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» Termpro Audio Forum » Component Specific Topics » Mids & Tweets » Anybody who's heard FOCALS.....2-way vs. 3-way

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Author Topic: Anybody who's heard FOCALS.....2-way vs. 3-way
Smoke
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Okay, I've decided to get a Focal component set over the CD Techs. I've come across another problem though. I've heard many opinions on component sets, some of them being that Focal's midrange is their weakest link (which is important in a 3-way set), also that I will never get a quality front stage with a 2-way set. Based on those two opinions, which set do you think would be better in my case: a Focal Polykevlar 3-way 165k3 or a Focal Utopia 2-way 165w? The Utopia is Focal's top-of-the-line series, and the Polykelvar is right below that. Would the 165k3 have better midrange sound than the 165w, since it's a 3-way set? I can get either of these sets for the exact same price. I don't plan on competing, but I just want really good accurate sound with my music. I'm mostly into rap/hiphop, reggae, dance/rave, techno, r'n'b and house music. I'll be putting about 120 watts to the set. Which set do you recommend and why? Thanks again. PS - Are either of these sets competition quality? I know....I'm not competing, but still....can I actually win in an SQ comp with any of these 2 sets?

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[This message has been edited by Smoke (edited 05-05-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Smoke (edited 05-05-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Smoke (edited 05-05-2000).]


Posts: 37 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: May 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
autofile
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Smoke wrote:

" Okay, I've decided to get a Focal component set over the CD Techs."

A Very fine choice indeed.........

" I've come across another problem though. I've heard many opinions on component sets, some of them being that Focal's midrange is their weakest link"

This I find totally erroneous..........

" (which is important in a 3-way set), also that I will never get a quality front stage with a 2-way set."

Again, I would totally (no TOTALLY) disagree.........accurate image placement and soundstage recreation is much more dependent on speaker placment and tuning than the number of speakers used. And in general a simpler speaker system and signal path will yeild superior results to a more complicated one..........

" Based on those two opinions, which set do you think would be better in my case: a Focal Polykevlar 3-way 165k3 or a Focal Utopia 2-way 165w?"

This is entirely subjective. Which speaker system sounds the best to your ears?

And which speaker system will install in the best locations in your car?

" The Utopia is Focal's top-of-the-line series, and the Polykelvar is right below that. I can get either of these sets for the exact same price."

Myself, I feel that the Utopia's are superb sounding speaker systems. The Ploykevlars are also excellent though........

" I don't plan on competing, but I just want really good accurate sound with my music. I'm mostly into rap/hiphop, reggae, dance/rave, techno, r'n'b and house music. I'll be putting about 120 watts to the set. Which set do you recommend and why? Thanks again. PS - Are either of these sets competition quality?

Absolutely!!!

" I know....I'm not competing, but still....can I actually win in an SQ comp with any of these 2 sets?"

Using either of them the limiting factor will be the installation, not the component quality........

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Peter Lufrano - Owner
The Autophile
http://www.TheAutophile.com


Posts: 100 | From: Berkeley, CA, 94578 | Registered: Oct 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
cf817
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A quality choice indeed. I've heard the PolyK2 and they are awesome, the midrange is quality , but is the "weakest" point if you had to pick the worst of the best qualities. I've heard the Utopian two ways for a little while and they were incredible. Nothing drops jaws more than having Focal Utopians. Like the other guy said, whatever sounds better to you. Also if you could put the k2's in a good pair of kicks and place them in the place that has the best imaging would give a big boost. But whatever sounds best!

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Posts: 45 | From: sa, tx, usa | Registered: Apr 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
WLDock
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Smoke,
I am not sure what speakers you have heard before or if you have heard the FOCAL line but let me say that these are high quality units. There is not much of a weak link with these speakers when set up properly. They play everything well! With 120 watts you may be better off going with the Utopia 2-way. Now you just have to find out how they sound to YOUR ears.

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Posts: 118 | From: Detroit, MI | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Jimbo
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i definately agree with autofile about the midrange..

i think focals have some of the best midrange in the business...

i personally feel that they dont do well to alot of my music- techno /dance, their midbass isnt that great...
plus installion of a magnet that big is damn hard for my car

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Posts: 303 | From: Melb, Australia | Registered: May 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
pd071
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The Utopia set is great. Midbass is incredible in the set. Try using that set with a pair of nice 12's such as Image's IDQ. Then cross over the 12's real low like 80hz, and then just turn them up a bit. You will be surprised at how well the bass seems to come up front if u have all the speakers placed right.

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Thanx-
Jon Dailey
teamROCS #071


Posts: 131 | From: Frankfort, KY | Registered: Mar 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Audiophyle
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You go Peter!!

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Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the same side.

Use your ears to judge components, NOT your wallet! K.I.S.S.

members.tripod.com/Audiophyle

Sound Ideas on the Web!


Posts: 3120 | From: nowhere | Registered: May 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Smoke
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pd071. I already bought 2 Infinity Perfect 12.1s a few months ago. Are they good enough? They have good SQ, don't they?

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Posts: 37 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: May 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Jimbo
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quote:
Originally posted by Smoke:
pd071. I already bought 2 Infinity Perfect 12.1s a few months ago. Are they good enough? They have good SQ, don't they?

you tell us if they sound good or not, YOU'RE the one with those subs..

im quite sure with a decnt install the perfect 12s would have very good SQ

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Posts: 303 | From: Melb, Australia | Registered: May 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Smoke
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Jimbo: I bought the subs already, but I still don't have them installed. Therefore, I WOULDN'T know how good they sound. I want to buy the component set/amp combo first, then get everything put in at the same time.

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Posts: 37 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: May 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Sam Lin
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The Perfects got some nice reviews recently, nice SQ sub for not too high a price. They should work with the Focals nicely. If you want even better bass, move to IDQ, Illusion Audio, or Diamond.

Sam

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Posts: 461 | From: Arizona | Registered: Jan 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

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