Focal speakers/Rant/Paradigm vs B&W

[Jesse22]

So I had a chance to check out some Hi-Fi stores yesterday. One of the places was down to their last 2 sets of Paradigm floor standers as they will no longer be carrying them. I Did a side by side of one of the monitor series floorstanders (didn't care for them... too punchy.) then some Focal speakers which sounded better but were very very bland, then some Paradigm studio 60s which I thought sounded great especially down to $1800 for the last pair.

Well anyways the guy kept seeming to talk about the Focals and push them, he was very subtle about it. But i thought they sounded mediocre and the girlfriend agreed. He was explaining how they go through and tune each speaker individually to the box its in in or something. I mean I stopped listening at some point because I was madly in love with the paradigms.

Then I went to Magnolia not noticing there were 2 other Hi Fi stores right next to it dealing with similar brands and then some. But I heard the B&W cm5 bookshelf speakers and fell in love with those. They did have an open box pair for $1300.

Would really like to find a place to listen to LSI bookshelf speakers...

Questions

Have you guys ever heard of/opinions on Focal speakers? (not just separate drivers)

How do you guys feel about B&W bookshelf speakers?

Paradigm Studio series floorstanders vs B&W CM series bookshelves....?

[Jesse22]

I should specify this is meant for 100% music 2 channel, would be adding a sub with bookshelf speakers.

[cnh]

Personally, I'm not a fan of B&W speakers but there are many here who like them a lot. So it's pretty subjective.

Also, the lowest priced Focals I've ever auditioned were 5000 dollars a pair. The Focal Profiles......and they were ONE fine speaker--very different from what you describe above and far more musical and warmer highs than comparable B&Ws in their price range. Liquid sound.

What a minute, I have heard lower level Focal bookshelves that did not compare to the Profiles and were more as you describe above. I suspect you have to go up the Focal food chain to get the Focal signature sound?

Really, speaker appreciation is a very 'subjective' thing. I'd wait for the B&W guys to show up because they are here! And they love their speakers.

cnh

[Jesse22]

The Focals I was looking at weren't that expensive they were under the Paradigm studio 60 price. but the bookshelves he showed me were actually quite nice, they out performed the floorstanders in my opinion. I just wish I was able to put B&W in a side by side with some of those, but different stores different products I guess....

[Jesse22]

Looking at Focal's website I would say they were Chorus 716 V speakers.

[dnoyeB]

Were you able to control the tuning in the AVR? If the AVR was caled for one particular speaker, the others won't sound as nice.

[F1nut]

If one is listening to speakers to judge their musicality with an AVR, you will never hear what those speakers are actually capable of.

[Jesse22]

I was not, I listened to them both on an Onkyo Mid level receiver and a Cambridge integrated amp. The B&Ws were on some 5k dollar set up... but in Magnolia so it was a poor listening set up the speakers were about 1-2" away from the wall on a shelf...

[steveinaz]

Jesse22--

I can offer this advice; in my experience, usually speakers that don't jump out at you is a good thing. What may come off initially as bland--is likely a more linear speaker that will have better top to bottom "tone" and far less listener fatique...

Of course tone is subject to personal preference.

Just my 2 cents.

[erniejade]

Paradigm does offer good speakers for the $ that is for sure. Looking at the studio 60 spec sheet, it is a floor standing speaker with 2 woofers a mid and tweeter. Was the focal the same? or was it a bookshelf speaker with 1 midbass and 1 tweeter?

I do have a set of focal 815. The "special" thing about them is how open they sound. Very forward in your face almost. I think they are natural sounding but, since my 815's only have a 7" woofer in them, shy on the bass. I will also say they are picky on components. My adcom sounds bad with them but, my McIntosh 2105 or sunfire sig sounds great on them. Since mine are floor standing speakers, they sound bad close to a wall. 2 feet away from the back wall or more was best.

I am sure the Paradigm though had way more bass to them. Looking at the design of the Paradigm studio 60, they seem to be a decent speaker. Makes me want to go hear a set actually.

Comparing a speaker that is a 4 way floor standing to a set of bookshelf speakers that are not set up properly is not a fair comparison at all. What some people might see as a lack of bass because of the setup will sway anyones decision that is for sure.

[erniejade]

Quick question, what on the B&W did you like over the other 2? How was it set up also in the room? were they on stands? close to a wall?

[Jesse22]

The Focal was a floorstander same number of drivers.
The way you guys are describing Focal makes me feel he wasn't even showing me Focals... They honestly sounded flat with not very much detail. But then again it all comes down to the listeners ear. Also I am still a noob but my girlfriend also agreed.

[Jesse22]

Quick question, what on the B&W did you like over the other 2? How was it set up also in the room? were they on stands? close to a wall?

The B&W had the worst set up by far, it was on a built in shelf at Magnolia, way too close to the wall. It sounded very detailed and not fatiguing. Listened to a not so great live RUSH recording where it seemed to keep up quite nicely with the guitar solo. Also listened to Dire Straits (very good recording).
I was about 15' away from those sitting below the tweeters but also stood up and roamed around the room back and forth in front of each speaker as well. Very open soundstage for a bookshelf speaker. Also a very pricey speaker! I will be going to an actual Hi-fi store to audition them with some of my own music and a proper set up.

I'd say if you have a chance go audition some.

[erniejade]

wow they were floorstanding for around 1800 ish? my guess then it was the 714's or like jessie22 said the 716. I have not heard either one of them. They are the chorus series. Mine are cobalt 815 from 2000. Again with mine, at least 2 feet from a back wall is where they start to shine.

What did you like about the B&W.

For me, for their size, they produce a LOT of sound. Natural open, and I think cleaner then the polk LSI that I have heard. If you were only looking at bookself speakers, new on new, I don't think the b&w were a bad choice at all. The CM 5 is a darn good sounding speaker. I personally go used because I change speakers a lot LOL you don't get hit with the depreciation as much buying and selling.

Is size a big decision? are you looking at bookself speakers only?

[erniejade]

I am going to take this to PM.

[Tony M]

The Focal was a floorstander same number of drivers.
The way you guys are describing Focal makes me feel he wasn't even showing me Focals... They honestly sounded flat with not very much detail. But then again it all comes down to the listeners ear. Also I am still a noob but my girlfriend also agreed.

Maybe the jumper plates/wires were missing, or wired out of phase too. Just saying. I've never heard a bad thing said about Focal's. Just the opposite is usually said.

[mantis]

If I was choosing between all said above , I would go for the B&W Cm series. With good electronics and placement , they could very well be the best under 3k speakers on the planet. I heard the CM7's on Rotel gear and was blown away. I was not looking for speakers but was listening with a friend. I almost purchased them that day.

Down the road the same friend and I went back to give another listen , this time it was the CM9's on Rotel gear. Same result but a deeper connection I had as I melted in my theater chair.

Paradigm makes nice speakers but they are not for me. To forward and lack of mid bass detail. They can be impressive in ways.

Focal makes awesome speakers , I would like to own a pair but I find myself wanting just a tad more at times. Sometimes they thrill me , others they just sound like a nice pair of speakers.

We carry both Paradigm and Focal so I get to listen to them often. I favor our Totem line much more which is more on the level of B&W IMO.

[danz1906]

I say Trust your own ears, it all comes down to preference.

[Fongolio]

What amp were the Focals on? I've never heard a focal I didn't love. Strange that any Focal floorstander would sound bland. Something not right in the setup. The price is unbelievable as well.

[tonyb]

Suprised you guys didn't throw Totem out there since alot of you guys seem to enjoy them. Worth a listen imho anyway.

[txcoastal1]

^Last sentence in Mantis' reply (Totem)

[gdb]

Give the LSi9s a listen, with the right source & amplification.....they can make you want to slap your ........ BTW, I thought that all things French were universally despised here, including their speakers. (Focal)

[Jesse22]

What amp were the Focals on? I've never heard a focal I didn't love. Strange that any Focal floorstander would sound bland. Something not right in the setup. The price is unbelievable as well.

"I listened to them both on an Onkyo Mid level receiver and a Cambridge integrated amp."

Please no more repeat questions.

I would love to Listen to some Polk Lsi9s (price on ebay polk direct is amazing) I didn't see them at Fry's last time I was there and thats the only dealer supposedly within 50miles from here. I have got many more speakers to check out as I am in no hurry I mean I am still young. I will see if I can give Totems a listen. Going to spend my Friday listening to music at some hi-fi shops

[leroyjr1]

Love the CM9's and also check out Definitive Technology Mythos.

[tonyb]

^Last sentence in Mantis' reply (Totem)

OOPS....sorry I missed that one. See what happens when you get old. :tongue:

[mantis]

Love the CM9's and also check out Definitive Technology Mythos.

If you had the choice to own the Mythos ST or a pair of CM9's which one would you choose and why?