I like your review format. Inserting the actual test tracks relevant to the aspect of sound that you are talking about is something all other reviewers should be doing. Kudos.

"Its all there it's just a question of how much effort you have to put in"....SPOT ON!!! ive been wondering this myself over the last 25+ years and you hit the nail on the head describing the difference between a mass market/mid fi system to a higher end setup. It's all in the details.

This is why you are my new go-to Audio reviewer. You explain terms and the relevance as it relates to components better than any of the other folks trying to do this. Go Thomas!

You're a good soul, Thomas. And a true enthusiast.

Congrats on 30k subscribers, You deserve them all! Thomas great video, awesome work on the commentary. I just received a pair of Emotiva Airmotiv speakers from a giveaway. Have them hooked up to my Parasound Halo P3, and A23. What awesome speakers! Easy to drive, great detail, and clarity. I am rediscovering my music collection, and am really enjoying doing that. Thank you for all that you do, have a great day man!

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I am so glad you got the Airmotiv. I am supposed to receive a pair to review too. Can't wait to try them. Thanks for commenting.

I don’t claim to be any type of expert, but, I have spent a lot of time, energy, money and experimentation over the last 35 years, building a sound system which reproduces music the way I like to hear it. You talk about one set of speakers producing too much bass energy for your room size of 300 square feet. That figure doesn’t mean a lot, cubic feet is a more accurate measurement, because with room acoustics you must allow for the height of the ceiling. Anyway, your room sounds a very similar size to mine. My solution, is a pair of speakers with an airy clean top end, a smooth, full bodied mid, a fast, tight, accurate and punchy low frequency not worrying too much about how low they go. Then, you add a pair of good musical active subs. This puts you in total control of the amount of bass energy in your room. It also means that you can get away with a smaller amp, as it will not have to meet the demands of a more bass heavy pair of speakers.

@gerard3797

3 жыл бұрын

I have similar experience. A lot of consumers buying too large speakers with too little control over the bass.

@SirMountainpass

Жыл бұрын

Exactly my approach! My room is not big enough to do the Sopra 2 justice. Happy with my decision a few years ago to combine the 1008 BE2 with an active Sopra 1000 SW which I can fully adjust to my requirements 😉

Yessss. Finally somebody compared them. This was a really useful video. Thanks a lot for it. Stay safe! :)

You do great detail in determining best speakers!

That's the most brilliant explanation why an high-end system only works if all the components are in sinergy, espescially amp and speakers. Thank you very much!

Excellent review!!! The way this review is structured should be modeled everywhere and it is exemplary and more important extremely helpful. I own the focal kanta 2 and couldn't agree more with Thomas conclusions. Thomas, I think this video is your best yet and I've watched many. Keep it up!

@shemaya4979

4 жыл бұрын

I am planning to by kenta 2. Can you please tell me the amp and the dac you got. Also are you using a mono blocks? Please let me know. Thanks !!

@DHayut

2 жыл бұрын

primaluna evo400 pre Amp, luxman m900 Amp, chord qutest dac

You deserve the followers because you speak with knowledge and honesty and that goes a long way.

Thomas good video.good to see you seem healthy.we are all going through crazy times right now.thanks for an entertaining video.gives us folks stuck at home.something to do other than boredom.

Focal speakers are so underrated on Internet, I’m happy we have such an ambassador for them. (don’t make the mistake to listen to your Sopra with an Accuphase pure Class A amp, your bank account will not thank you).

@philipgardiner2003

3 жыл бұрын

Maxime I don’t understand why this wouldn’t work.

@RennieAsh

2 жыл бұрын

@@philipgardiner2003 He means it works so well, that he had to buy the Accuphase = $$$ i.e. your bank account will not thank you

@wadimek116

2 жыл бұрын

Nothing is underated on the market. People vote with their wallets and focal is not universally best brand. For me its pretty averange, had their aria line but quickly upgraded to sonus faber because of their incredible mids and highs details.

@Maxime-ho9iv

2 жыл бұрын

@@wadimek116 I mean, it has been better recently, we hear more and more about Focal. They deserve it. They do very well on their headphones lineup too also. I never said Focal was universally the best, but they are definitely with the best. But « average »? Don’t make a fool of yourself. Nobody would call Focal average. The Aria are very nice for their price, but at the end of day you get what you pay for. Same for Sonus Faber. You won’t get high-end sound with a pair of Lumina. Coming back to Focal, their beryllium tweeters are universally acclaimed and the fact that you can get them on the Kanta line for way less than 10k is crazy. I got the Sopra 3, which are like mini Utopia and I can’t be happier.

@wadimek116

2 жыл бұрын

@@Maxime-ho9iv I still call focal average. I would even consider choosing their products for msrp. The only reason I owned focal clear and aria 906 is because I only paid half for it. There are many better companies than sonus faber to but Im buying sonus faber as best compromise between cabinet quality and sound quality. Focal clear is only focal product I heard that I would recommend on msrp price

I just discovered your channel and it’s been a long time since I wasn’t this astonished. Thank you Sir.

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

Welcome!

Great explanation video! I was curious about these two.

Great initiative Thomas! ❤️

Wow! Maybe best video yet. I liked the quiet voice. That background looked really good, too. And you had a rabbit and told a story!

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. That is a wild rabbit! I live in the suburbs so sometimes animals come in my backyard.

I'm loving these demo cuts, Thomas.

Finally the Sopra/Kanta comparison!!! Also love the sound clips, they definitely emphasize your point.

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I find sound clip fun to include.

Thank you so much for the detailed review. Its fantastic!!😊👍👌💐.

You are absolutely correct in your statement about higher end gear being much more difficult to get right than lower end stuff. One might think their stereo is broken while trying to get a good setup/synergistic equipment combo/proper positioning, until they get it JUUUSST right. Then all of a sudden - bam! - it all comes together!

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

Yup, when it all matches, magic.

Been waiting for this one. Thank you Thomas 🙏🏾. Just about to get one of them for my home theatre build

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, it will shake your house man.

@ponchantos

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo I'm excited. So I'm leaning on the sopra because I experienced the b&w lower to high-end difference. Now next thing was what you mentioned was gear to drive the sopras. I'll do research on what focal suggested and I'll keep you posted

@ponchantos

2 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo hello Thomas .I just wanted to let you know because of you have now bought the focal sopra 2 and I don't regret anything. I'm getting rid of my b&w 805s or I'll put in a different room. This is the exact detail I wanted without going into the utopia $$$ range. I really love. I'm only running it with an integrated marantz 8012 for my home theater and music. So now I'll be upgrading the gear slowly. But it still sounds amazing with this marantz Amp. Thanks for the advice. Ps I left Vancouver went to toronto on a business trip and tested And heard lots from B&w 800s Sonus faber Olympics and sonetto Focal kanta and sopra and utopia This was the best 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Great one. Love to see ur videos and there is alot to learn out from these videos. Keep going on Thomas. One more question to ask, can you reveiw the KEF BLADE ONE, if you get chance. It will be good to see ur videos in future. Stay safe GBU

Not only are you very knowledgeable in hi-fi equipment you are a good man God bless you and your family I don’t know if I’ll ever get to the point that I can afford $10,000 speakers but I’m trying to get there

Thomas your doing a great job and you are one of the few KZread’ers that has respect for others therefore I have great respect for you . Keep up the great work you’ll be at 100k subs In no time . Excellent review as usual 👍

@hi-fihaven2257

4 жыл бұрын

Well said Lance!

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that

This is very commendable. Well done!

Very good video !!! I was looking for this comparison between the two ! Good job :)

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@christianocean8998

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo Thomas what do you think about Musical Fidelity M6si? Is it a good amp for Focal Kanta NO2? Thank you

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

@@christianocean8998 It all depends if the top end of the M6Si is bright or not. The Kanta 2 are super easy to drive so most amp will be fine but when you play with Focal, it is always the top end extension that you have to be careful of.

@christianocean8998

3 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo Thank you. I go it !

Great video , touching, all my condolences to the familly.

It is an addiction.. You just dont want to call it that way :D

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Hey John, glad you are back! Yes, in Chinese we call it 'Got poisoned'

The quality of your videos have significantly jumped. I've always enjoyed your content but I guess I started noticing when you finished your room that you come across with way more confidence and more focus, but still maintaining your personable, down to earth overall presentation. The way you're filming has also taken a huge leap forward and again, looking more sleek and focused, still manages to stay down to earth and engaging. Keep up the great work Thomas!

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment. I was trying to to improve my presentation but was wondering if it made any difference. I know I should improve the audio by using my better mics too since I have those also.

@HumanAction1

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo there's always room for improvements in all aspects of life, but I'm just glad you're able make them and still maintain the core of what makes your channel so unique and engaging -- the reason why I keep watching the videos : the equipment and gear keeps changing, but Thomas can be relied on to stay himself. That's why I watch, as I'm sure a lot of other people do.

Heard the sopra 2 and 3 with a primaluna dialogue premium HP and they were absolutely singing.

Love your videos Thomas!

I totally get what you're experiencing. My experience with a ultra revealing tweeter was hearing an Accuton ceramic tweeter. Comparing to a good, but not great soft dome the cymbals sound shimmered rather than sizzled. Clearly, the ceramic tweeter handled it better. Same goes with Emmylou Harris, whose voice can come across as harsh with e lesser driver, but sublime with the better tweeter.

When the Sopra 2 needs a larger space then is available, go Kanta 2/3 or Sopra 1 with a (musical) sub?

Great comparison and description of the differences. Did you ever get your hands on a Kanta 3 to see if it truly was the sweet spot between the Kanta 2 and the Sopra 2?

Love this take! I had dreamed of the Sopras one day but they are out of my buget. I have BIG muddy as you say bass in my RF7 IIs then quick bass with my LRSs paired with a REL 5i. I have been pretty happy while being locked down moving speakers from system to system. Its been fun trying different set ups.

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Never heard the RF7 II, was supposed to get the RF7 III for review , I should follow up with them actually.

@scottyo64

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo I tell people that if you like fine wine you won't like RF7's of any series. I also like beer so they fit my lifestyle!

I've got focal mini utopias. Great speakers!

Yeah Thomas ... you used the right term, effortless. I love how you explain things 😬👍👍

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I try I try.

Hi Thomas, interesting video and comparisons with the 1028 upgrade. I was wondering if you may have an opinion or comparison of the 1038be vs a Kanata 2. Or Sopra. Best regards

What would you recommend between sopra2 or kef reference 3 matching vaccum tube amps?I had sopra1 in my room but planning to move out to the living room

I am a newbie on a limited budget. Do you think the lower end Focal like the Chora 826 and Aria 926 are too lacking in bass? I listen to EDM, rock and classicals primarily.

Hi Thomas. Thanks for another Great review. You seem to have a - possibly unique - way of accurately describing the stuff we dream about and long for. Here's to 100k... and beyond ;¬D} Greetings from the Channel Islands

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Thomas, very good channel. I have a two-channel vinyl room that is 140 square feet. I want to swap out my Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grands with the Focal Kanta 2 speakers. I have two PrimaLuna EVO 300 amps and I use them as mono blocks. Do you think the Kanta's will be a good fit in my room? I hear that they mate well with tube amps. I also have two Rel S/510 subs to even out the low and mid range frequencies. Thanks for your assistance.

JM Labs / Focal have a long tradition of speakers with superb detail, thanks to the very high quality twitters they use, either Titanium or Beryllium. One of my pairs of speakers is the *JM Labs "Electra 926* with the titanium twitters. When it comes to Jazz or Classical Music these excell well above speakers that cost much more....and they are no less than 10 years old!.. PS: Sorry to hear about the loss of a family member.. We live in uncertain times indeed!

The Sopra 2 sound extremely clean, detailed, precise and you don't hear the box, you just hear the music. The Kanta 2 is muddy all through the mid/lows/highs, has a lot of boxy resonnances and you clearly can hear the box coloration. As someone who use Focal studio monitors SM9, it was very hard to like the Kanta 2, I don't know how they charge this price for something so muddy.

so Thomas do you think rhe Focal sopra2 is a good match for Mcintosh mc275le?or maybe two Mcintosh mc275le in bridged mono mode? recently I bought a pair of B&W 702 signature loudspeakers and started to run the them with my 6 month old mc275 le since that day some issues came up with the amp at first the resistor failed and then after replacing the amp's resistor and started to run the B&W for less than a week right channel's tubes popped!!

I’ve just set up my Kef Ref 3, Kef Ref 1 and kef ref center 2c. Of course I blamed you Thomas. Ha ha... just kidding. Loved this video as well as all the others....congrats on nearly 30k subs...well deserved.

Love the disclaimer in the end 😂

Hey Thomas, just came across this video and your channel and I am most thankful someone (you!) compared the Kanta and Sopra...I've been in love with the Sopra ever since I first saw them (and I haven't even heard them yet!), and the used market price is rather good (seen them go for as low as $8k USD)...I saw you had the 836v, and I'm curious if you've heard the 706v (had mine since late 2009, and even repainted the cabinets recently) as well as what amp pairings you recommend for the Focals. Right now I run a Pio Elite VSX-44 AVR (I got it for $43, bargain!) and I also have a Yamaha RX-V465 AVR that I had purchased back in 2009 with my Focals, and a Velodyne DLS-3500R active sub (no room treatment done yet unfortunately).

What a great video - thanks for making it.

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

I’m trying to hear the difference between the two FOCALS thru my Aria 948

What do you think of the KEF blades? Do you think these could compete with them? I know the beryllium tweeters would win out on detail but I do not know about bass, the blades have some of the best bass i've heard, while they do lack soundstage they make up for it natural production, things sound very real on them.

That bass drum test at 9:12 on my Klipsch 280f was intensely masterful. My walls shook with thunderous pounding low bass

Great review video !

@robertzillig5481

4 жыл бұрын

Sent you an E-mail sir! :)

What an awesome video. Great comparison I also love Focal and have 1028. I would love Sopra 2 but dont have the room or the $$$$ either.

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback.

Sir Thomas, you are a refreshing soul.

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you

How do the Sopra 2s compare to the Electra 1038s? Would you recommend swapping the 1038s for the Sopra 2s?

Which is the "better" loudspeaker? Focal Electra 1038 vs Kanta 3? Did anyone hear both of them?

Great video!

Thanks Thomas ! The drum demo sounding great on my HPM-100 4way supertweeter 12inch carbon fiber drivers ! I be honest they give the Lsim 703 a serious run for the money depending on amp of course 😆 I can't get over These speakers 775.00US in 1978 and they still rock-out but 150 pounds isn't easy putting on 20 inch end tables lol Yeah this year soon as I get back to work I will get me a refference speaker , Student loans are Payed off !! 😆 😆 😆 Thanks Thomas its awesone what your doing to help those in need , theirs not a better feeling !

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

$775 in 1978 is probably $2k in today's money! Yeah, lots of nice speakers you can pick up on the vintage market. Thanks for dropping by.

@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo Those new speakers look nice ! Thomas i have never owned or heard a beryllium tweeter ! I bet they do sound amazing !

Thomas. Hearing the arias to the sopras. Is there more volume power headroom? Thanks

Which model number Focal Prestige speaker is in your line up next to the Sopra and Kanta?

I just subscribed. Thank u Thomas for explaining things the way u do. I feel out of place here though because I dont have much disposable income laying around. I am trying to replace a stolen system and have about 2500 to start with but I dont know what to get 1st. I have always had integrated reciever/ amp but I want to build a quality budget system. And I'm the rocker type.

Thanks for this comparison. Would you get Kanta 2 or, Sopra 1 PLUS a sub for a medium size room?

Fantastic review video. I am curious about how you feel about Martin Logan Summit X electrostatics. I absolutely have loved the lower priced Focals I've had, but I now have the Martin Logans. I love them with my Simaudio Moon integrated amp and DAC. I'm not sure I have the itch again, but I'd really appreciate any remarks you might have abou the two different speakers. Keep up the good work.

What can you comment of BE bs Titanium Tweeter and BE vs titanium Compression Driver? Any experiences there?

Another enjoyable video Thomas Was hoping you were gonna do a sound demo between the two. Glad you did. Took me about 3 notes to know that personally I perfer the Sopra 2's. I'm personally willing to give up that extra bit of detail for that extra bit of musicality. The overall sound signature of the Sopra was more to my liking. Shame that you feel their are too boomy for your room, but I know exactly what you mean.

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, maybe if I can get better electronics, it will solve the problem.

I greatly appreciate the video. I am sitting here listening to a pair of 826s and really appreciate the commentary on the detail that is found in the upgrade to better speakers. I also happen to be running a pair of JL e12 subs beside them, all off my Cambridge audio evo150. I suspect that the Kanta 2 or 3 is probably the move for me if I have the base covered by the subs? Not to mention the fact that the choral would also demand more power than my Evo would likely deliver. But what is this about the power conditioning??

Thomas I have the sopra 2 hooked up to a McIntosh MC452 amp , c46 preamp, furman power conditioner. Would this be considered enough front end or is it lacking? It sounds good but maybe it could improve. What are your thoughts?

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

I personally will be happy with that. Sure, you can always 'move up' and get some monoblocs but the return on investment will be quite small. Congrats on your beautiful system. I don't know anything about that power conditioner but I would definitely becareful with that. Some budget conditioners I tried seems to suck out the dynamics.

I just auditioned the Sopra no2 and loved them and have ordered a pair. I could use an opinion from the community on what to drive them with. Which would be the better pairing for the Sopra's, the McIntosh MA352 or the Hegel H390? Or is there something else in that price range to consider (Naim?) The music source will be mostly HiRes streaming, content will be mostly rock and some acoustic music.

@DHayut

2 жыл бұрын

Luxman 509x

Have you powered them with the pass x150 that’s on your floor? Curious since that’s the amp I’m running

Hi Thomas, I totally concur with your view on the power amps. What has been your (or anyone here) experience with Accuphase gear?

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

I had the C266 and C222 I think, love it. My friend just picked up the new integrated amp from them but I have to wait for COVID to be over to go check them out.

Thank you Thomas for the long awaited review of the two Focals: the Kanta 2 and Sopra 2. And yes it is your fault that I have the Kanta's now but with No regrets. 😉😉 You mentioned your room dimensions as to why you feel the Sopra 2 produces too much bass and the Kanta 3 would be a better fit than Kanta 2? But the Kanta 3's have 8" woofers wouldnt that be too much too? My music room is 20x16x8 opening up to the kitchen which is another 23x20.. The Kanta 2's give me everything I want. And.....from your sound Demo, the Kanta 2's have more clear detailed sound quality in the mids and hi's than the Sopra 2 with enough bass I can live with. Thanks again for your videos keep them coming, MR. Kanta from NY. 😁

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I remember you got the Kanta 2 a while ago. I would guess even if they have 8 inch woofers the Kanta 3, the nature of the flax cone compared to the regular Focal woofers is that they produce less visceral bass. So they go for speed instead of weight. Yes, it's normal in the sound demo the Kanta 2 sounds more clear as I mentioned, the midrange has more texture and when there is 'less bass', the top end shines more.

@Gerryinthewoods

4 жыл бұрын

Good info and questions. I was thinking the same. Thanks Jerome.

@slidetek

4 жыл бұрын

I just got some Kanta 2's a few weeks ago after I _was_ buying some Electra 1028be's for my new place. I have them in a "great room" that's approx 30 x 20 (fam + kitch) that extends further as it opens to other rooms, staircase, entry etc. with a 20' ceiling. Hardwood over slab floors (a first for me). I'd originally planned to set up the 2 channel in the living room, which is 12x16ish, opens into entry and dining so 60% larger. But I felt it was the more easily tamed room of the 2 as far as acoustic treatments. Honestly, I can't imagine a larger speaker. The bass is ridiculous, almost shocking at times. But never in-your-face. Just sudden "holy $%@&!" I'm so glad I didn't set up in the living, because they'd be way too much. I really wanted the W drivers originally, feeling the flax was a step down to move to mass production. I've totally changed my mind.

@jeromejax8675

4 жыл бұрын

@@slidetek I too was in the same boat. I thought to myself also the Kanta's should have had the W cone with the 7 in woofers. But to my surprise, the Kanta's have some Thump to them with the 6.5" Flax cone also dependent on the song played. I think once I get the sub(s) I want, it will be game over. Note, the electronics you pair them with also matters. I would also try the Gaia II IsoAcoustics treatments for the feet of your Kanta's too. Believe me they make a Big difference in Bass output and SQ of your speakers. You will be very happy. Happy Listening! 😊

@Gerryinthewoods

4 жыл бұрын

@Jerome Jax I was all pumped up for the Kanta 2 -same as your beauties...until I see that you’ll be adding a sub. Makes me wonder if I now need a Kanta 3 or Sopra in my 20x20x10 room. I definitely want some low end, but it can be punchy and fast and doesn’t need to shake my walls. Love your setup.

Thank you Thomas! Really like this video. How about a video without gears. Can we talk about how you appreciate music as an audiophile/enthusiast?

Hello Thomas I believe you have tried the arendal speakers, and I am about to buy a home theater system, what do you think about the focal electra BE VS the arendal 1723 series and the kef r meta serie if you have tried it? Without consideration of the price

make so much sense to me,thank u

That grand piano sounds amazing thru my iPad. It sounds even better thru my old well used Technics Mash CD player ($20) Yamaha amp ($1000) Sony sub ($400) and used B&W speakers ($2k) I would never spend more on speakers than I spent on my New Camry but that's just me. Congrats on nearing 30k subs. Great channel Thomas!

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Sounds like you have a nice system there.

@RennieAsh

2 жыл бұрын

Then again if you didn't buy a new Camry you could buy the speakers instead :)

Thomas, what’s that song at around 11:49? Thanks! Edit: I have the Anthem STR power amp 400 per side. Do you think that would be enough for the Sopra 2? Last thing: I totally understand what you are saying about detail. On my current setup, I’m playing Abba - The Winner Takes it All; she’s singing a sustained note and I can hear her run out of air. 🤣 Best!

Really enjoyed this post - question, if it is generally accepted that new speakers need a breaking in period, and same for a valve amp, how do you assess a new speaker in absence of it settling in … so to speak?

I honestly never get how a speaker can be too big for a room? With room treatment and quality room eq like Dirac or arc, wouldn't that solve the problem?? Serious question.

I just had audition of Sopra 3/ Diablo 300/ emmlabs dv2+ns1/ synergistic foundation cable. So basically the feeling is like to listen to a show, rather just the music. The sound is so real and made kinda picture in front of you. You do feel the resistance of the string, and the move of the artists hand. Next audition is Scala with Vitus SIA 030. See if they can make another step up.

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

Cool, just as I mentioned in my concept 500 video where you feel like you are at a show. kzread.info/dash/bejne/gmqZ0tWlg7Wxiag.html

Hi Thomas, did you listen to Dynaudio X44 before? what do you think about the series? it is discontinued, but there are some good prices there.

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

No I have never heard them. I do wonder because I remember having the Dynaudio 3/7 and it was just so so.

@marct9587

4 жыл бұрын

I think for Dynaudio, you want to get into the Contour series. Some good deals now on Contour 30.

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

@@marct9587 Although true, those contour are priced quite high so it is out of reach for many people. Maybe their current Emit line is very good, have to hear one to know.

@duggiefresh8170

4 жыл бұрын

I'm waiting for the Contiur 60i. Spoke to Dynaudio and the bass drivers are new and supposedly really fast.

Well done. I have the Sopra No 3's and yes they can drive you mad in a good or not good way. Definitely game changers. Talk to the chap in London who's system you featured. He looks to have a smaller room with his Focal Sopra No2's. Maybe he can help you get those dialed in for your room. Tx again✌️

Thanks for a great review, Thomas. I think you bought these at a good time. MSRP on the Focal Sopra 2 is now $23,990.00 CDN.

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

I know Focal raised the price but that is insane!

@gerritfridericksohn4627

4 жыл бұрын

I wonder if some companies will not survive current economic situation. Some of these companies just have to be hurting.

@liocean8828

4 жыл бұрын

@@ThomasAndStereo why said that?

Amazing video thomas i totally agree with what u said excellent video

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sylvain! Hope you are enjoying your Kanta!

And upon your reviews, I bought Focal Chora 826. And man, I am impressed. It’s fed with class D amplification. I can play it really loud with no or nominal fatigue in a non-treated room. I need to use panels as I play loud. Thx for introduction to focal. Would you say Kanta 2 is more of a audiophile speaker than 826? I still feel 826 is an excellent HIFI speaker ( still listening )

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

Nice and congrats. Kanta 2 is more refined and detail with its Beryllium tweeter as well as a faster sounding speaker.

I have being waiting for this video to drop for days

I know this post was long ago but I wanted to pass on a message. You have owned and spoken highly of Focal for a long time. I just traded my Turnberry GR's for Sopra 2's and the early experience is great. I look forward to getting to know the Focal signature better. What I am hearing at this stage is just more. The Tannoy had a strong mid range presence but not the overall dynamics and full sound stage as I have now. Thanks for the valuable information you share with us. I'm running PrimaLuna EVO 400 pre and monoblocks with twin REL S5 SHO subs so there is a lot to work with. I'm not finding any issue managing the bass either. I have a fair amount of room treatments (absorption & diffusion) so so far all is good. My room is 13 x 21 x 9.5 so this helps.

@ThomasAndStereo

2 жыл бұрын

Nice, congrats on your purchase!

Hi Thomas - Subscribed, great informative video. I just looked at a pair of the Kanta 2 with the Naim Nova yesterday and the Music sounded fantastic! Do you think these would be ok as the main speakers in a home theater environment also?

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Yes because I find them really dynamic.

Hi Thomas thanks for doing this video. Have you listened to the Focal 1038 be? Have been offered Revel F208s for 40% off retail (3k USD), but wondering if I should wait and save for something like the 1038 be. Appreciate the neutrality of the F208s, but do want that top-end sparkle you get from Focals... Interested to know your thoughts.

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

I had the Revel M106 at one point and looking at the specs, it seems they have the same tweeter design. You are looking at a waveguide design and comparing it to BE. The difference in sound is big. Not that one is better than the other but a question of taste. The top end sparkle of the 1038 is very unique to the focal speakers and it really depends how important that is to you. I enjoyed the Revel m106 but it is not my taste but that is not important, what is important is after you listening to both, which one you like.

@chrislewis2329

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Thomas

Hi Thomas, I am a music lover.. but lot of limitations in kwoledge. I just bought the sopras 2, (use to have the 926 be) Im runing them with a NAD 298 and now using a yamaha RXA 2050 as a pre- and av home theater, I try the NAD 658 pre but was not happy with the sound, was giving me fatigue and did nog help with the highs on the sopras 2. I find the Sopras 2 very demanding .. since they dont forgive nothing. SonI was wondering what pre could you recommend in order to have more presence, more 3D and sweeter sound. I was thinkng in a tube pre.. never have tubes before .. even that Im over 70 lol Thanks for your help Regards Esteban

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

Some would consider getting a smooth sounding tube preamp to round off the edges but my worry is that most tube preamp these days are quite revealing and might not solve your problem. I don't know your tolerence of bright is. If you plug the NAD directly to yoru power amp, sure I can see why you would find it bright. Have you consider just using an equalizer to tone down the sharpness? Like a Loki? Sure, some would argue you will loose fidelity but it might be the easiest solution.

How is the moon in combination with the Kanta 2? I'm thinking of buying it and using a NAD M33 as preamp

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

I like the combo since it is not bright and sharp. But it has to be the older moon.

I see you used to have Focal Aria 926. I have the Aria 948's. In your opinion do you think I'd benefit from getting a Subwoofer for them. I was thinking a Rel. But the bass seems to be already great on it. Not sure if i'd get more improvement in sound stage and more controlled bass which is what they say the Rel does as the 948's seem to do a great job already.

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

It all depends what you feel is missing in your system and what you wish it can do better.

Hi Thomas, Wharfedale Elysian 4 and Kanta No.2 which one will be suitable for a smaller room! Cause my living room is about 200 square feet only! And those two speakers are just the same price range in Taiwan!

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

The Kanta 2 will fit in a smaller room better. You would look at the Elysian 2 if 4 is too big. However, as I mentioned in my video, the sound of these 2 speakers are so different that if you love the focal sound, the Elysian speaker might not be sharp enough for you.

Hi, I am considering second hand Kanta n. 2 or Sopra N.2 as an upgrade but I have an integrated Yamaha A-S3000 (120 W / channel into 8 ohms): is it going to be insufficient to drive them ?

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

Kanta 2 is easy to drive and forsure will have no problem. Sopra 2, not so sure. The only thing you have to keep in mind is Yamaha has this forward midrange slight bump and with Focal, you have to be sure it is not too 'forward'.

Even on my cheap desktop computer speakers, the Sopra2 sounded really muddy. Could barely hear the fingers clicking. Perhaps due to microphone(s) placement?

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

Or could be the stronger bass so it covers up the highs. Either way, it is for entertainment purpose the sound demo so don't put too much emphasis on it.

When I auditioned the Sopra's at my dealer, I remember he used 2 amps-a Belcanto Black Ex and a Luxman 590axii. I don't know if you tried a lower wattage class A amp with your Sopra's? Maybe the Mcintosh was too much muscle for your room ?? What color did your friend Mr Kanta get? What does he think, is his room bigger, is he using the Hegel H20?

@ThomasAndStereo

3 жыл бұрын

We tried a few amp, Mcintosh, Classe, Lumin, Cayin, wyred4sound, Simaudio and so forth. He bought the one in the video off me. He loves it.

Thomas what do you think of Dali Epicon speakers (2, 6, 8) I find them incredible and beautiful. Only one more payday and 6 will be mine :D

@ThomasAndStereo

4 жыл бұрын

Nice, I never heard them though.

@larrypupkin

4 жыл бұрын

When I purchased my speakers, I harrowed the filed to Focal Kanta 2, Dali Epicon 6, MA Silver 300, and Opera Seconda. In the end, I splurged for the Kanta's, justifying that I'd used my last speakers for 20 year, so on an annual basis the Kanta's "made sense". In the end, I'm not yet convinced they were the best choice. They do some things marvellously well. But as another commenter mentioned, they can be considered bright and fatiguing, especially with certain types of music. 1970's rock for example. The Dali's offer exceptional value I'd say when compared to the Kanta's. The tweet arrangement of the Dali's are interesting, as they give you the best of both worlds, ribbon plus dome. From an aesthetic point of view, it means you do not need to toe them in. I was initially attracted to them, because I'd loved my ELAC Jet-310's which had air motion tweeters ("ribbon"). But had I'd not gone for the Kanta's, I'd likely have gone for the Monitor Audio Silver 300's. I felt the Dali's in real world terms placed the center voice, too high above me, and the bass was perhaps too tight. But I did love them, and regret not picking g up a pair of bargain 2nd hand ones. In the end, I will never know. Where I live, home demos are difficult to arrange. The showrooms and the amplification where in each case very different. What I feel today, is that perhaps my 20 year old Audiolab's either need to be recapped etc, or I need am amp which delivered more base when the volume is not necessarily that high. My ELAC's live on, now driven my a vintage Sansui AU6500

@SzymonMelewski

4 жыл бұрын

@@larrypupkin Thanks for your detailed reply, highly appreciate it :D Now I can get Epicon sixes but I'm having second thoughts due to current times...

Hey Thomas, have you tried some of the big Tannoys?

Thomas, you show your 836w Prestige, but you only mentioned the more common 836v. I own a pair of 836w, so I'm dying to know how much better the 1038be, Kanta 3, Sopra 2, actually are? After all the 836w got W sandwich drivers and upgraded tweeters. Will I notice enough difference to shell out the difference for some 1038be, Kanta 2 or Sopra 2???

@ThomasAndStereo

2 жыл бұрын

The 836w I have was modified so I don't know how the stock one compares to the big boys. Here is my video on my 836w. kzread.info/dash/bejne/eYtkuMZmhazPZtY.html