Focal Scala Utopia v2s have arrived

Chag... posted:

DaveBk posted:

I thought the S600s were the end of the journey, but these babies build on the strengths of the Ovator and deliver so much more. Much more to come I suspect.

Congratulations Dave. Can you tell us even more of the comparison? I understood that the Ovator range may be discontinued very soon to be entirely replaced by Focal's. 

Chag -  

I'm hearing similar rumours, but I've not had this confirmed through any official channel. It wouldn't surprise me especially now that Focal have launched the Sopra range which seem to have been voiced to gel with Naim amps. The Scala V2s were also developed post merger and seem to work far better with Naim amps than earlier models. I was initially sceptical about how they would perform based of my recollections of Focal speakers at HiFi shows, but my recent experience has proved this to be a marriage that can really work.

The big reveal! Pulling the ribbon on your new Scalas is as close as you
get to cutting the ribbon in this game.

tom tom audio posted:

The big reveal! Pulling the ribbon on your new Scalas is as close as you
get to cutting the ribbon in this game.

Did someone pop out of the top of it once said ribbon was pulled? 

DaveBk posted:

lancalee posted:

hi Dave, can nap 300 drive these speakers well? Do they require nap 500 to get the job done rightly? I am now using 552+300, and searching for right speakers.

They are quite sensitive speakers, so the 300 has more than enough grunt to get them going really loud.

Dave.

Yep sure I heard them 8 miles down the A442 in Buckingham

I'm in Stony Stratford and I didn't hear them - I must have been away!

Congratulations, Dave - I'm very pleased that you're delighted with them.

Clive

Posted by Graham Clarke:

Questions factoy visit:

"Hungryhalibut posted:

I've got a dual din to XLR, so I wonder where that fits in....

The problem with asking questions that they know will be published on the Forum, is that you will get different answers to what you would get if asking in a purely personal and confidential exchange

reply:

Possibly.  I've been told pre-release information in the past and did indeed keep it confidential, but Naim don't know me from Adam so would have no way of knowing whether I would be honourable in that regard.  In their shoes I wouldn't say anything that I wasn't happy with it ending up in the public domain.

So I won't ask questions such as "what are your product plans for 2016?" (wouldn't expect an answer to that) but would ask something like "why isn't it possible to make Super Lumina cables that also carry power?""

Now Graham, you wouldn't be holding out on us!

I get a sneaky suspecion you know something!

The Armchair QB!!!!

A fabulous looking set you have there Dave. You gotta love a colour called 'Hot Chocolate' and that rug really ties the room together.

Enjoy.

The Dude.

Thanks for sharing the ribbon photo James.... I suppose it's there to help drag the speaker out of the box, but it was tied in a rather attractive bow!

I have a long listening session ahead of me tonight to explore exactly how they are settling in.

I'll try to keep the volume down!

Dave 

No Dave turn it up. 

Regards,

Lindsay

DaveBk posted:

Some pictures as requested - To give a sense of scale, I'm 6' 5" or 1.96m

Here's the view from the listening position

And a closeup. The cabinet finish is really excellent, although it does seem to act as a dust magnet!

Overall, I'm very pleased indeed!

Just thought I would resurrect the post while admiring your Speakers! 

And who knows, perhap Focal/Naim has something in-store along the Active line, since it appears the Ovators will cease production.

BTW, how are those babies burning in?

Allante93!

Hi, they're running in rather well thanks!!

I am still astounded at the simply jaw-dropping quality of reproduction at times, which is driving me to rediscover my music collection - "I wonder what xxx will sound like???"

Hmmm, perhaps I can get a sneaky half hour in now before bed - early start tomorrow so no late night listening session for me.

Dave

3+ years ago I bought a pair of the first Scala's. I bought them blind as I was offered them at a very good price. Ive since sold them (due to marriage break-up) without taking much of a hit financially (on the speakers that is!).

I was running a modest 282/HC/250/CD5XS/DAC combo. 

Currently I have the same front-end but now ProAc D40R. 

All though the Focal's were awesomely capable, my front-end rig was lacking. If you're going down the high-end Focal route, you need the best Naim can offer to get to really get the desired performance from the Focal's. They are seriously revealing. I like loud music; I couldn't play the Focal's all that loudly, with comfort. 

My current ProAc's provide a deeper low end, are easier to drive, sound full at low listening levels and the system never seems to compress when pushed hard. The louder the better! And that ribbon tweeter is so very sweet. They suit my front-end perfectly. 

Dave, I'm not trying to rain on your parade here but just posting my experience to others in the market for this type of speaker system. 

Kudos on a great looking room & your new acquisition.

Got to love that pearlescent Bronze colour. Pity that Focal don't lacquer the speaker's baffles, base & top in that same lustrous finish.

Heard the Scala V1's with some high-end Classé & Plinius electronics a while back. Despite noticing a slightly bright/edgy character & some minor driver/room integration issues, i did come away impressed.

Hope that you won't mind indulging me(?).

In what ways do you feel the Scala V2's have improved over the previous version?

Although i much prefer the look of the Focal Utopia III's, i've been considering the Sopra No. 2's among a couple of others.

If you've had a chance to hear them yourself, how you would describe the comparative differences between your Scala V2's & the Sopra No. 2's?

By the way. What upstream electronics are you using with your Focal Scalas?

Congrats.

Regards.

Bobby

Posted by Bobby:

""By the way. What upstream electronics are you using with your Focal Scalas?""

"- Now enjoying NDS, 555PS DR, NAC552, 552PS DR, NAP300 DR, Focal Scala Utopia v2 in Hot Chocolate, with the full loom SL cables. ""

Copied off Dave's Profile.

I just learned that!

Allante93 posted:

Posted by Bobby:

""By the way. What upstream electronics are you using with your Focal Scalas?""

 

"- Now enjoying NDS, 555PS DR, NAC552, 552PS DR, NAP300 DR, Focal Scala Utopia v2 in Hot Chocolate, with the full loom SL cables. ""

Copied off Dave's Profile.

I just learned that!

 

Drooool!

Interesting to know the Scalas aren't too difficult a load for the NAP300 DR to drive. A power-amp which under serious consideration for my own set-up.

Thanks Allante93.

Regards.

Bobby.

James L posted:

3+ years ago I bought a pair of the first Scala's. I bought them blind as I was offered them at a very good price. Ive since sold them (due to marriage break-up) without taking much of a hit financially (on the speakers that is!).

I was running a modest 282/HC/250/CD5XS/DAC combo. 

Currently I have the same front-end but now ProAc D40R. 

All though the Focal's were awesomely capable, my front-end rig was lacking. If you're going down the high-end Focal route, you need the best Naim can offer to get to really get the desired performance from the Focal's. They are seriously revealing. I like loud music; I couldn't play the Focal's all that loudly, with comfort. 

My current ProAc's provide a deeper low end, are easier to drive, sound full at low listening levels and the system never seems to compress when pushed hard. The louder the better! And that ribbon tweeter is so very sweet. They suit my front-end perfectly. 

Dave, I'm not trying to rain on your parade here but just posting my experience to others in the market for this type of speaker system. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting, James.  I've found Focal speakers see to be very flexible in making the most of the source and amp, perhaps because they are an easy load, and will happily show improvements. The only downside I've found is they can be fussy on placement, needing space behind and to the side.  Indeed, those space requirements mean I'm unable to accommodate a pair of Sopra 2s in my listening room. A real pity as having twice heard them in extensive in-store demos I'd otherwise be keen to acquire a pair in place of my 1028be's

BTW your profile still shows you as having Scala's in your system.

Mike 

The Evolving Naim Sound, Just ask MDS, he knows, Very impressive!

""Only two types of components worth owning, the best, and very close to the best, for a whole lot less! ""

Surely your System exemplifies the latter!

Allante93!

 

DaveBk posted:

 

Here's the view from the listening position

all, I'm very pleased indeed!

Dave - hard to assess from the picture - how big the space between your listening seat and the speaks?

Regards,

Lindsay

See page 1!

Attempting to answer the questions in no particular order....

My chair is about 4m back - I'll take some accurate measurements at the weekend as this is obviously of interest.

The Scalas are a very benign load, probably a little better than the S600s they replaced. I'd agree that they are very revealing so need a decent source and preamp, but the 300DR seems to keep them nicely in control. Based on conversations with other owners, the 500 is better, but it's not a huge difference. I can't comment on how much better the 500DR would be, but the 300DR is miles better than the 300, so it will probably follow through.

The V2 Scalas were developed after the merger with Naim, so I'm told are voiced to match Naim electronics. I've never heard the V1s so can't really comment further.

Thanks Dave.  

DaveBk posted:

Bobby72 posted:

Heard the Scala V1's with some high-end Classé & Plinius electronics a while back. Despite noticing a slightly bright/edgy character & some minor driver/room integration issues, i did come away impressed.

In what ways do you feel the Scala V2's have improved over the previous version?

Although i much prefer the look of the Focal Utopia III's, i've been considering the Sopra No. 2's among a couple of others.

Congrats.

Regards.

Bobby

The Scalas are a very benign load, probably a little better than the S600s they replaced. I'd agree that they are very revealing so need a decent source and preamp, but the 300DR seems to keep them nicely in control. Based on conversations with other owners, the 500 is better, but it's not a huge difference. I can't comment on how much better the 500DR would be, but the 300DR is miles better than the 300, so it will probably follow through.

The V2 Scalas were developed after the merger with Naim, so I'm told are voiced to match Naim electronics. I've never heard the V1s so can't really comment further.

I hope Dave does not mind me adding a few words here.

To my ears, the Scalas are incredibly musical. At first I was using a NAP300 to drive them. I was not dissatisfied but upgrading the amp to a NAP500 did bring improvements in bass control and tightness for me. From what Dave has said, he is getting that too from his new NAP300DR.

I understand that Focal use a the new bass unit in the V2's compared to the V1's and that seems to bring improved power handling and enhanced control. I did listen to a pair of V1's, and for me, I would agree with this statement, however I would add that the midrange in the V2's also sets these speakers apart from their predecessors. In my humble opinion, Focal engineers have succeeded in bringing together the low and high frequencies with equal energy, and in doing so, the listener is presented with a sound that is seamless, magical and wonderfully musical. Dave talks about the scale and drama that these speakers produce and I wholeheartedly agree... the height and breadth of the sound they produce is sometimes quite astonishing, especially at higher volumes....they have a wonderful way of intimately connecting you to the music.

I have read that Focal's new Sopra speakers are built on many of the design features developed for the Utopia range and that these also were developed with Naim amplification in mind. Based on my experience with the Scalas, the Sopra's should be well worth a listen.

Scott.

Scotty posted:

 

DaveBk posted:

Bobby72 posted:

Heard the Scala V1's with some high-end Classé & Plinius electronics a while back. Despite noticing a slightly bright/edgy character & some minor driver/room integration issues, i did come away impressed.

In what ways do you feel the Scala V2's have improved over the previous version?

Although i much prefer the look of the Focal Utopia III's, i've been considering the Sopra No. 2's among a couple of others.

Congrats.

Regards.

Bobby

The Scalas are a very benign load, probably a little better than the S600s they replaced. I'd agree that they are very revealing so need a decent source and preamp, but the 300DR seems to keep them nicely in control. Based on conversations with other owners, the 500 is better, but it's not a huge difference. I can't comment on how much better the 500DR would be, but the 300DR is miles better than the 300, so it will probably follow through.

The V2 Scalas were developed after the merger with Naim, so I'm told are voiced to match Naim electronics. I've never heard the V1s so can't really comment further.

I hope Dave does not mind me adding a few words here.

To my ears, the Scalas are incredibly musical. At first I was using a NAP300 to drive them. I was not dissatisfied but upgrading the amp to a NAP500 did bring improvements in bass control and tightness for me. From what Dave has said, he is getting that too from his new NAP300DR.

I understand that Focal use a the new bass unit in the V2's compared to the V1's and that seems to bring improved power handling and enhanced control. I did listen to a pair of V1's, and for me, I would agree with this statement, however I would add that the midrange in the V2's also sets these speakers apart from their predecessors. In my humble opinion, Focal engineers have succeeded in bringing together the low and high frequencies with equal energy, and in doing so, the listener is presented with a sound that is seamless, magical and wonderfully musical. Dave talks about the scale and drama that these speakers produce and I wholeheartedly agree... the height and breadth of the sound they produce is sometimes quite astonishing, especially at higher volumes....they have a wonderful way of intimately connecting you to the music.

I have read that Focal's new Sopra speakers are built on many of the design features developed for the Utopia range and that these also were developed with Naim amplification in mind. Based on my experience with the Scalas, the Sopra's should be well worth a listen.

Scott.

Hi Scotty,

Appreciate your comprehensive & considered response.

So you haven't yet heard the Sopra range?

Thanks.

Regards.

Bobby.

Hi Scotty,

Appreciate your comprehensive & considered response.

So you haven't yet heard the Sopra range?

Thanks.

Regards.

Bobby.

Hi Bobby,
I haven't heard the Sopra range yet but hope to do so in the not-too-distant future.
My 500 is being DR'd at the moment, and if I arrange to pick it up from my kind and very helpful dealer, I might get the chance to have a listen
Best regards,
Scott.

Thanks for the comments Scott. Bet you can't wait to get the 500DR back!