Pure Music - Marantz Model 30 - Bowers 805D3 - DALI Rubicon 6 - Focal Sopra No1

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Check our review and lossless wav-samples here: English: alpha-audio.net/review/review-marantz-model-30-en-sacd-30n/ Dutch: www.alpha-audio.nl/review/review-marantz-model-30-en-sacd-30n/

[@jasonlow7802]

No more...

[@davecroucher6063]

WOW I truly appreciate the quick shifts between the speakers! When longer clips are demoed and the restarted the differences aren't as easily recognized! B&W or FOCAL for the win imo. The towers were muddy and flat.

[@philipnel8471]

For me the FOCAl are a bit forward sounding if that makes sense as if the Vocals are pushed forward?

[@bikemike1118]

The B&W sounds a bit more congested regarding vocals here …to my ears

[@williammeincke9071]

@@philipnel8471i agree i hear the same

[@paulzenco6182]

Sound comes alive with the Focals.

[@hrvojekant9415]

Most bass and authority Dali...most energetic and analitic sound Focal

[@skip1835]

geeze - maybe it's me, not looking to spar with anyone - but I'm just a bit surprised at the affection for the Focals in the comments - awesome speaker, every model they make, but my ears are telling me the Dali's are the most natural of these 3 - Actually, I agree completely with Nike Husk's comment and based on what I'm hearing, I'm buying the Rubicon's. Thanks for posting - excellent vid and great comparisons!

[@robladw2332]

Those Focals are firecrackers. It sounds like those Dali are playing through a pillow sometimes, and seem a little lifeless. Focals and B&W are clear winners. Focals are easily the most fun and engaging of these speakers. Now you guys have me wanting to get the Focals with a Yamaha 1200 and claim victory!

[@marksolstafir]

Focals sound amazing with this combo.

[@AmbientWanderer]

i agree

[@ivandragicevic6786]

@@AmbientWanderer the best combo

[@polyho4903]

Yes, Focals's bass stronger than B&W 805!

[@robladw2332]

@@polyho4903 Yes these Focal are real fire crackers without being overly bright. They have pep, energy and are easily the most fun and engaging of the bunch. Dali lack energy and seem to be muffled by a pillow sometimes in comparison. B&W seem to be reaching to hard to be pure audiophile and analytical while they are better than the Dali they lack the enthusiasm of the Focal everywhere except in the top end.

[@geraldhilderink5686]

I don’t like the focals in the combo.

[@antoniorivera1646]

Focal and B&W different league. Amazing video. Thanks!👍

[@alexvanschaik4753]

Super video, very enlightening, thanks! Focal is the clear winner for me.

[@nikehusk3849]

Dali warm, classic sound. B&W bright and crisp. Focal forward sounding.

[@mctapia12]

Exactly

[@michaelmasztal7871]

The Focal seemed to be the most dynamic, but I'd probably get fatigue listening to them for a long time. I prefer the Dali. B&W ain't doing it for me.

[@sesnuev]

Those Focals OMG amazing!!!

[@quazar912]

and you conclude that - how? you didn`t notice lack of bass?

[@harrisedgar]

Wonderful... thi is the propper way to compare speakers.. Thank you.

[@ryanstanley2985]

What a great video keep up this good work. Focal is my taste

[@richardaston4752]

The B&W's grew on me. I'm not a fan but they had their merits. Surprising. Great vid... lovely amp

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

Focals aint focking around, they are easily the best souding ones here, and everywhere else. That tweeter... that tweeter...

[@viveshsahu7229]

Great video and sound!! Specially the adele track. Listened to many times before but not with this level of clarity. The B&W sounds great.

[@wenc8796]

The B&W 805 D3 speakers have a clean and clear vocal. The mid bass is fast and tight; plus, the high sparkles with details. They do seem to lack some bass (mid and low) especially at the lower region compared with the others. The Focal Sopra No1 speakers have a more pronounced and forward vocal characteristic. They sound warmer than the others. The bass punches low but doesn't sound as well defined as the others. The Dali Rubicon 6 has the tightest bass and can play much lower. The mids and highs are linear; however, they lack just a bit of finesse in the vocal compared with the other two. Personal opinion: sound wise, I prefer the B&W > Focal> Dali.

[@antonisxenos1053]

Firstly kudos and admiration for the impeccable presentation. Seamless changes, they take hours to complete, sound recording excellent, even the posters complete a perfect video. To my 66 year old ears the Focals produce a more room filling sound than the rest and great clarity. The Dalis come close and the Bowers try their best. I listened with an ASUS Sonic Master lap top. Many thanks.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thank you for these kind words! Glad you like the video!

[@stuclark5081]

Yep, I second that, huge amount of work.

[@paulzenco6182]

Wow, Focals sound so much better than the others. They are good, but Focal i s on another level.

[@JingoLoBa57]

Dry nice comparator video, cleverly edited. Well done. Floorstander Dali are obvious choice. Better balanced even if rather crisp.

[@hqiu6828]

Impressed by the Focal Sopra!

[@freethinksman4393]

This gives a good idea how each speaker sounds off-axis. It really doesn't suggest what they would sound like at the listening position with speakers in an equilateral triangle with the listener in a chair.

[@migelangelo8753]

Beautiful sound from Marantz Model 30!

[@tomwebb7091]

@@tomaskroupakkfoto4132 lol no chance you must be lieing.... Yamaha boring, flat, no dimensionality. Marantz has actual harmonic colour and very 3d staging. Even the AS3000/3200 are laughably bad sounding.

[@peterprimes497]

@@tomaskroupakkfoto4132 Yamaha is 50% more expensive so it should beat it somewhat

[@kvrhifi]

Focal sounds good through this video . I listened through my system. Dali - heavy bass with warm sound . D3 has some issues at lower triple frequencies. Focal vocals separation very good and All rounder and musical

[@TheAlphaAudio]

That is a very 'spot on' analysis!

[@sarahX..]

yes i totally agree with this analysis too ... immediately i especially noticed the beautiful extended natural top end of the Focal with nice integration through to the bottom

[@stuclark5081]

TOP JOB!! Fantastic video, this is exactly what so many of us actually want to hear. Because hearing is so subjective ‘this’ enables us to actually mane informed decisions due to you excellent recording equipment & techniques! For me personally the 805 D3 was a clear winner because I hear the proportionate pronunciation that makes them far more realistic. I hear the Focal with consistent forward vocal but lacking a mid. The Dali I hear a lovely warm tone but very little definition & no real presentation in the voice. But I could only pick all that ‘blah blah’ out due to your packaged presentation. To everyone else it’s ‘blah blah’ but to me it has enabled me to make a 100% decision on a few things. I went away after initially listening to this & then returning to comment & subscribe. While away I found my perfect match, well, 1 of 3 😂. Great job. My decision is Bowers & Wilkins 805 D3 with MICHI X3. I would like the P5 & X5 but budget……. If I had to compromise I would go 705 S2 with ROTEL RA-6000. Only saying all this in case it helps someone think about a pairing they may not have thought of…… But basically your video enabled me to decide on a speaker, & if I couldn’t match it then I have a good compromise. I didn’t know what I was looking to ‘hear’. Now I do. So thanks! Please do more of these with a speaker pair & different amps, although I know it’s a huge amount of work to put all that together.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks man. Glad we can help!

[@siqueira2005]

Listening in 2024❤

[@marlonhouston6685]

Focal is the best of the best. Hands down. 😍🤩💖

[@sdc911]

The Vocals just pop in this video. Beautiful

[@DougMen1]

The Focal always wins these comparisons. There's a reason that they're Alpha Audio's reference speakers, because they can't be beat.

[@johnhymanful]

I wasn't certain that I'd hear much difference, playing through a PC with AudioEngine speakers and DAC, but the FOCAL's shone. They offered more detail, more brilliance, and a greater vibrancy. I own B&W on my home theater and was a bit biased until I finished all three tracks. Focal was my choice, followed by the B&W.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks for the feedback. Appreciate it!

[@mobeau]

I have come back after a year from first viewing this video. My system is pretty neutral, allowing me to discern differences, in the "better system" comparison videos such as yours. I remember that "around 1000?" Integrated amp shoot out, and how that Primare unit showed out in a most outstanding manner! Having said all that, these "newbreed" Marantz units paired with the Focals are knocking the ball out of the park! No contest, IMHO. Again, nice job, and thank you.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Welcome!

[@dule384]

Focal Sopra No1 win

[@Gassten]

805 d3 took it home

[@alejandrorueda3786]

Dalí the best sound !!

[@roa5359]

Folks will probably call it ‘resolution’ but the Bowers just sound too tizzy for me, as always. KZbin limitations notwithstanding. The Focals seem mid range forward and the Dalis dynamically stunted. I don’t like any of them 😊 but thank you for the comparison. Nice vid.

[@davidyeh5245]

Excellent review, thanks. Focal is very interesting and surprisingly better.

[@Borednlonely]

Subd. Thank you for these videos. Although not a complete audition it really helps with understanding which speakers to audition in person.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

That is the idea. Thanks!

[@siqueira2005]

Focal Sopra n.1 !! Very Nice !!

[@gregswoboda5535]

by FAR the best abc demo i've ever seen for speakers. I used to do this frequently with wires. too fiddly with speakers, making this all the better for me! Focal in this system has to be the best, B&W need very forward wires (which i happen to have in my 803D setup. Sadly, the Dali pales in this setup, added bass sounds very tubby and not tonally accurate. GREAT DEMO! Kudos!

[@juststuff5216]

I hate to say it, but it's Focal - hands down!

[@michaelkudela3843]

Excellent job, guys, thank you! My favourite is 805 D3, but Focall surprised me from the first tones. I think Focall sounds after a while little bit too crispy, BW might be better all-rounder, but probably calls for some bigger power-station :-) What about the same comparison with the new Michi series ;-) Once again, thank you, very professional and unique comparison!

[@arcforceworld]

them Focal's though... jeez they sound good!

[@nijo6480]

True. In the past they were called jm lab. and back then they were already the best speakers i ever heard. But today they still sound as one of the best. Neck and neck with sonus faber.

[@RP-ms7lu]

Nice clear musical sound. Yamaha excel with focal.

[@toffe2ventil]

The 805D3 is the better speakers to my ears, more alive.

[@TheKeldman]

Crispy and tight with those Focal`s - clear winner here

[@AmbientWanderer]

The Focals just sound so well balanced and really musical!

[@josephlam9161]

Absolutely agree

[@rustypipe]

I agree

[@philipgardiner2003]

110%

[@amigoz3201]

Thanks for your reviews, it is really helping me to chooce maybe lucky ticket for my next audio journey trip! :)

[@TheAlphaAudio]

You are welcome. Thank you for the kind words.

[@romanplacek9425]

Focal super vocal.Dali best for disco 80 years.

[@johnhofmann8614]

Best played by Focal Sopra☝

[@brianlee8877]

I also like the Focals combo

[@garys_shave]

I liked the small Focals.

[@nycbass78]

The Focals are a combo of the other 2 speakers ,but I like the B$W also but not as much as those Focals!!😍😍

[@osangulon]

For me it is clearly Focal. Really very good. The Marantz combination with the Focals, that's all I need to listen to music really well.

[@huijskes]

By Far de Focals. Jeetje wat springen die er uit zeg. Die zijn echt awesome. De B&W klinkt continu "bedompd" .. ik weet niet hoe ik dat moet zeggen. Ze sprankelen niet.

[@agassi1469]

Zelfs ik als B&W “fan” moet zeggen dat de Focal echt heel lekker klinkt! De B&W lijkt iets neutraler en minder spannend te klinken en lijkt wat fundament te missen, de Dali klinkt in vergelijking niet open in het midden en hoog is nogal terughoudend en het laag is nogal prominent en lijkt niet zo strak, ik zou t graag een keer in het echt willen horen. Bedankt voor de impressie.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

De Bowers heeft ook écht minder laagfundament dan de Focal. Op elke versterker die we hebben gehad. De DALI is een andere klasse dan deze twee. Dat is hoorbaar.

[@davidhsharpe]

Brilliant video. Focals for me.

[@imrulhaque]

Focal is very musical but in don’t have any idea if it’s going give listening fatigue after a long listening hours. I was a B&W fan ( I still have them) until I purchased TAD S1-EX. Only thing I own from Dali is a subwoofer so just like Focal I don’t have any idea. Thanks for such a wonderful upload.

[@andrewweis5857]

The B&W are most naturally voiced.

[@willh9650]

I can't believe you could actually hear the difference thru youtube. But agree with others, the Focal sounds amazing.

[@EUK007]

1st Place: Focal Sopra No1 2nd Place: DALI Rubicon 6 3rd Place: Bowers & Wilkins 805D3

[@fala86able]

I am really surprised with all those comments. I listened to this on pretty good headphones and my impressions are a bit different. Focals actually sound really harsh especially in Adelle's part, it sounds too forward and loud and even a bit distorted as if she'd like to scream through/compete with the other instruments, I did not have much pleasure listening to this. With less instruments these actually sound really good though. With B&W I do not really like the lower models - but I am impressed with this one - it's way more balanced than Focal and I can hear more detail and subtelty in her voice. Though I still would like deeper sound in some parts. Dali has more fullness to the soundstage which is a bit lowered - maybe due to having more bass - sometimes a bit too much to my taste. But that might also be a problem with the mic and recording rather than the speaker itself. I think I would lean toward B&W personally here.

[@xsAMOR]

Me too, was searching a comment like yours. Everyone deciding just from listening through their own system, and at the Focal's it happens something, a jump towards listener, and that is the deciding factor here. I have a pair of Dali's and the B&W's, wanted to buy Focals because they were interesting to me. I auditioned them and after 5 seconds of listening I feel attacked, it's not pleasant at all like here in this video, they are no-go for me. With B&W I have problem listening at a longer time period, Dali's are just right for me. They also sound open compared to B&W.

[@Rascallucci]

B&W all day. Whenever you listen to female vocals type tracks, first of all in my opinion within typical home settings, standmounts usually have an edge unless the room is huge. They just have a cleaner and more transparent sound without colouration as compared to floorstanders which is what you need when you are listening to vocal tracks. When I listen to the Dali, the bass is just too heavy and intrusive which takes away from Adele's performance both musically as well as emotionally. And in terms of the standmounts, the 805 D3's are without doubt one of the best out there. In this case as compared to the Focal, I find the B&W just has a more refined sound and more airy up top with a little more resolution. That would be my take. I am not familiar with what brands you carry, for a track like this one, if someone is strictly looking for a pair of fllorstanders, I would probably give Sonus Faber's Olympica Nova III or V a go.

[@tonyweimar2390]

absolutely not , the focal sound way better!

[@stevenoconnor5693]

@@tonyweimar2390 no one is wrong or right all personal opinion even with the science.

[@joanpreciouskisakye3171]

Very beautiful set up ! Thank you !

[@milanmihajlovic8569]

Focal all the way.

[@filipkrstevski5449]

focals are the best

[@citycafe291267]

thanks for your nice test

[@pabloosvaldopenizzotto1098]

After listening to the whole video I think I prefer the vocals! ...and again, congratulations for the amazing comparison

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Welcome!

[@ricogarcia8604]

805 the best!

[@frankabarca9189]

I liked B & W's the sound to my ears is cleaner

[@mgsee]

The Focals shine here for me - I just feel effortlessly drawn into the music. The other two speakers emphasise different parts of the music, whereas the Focals have everything sounding just right! I just checked their retail prices - such a surprise! I was expecting the Focals to be from a price bracket above the other two!

[@TheAlphaAudio]

I agree: the Sopra's are not cheap, but I think it's decent.

[@philipgardiner2003]

Me too. I own a pair of Electra 1008 BE’s and will never sell them. The Sopra’s are on my short list when I’m ready to upgrade. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGGwioyCi66aqbc

[@pinarellospeedracer]

I will have to say that the Focal Sopra is the win win

[@biliescu]

short sections are much more telling. For me Sopra are the clear winner!

[@craigandjudyhartnoll4376]

You could live with any of them, but my choice would be Focal.

[@СтепанТерзян-д4я]

Focals Sopra No1. sound amazing .

[@JLSGK]

In comparison to the Focals, the B&Ws sound as if Adele recorded the song during COVID-19 with a face mask on.

[@leroy7647]

Rubicon the same for me. Listen to the song on your own stereo and I think you'll find it sounds samilar regarding the facemask. I think the song is more to blame than the speakers ;)

[@MrGfunk215]

B&W’s were nice and crisp, warm but but also slightly tight 🔥🔥🔥

[@rpechler6965]

I always loved B&W and grew up with them. But as I was experimenting with Dolby A tweaks I've learned that air adds some extension and binding. The focals do that clearly in multiple demo's. Would love to try them on my set.

[@paganrythyms]

Focal all day!

[@SwagatRath]

Focals sound so li(o)vely!!

[@ryanronaldmanalastas6250]

Focal is the best here for me.

[@rlwings]

Definitely the black bookshelves sound the best

[@redleather100]

Those focals are insane the shimmer of that hi hat and tambourine combo . You can’t hear on the other two.

[@dzhogov]

Focal just killed it. So balanced and rich you could hear everything. B&W pierced a hole to my eardrum with the trebel soooo much trebel sounding too bright. DALI meh not bad.

[@sarahX..]

Immediately i especially noticed the nice extended natural top end of the Focal with nice presence and good integration through to the bottom... musical. The B&W somewhat shadowed in comparison and did not care for the Dali much

[@darrenlomax1283]

Dali Rubicon s are superb in the flesh.

[@alexanderlange6670]

in my opinion is the BW Nr. 1, then focal and then Dali; maybe it depends on the music; the both compact speakers do I like more

[@Hpr1]

Focal win

[@vlax12]

I did blind ABC test and I knew exactly when Focal Sopra is playing.I didn't know that it is Focal until the end but I liked it a lot more then other two. Dali and Bowers are hard to distinguish but both sounds compressed against Sopra.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks for trying!

[@yippie6862]

OK, I went back and forth listening with this video and the previous video with the NAD M33, same Adele song. I much prefer this Marantz combinations sound signature. The NAD is more refined and smooth sounding overall. But, has less punchy bass and is boring in comparison. I feel much more involved in the music with the Marantz combination. It's fun. The NAD is overly smooth. The Marantz combination may cost a little more but I think it's worth it on sound quality alone. Plus, you get a true analogue amplifier that won't digitize your line inputs or most importantly the phono input. You also have the ability to play actual CD's and SACD's.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

It definately is a different amp. :-).

[@stefanitu]

Wow, I pleased so see other people have same problem as I have. I was pretty much decided for a M33 when the guy in the shop showed me the Model 30 which popped in days before. I listened M33 and the sound is quite smooth, even smoother than C388 which I find a very good amp in its class. So, for M33 I really needed a sub woofer B&W DB3 which I listened with the speakers I want B&W 603S2 AE and to have a sound complete with M33 I really need the woofer. Well, when I listened to Model 30 (and 30n), the sound with Marantz is much richer, even the lows sound better without woofer (because I can't put a woofer in Model 30), so I really have a hard time choosing in between the two. I listened to both, I like more Marantz in music, I mostly listen music, but I think also of using the system for a movie or so where the lows are not great only with 603S2 but movies are marginal for me. The problem is that Marantz is really the new guy on the market and I have not so many reviews about other aspects of the device(s). I watched both reviews of Jaap with Model 30 and M33 and he seems much more pleased with the sound of M33. He was not very vocal with Model 30. ​@@TheAlphaAudio , any thought or suggestion is highly appreciated. You do a great job guys! Thanks!

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@@stefanitu the M33 is much tighter in the bass. So maybe you think the Marantz has more low energy... It's Just less tight. That can sound pleasing. I do like both amps. But the streaming part of NAD is MUCH better. Also... The M33 is one box, so no cables... Saves some money. Sound and matching is personal. The M33 will power anything. You will hear the speaker. The Marantz has a signature. You like that... That's fine... Loads of people like the Marantz sound. The NAD is more natural. I like that.

[@morespinach9832]

Yamaha S2100 or Hegel H190 would be stellar.

[@claptoned0]

Focal is a good association.

[@nickdad7136]

I like the sound of BnW. Clear n punchy.

[@SZTILER]

1-focal, 2 b&w👍👍👏👏

[@tiborbado816]

Focal -excelent...

[@billarmstrong5568]

Really interesting test, thx for posting. And my slight preference is for the B&Ws with the Focals a very close second👍

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks!

[@davecroucher6063]

Agreed Fantastic clarity, dancing on the edge of to forward & bright but not going over! W O W

[@Hutzjohn]

At this point it all depends on (YOUR) hearing ability. They are all fantastic speakers. Some people hear different frequencies at different levels what 1 can easily hear -- his brother may not hear it at all ---- just like almost eveyone wears different eyeglasses their perscriptions are different.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Indeed..

[@siqueira2005]

Very Nice 💕

[@aussie8114]

Very nicely recorded comparison

[@bbr8888]

Focal is the best for me

[@SirMountainpass]

Sopra 1 all the way ☺

[@mikaelneminadane7413]

Sopra are the best for me.

[@philipgardiner2003]

Could you do a comparison of Devore O96, Audio Vector Arete 3 and Sopra 1…just for me…😅

[@TheAlphaAudio]

That will be hard... Sorry.