to really enjoy the new sparkle. The bass on the Sopras is awesome... down to 24Hz in room. Very fast too.

Overall, I loved them.

Dave

Dave

Interesting that you say that.  When I had an in-store demo of the Sopra 2s one the CDs I took along was Mary Black's No Frontiers as, like you, I like listening to female vocalists and I often use this CD as one of my test discs.  All of the material we played that afternoon impressed, including some heavy rock which revealed the stunning bass, but the most vivid memory I have taken from that demo was how the Sopra 2s portrayed Mary Black's voice.  The emotion in Mary's performance was the best I've heard, ever.  Goodness knows what the Scala Utopias would portray. Must be goose-bump territory.

Mike 

MDS posted:

DaveBk posted:

Hi Allante93,

The Sopras have a very clear midband which is important to me as I listen to a lot of female vocalists. My current speaker, the Naim S600 uses a BMR which handles everything over around 400Hz. This also leads to a very clear midband without any crossover distortion in this critical zone. In my search for a new speaker, I did not want to lose this, but also wanted a more clarity and definition in the high treble. The Sopras have this which leads to a brighter overall balance which at first I was not sure about, but after a few hours listening I became used to it and begun to really enjoy the new sparkle. The bass on the Sopras is awesome... down to 24Hz in room. Very fast too.

Overall, I loved them.

Dave

Dave

Interesting that you say that.  When I had an in-store demo of the Sopra 2s one the CDs I took along was Mary Black's No Frontiers as, like you, I like listening to female vocalists and I often use this CD as one of my test discs.  All of the material we played that afternoon impressed, including some heavy rock which revealed the stunning bass, but the most vivid memory I have taken from that demo was how the Sopra 2s portrayed Mary Black's voice.  The emotion in Mary's performance was the best I've heard, ever.  Goodness knows what the Scala Utopias would portray. Must be goose-bump territory.

Mike 

It was hearing Meet Me In London and in particular Sabrine Sciubbas vocal, through a Naim 500 system that told me the Scalas were for me. Goose bumps all over, and my daughter sat mesmerised commenting that the hairs on the back of her neck were standing up. A truly awesome experience!

I had the opportunity to listen to a simple 3 tier Fraim front end last month.

2 x 555PS DR / NDS 

Statement Full Loom/ 40K Vivid GT3

Curious anyone heard this set up with the Scala Utopias 2's ?

Davebk- I use Focal Electra 1038 be's - They are Sopra 2 in size.  I use them in large room about 3 ft from rear wall.  They have downward firing port. In my large room they work well with zero bass boom.  I drive them with a pair of 135s which works well.

I assume the Scalas are ported? If so where is port and how do u plan on placing them?  Please describe your room 

david

Dave, Mike (or any other kind forum member), would you say that the Sopras 2 are very sensitive to room placement?

Hi Arnuad, I have had the sopra2's for a couple of months now, the reviews I'd noted do suggest they are sensitive to positioning, but I have not found this to be the case, they have performed absolutely superbly ,straight from the box, they just draw you in, and get better and better during the running in process....they have a soundstage and imaging that I think is like something I've never heard before...

Arnaud - after some experimentation my dealer suggested they need to be a fair way from the wall behind them. My Focal 1028be's are about 15"/38 cm away from the rear wall and I seem to recall the advice was the Sopra's would need to be up to about 50% further out to perform optimally.

For me, given the extra depth of the Sorpra 2s, that would mean they intrude too far into my listening room. Pity as I'd be very, very interested otherwise.

But of course distance away from the rear wall is only one factor buy I hope that is of some help.   

Mike

The Aria 926s here I would say are sensitive to sitting position for best bass response and are a little sensitive to placement, the Sopra 2 demo last week I didn't get that same feeling

In my listening room I have them about 45cm away from the rear wall, the rear wall being a stone wall not a stud wall, I've also tried them further out, their was no noticeable difference in performance.....I suppose this is why a home demo is very important, all listening rooms have their strengths and weaknesses