Focal Kanta No. 3 Loudspeaker Review: Performance Meets Style

We had Focal send Shane Bolin from Sparechange their flagship speakers from the Kanta line for review.
The Kanta No.3 combines Flax cone woofers with a Beryllium tweeter in a time aligned arrangement. Focal claims Flax cones are made from high-quality flax fibers core enclosed by two thin layers of glass fiber. The result is an extremely light and rigid cone with excellent damping properties. Their IAL3 tweeter combines the IAL (Infinite Acoustic Loading) and IHL (Infinite Horn Loading) features which are both said to help with the absorption of waves, thus lowering the tweeter frequency. The cabinet is made in one-piece integrally moulded wood with a zamac base that increases stability and isolates the cabinet vibrations to the floor. The Kanta Center shares the same driver technology of the No.3 in a compact MTM horizontal arrangement. The finish for the Kanta speakers in this review is Walnut high-gloss. To round out the system's bass response, Focal sent two 1000 F 12" 1000 watt subwoofers.
Focal Kanta No. 3 MSRP: $13,990/pair
Focal Kanta Center MSRP: $3,495/ea
Focal Sub 1000 F MSRP: $1,990/ea
For the full written review, please visit:
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SVS SB-1000 Pro: bit.ly/3c0rwsf
SVS PB-1000 Pro: bit.ly/3aWzdAg
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Yamaha RX-A2A: amzn.to/3kUYnTS
Denon AVR-X6700H 11.2CH AV Receiver: amzn.to/38zHjMr
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Polk R700 Tower Speakers: amzn.to/3BF2wC3
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Sony SSCS5 Speakers: amzn.to/2ndEn56
Monoprice Encore B6 Bookshelfs: bit.ly/3mU7E0t
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[@esolo4751]

I Kanta afford these but I love focal as a brand and would love to hear these someday.

[@kewlbug]

Man, this is cool seeing Sparchange up on Audioholics.. hope you guys can buddy up with more youtubers

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

I have got to try focal this year ! Thanks for the video

[@powerguymark]

Too rich for my blood. Glad you can enjoy toys like that.

[@1997inspire]

Those are beautiful speakers especially the centre channel . Tweeter housing unique and classy.

[@Zoomerland]

I recently powered up my new Sopra N3s and they were bright. After tilting the speakers back and some tweeking, they sounded just right. Focal is a super detailed speaker and I would suggest avoid them if you get fatigued with such speakers.

[@-MarkWinston-]

We want Gene, we want Gene, we want Gene! And most importantly we want measurements.

[@ponchantos]

I have the sopras in the focal brand. Question guys or what was told to me at the store. I think with these speakers there's a break in Period. The speakers sound phenomenal now after numerous hours of break. I think the harshness is there in the first hours. But I'm sure you already know this. Having said that I'm just a focal fan and I love their sound and quality detail in looks as well 👌 Ps your reviews are always great. Always thanks for the info.

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

More affordable in France for sure. Interestingly enough, I did prefer the Focal sound vs the Procella during the brief excerpt you played for comparison. Thanks for the video!

[@Adream-lf3mw]

The Procella sounded muffled.

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

@@Adream-lf3mw exactly!

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

Nice mini review. I took a hard look at the Sopra 3 (used) and the Wilson Sabrina and ended up with Revel 228be. It just came down to cost as they all somewhat sound similar in a way. Demo pricing on the 228be was a crazy good deal. I feel like they sound closer to the Sopra than Kanta.

[@nomorepictures7673]

Hey gene, I need some quick advice should I go for the denon 4700 or the Yamaha a6a ? Need 9 channels mostly tv/movie watching.

[@mikez-ht7706]

I highly enjoy My Kanta 2, for me they aren't bright at all, more of a nice warmth SQ for me, Running all Marantz gear for my HT setup. Definitely worth the $$, I own them in the white front & black gloss finish, they also sound even better with the IsoAcoustics GAIA II on them. Great video Shane! I'm sure you have seen my KZbin Channel?

[@-MarkWinston-]

Put a space after kanta 2, it will turn up easier. Btw, good vids.

[@thehawkinator449]

How was the response of the centre channel off-axis?

[@andreasmoller9798]

Most intresting speakers at its price

[@CaptHotah]

Love Focal. Can't afford these atm but I'm defenetly buying the Choras this year

[@marct9587]

When I click on your link for the written review, I can't find it there.

[@tdw57]

Ran white noise with high shelf thru mine at medium volume every night for 2 weeks. Tweeters are MUCH improved. Focals can be a bit edgy out of the box.

[@toddausmus7639]

I think you gave the packaging dimensions. The speaker dimensions are (50H×15W×20D)

[@JeromeWendellLLloyd]

Sir does Onkyo TX-NR616 and Jamo S606 HCS 3 match??? Please review it> Thank you!

[@Finn-McCool]

Please believe, there is no need for a question mark in a title such as this video has. The community is savvy enough to have information offered as it is. Just as there is never a need to pose with a mouth agape while pointing at an item as if it has blown the mind of the person reviewing it. Personally it is a deterrent for me when I see such things. Thank you for your contributions to fans of frequency, addicts of audio and connoisseurs of accuracy. -✌🏼

[@itsrecordingman]

what a stupid comment

[@Finn-McCool]

@@itsrecordingman Deal with it

[@annenominous7220]

have you heard the Sopra line side by side with the Kantas, and if so, do you think they are worth the difference in price? Also, as an old person, I can't hear anything beyond 12khz. Thanks for the content.

[@Audioholics]

Sopra's are better for sure but given the choice between a Kanta tower vs Sopra bookshelf with no sub, I'd steer you towards Kanta.

[@Edward135i]

"just a little bright with my Audioquest cables"

[@Adream-lf3mw]

I thought the $10k Audioquest power conditioners compensated for that tho?

[@Ryand0523]

Well these are a bit too expensive, and I am going with a dual Klipsch rf-7 iii and an rc-64 iii, for my front sound stage with a number of in ceiling speakers, and a set of bookshelf’s, and a set of the surrounds…. So I will have to see what I get out of a 7 speaker set up, my first since I’ve only had Samsung sound bars up until now… Since I’m still waiting for the room to be done, which it should be finished in the next month or two, though I am excited especially if I can find an 85 inch or 75 inch x95k tv near me, and based on the quality of how it looks with its dimming zones… but I do not want oled… so as long as it looks good, and doesn’t cost a ton of cash, I will probably buy that this year…

[@mikes361]

I’ll stick with my Paradigm Speakers & Definitive technology Maybe if I save up for 20 years straight I can get a pair of these.

[@ganesang5537]

Wish the center had a bit more bass. But respectably impressive nonetheless.

[@garycampbell6519]

In Australia those Kanta no.3 goes for more than $20000 dallars right up there in price.

[@junior-OG]

damn

[@brickbybrickhometheatre]

Dear Gene, Thanks for your video. I kindly request to make a video on high end av receiver vs high end integrated amp for music. Why integrated amp (ex. Denon PMA-A110 or Luxman L-509x) is better than high end avr (Marantz SR8012) for music?

[@DonnieDorko477]

The crackling of voices through the walkie talkie things in Fury are in the mix. Turn it down and you'll hear it too.

[@-MarkWinston-]

Yup, this just means the Focals are transparent enough to reproduce it with absolute clarity.

[@droidzhunterz6861]

I would love to see Danny from GR-Research tear these fancy speakers apart haha

[@Audioholics]

I'd like to review a GR Research speaker and see how it measures per our standard we subject most of the products we review to 😉

[@spazz954]

I have a set of the x-statics with the upgrades. Previous owner did a terrible build with the flat pack and the solder job looks like a child did it... And they still sound really impressive. The x-voce center to match is even better. Preferred it over my SVS ultra center. And the x-voce is old, back when they used to be carried by a retailer. So it could be upgraded when ever he gets parts in.

[@SwirlingDragonMist]

I would of expected lower extension and higher efficiency. Both my last budget oriented speakers from Kef and Infinity went to 35hz with 91db sensitivity. I’m really into flax as a sustainable material. But kind of a strange pairing with hazardous beryllium. No doubt the flax is high performance, but the contrast between the tweeter and the rest of the system is striking for me, especially the grill cover of the tweeter. It feels rather uninspired, I feel they could draw some inspiration from the radial-symmetry of Paradigm’s phase-guide or whatever they call it.

[@richardmyers7181]

Shane did you run in these speakers

[@therealshanelee]

For months.

[@richardmyers7181]

@@therealshanelee im still running in my klh kendalls with all kinds of music and ordinary tv programs sine wave is no good you have to feed them with music to loosen the baffels

[@richardmyers7181]

@@therealshanelee i have the klh kendalls 5months and they are just starting to sing properly

[@doc666ify]

Beautiful speakers,out of my price range though.

[@EUK007]

Just buy 2 REL T9x subs and it will solved the shortcomings of that Focal subs.

[@JC-bl9bo]

They just be absolutely amazing but whew expensive. I'll never experience them that's for sure.

[@anthonymartino9917]

Get Legacy Focus SE Better speaker for less. Love mine. And far more bottom end.

[@DesmondKarani]

I hope Shane unplugged those Audioquest cables before this review... just for Audioholics audience if anyone has a problem 😁

[@therealshanelee]

Audioquest cables are only on the two channel setup. Aluminum foil is used in the theater.

[@DesmondKarani]

@@therealshanelee Okay Shane, good to know 😂

[@specialformula14]

I find the audio on interstellar was always terrible. It’s just the way it’s mixed. It kinda ruins the movie for me personally.

[@Audioholics]

The plot of Interstellar ruins the movie for me ;)

[@specialformula14]

@@Audioholics lmao. Thanks that made me laugh 😂

[@joes3800]

"Brightest in your system"?... Brighter than B&Ws?

[@therealshanelee]

Definitely.

[@ewmcdade]

Can’t say I’m a fan of the format where you watch a guy watch a movie he’s already seen.

[@therealshanelee]

It's a dumb idea. They should keep doing it the same way everyone else does it.

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Way to get more Fiber in your diet =)

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Kanta Center sounded WAY clearer. Not sibilant in room tho?

[@klewja]

wow that sub looks pretty crappy for $2,100. I would much rather go with JL Audio or Rel even SVS is built better. I think I will stick to my JL F110v2.

[@klewja]

@@douglasacker4923 I have not ever owned a rel sub. I currently own JL Fathom subs which are pricey but well worth it imo.

[@synopticdesigns7868]

What's with the weird pronunciation of Focal.? Ordinarily the emphasis is on the first syllable of that word. Is the pronunciation you use the one the company prefers?

[@-MarkWinston-]

Its Foe-cal as in california. Focal themselves pronouce it that way. Its pronounced right in this vid.

[@Adream-lf3mw]

I wouldn't put look-at-me glam speakers in a dedicated home theater. The reflections will distract you throughout the entire movie. I would only use something with an automotive finish in a music listening room or a media room with a T.V. You don't want to have a projector beaming light at these speakers or anything with a piano gloss finish. Also, for the amount of money Focal wants for that sub (or for the price of any sub in their line up), you will find a better performing sub from: Power Sound Audio, JTR Speakers, SVS, Rhythmik, Monoprice, etc. You do not need to stick with the same brand for subs and speakers, especially for a dedicated home theater. On a side note, why does Focal even bother with speaker grills? Has anyone ever seen a homeowner use their grills on prima donna speakers? C'mon.

[@fubartotale3389]

Who the hell is this guy, where's Gene?

[@c.j.vanwoerden1676]

The reviewer is a subcontractor of Gene.

[@rainman3269]

Shane knows just as much as Gene ... Great review ...

[@pumpituphomeboy]

Respectfully I don't get the point of these videos. I learn absolutely nothing from them and always come away feeling I have wasted 15mins to see 1min worth of content. Why review speakers in a setup that the majority will never buy. 2.0, 2.1 or 5.1 or more should be the only review configurations. Shane always seems to have a mixmatch of speakers for review. (yes I know you take what manufacturers give but refuse to give surround sound review if the supplied speakers dont cover minimum 5.1 only commit to stereo listening music review) Watching someone listen to the speakers on youtube is just silly. A crazy idea........why not measure the speakers in room response with no correction. Do the same with every other speaker you put in your room then post the measurements. At lease then we can see the difference between speakers using your room as a reference point. I understand what you guys are trying to do. It is extremely difficult to portray a sound system through a 3rd party multimedia device or system where the quality of video and audio is mostly subpar. I will try offer some advice. It is easy to knock reviewers like andrew robinson for being non technical and bashing measurements etc. But instead of knocking him look at why he has double the subs and emulate the bits he does right. He always has excellent images of the review speakers installed in his living room space which is PERFECTLY setup for photos b roll etc. Gene you have speakers worth thousands of dollars thrown up against the wall behind you and video is from a crappy webcam. Shane your late night radio voice is great for radio but I hear little to no passion when you talk. It is simple right? Also the late night chats are good buddy chats but really should be on a behind the scenes channel... Try to watch those videos in the morning time as a person who is trying to get good information on some new gear? All a person sees first is a bunch of guys drinking whiskey burning the midnight oil. It is a very fine line between professional marketing video and top grade enthusiast created content. As mentioned already you cannot show the "sound" in youtube. So why not show the speaker in a real world living space looking beautiful and then you as a presenter tell the story of the music and or movies experienced with it. Personally am not a fan of Robinson but I don't doubt for 1 second that he absolutely loves music it is clearly his passion. He is an excellent story teller and his wife commentary at the end widens his channels reach way beyond the audio nerds that we are on this channel. I would also guess that you guys have access to more resources than he has but he makes much better use of his. Last but not least keep up the great work guys......you are amazing people. It is easy for me to come here and pontificate when you are putting in hours and of hard work every week. I really want you to grow and reach the wider audiences that you deserve. It isn't the message but the delivery that needs to change.

[@Audioholics]

I agree online listening tests are silly but there are channels making a career out of this and the audience eats it up, actually thinking they are getting a representative product demo. Shane clearly states this is not the case and shows the demos for illustrative purposes. Doing accurate measurements is time consuming and difficult. We mostly have two people doing loudspeaker measurements for Audioholics on our editorial site and they are among the most accurate and comprehensive in the industry. I'm not a fan of getting our wives to comment in the background about the products. Robinson can corner the market on that feature and if that's something you enjoy, you're welcome to tube in there for it.

[@pumpituphomeboy]

@@Audioholics I wasn't trying to suggest that you bring your wives into the mix. Let me clarify, I was just mentioning that it is nice to hear a non-audiophile person (in this case female), who loves music, giving their opinion on how they heard their favorite music through the speakers or system on review. With respect to your comment about viewers eating up sound demo videos. I sincerely doubt that type of viewer who watches online listening tests read the audioholics editorial site. The audioholic's editorial site is a pillar of the industry and one of the very best sources of data on all things related to audio. James Larson is a beast of a reviewer! Love that guy. Matt and Theo are amazing guys too. Forgive me if you have tried this already but why not try a review video format that follows the formatting of your editorial reviews properly sectioned out. I would love a video in that format with little video clips of the reviewer sitting and listening to 10 second clips of each song or movie followed by their reactions, which is what happens on the editorial right? It is not easy to read criticism. Please understand I am not trying to bring you down. I think you guys are great and just sharing my humble even if misguided opinion to try help. I don't offer ANY such feedback to Robinson. He says measurements don't matter and I say measurements are based on facts not opinions. I am here because I believe you guys should have many times his numbers. I see you trying to switch things around looking to find something that sticks. No doubt the magic formula will present itself in time. And in that time I will continue to subscribe and support. Hope 2022 is a better year!