Upgrading a FOCAL speaker, but does it sound better? Professionally 'DIY'

#hifi #speakers #audiophile #stereo #audioreviews #Focal
Gear used or mentioned in this review
Mcintosh MAC 6700 Integrated Amplifier
Synthesis A40 Tube Integrated Amplifier
Focal 836W speakers
Exasound E28 DAC
Unison Research Little Italy Integrated Tube amp
Klipsch La Scala
Klipsch Cornwall 4
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[@ThomasAndStereo]

For those of you who have not seen my SVS Soundbase and Ultra video -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnymdaeGj9Rmqq8 Leave a comment on what is your position on upgrading speakers.

[@johnsweda2999]

Where is the resistor then in the crossover you've up the value not down? the value it's not the resistor to the driver in line... is it its before the inductor sounds like what you're saying. Those resistors are ok better off with film resistors more accurate at 0.1% 50 Watts plus then you don't need a heat sink! same resistors that Wilson audio use just more accurate tolerance 0.1%. You could put a tube on the back and some thin wire 0.4-0.5 solid core only! like a socket for a ic's chip, just cut two sockets drill too little a hole in the back of the speaker and glue it in place then you can just swap out the resistors when needed for different amplifiers. Probably be put 4 sockets in place then you can add another resistor or capacitor like a 0.1 in parallel with the resistor if you cut a 4 block socket for a chip fix this on the back of the speaker. I bet a Wharfedale pro mp-2800 ab-amplifier would work well with the bass 2800 Watts only £500 a Beast for the price bridgeable and goes down to 2 ohms. You won't have any base problems with one of those lol. I wish you change panels position have you tried? They are in the wrong setting the ones next to the speakers you've got to split it and have 6" between top and bottom panels in line with a tweeter take too much energy out. Make sure you put some Blu-Tack around the driver's as gaskets this is a good improvement for the woofers 6mm bead tweeter 4 mm help with synergy resonance from the cabinet and drivers don't need to crank the drivers squash about half of the given distance so from 6 mm to 3mm

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@@johnsweda2999 Wow, you are way too advance for me!

[@johnsweda2999]

@@ThomasAndStereo no not really what's advanced putting a chip socket on the back of the speaker cabinet for the resistors the best and easiest way to do it savings all that messing about. you can get silver and gold plated sockets, run some cladded silver wire buy on a roll not expensive 0.4 mm, you want to look for silver cladded wire with cotton sheath. Try and get WBT binding posts for your speakers an amplifier get the one with the engineered plastic thread lifetime warranty silver plated You could use the resistance you got but you'll need to measure them with a multimeter 6 gain multimeter get you to 0.1% you got enough so you might be able to match them up for pair of speakers cheaper! they are non induction resistors.?

[@noop0135]

+1 sub for you buddy!! Much love from the netherlands 🇳🇱👊🏻

[@JR-ho5qm]

For me Modifying speakers is my favourite part of the game. I enjoy the chase of squeezing that extra 10% out of a speaker. Danny Ritchies videos have opened up a whole new hobby for me. Glad to see you make videos on this topic 👍🏻

[@wa2368]

I am sure Danny Richie at GR Research can mod these up for those who are interested.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, he seems to have a strong following.

[@Audfile]

Meh

[@cabronesse386]

Congrats Thomas! I'll do similar upgrade if I have the chance, considering of infusing and merging your own sound signature to the product of the brand you love is truly a goal in one's audio journey. You make me drooling BTW!

[@kennygsmooth83]

Thanks for sharing. The modification/restoration on the LaScala looked amazing, wow!!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad you liked it!

[@mattgiunt]

Speakers are beautiful. Based on sound clip they seem to go right to edge of brightness/sibelence but they never cross over. Excellent work.

[@trekjudas]

And they sound just fine in a small room!!!

[@RussThayer]

Nice Thomas! Glad you are happy with the new sound!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks for helping me change the resistor.

[@sickjohnson]

Very cool Thomas, can't wait for the next review!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks! 👍

[@walterpen371]

Congrats on your only one of a kind custom modified speakers. This also was a dream of mind, starting off with the Altec Lansing Santana 2 cabinets. The drivers were toast and tossed out by my friend. Honestly the drivers were average sounding at the time. Now the cabinets are rock solid made (indestructible ). I wanted to put 3 way prof. JBL'S BI-AMPED with top of the line crossovers. Never got around to it due to the cost. Decided to sell the cabinets cheaply to another dreamer. Thumbs up to Mr. & Mrs. Upgrade. Excellent work.

[@FlyGuy457]

Congratulations on your find. It is rare to have your eye on a specific pair of speakers and have them come to market. Best wishes.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, it is like winning the lottery.

[@dksculpture]

I really enjoyed this video. Some people think mods are just subtle tweaks but I’ve found that many of them can dramatically transform a speaker.

[@dksculpture]

PS: I want to hear those Lascalas!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, the change can be so big that it is not even the same speaker.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Once this COVID thing is over, I should go and make a video on it!

[@dksculpture]

@@ThomasAndStereo That’s been my experience too.

[@dksculpture]

@@ThomasAndStereo Yes! I’d love it! ❤️

[@WelkySchullin]

Thx for the video. Love this type of your work!!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@user-wk8wx9nj7m]

Tks Thomas for your answer.

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

Thanks for the sound demo. I like the Cayin

[@billfarrell4387]

Hi Thomas Always a pleasure to hear your take

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks for dropping by.

[@jazzmetalaudiophile]

The one I was waiting for. Thank you Thomas 😊

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Hope you like it!

[@jazzmetalaudiophile]

Yes, great video 😊. Speaker modifications are really appealing to me. Since many high end manufacturers use the drivers from their higher end models for their entry or mid tier models and save their cost on the cabinets and crossovers, which is a great opportunity for modifications. (If you know, or know someone who knows what to do 😅)

[@69Muscle]

I own Focal 726 Towers. They are simply amazing.

[@markfischer3626]

In 1960 I heard two channel stereo for the first time and liked it very much. I was twelve years old and instantly became an audiophile. As time went on I did what audiophiles did, read what they read, shopped what they shopped, believed what they believed. But 14 years later it wasn't good enough. Who told me so? The audiophile industry did. They said what I needed was quadraphonic sound. That was the magic bullet of the day. It was hyped to the sky. When I finally built one and listened to it my first reaction was UGH, what a bummer. Nothing like any concert I'd ever been to and I'd been to a lot. By that time I knew from what I read and from my own experience outdoors most of what I hear in live music comes from reflections, room acoustics. By this time I was a degreed engineer with a very strong background no only in many areas of engineering but of science and tons of math. And then one day like a bolt from the blue I understood sound in my own way, my own mathematical model, my own real invention. And then I understood the problem completely. I also knew what anyone who tried to solve it was up against. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. And so I gave it a shot and contrary to my expectations my ideas worked incredibly well. My days of being an audiophile were over forever. Everything I thought I new was meh, part of the truth at best in some respects, dead wrong in others. So I set out on my own, patented my own ideas, built my own concepts. Insofar as conventional stereo is concerned nobody makes or ever made anything I liked anymore. I've re-engineered many speakers and systems to get the most out of them that is possible but for me two channel audio was always going to be a poor second. I patented some of my ideas but there was no interest so I also have something that is as far as I know one of a kind in the world. I haven't listened to two channel stereo in over three years and except for hunting down recordings on the internet I might want to buy or occasionally in my car, otherwise I'm not interested in it. I also don't like background music. I either listen to music or I don't. About the only thing two channel stereo is good for at best is what a soloist or small ensemble would sound like in your listening room but even there the systems designed today at any price of any type fall far short of what I expect and can do on my own. So what did my miracle cost? For equipment no more than $3000. For my education if I had to buy it today I've computed $500,000 and four of the most grueling years of mental work in my life. It was worth every second of the effort and every cent of the money. BTW this is a very hard problem. Once I understood it, I can see why no one else seems to have made a dent in it and unless they have a much better understanding of sound, acoustics and hearing they never will. It all sounds like hi fi or as someone called it "canned music." OTOH it hardly matters. IMO for what most people call music, buy as music, an ipad playing mp3 and ear buds are good enough.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Mark nice read and you got me really curious about those patents.

[@markfischer3626]

@@ThomasAndStereo I wrote a whole thing on KZbin, touched the wrong key and pfff, it disappeared. So I’m doing these in word from now on and then I’ll cut and paste. I’ll try to make this as short as I can. After my disappointment with quadraphonic sound I wondered if you could ever recreate the sound you’d hear at a live concert from a recording in a home. I thought about how musical instruments launch sound into space, how reflections which is most of what you hear live work, and what reaches your ears. But I thought about sound fields, not equipment. I put it out of my conscious mind busy with other things but then a few weeks later I had a startling AHA! moment. My subconscious mind figured it out and handed it to my conscious mind and like a lightbulb turning on I understood everything. I also understood what I would be up against and why everything else fails. It seemed like an impossibility. But I proved myself wrong. The invention is based on the assumption that under a particular set of circumstances there is a mathematical relationship between the first sound that arrives at your ears and each of the reflections that arrive. That is what my model is about, the mathematical equation for this relationship. The only difference between one and another circumstance is the value of the parameters in the equation. And so comparing what is on the recording and comes out of the main speakers and what reflections should reach your ears that are missing I figured out how to reconstruct them. (The key was a simple trick in calculus. Normally we put a waveform in the time domain or the frequency domain. In this trick the location in time is kept in the time domain but the characterization is put in the frequency domain. And each one has a direction of arrival. Therefore I can account for every reflection individually.) So there are four aspects to each reflection relative to the first arriving sound. What direction does it arrive from, how much later does it arrive, how loud is it, and what spectral changes (you’d say frequency response changes) has it undergone. Reconstruct those reflection, put them together with the sound on the recording from your main speakers and you have the live sound back again. The patent is US# 4,332,979. The invention starts at figure 4 so ignore those before it. They should have been removed, they’re for a different invention. The current prototype is built around a device that incorporated the critical algorithm. I can’t tell you which one. I contacted the manufacturer, told him he infringed on my patent and he never built another one like it. As far as I know neither has anyone else. He did a pretty good job but he made on error and left out an opportunity for a considerable improvement. It took me six years to figure out what he’d done wrong and how to fix it. The system that creates the sound field is a hybrid analog/digital computer, amplifiers, and a lot of small speakers around the room. They use the walls and ceiling to reflect and diffuse the sound fields they create but they are true vector fields. Different delays come from different directions. Everything is adjustable. The patent and prototypes I built is a scaled down simplified and adapted version of the full blown exposition of the idea. I think of it as being “bastardized,” the kindergarten version. It was originally conceived as a scientific research laboratory far too expensive, large, and complex to be used for entertainment and really not suited for that at all. With anechoic recorded material and measured data it could theoretically duplicate with scientific precision any sound field from any space. That is not necessary though, similar totally convincing effects are possible even with this version. To the uninformed eye the design looks like a maze of time delays, equalizers, mixers, and other circuits but there is method to the madness. The closest approach anyone else has arrived it is called Wave Field Synthesis.

[@SuperHondaFitDriver]

Love your videos Thomas! Waiting for your t+a review!

[@MegaPete]

Thomas thanks for the awesome info well done cheers

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jespervedelrieper1992]

So Nice video btw, love it build your own next!🔊👌

[@RealHIFIHelp]

Well done!

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

The restored/upgraded LaScalla looks amazing. I note with interest they appear to have used the same components in the crossover as I used to build my speakers. Solen Litz inductors combined with Obbligato Premium Gold caps. Cool. I did a Google search to check my spelling of Obbligato and realized the definition is "an instrumental part, typically distinctive in effect, which is integral to a piece of music and should not be omitted in performance." In the case of my system it is appropriate since I use them in my amps and my speakers.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yup, Solen is really close to where I live. Nice, you build speakers too?!

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

@@ThomasAndStereo I started by tweaking some vintage speakers but always wanted to build my own. Getting speakers right requires skill. Open baffle are easy to get right so I built something inspired by the Lampizator P17 with 18" woofers and 10" vintage coaxial mid/hi. Of course to me they are amazing but it may be a case of a face only a mother could love :)

[@bernhardmichaelfux308]

WOW! The foto of the La Scalas lightened a fire inside of me! I have bought a few sheets of the same Wood veneer for Speakers some years ago. And to see how good it looks is amazing! I must go on with my Project JBL C38 ! soon! (Until now i just have 1 Cabinet started to be screwed together ...)

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, very inspirational.

[@stephenstevens6573]

Thank you! Someyimes...just sometimes adapting something to your preferences beats chasing what you want from another company! Enjoy!

[@jeffkalina7727]

Love the ending song. Of course the review was good too.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I use it because it is copyright free

[@JoelMelcosky]

I recently sold a pair of modified vintage LaScalas (ALK crossover, new tweeter and eliptrac hf horn) and bought a pair of Focal.Aria 948. As much as I love the Focal, I find myself missing the LaScalas. I will definitely cross paths with another pair in the future.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗 AWESOME...VERY HAPPY FOR YOU AND I THINK YOU WILL GET MUCH ENJOYMENT FROM THEM 🤩 I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THEM 👍 and I would TOTALLY DO THIS ... I think it would be nice if we all had friends with the knowledge,skills and care to do this 😍😍😍

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, I am so lucky to know many knowledgable people.

[@automoto6183]

Congrats Sir its been a while... And still you are a great vloger. I admire you Sir here in the philippines. Im a Fan of yours. I hofe for your continue success in life. I love your speaker a lot. Sometimes i wish i would be like you someday. Hahaaha. Thats funny rigth. Thank you for your reviews and i leaned a lot.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Welcome back!

[@demoncamberx4054]

Just got a pair of Electra 1038 BE2's for $2k new, with slight shipping damage. Fixed the damage (top glass shattered and rear corner dented) and they sound AMAZING

[@ThomasAndStereo]

$2k???!!! You got a deal! Yeah, I am sure they sound amazing.

[@antonyharding5360]

Love it....

[@navinadv]

Wow! Wow! Wow! The 836W (along with the KEF R900, Monitor Audio GX300, a Paradigm, a Salk Sound, a Revel, a Canton, and a few others).were some of the speakers I auditioned in 2012 when I was building my system. Eventually I chose to get my speakers from Rick Craig at Selah Audio. The ones I auditioned had walnut sides and were pretty good. I still remember that audition. In my past I have modified several speakers the first being the Polk SDA1B - changed the 6510/6511 woofers to Peerless TP165R and the SL2000 tweeter to a modified Peerless KO10DT (removed ferry fluid and added a cavity to reduce Fs) and made a whole new crossover. I also beg to differ with your Mr and Mrs. Modifiers. The speakers that offer the highest value in improvement are the Klipsch Forte and Chorus. The original cabinet is poorly damped as are the horns. The crossover also can be greatly improved on. But that is a story for another time. Anyway it was wonderful hearing about these speakers. Thanks. It bought back memories. P.S. Some of my earlier DIY designs used Focal woofers and inverted dome tweeters. The 7N515, 8N515, 10N515, the TC120, the 8K516J, and several others whose names I have forgotten. I used to source these from Denis Oullet at Solem Canada. P.PS. The sandwich cones you refer to are their Polyglass series of woofers.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Wow, thanks for the long comment. I had the GX300 too and I prefer the Focal. Speakers from Rick? Very interesting.

[@florentcharabouska7388]

Hello Thomas, Thank's again for this video. I would like to add sometihing to what you said. Updating crossover is a cheap way to upgrade speakers because manufacturer in their cost approach can easily make savings on crossover components (more easily than on drivers and boxes because drivers and boxes are part of marketing & communication, crossover less in middle range speakers). They can also keep a logical product range and maintain the difference between the different ranges of product. I modified my Sonus Faber Venere 2.5 (based on a GR Research design) and the result is huge.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, thanks for sharing and I completely agree with what you said.

[@robk5745]

This is cool, I owned the 807w and loved it for many years. The way it portrayed the bass needed a change and the fact that this speaker made you listen to one part of the recording all the time was good for some music but made other varieties hard to listen to. My new Wharfedales let you listen to everything happening in the recording and you get to pick which part to focus on.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, really different speakers and both offer a different experience. However, both are excellent.

[@audioflavio3869]

I believe the largest loudspeaker DIY community is in Germany. Two magazines and several suppliers of kits, drivers, cabinets. Wide variety for many budgets. Like you, I'll probably build a pair too.

[@WXSTANG]

Agree 100%. I tried to "upgrade" a couple sets of speakers I owned and at the end of the day hated the sound and put all the stock components back in the speaker. An expensive lesson.

[@dnburgess]

Speaker upgrades can fulfil a very valuable role, providing performance improvement for less than the changeover cost of getting new speakers. Plus an upgrade has far lower environmental footprint than a changeover. Win. Win.

[@tallpaull9367]

cool, nice speakers! Thomas, which speakers will you build? I’d love to see you build the GR-Research NX-Tremes and open baffle sub combo. Getting you (and friends) to test them out and give comparisons and feedback. YES!

[@lumntoob999]

That would be amazing. I have plans to redo a desktop system and the only thing I'm sure about is there will be some gr research speakers on it, probably the xls encores with all of the upgrades.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

You know, one day I will reach out to GR research since I really am curious.

[@nancright1352]

oh my ! those La Scala's made the hair stand up on mu arms. goose pimples ! I am fascinated with modded altec big boys.

[@jo1512]

Great Video

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@pharoahamunra]

well for mdded speakers i have no issue.ive modded speakers and electronics many times.i must say those folks La Scala's.omg they are absolutely beautiful.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yup, hopefully after the pandemic, I can go make a video on them.

[@toddhupp]

You make a good point Thomas: modified speaker is a different speaker from the original.BTW a Prima Luna can be adjusted for less aggressive treble by inserting Gold Lion 12ax7 in v1.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks, I love tube rolling to fine tune the sound too.

[@KobolAudio]

I have an Aria 948 with modified crossover. The modification was based on using much better components while maintaining all electrical parameters. Now I am at the stage of replacing the tweeter with a beryllium one 😀

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I wanted to do that but I remember the tweeter would not fit.

[@KobolAudio]

@@ThomasAndStereo As You know there are different versions of beryllium tweeter. I will use the one used in Focal studio monitors such as Trio 6. It is closed at the back and does not require an additional chamber.

[@ronaldmcdonald2456]

I have no interest in Focal speakers. But I watch because there's a great lesson in every review you do. Keep 'em comin'.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I appreciate that!

[@russmaleartist]

I mentioned this once before, but since then, I have further modified my Dahlquist DQ10s and associated equipment. I have always liked the foundational design with the warm musicality and dimensional sound staging of the DQ10's despite falling short of many attributes, details, and absolute precise pinpoint imaging. Every design has its own strengths and inerrant problems, which are compromises each person learns to accept . . . or is in a constant state of dissatisfaction and without any personal contentment. I had bought the DQ10s used back in the early '80s, and one of the first things modified was the crossover, which has since been eliminated completely by me using an active crossover system, which has enabled me to fine-tune each of the frequency ranges in tonality and level balances . . . thereby, eliminating or adding harmonics, brightness, warmth, etc. to suit my discriminating ears; therefore, with the individual drivers being controlled by their individual amps to my specifications, I then was finally questioning the efficacy of increasing driver mass . . . and decided that if I did not like the results . . . this could easily be reverted back to the already excellent results. I chose to do so in the treble and upper midrange/mid-woofer range . . . and I might add to my surprise and satisfaction. The drivers from the midbass upward were eliminated by ribbon and planar drivers of exquisite detail, speed, low distortion, precise imaging, and accurate timbre, along with the DQ10 unique Advent woofers and also the two original DQ subwoofers (13" strong magnet and Seas powerful vintage cones) with all the bass controlled by a dedicated amp for each driver . . . these speakers perhaps may not have the volume or surface dynamics of the much larger Wilsons or Focals . . . but for my room, the big units would definitely be impractical and overwhelming, thus producing more problems for my room size and acoustics, which incidentally, the active system controls quite well, along with the other sound-absorbing materials in the room. The results are extreme and precise artistic presence with spacious air around the main singer and individual instruments . . . exquisitely producing a wonderful soundstage presence in width and depth . . . with as much detail in breathing and enunciation as one would and can adjust, with a palpable precision that has had a listener literally on the edge of their seat -- volunteering a critique of these speakers easily competing with the hugely expensive speakers of modern-day designs. In short . . . a very satisfied and ecstatically pleased listener regardless of the community's audiophile bequeathed status or not. The modifications have been slowly metamorphosing over time, (no rush) since around 1984 . . . until now, including the associated equipment, which includes other vintage gear like the Thorens TD160 Super (with modifications to reduce all vibrations, including a customized aircraft aluminum arm board), the Signet XK50 tonearm, an Aida Soundsmith Cartridge fined-tuned by Peter Ledermann, himself, a Graham Glee Era Gold Preamp, a Krell KAV-250p, a Sony SAC XA9000EX, a backup Nakamichi Player2 Music Bank CD Player, a DBX DriveTrack PA2, and four (4) Crown 1502 amplifiers with various cables and interconnects . . . some of which are Straightwire Crescendo cables, Straightwire Teflon Cables, etc. Of course, this is all tailored over time to suit my discriminating hearing and personal taste, whose isn't . . . but it is gratifying to achieve a high quality of sound over time . . . that can still easily compete with most anything on the market. There is a certain personal gratification and satisfaction in having the freedom and flexibility to do so over time and come to the “?End?” of the journey very satisfied and fulfilled in a lifetime achievement of obtaining the “unobtainable” . . . in my opinion. The process and the journey have been most challenging and enjoyable . . . and the memory of this quest will sustain all future challenges because there is only so much anyone can do to produce live music from any artificial reproduction trying to achieve the same electronically. This isn't about bragger's rights or whose is the best . . . it is about personal satisfaction, achievement . . .. and an “I don't care if you do or do not approve” type attitude and a sound worthy of MY listening experience . . . there is nothing else to prove . . . and since I do not get satisfaction in wearing designer labels outside my clothes to prove my legitimacy, value, and worthiness . . . “a job well-done . . . is a job well-done and a reward unto itself -- indeed!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

WOW nice write up. Thanks a lot of sharing your experience. Yeah, a job well one is a reward in itself.

[@russmaleartist]

@@ThomasAndStereo Thank you . . . enjoy your reviews and viewpoint -- keep up the good work! I think if money were no object . . . I, perhaps, (because I really enjoy my own speakers), would maybe go for the underplayed and underestimated, Legacy Speakers. I always thought they were something special.

[@rig4365]

This is very interesting. If you haven't already Thomas, perhaps you can do a video modifications to components. I have a vtl preamp that I've read is a prime candidate for mods. Btw those speakers are freakin gorgeous. Great find. Enjoy them.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Thanks, sadly I don't have enough knowledge to make a video like that. Would be cool.

[@rig4365]

@@ThomasAndStereo NP. Yes it is such a broad topic too. Thanks Thomas. Keep up the good videos

[@firebladeclements]

Damn your fast, just saw the sold listing 😃. Lucky booger!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Good things don't last man. Need to act fast!

[@RockCity1111]

@@ThomasAndStereo So true 👌

[@GH-zs8eq]

Would be lovely to be able to upgrade speakers myself! Definitely dont mind...but I guess myself like many others lack the engineering skills and the technical know how - what caps to change to etc! If I knew I definitely would! :)

[@ThomasAndStereo]

You and me both!

[@mag290]

Pretty easy to swap out each component with same values. I just did 2 pairs, one I had to disassemble the crossover to find all the values, the other I was able to find the crossover schematic online. Replaced inductors with Solen 16 AWG Litz Air Core, ClarityCap CSA (Polycap) on HF, Solen FastCap (polycap) on LF, Mills and Mundorf resistors. Way better sound. Bought all the parts from Partconnexion and Solen.

[@kdomster9141]

Just FYI, my older B&W 686s2 after capacitor swap from stock crossover of single 4.3uf generic Polypropylene cap and Sandcast 0.5ohm resistor to removal of 0.5ohm and leaving just a cap for the tweeter , upgrade to 3.9uf Mundorf Supreme and bypasses of 0.33uf True Copper Audyn and 0.01uf Mundorf Silver Oil Gold ...result is stunning, clarity , B&Ws sharper and pronounced treble is softer , much better defined, airy and super detailed but at the same time warmer sounding without a shade of siblance . Sounds stage is also deep , wide and high like a church. It took about 200hours to fully open up and sound amazing as it is now but right away it sounded sooo much better than stock. Oh, i did direct wire to wire without pc board and also stock inductor for woofer from decent looking air core ca. 18ga was replaced with air core copper foil of the same value , bass and mids are now almost of there is less distortion and more ease and less strain. And you know what I can care less how would it measure now , it sound amazing , better than many 4000usd monitors I heard....

[@computer1up]

I've actually been looking into modifying my electronics. My best friend's dad is also an audiophile with wayyy more listening experience than me. He has an old, old DacMagic 1 from Cambridge Audio, which has been professionally modified, and he persuaded me to upgrade my own DAC from a simple El Cheapo DAC to a modern DacMagic 100. I was blown away, but since I've replaced a few of the power capacitors and the opamps in the unit. And while the difference isn't exactly as strong as black and white, it's certainly very significant. Next upgrade that I'll do eventually is recap my Azur 640A amp.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, quite amazing just changing a few caps can do.

[@JingoLoBa57]

Vous parlez Francais! Merveilleux Thomas trés bon. Comme ça! Good on ya mate. Nice job updating your speakers. Who da’ thunkit?!

[@kwilj]

On the issue of speaker modifications making a speaker better or just different...there's a great exchange (it's several years old at this point) in the Audio Circle forum between Andrew Jones and Danny Richie about Danny's "upgrade kit" for the ELAC B6 speaker (obv designed by Andrew). Andrew was very thoughtful about how he got his point across that the changes will no doubt make it sound different but "better" is for each listener/customer to decide. Since the pandemic has given many of us time to learn woodworking, how to solder, and maybe even crossover design (thanks SkillShare! haha, just kidding) I could see speaker mods becoming more common. But since you can't reasonably demo this stuff it will require the equivlent of a Robert Parker, Jancis Robinson, Gary Vaynerchuk, pick your favorite 'wine reviewer'. My taste in libations is calibrated to a handful of people to the point that based on what they say about a particular wine I know how likely I am to like it. But it's tricky with audio because there are many more variables to consider. Anyway, Thomas you're off to a great start here and I'd love to see more DIY/mod related content in the future!

[@ronbrideau8902]

The volume of that many speaker cones might use an extension of internal length of sound holes to tightly vector bass.

[@Ryan-yi6su]

Hey Thomas have you made a video on under a 1000$ Tube amps? And various wall treatments that you found that were inexpensive but very functional

[@ThomasAndStereo]

There was the Reisong A12, A50, Willsenton R8, Yaqin MC10 and probably some other.

[@irzyxelwj]

I'm in the process of modifying a pair of speakers myself. I honestly thought it would be simple. That was a mistake. I've learned a lot since I began. It would have made my life a lot easier and net a better result to have a crossover custom built for me. I rebuilt half of the crossovers have the second half left. Replaced the tweeters twice and the midrange will be twice this Thursday. When I'm done the only thing original will be the wood, the woofers, and the terminal cups, which I modified. With the amount of money I'm spending I could have sold the speakers as original and bought a better result. You could say I made a grave error in this undertaking. However, I've learned a lot and it's been kind of fun in a way. That said, don't do what I did haha...

[@martinmacko2785]

Hello @Thomas. May I ask a question? I have heard Grande Utopia EMs and they were simply mesmerising! They were the reason why I have gone for 836 W + SVS Subs myself! I love the setup, nevertheless as you can imagine they are still far off Grande EMs. My question is, do you think it it is possible to upgrade 836W such a way that they would sounds as sharp and as realistic as Grande EMs when I pair 836Ws with SVS subs? What about replacing Tweeter with Beryllium one for example or any other ideas? I have them paired with Vincent 237 MK (Hybrid Vacuum Tube, first 10W run in A-Class)

[@trekjudas]

Ok, I'm on to Thomas! He angles the camera in a way to make it look big but I've been watching his videos long enough to know, THAT'S A SMALL ROOM! He has huge speakers in a small room and IT SOUNS FINE!!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

It is the wide angle lens so it makes it look really big.

[@trekjudas]

@@ThomasAndStereo The other day I was arguing with a guy on Facebook who kept insisting that you have to have a huge room if you have big speakers or horrible things will happen to you and your family! And you are the proof of what a load of CRAP that is!!

[@vikassm]

@@trekjudas That guy probably turns the volume up to 11 and leaves it there. Probably has to leave it there, considering long term ear damage at those dBs 😂😂 Personally, I enjoy the airy space-filling sound from large speakers in smaller rooms, at low spls. Like they say, there's no substitute for displacement. Large drivers cruising by in large cabinets cannot be accurately substituted for by numerous amped-up smaller drivers buzzing hard. Frequency response between the two might look similar, but the sound has a very different signature, and it does sound very different! Large speakers don't need large rooms to work. They just need well damped rooms. Large rooms, however, require larger speakers for adequate sound levels. Some folks seem to invert and confuse basic sound guidelines!

[@trekjudas]

@@vikassm RIGHT! Large speakers will work just fine in a small room! Stereos have a volume control!

[@gottrekk5798]

@@trekjudas It depends on many factors. Doesn't make sense to argue when there are so many variables, starting from personal preferences/taste.

[@jmp622]

Done with your reviews

[@ThomasAndStereo]

A few more to go.

[@pagepro211]

would like to see you review the Yamaha Soavo NS-F901 floor standing speakers

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Hopefully one day.

[@davidn8656]

Are the crossovers in the utopia 3 range good?

[@billbones1000]

Nice on Thomas ! I still regret selling a set of focal. They were older very large stand mounters (kinda looked like a klipsch forte in size). They were killer! Sold them to finance my open baffles but still wish i had them.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Wow, those must be big speakers.

[@billbones1000]

@@ThomasAndStereo they were the focal jm labs opal 609 (just checked my sold CAM listings). Really cool vintage speakers at a great price!!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@@billbones1000 Those are really big 'stand mount' speakers.

[@billbones1000]

@@ThomasAndStereo lol ya, like six inch stands!

[@Lesterandsons]

🇨🇵 You have to listen it before buying, a filter creates its own sound. As a French, I say I like the "franc" sound of my focals😁. Very revealing without being aggressive.

[@costykali6930]

Ive listened a focal aria towers on a Naim amp ,nothing special ,also very harshy on top end …

[@louisctam]

My eyes are on the game set behind you.... hahaha

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, big street fighter fan.

[@impuls60]

Using electrolytics in such an expensive speaker, omg. Lowering the tweeter level makes the speaker objectively more clear since it lowers distortion since it receives less energy. It can affect the highpass slightly but usually not much when you do small changes like this. Changing resistors is an excellent way of perfecting tweeter level. Changing a 5 usd part vs amp change lol.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Hey Thomas modifying speakers are fun ! My Triangle Comete I thought really hard about modifying the Brain of the speaker also well the 'crossover' but I left it alone and just used NoRez threw out the cabniet and I gained some serious depth which actually means the speaker disappeared a lil bit its hard getting a forward lively speaker to disappear but when you take the cabneit sound chacter away this is what happens ! I had alot of fun with Norez , And I would still like to modify the crossover but I just don't have alot of time with working everyday . I Hate to say this I may have to throw in the towl soon at me job and find a job that will let me have a life 😥 And As always Thanks Thomas !! Wish the 906 would go on sale !!! Me still waiting on the 40th anniversary Triangle in Santos rosewood with the magnesium tweeter ! Their going to be pricey !!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, you are such a hands on man, you would be excellent modifying speakers. Heck, you might even be able to do it full time.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

@@ThomasAndStereo ohh Thomas Thank you so much for the comment but i am no where near the level as these engeeners today their good man ! My friends I grew up with Thomas tell me I missed my calling . I have always been into audio gear , And yes I absouletly love tweaking 'someone elses' work but I got to give credit where credit is due these engeeners today have lots of expierence I wish i would of had a mentors like Greg Timbers or Burt Lancottin . But it would be fun to build my own speakers . Honestly i was hesitant on me NoRez video just because I did not wanna take anything away from the hard work the 🔺 engeeners put in because I realise they have a budget 😃 P.S. Do youThink I should ha e a video on my accoustic panels I made and the science behind the Panels ? Thanks again Thomas ! Appricate you man !

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Dang i wrote another book !! But yeah I would love to to add remove parts fron the Brain of the speaker to fine tune to me taste gid the focals are nice i should have bought the 936v i told you about awhile back !

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120 Keep it coming, I like reading comments from you.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

@@ThomasAndStereo Same but ok !

[@bijansol]

Hi Thomas, I truly enjoyed your upgrade on your 836W speakers. So, wondering if you could introduce them to me as I do own a pair of 826 W & 807 W as well. Cheers

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Ah, they have retired so they no longer modify Focals.

[@nancright1352]

so the second loop was modded ? it sounds larger and more upfront mid ? FUN !

[@ThomasAndStereo]

No, the second one used a tube integrated amp. Same speaker. Tubes usually open up the soundstage.

[@nancright1352]

@@ThomasAndStereo oh... 2nd better. mac ?

[@yvesboutin5604]

I modified close to a 100 pairs and the results goes from barely noticeable to fabulous! It is always fun to see an ugly duck transformed into a magnificient swan! Sometimes it is worth the investment but for the time spent, we don't make money out of it, quite the opposite.

[@marc-andregagne6826]

Regardless of sound, these are fantastic looking speakers. For sur WAF approved. Do any of these speakers ever get promoted to the living room with your family?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Nah, everything stays in my man cave. Its the paint that is amazing with these.

[@ArthaxtaDaVince777]

I'm surprised you never reviewed or had a video on the 948s, which is right in between their affordable high end and 2023 Toyota Corolla price tag high end.

[@StagnantMizu]

I got the 716S did you ever try it out?

[@tkc324]

Thomas, this is an awesome review... been waiting for this one for a while. Very curious on how much this is vs the original 836w?? I have been wanting to buy 836W for a while... if you ever want to sell your, please please please let me get first dib!!!!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

It will sound VERY different when compared to the original 836w though. Are you in Montreal?

[@tkc324]

@@ThomasAndStereo no unfortunately, I am in Chicago. About 3 years ago I had a chance to buy an slightly used 836W, but it was sold before I had ample time to decide. Since then, I have not seen another 836w for sale. Do you also find there is very limited secondary supply of these speakers?

[@delvalle9256]

@thomas Do the Beryllium tweeters on the Focals ever sound sibilant ie ... overemphasized “S”s in vocals especially when new ? Thanks

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Sure, that is why you need good source and careful pairing of electronics and cables.

[@SilentHillFetishist]

I own a ELAC subwoofer with FOCAL driver.

[@Justwantahover]

Making the bass vent is easy. Make boxes any size that you think is appropriate. Mount drivers and buy a meter of poly pipe about 50 mm (2") diam. Cut off a piece that is too short (use your judgment). Install in the box where you like that seems good. Iol Now comes the measure bit. Make a shorter thin cardboard tube that slides into the poly pipe. And then slide it in and out (with music) for the best bass sound. Go for a punchy sound. Too short is a bonky sound. Too long is pumpy but sloppy sound. Only when you hear that tight punch it is best. Then tape the inner cardboard tube in the right place in the poly pipe and then make new poly pipe tubes the combined length. Not too hard. If it's always pumpy and sloppy when you do the cardboard tube tests (with the cardboard tube pushed right in) you know your original poly pipe length is too long. And if it's always bonky and boomy when you do the cardboard tube tests, you know your original length poly pipe is too short.

[@nancright1352]

oh this is funny, because I watched the other video (cable) before this one. So that little resistor did all that !

[@ferdi9554]

I am a big fan of Focal as well! Since you speak french are you based in MTL?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Oui!

[@ferdi9554]

@@ThomasAndStereo Génial! I am really a beginner in this hobby/passion. My brother and father have always been into Audio and I never really understood the hype behind it, until recently when I bought my first pair of active speakers, the Focal Chora 806. Now I really get the passion from the audiophiles. Btw really cool channel, very informative, I still don't get some specs explanation sometimes. Continuez votre bon travail, c'est toujours un plaisir d'écouter vos commentaires.

[@user-wk8wx9nj7m]

hi Thomas,i follow most of your reviews very interesting,learning a lot from you ,tks.i saw lately you start review Triangel French speakers,can you please review another great company Cabasse,specialy model MURANO,i am very interesting in this model.your opnion will help me a-lot. thank ahed. Eli Peled.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I have the Cabasse Minorca and Antigua as well as the IO2 but not the Murano, sorry.

[@Audfile]

X26 Pro arrives tomorrow Thomas. Yes I went with that instead of a Venus. That review (the only one) was so strong! Go watch it. Class A, no opamps, dual mono, fast clock and upgradable, you name it. I dont think you could have heard this one, it just came out.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I have the X26 but never have heard the Pro. Let me know how it sounds.

[@Audfile]

@@ThomasAndStereo I wasn't even interested on the old one, or any other delta sigma. But this one is supreme. I'll let ya know.

[@Justwantahover]

Seems like Focal like leaner bass so it doesn't muddle up the airy med range.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yes and no, once you reach Sopra level, it is not lean bass anymore.

[@Justwantahover]

@@ThomasAndStereo I wouldn't exactly use "lean" but "leaner" just going by what some say about them. I can imagine how the good ones would sound, though.

[@jimh8381]

SFII!! Fond memories of arcades and laundromats.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Oh yes!

[@yannick930]

😭, i wanted to see the crossover. Even with the values hidden. I'm into upgrading my speakers but i always keep the same value that comes with the speakers. Same sound, just better components to improve the sound.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Ah, I wish but I can't. Sorry 😉

[@hellbound1897]

@@ThomasAndStereo Why not? there is no law in showing how its modified??? Maybe it can help others

[@genesiskissspioneer7578]

Hello thomas, I wanted to tell you that I like your videos and to continue like that. I have a question, I just bought a pair of used focal chorus 836v and I'm looking for a hifi amp to enhance them and have an audiophile quality sound. The problem is that I'm looking for an amp with a bypass to connect my home theater amp to it. It's a Marantz, and I also want to connect my vinyl turntable. I listen mainly to rock, metal, orchestra, violin, piano, classical, film ost. I am a novice and the big problem is that I can only put 1000 euros maximum. Would you have an idea or is it impossible? Thank you for your help.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Maybe a used Hegel H200?

[@genesiskissspioneer7578]

@@ThomasAndStereo Hello thomas, it took me more than a year to find my grail, I searched as you advised me for the used Hegel but almost impossible to find and what bothered me was the lack of phono input. I turned to an onkyo 9000r but the great product but a flagrant lack of power to drive my focal. I went to the store to test: (the 2200 and 5000 series from Yamaha good product a lot of details but it lacked something in terms of muscle, musical fidelity good note attack, but lacks finesse, and very good mac intosh especially on stringed instruments such as violin and double bass where you can feel the grain of fear on the strings, but a bit round overall.) Then, I came across the rare pearl, with a great price for a magnificent Plinius hautonga and everything is magic, it's amp is crazy, fast, neutral, detailed, muscular, open... If you're ever interested, I could give you a feedback on it (with a kind of article) or possibly a video on my channel if it interests you of course because I wouldn't want to bother you with that (exchange between enthusiasts). In any case, perfect marriage between my Plinius and my focal :)

[@briancampbell7712]

That Klipsch La Scalla is like😮 good...Thomas why do all the speakers playing at the end of the videos with this song sound the exact same...are they even the speakers you are reviewing in each of your videos❓

[@Justwantahover]

I like what you said at the end. Building speakers is more exciting than being an audiophile who doesn't make speakers. I reckon. Designing and building speakers doesn't cost like completed speaker do (by a large measure) and building speaker is being an audiophile. I built speakers since the 70s just putting drivers in boxes and building crossovers. But now l make speakers for another reason...l have a few unique (holographic) acoustic features that l haven't seen or heard in any other speaker (along with point source sound). So my speakers sound different than any other speaker and l think in a good way (with pin point voice sound yet airy). And so l'm so excited! See my ch, top of the list "Nova" lnsensitive". She has an insane voice! Also "How to Record Speakers" video next to it. Cheers Big Ears! (thumbs up).

[@irzyxelwj]

Had to cut what I said yesterday, because worked called and I had to drive 6 hours. Anyway, I was also going to say in regards to the Focals, be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it. For you the loss was the signature sound. For me it was the clarity in the low volumes. I like to listen to things loud, when I really jam. The rest of the time I listen to things like movies at low volumes. When it's loud the original highs would just shred your ears. Now they are nice and clear all the way as loud as you want. But now, at low volumes there isn't as much clarity. I got what I wanted, so I can only blame myself.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Another great quote, be careful waht you wish for!

[@irzyxelwj]

@@ThomasAndStereo It will be much better when I'm finished with the crossovers. No time right now.

[@irzyxelwj]

​@@ThomasAndStereo I finally got the mids I've been waiting for to test, after shipping damage. Unfortunately it means more modifications, but I've set them up temporarily to test and everything is nice and clear now even at lower volumes. It'll be worth the work.

[@vicg5323]

yes, l love modding.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Do you upgrade the caps on the existing crossover?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@Jingle Nuts The internal wiring has been changed actually.

[@JimmieJohn]

Have you ever tried the Decware 2W tube amp? Just curious.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

No I have not, should sound amazing with the right speakers.

[@JimmieJohn]

@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks for your response. I was contemplating the La Scalas or a set of the Lii Audio Crystal 10s. Thanks for your content. Your channel is primetime on my TV from 7-9pm M-F!

[@todung53]

Hi, Thomas Could you please let me know Any suggestions someone can restore cabinets? I have Mani 2 Signature. Thanks advance

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Are you in Montreal? I met someone once mentioning to me he can restore but he does it for a hobby.

[@remiandrepedersen868]

I have Klipsch speakers for my system these days. I also have some Hi-end speakers, which have better sound quality, but still I do not want to go back, hmm .. Yes, I know this is not about Focal which is the theme here, but I'm just airing my theme to see if there are more who are obsessed with the dynamics that horn speakers have, or if it's just me!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

That is the thing about taste, you like what you like and just enjoy what you like. If you like the dynamics horn have, look for 'hi-end' speakers that use horn.

[@remiandrepedersen868]

@@ThomasAndStereo 👍

[@remiandrepedersen868]

@@ThomasAndStereo Yes, I have listened to them too. They have better sound quality, but I always fall back to Klipsch, as they have more life in the sound. This is because better sound quality also makes the sound more controlled, which makes the sound a little more dead. But a certain sound quality is also applicable, of course. Better sound quality, it also becomes more difficult to turn off the sound outside, I have noticed, which is of course positive when listening to music. Yes, it is as you say, that it is a matter of taste.

[@TheRealJohnHooper]

Dear Thomas, I have a question (not related to this product review): I always used a 2.1 Audio system for my pc.. Because of my new much smaller flat, I sold it, and got 2 small sealed speakers. They dont have much base, but I give them a base boost at 60hz.. Now my question.. The base is much more defined and clean compared to the vented subwoofer system.. Although the base is not loud, it is much better to hear all the things going on in the low end.. Is this a generell advantage of sealed (closed) speakers?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, seal designs are usually more defined and tight. That is why you I prefer sealed port subwoofer for music. I am not saying ported subs are not good but it is something I realized.

[@TheRealJohnHooper]

@@ThomasAndStereo Sealed speaker and fun button (loudness) should be very interesting.. 😀

[@nc3419]

Ah Focal. Try as I might, I can't find a smaller replacement. BTW, I have the KLH Albany II in my system still breaking in. So far, mostly performs as expected for a $300 speaker with the biggest issue is in human voice naturalness. Something seems missing and there is a sharpness/distortion that occurs too often during sibilant passages. The Focals can accentuate sibilant passages but the KLH just seems to have more of it while holding back that which makes voices seem a bit fuller and natural. One previous owner liked them until he placed ML 15i/15s in his system and returned the KLH Albany, maybe the first iteration. The Martin Logans are a decently performing speaker that sweetens and livens up the human voice, so I can see why. The KLH aren't as dry sounding as say Infinity Reference 152 bookshelves (which I didn't care for), as decently detailed and resolving, something just sounds unnatural. In comparison to recently purchased Cambridge Minx XLs they sound fuller, bigger but the CAs sounded more natural. I may use them as desktop or bedroom as they aren't a good choice for midsize or larger rooms in a 2 channel system, unless you add a sub and only at low to more moderate volumes. You mentioned you wanted to audition the KLH Model 5 so I don't think any conclusions can be drawn by my experience so far with the Albany IIs. I can't compare to similarly priced speakers such as Elacs, Wharfedales, Klipsch or the like but I notice the black vinyl wrap is similar in its' silvery sheen as Cheapaudioman desribed on a Klipsch, which makes sense if they are sourcing veneer materials similar to klipsch. Listening to Nick Cave's Hallelujah where the song ending is finished by the female voice, the sweetness, euphonic sound is missing in comparison to the other speakers I have and previous ones I have listened to. Now that I think of it, it seemed to me that watching movies and listening to music kind of sounded like what comes out of your television at times. The speakers have good imaging, staging, bass sounds like its' posted frequency curve, sometimes anemic until the right frequencies are there and then it pops up. Most other qualities are as expected for its' price. Essentially, you get bass down to about 60Hz. Even with a sub, there's just something unatural about its' voicing, IMO. I should mention piano too, something's missing. , I would like to try the Cabasse speakers you suggested but that likely won't happen anytime soon. Someday. Happy with Focal 807W and Triangle Zetas (Paper woofer with Titanium Tweeter). I don't know if the Borea series would sound similar with its' softdome. The KLH is an Aluminum dome, I don't know if it's anodized with any other material but it isn't as nice as other implementations, at higher prices of course. So there we are, does it compete in the $300 price range...perhaps? I don''t know how close the 92dB efficiency is vs actual but it is faily efficient, hence the lack of a smoother bass rolloff. It hits 35 Hz as it peaks but between that and 50 is lower, so I think the 35 Hz as stated is a bit misleading.

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Wow, thanks for the long comment. Yeah, they will be sending me a Model 5 eventually. Can't wait to try it. Cabasse is interesting and I will be reviewing a few of their speakers going forward.

[@nc3419]

@@ThomasAndStereo I think the Model 5 will be a totally different animal altogether. I think with the smaller bookshelves they may have made it based on their experience at Klipsch which gets a bookshelf to market quickly. The Albanys could be improved but you can't have high efficiency and a smoother bass rolloff at the same time with that design. A warmer midbass could help but still, I'm listening to Nick Cave now and can't get the unnaturalness out of my head. The Minx XLs are are a lessor speaker due to size, doesn't have the slam of the Albany's (relative term) but seem more listenable. The Albany's aren't always like that but get more like that when passages get busy with more instruments and when dynamic range ability is needed. I'm not a reviewer, just my personal views. Someone else will have to review these on youtube. Cheers.

[@nc3419]

@@ThomasAndStereo I'm trying a different dac to see if that makes a difference. Previous one was ESS 9038 M2Q. My other dac uses a CS 4398 which can sound more like an AKM which may make the speakers sound more natural. So far it seems to so I will listen to other music. I still think my original assessment is accurate but switching dacs makes a difference. It is probably competitive in the $300 price range. Still, I have little experience with that price point so I can't offer a balanced review.

[@jmpsmash]

Using a cooking analogy, the speaker driver / cabinets is the main ingredients, the crossover components and design is the recipe and the cook. Give the same chicken legs to 10 cooks and you will get 10 different dishes!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

You are correct!

[@clintonwalker5000]

Thomas I know you like your focal speakers 🔊 I am thinking of buying my very first audio file speakers. Focal aria 936 , have you heard them ?and what do you think for The first step in to audiophile speaker. All the best Clint 🇬🇧

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I owned one before. Focal are really sharp and the 936 line bass is more about speed than punch. You need to go listen to any focal speaker to see if the sharpness is something you enjoy. If yes, you will get to experience a very detail and airy presentation. Check out my Kanta vs Sopra 2 video to get a better idea.

[@clintonwalker5000]

@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks Thomas I will do that. 👍

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@@clintonwalker5000 Also keep in mind the lines that uses FLAX cone have different bass output than the lines that use the regular cones. The key is there and for top end extension, you have to choose between beryllium or the normal tweeter.

[@clintonwalker5000]

@@ThomasAndStereo ok 👍 is it possible to choose the beryllium tweeter on the 936 range 🤔 I would love that focal canta but it’s out of my price range so I’m looking for the next best thing. Really appreciate the advice thank you Thomas. 🇬🇧

[@ThomasAndStereo]

@@clintonwalker5000 no it is not possible.

[@jamesrobinson9176]

This is a good video, thank you. More people in your position should encourage folks to modify their speakers. We can't match the cabinet making skills but we can improve the internals, sometimes to amazing result. I'm sure you're also aware of fellow youtuber Danny Richie(spelling?). This arena is his bread and butter

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, I leave that to Danny to encourage people as he is the real grand master at modifying speakers.

[@nc3419]

Sorry B, I accidentilly hid your comment and have an issue unhiding it. I didn't get the site for the new SX-60 but as Cambridge hasn't updated their speakers in a while, I expected they were in the process, hence getting a deal on the Minx XLs. Try to respond to see if it works.

[@willmac5642]

Port next to tweeter. Is that ok?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, Mr Quad was asking the same thing. Sounds ok but he did wonder if it would be better if the port was open behind the speaker instead.

[@RockCity1111]

Took the plunge on the New Polk Reserve R 200s. Now I need a av receiver. I was going to go Emotiva Pt-100 and amps but there is a handshake problem with Samsung tvs optical out and no sound. Any thoughts ?? Maybe a AudioLab 6000a for them ??. 1 k is my limit. 100th 👍

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Congrats on the R200, I would love to hear it today. I have never heard 6000a so I don't know and I have no idea about AV amps, sorry.

[@RockCity1111]

@@ThomasAndStereo Thank u Thomas for responding to my question and the ❤. Most haven't. It's so hard to AB test stuff anymore. I sold electronics in 1990 for Luskins Superstores on the east coast. Where ever Circuit city had a store Luskins would put a store right across the street. It was my 1st job out of high school 400 draw a week but I always made double that or triple. Good times. Thanks again Thomas

[@marct9587]

Lol, I saw those when they were for sale, didn't know if the claims were legit. I guess I should have snapped them up before you did!

[@ThomasAndStereo]

Yeah, you need insider info!

[@pimpin94553]

Do you still listen to your 707's?

[@ThomasAndStereo]

I don't have them anymore.