As Great As Sopra? Focal Kanta No3 Review w/ Cambridge Audio Edge M Amplifiers

We review the Focal Kanta No3 speakers with Cambridge Audio Edge M amplifiers. and compare them with the Focal Sopra No1. Tidal, Qobuz and Roon were our streaming services.
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[@stephantranquille6681]

Heard the Kanta 3's at melbourne HiFI, Australia, hooked to Plinius (New Zealand) pre & power amps. I initially didn't think their size would be so large. Hearing them at full tilt with a range of music from my own collection on cd, they simply disappeared by presenting a barrage of beautiful sound. I savored what the Focal had to offer and no problem whatsoever with the highs.

[@LifeofBliss]

Those are beautiful speakers... I really want to see/hear some Focal speakers at some point.

[@therealshanelee]

Your time will come young padawan.

[@Zoomerland]

I have Sopra N3, yes they can be on bright side. I have the front of N3's tilted not quite 1/2 inches with the rear of the base flat on the floor. Big difference in a great way. I worked on tweeking the position with some canting inward. My Parasound Halo JC5 makes these Focals sing, I can listen to them 24/7 without any fatigue. Work on them some and I believe with those Cambridge mono's you will find the sweet spot.

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

Bill's shirt is amazing.

[@junior-OG]

rip

[@mikez-ht7706]

Great video Shane! I highly enjoy my Kanta 2 that go down to 35hz,have them in white baffle & black finish with the IsoAcoustics GAIA II, they are just as beautiful as they sound! The last pair of speakers I will ever need. I suggest wearing a pair of gloves when handling those, no finger prints👍🎵 I'm also using the same speaker cables as well, how about that! I'm sure you might of seen my videos on my channel.... Vinyl also sounds amazing on these beauties. Im not saying your wrong but for me They definitely have a nice warmth SQ to them by using my Marantz SR6013 with Marantz MM7705 Amplifier among other different things I have running..obviously depends on the setup as well .

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks for the video

[@capitalequipment15]

I have had my Kanta 3s for 4 months now. Absolutely love them. I will agree, bright/harsh recordings sound extra awful on these… but on the good to great recordings, the level of detail is incredible. These go deep and the bass woofers are lightening fast. Fast bass and kick drums are crystal clear… not muddy in the slightest. Love playing some Tool… or James Blake, because his production quality is incredible. He tests the highs and I don’t find his music too bright at all on these. I started with Triangle Antal EZs (bright speaker), then B&W CWM 7.3s, now these. My friends have always appreciated the quality of each setup, but when I introduced these… jaws hit the floor. I can play these for hours at a time and not get fatigued. I’ve got them paired with a McIntosh MA5200. Will likely move to a tubes when I’ve got the funds together.

[@Jundaku]

Has the harshness of the tweeters remain over time? I've read a lot about how they become warm once broken in, but the only dealer with them around here has a new pair that has less then 20 hours on them and they are very bright. I'm looking at getting a pair but really don't want to deal with fatigue.

[@capitalequipment15]

@@Jundaku I don’t know if it was the speakers or my ears that adjusted over time, but I don’t find them too bright at all. I like the level of detail, which may present as bright for some people’s tastes. I think it really depends on the room you’re putting them in and what the rest of your equipment looks like. I think tubes would pair well with these, and I intend to move in that direction to try to get the best of both worlds - ultra detail, with warmth.

[@jerryt.1656]

@@Jundaku I sometimes find certain music can be a bit bright on my Kanta 3s (fully broken in). In particular the RHCP's. Fortunately, I have a Primaluna EVO 300 tube amp which has two settings: Triode mode or Ultralinear. Triode mode has a warmer sound which takes the edge off any music I find too harsh. I highly recommend a tube amp with these speakers.

[@Jundaku]

@@jerryt.1656 I’m running a McIntosh setup. C47 into a MEN220 feeding mc275 mono blocks. Right now I’m running Sonus faber Sonetto 8s. Awesome speakers for the price but I’m looking for more refinement on the top end. Current setup is smooth, a bit too smooth so I’m thinking of maybe the Kanta’s or Olympica 2s. Just worried I might not have enough power for the inefficiency of the Olumpicas but worried about fatigue with the Kantas. Such 1st world issues.

[@Zoomerland]

Male vocals, including Lenny sound just fine on my Sopra N3's

[@justchilling4491]

I’d love to have a set of these focal speakers in my home theatre maybe when the kids leave home and stop draining my resources only joking 🙃 I love them really

[@ARIKIP]

Maybe they need to be run in a bit as they are new? Perhaps try different cables?

[@william1252]

Hell yeah Buckethead and Primus are the shit! Two thums way up!!!

[@raymondtaveras9371]

Maybe the cables you are using are bringing the brightness on the top end are you using some cables can make speakers sound bright

[@williammorales8204]

I have heard the kantas on luxman and was really ready to buy until covid hit, now ugh i'm stil stuck with my 60xts. They're not bad but the kantas are divine. My soul said I couldnt' sell it so I didnt hear the sopras. Kantas will be my end game speakers in couple years I hope.

[@drchriscov]

Nice Video Question What do you think vs 804 d3 B&W It lo help me to take a decision THANK U

[@Maxime-ho9iv]

It is very surprising, those tweeters sound absolutely marvelous on my Sopra 3. They are very defined, yet refined and not bright at all.

[@therealshanelee]

Different tweeter.

[@simoh3373]

When are you going to run them in the theatre with the center?

[@davidrivera2165]

Focal Kantas sound is most definately bright and edgy. You would need a Tube preamplifier to take the edge off. I personally like the Sopra no.3. Now the Utopia line is truly world class.

[@unklecorky2181]

You think the Luxman 507 MK2 would compliment the Brightness of the Kanta?

[@johnkru1295]

I have two Hafler 9505 amps, one for each Kanta 3. Haflers use mosfits. 750 watts per channel and sounds good.

[@johnkru1295]

Sopra 3 are close to twice the cost. If I had bought those, wife would have killed me before I heard them.

[@Julsnalice]

When no2 where new they where very bright, after 50-60 hours they become very soft in the high end even on the most horrible sibilant TTTT SSSS tracks they tame them easily. Be tweeters need long break in periods and a decently damped room, always have. That being said the no2 x/over is slightly higher than the no3, so maybe something is different.

[@connorduke4619]

Not clear to me what Dac you'reusing, but an R2R dac can roll off transient edges a tad.

[@gregjones2472]

All i needed to know

[@johnvanpolen3437]

Did you properly break in the speakers? Never judge a loudspeaker fresh out of the box; let in run in for a month. Furthermore, it may very well be that the Kanta just reproduces issues in your system such as bad cabling, polluted power and so on. My experience with loudspeakers from Focal and Thiel is that these initially may sound bright, but eventually strike a fine balance if you optimize your system. If you're not into that and want a cosy sounding speaker right out of the box, look elsewhere.

[@therealshanelee]

We never break them in. We take them right out of the box and start shooting the video. Then we upload the review to KZbin 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@dillonquackenbush3895]

Will you still do the Kanta Home Theater review?

[@Audioholics]

Unplug the batteries on your AQ cables for less brightness 🌞

[@da7omi911]

what is the difference between kanta line up and sopra which is better

[@Rascallucci]

That's a bit disappointing considering the price point ain't exactly cheap neither. I put them round about the same range as Sonus Faber Olympica Nova V, Dynaudio Contour 60i, B&W 804 D3 or D4 now. Judging by your review on the Kanta No.3, would you rather pick one of those mentioned alternatives instead?

[@Cooliewhistles]

I have kanta one and am extremely treble sensitive. I have no issues with them! Otoh b&w kills my ears. Some other variable must be at play

[@geohof]

Pull them into the theater room and run them on the trinnov and McIntosh.. the Macs will warm them up and you can roll off the highs….. I bet they would sound awesome!

[@kman7222]

very very nice!

[@backrack01]

Another example of...everyone needs to listen for yourself. To buy speakers in this price range online is crazy. :)

[@sajihassan]

I have Kanta no 2 and they are not bright. Was the speakers burned in.

[@royr5527]

Shane it's those Audio Quest cables that are killing the sound man 😆 🤣

[@unklecorky2181]

I thought Audio Quest cables were decent? I'm new to home audio and I purchased the Rocket 33's as a safe bet.

[@Matt-sv6tq]

Kanta 3 + Doge 8 preamp (NoS tubes) + Musical Fidelity M8-500s + Denafrips Pontus ii = heaven and Kanta 3s are tamed and not bright at all. I also auditioned both the Kanta 3s and Sopra 3s and chose the Kanta 3s. Preferred the sound. I actually thought Kanta 3s were more forgiving.

[@gabeah]

Lol, wow. That definitely something I’ve never heard. Goes to show how much room, power and source can make a difference.

[@unklecorky2181]

Are they forgiving with Harsh or low quality heavy metal or hard rock recordings?

[@Matt-sv6tq]

@@unklecorky2181 recording quality definately plays a part. It collapses the sound stage and airiness with poor recording. Harsh recordings will fatigue over time - these are not rolled off speakers - but the tube preamp def helps to remove any clinical sounding reproduction and bring it more towards a vinyl sound.

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

Those are beautiful speakers. If they sound as good as they look then these are winners. Bright speakers are not my friends. Hopefully Focal will tweak the tweeter.

[@ronniebona359]

I have the Dynaudio Heritage speaks and was considering these. How do you think they compare? Would my Luxman 509x be suffice in handling? And lastly do you think it would be worth it to go up to the Sopra 2 instead? Thanks

[@therealshanelee]

Sopras are better.

[@aaronfriedman8201]

These speakers are not bright. They actually have a tweeter that is less bright than the one in the Sopra. They were measured many times and never showed bump in the highs. It is something else going on in your place. I run the Kantas 2 with ATI digital amp and they can sound extremely warm if I want them to.

[@Bleakend]

I agree; I listened to them in the store with the Uniti Star. I would say they are extremely detailed with no harshness.

[@kingtrance307]

Try Martin Logan’s new FT X200 on for size. You can find them for around 4 grand a pair if you look around. Definitely worth a listen and they sound great. The Motion 60’s ain’t bad either. I can’t say if the Kanta 3’s are worth it as they’re not in my wheelhouse. If I ever win the lottery then I will consider the Sopra 3’s… 👍

[@frankygoossens955]

I had the Sopra1 with Hegel H590, and for me the sound was to bright and on the cold side. I change to the Kanta2 and the sound was warmer and much more to my liking. There is a difference in tuning between the kanta2 and 3, that's why the Kanta3 is more on the bright side.

[@Evil_Peter]

Personally I think that the combination of Focal and Hegel (at least more recent models as they've changed their sound) is too bright. I have Kanta 3 speakers and when I tried that Hegel amp the sound was quite straining and I could never make it sound good, despite that it's a really good amp. Now I have a Technics SU-R1000 and not even bright recordings are too bright, yet the speakers remain very detailed and resolving. Matching speakers and amp (and the room of course) makes a huge difference.

[@SirMountainpass]

@@Evil_Peter I much support your statement from my personal experience! The SU-R 1000 is currently on my short-list.

[@mattgiunt]

Stunning looking but I pass on any kind of treble issues.

[@raymondtaveras9371]

Maybe you need tube amps for those speakers I’ve haven’t heard those

[@dman7776]

I see on the focal website they recommend a room at least 430 square feet for these speakers. Could this be why the tweeter sounded so edgy and harsh in your review?

[@ashulman2008]

I auditioned these speakers at length and they were not over bright. Not too warm either. I'd wonder if they were run in.

[@therealshanelee]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6jPlWuii6dmi8k

[@ZijaVisionQuest]

Agree...Breaking in Focal speakers is key on the optimization and balance of ANY Focal speakers, especially their high end speakers. Great point. Love my Focal Utopia's in my car and my Focal speakers in my HI Fi set up at home. Cheers

[@ofir5000]

You didn't let them break in that's why they were bright

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

What's a reasonable price for a 7.1 system in the Kanta series? (Center, Front L/R and 4 surrounds)

[@therealshanelee]

Depends if you’re doing towers or bookshelves.

[@genkifd]

may i ask what are the sound treatments in your 2 channel room?

[@therealshanelee]

Removable panels.

[@neilmarktaylor4386]

That one big ass box

[@johnkru1295]

I've owned a pair of Kanta 3 since 11/19. They are great but don't point the tweeters at your ears like the manual says. Damn things gave me tinnitus. My own fault for the volume. Don't let it happen to you!

[@jctai100]

hmmm, maybe with a dark McIntosh tube amp?

[@Roof_Pizza]

I always think that if you have to change your electronics to match your speakers you have the wrong speakers.

[@mikehuntington4440]

@@Roof_Pizza I disagree. The speakers should be the foundation of your system. Try and get as good of speakers that you can, then tailor everything else to get them, sounding the best or to your liking.

[@johnkru1295]

Any speaker is only as good as the music source. Try Dream Theater, Distant Memories on blu-ray. Amazing, clear recording.

[@richardmyers7181]

Shane dont forget to run the speakers in then you will hear them properly they will sing better 3 weeks to a month i done this with the klh kendalls so take the time my speakers are connected to my marantz sr 7013

[@Novilicious]

Focal Kanta’ sound below sound best with tube amps…otherwise it’s like 👂 ear bleed . Sopras are best with solid state. Hence the disparity!

[@chebrubin]

We got to work on your space. The drapes need to go.

[@BoostedIS]

The brightness of the speakers has little to do with the tweeters themselves. You are hearing differences in the crossover design. You are blaming the wrong thing!

[@gabe6959]

I cant wait till im rich lol

[@DigitalDonAV]

I would not call them warm...more like "Hot like Wasabi!" when they bust rhymes... Seriously, slightly forward of neutral but not bright.

[@therealshanelee]

LIES! ALL LIES! 😳

[@MrChaggy123]

Focal is not bright but they need a loot of break in time so don’t do critical listening before at least 150hours

[@MrChaggy123]

They are brighter then many others yes but you need the right amp it’s very important

[@rainman3269]

The Kanta 2 _ 3 are light weight in sound and don't dig deep ... Shame really ... The Sopra are better across the range

[@senseisprotege3632]

These are $10,000 😮‍💨

[@mikechivy]

15,000 lol

[@willbuckley54]

Why would the engineers at Focal make a 10grand hi end speaker that has a bright and brittly top-end? Answer - they wouldn't. Do you think these guys would sit down and listen to the finished product and say ' say guys it sounds very bright on the top end - but no matter'? Answer - they wouldn't.

[@therealshanelee]

There's a reason why they have a step up model 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@JMAudioEditions]

Vandersteen are much better than Focal for me

[@lboogie9362]

Finally somebody gave an honest review of these speakers.

[@aaronfriedman8201]

They are not very bright.

[@lboogie9362]

@@aaronfriedman8201 your tell ing me this because! Guy I don't need your opinion. You don't even know me. Kick rocks

[@slyfoxx8540]

@@lboogie9362 then don't write opinions in a youtube thread. Bit sensitive eh🤣

[@johnkru1295]

Not too bright with a quality recording.

[@sandrobuijs1123]

The Kanta 2 are not sharp at all!!

[@therealshanelee]

These aren't the 2's.

[@birgerolovsson5203]

Different pair of speaker cables can take away all the "over brightness".

[@Roof_Pizza]

lol.

[@user-yk4fp5dp4k]

It s better for the French not do any technique, perfume and croissants are all they can.

[@jmboudou2950]

Gros bisous !

[@user-yk4fp5dp4k]

@@jmboudou2950 Now look kzbin.info/www/bejne/rX7PeaufrbpoaJI what its made of.English subtitles

[@user-yk4fp5dp4k]

@@jmboudou2950 Chek out the alteration of the AC kzbin.info/www/bejne/emW9f4GVZ7WpjJI crossover focal how many engineering miscalculation there are.You Don't need redo there AC Dynaudio contour 20 evirything is fine.Dynaudio forever.

[@user-yk4fp5dp4k]

@@jmboudou2950 Now they sounded and how they can sound kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp_Egpyjjdmqp8U