Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Focal Dome speakers - any thoughts?
It probably was not too wise to ask a home theater question in an audiophile forum, because many people here will consider anything other than a 2-channel amp + 2 full-range speakers a total waste of time. I, on the other hand, think small 2.1 and 5.1 systems are a perfect way to integrate quality sound into a living area, especially one where non-audiophiles will be exposed to them. The Focal system looks fantastic and comes from a top-quality audiophile speaker maker. The small size allows the use of high-tech materials and affords a lot of placement flexibility. If you and your GF love the sound, then it's just a matter of being able to afford it. -- Pale Blue Ego Pale Blue Ego's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=110 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63952 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Focal Dome speakers - any thoughts?
sxr71 wrote: My honest thoughts on surround sound is that it is served just fine with a cheap home theater in a box setup. Put your good money into 2 channel. I don't need a $1000 speaker to reproduce the sound of a chainsaw behind me or something. I realize this is pretty dismissive stance on cinema sound but sound effects don't need nice speakers. Actually, *good* sound effects *do* need nice speakers. There's a lot more complexity and energy in the soundtrack of an action movie than in most music. There's a reason that there is a specification for Thx: http://www.thx.com/studio/specs.html R. ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Focal Dome speakers - any thoughts?
My honest thoughts on surround sound is that it is served just fine with a cheap home theater in a box setup. Put your good money into 2 channel. I don't need a $1000 speaker to reproduce the sound of a chainsaw behind me or something. I realize this is pretty dismissive stance on cinema sound but sound effects don't need nice speakers. -- sxr71 sxr71's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=18773 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63952 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Focal Dome speakers - any thoughts?
SadGamerGeek;428223 Wrote: I'm rather nervous as an Audiophile board is certainly not my natural home, but I'm hoping you chaps may be able to give me some advice. I'm finally replacing CRT TV with a nice slim Panasonic 37 LCD, and my GF has pointed out that the lounge will now only spoiled by the ugly looking speakers (a pair of nothing special ancient Wharfedale bookshelf speakers). I made the mistake of having a demo of some lovely looking satellite/sub speakers before asking the price. They sounded fantastic, and definately got a thumbs up from the GF. It was the Focal Dome 5.1 system, costing £1,500. This was somewhat over my intended price range, but they did sound great (to us) and look good, so I might be able to justify the cost. The only review I have found very pretty positive (http://www.avreview.co.uk/news/article/mps/uan/2806), but I'm keen to hear the view of others. I'll be using them initially with an Arcam AVR-100. I realise they'd probably be better with a bit more power - I'll probably upgrade the amp at some point in the future. The shop that demo'd them (Raleigh audio in Colchester) have said I could take the Arcam into the shop to try them with it. Any thoughts? First, do you need the 5.1 setup? If one only needs a 2.1 setup then they are only £900, but I see you are using an AVR-100. I am not a big fan of Satellites to listen to music because that is not what they were designed to do. I am not even a Monitor or Bookshelf speaker guy because they give up to much. Does it have to be 5.1 or 2.1? Can you use a modern full range Speaker? Does the GF know about audio, or is a 1980s Boom-box the same as a pair of Watt Puppies to her? -- iPhone *iPhone* Media Room: Transporter, VTL TL-6.5 Signature Pre-Amp, Ayre MX-R Mono's, Vandersteen Quatro, VeraStarr 6.4SE 6-channel Amp, VCC-5 Reference Center, four VSM-1 Signatures, Runco RS 900 CineWide AutoScope 2.35:1 Living Room: Duet, ADCOM GTP-870HD, Cinepro 3K6SE III Gold, Vandersteen Model 3A Signature, Two 2Wq subs, VCC-2, Two VSM-1 Kitchen: Squeezebox BOOM Bedroom: SB3, GFR-700HD, Thiel 2.3, Second Boom Home Office: SB3, NAD C370, two VSM-1 Home Gym: SB3, Parasound Vamp v.3, Thiel PowerPoint 1.2 House Portable: SB3, Audioengine A5 Thunderbird: Duet, Mac Mini Expedition: SB3, ToughBook iPhone's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13622 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63952 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
Re: [SlimDevices: Audiophiles] Focal Dome speakers - any thoughts?
iPhone;428240 Wrote: First, do you need the 5.1 setup? If one only needs a 2.1 setup then they are only £900, but I see you are using an AVR-100. I am not a big fan of Satellites to listen to music because that is not what they were designed to do. I am not even a Monitor or Bookshelf speaker guy because they give up to much. Does it have to be 5.1 or 2.1? Can you use a modern full range Speaker? Does the GF know about audio, or is a 1980s Boom-box the same as a pair of Watt Puppies to her? Thanks for the thoughts. The speakers would be used for a combination of surround sound and stereo listening, so I was intending to switch between 2.1 5.1 use of them. The GF doesn't know much about audio, but does appreciate big leaps in quality (so isn't happy to listen to use the TV's internal speakers any more). I can understand that satellites will always be a compromise compared to full range, but I think I could be prepared to accept that compromise for the benefits of a really clean look to the room and a happy GF, as long as they reach a certain quality threshold. -- SadGamerGeek SadGamerGeek's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=6145 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=63952 ___ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
