If this helps somewhat for you to guide me about which speaker to get from these two:
1) I like to listen a bit loud and my music preferences range from Progressive Rock to Pop-Rock to Vocal Jazz to Jazz-Rock Fusion;
2) My amplification is provided by a Hegel H360 integrated amplifier and my current speakers are Dynaudio Contour S 3.4;
3) I like mostly analog audio (vinyl) and my listening room is medium size.
I don't have how to listen to any of the two speakers before buying, because there is no any dealer even near where I live.
Thanks in advance,
Demetrio.
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I can't speak to the Dynaudio, but I have a friend with the Kantas. They are excellent performers in his largish room. Easily some of the best sound he's had. He's driving them with an Arcam integrated amplifier and using a Naim cdp. Very nice.
Oz
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I heard the Kantas a few weeks back and IMO they are not that big of a step up from the Arias. Not to say they were bad because even the Arias are pretty good. I would go Dynaudio if you have some good beefy power to drive them and you do. |
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Hi, thank you for all your replies.
I got curious about this Mofojo's statement:
"
I heard the Kantas a few weeks back and IMO they are not that big of a step up from the Arias.
Not to say they were bad because even the Arias are pretty good
".
Considering that the Focal Aria 936 (the biggest of this serie) costs about 4k only, and that the Focal Kanta No. 2 costs about 10k, what conclusion can we take from that statement?
Do others agree that the Arias are that good? |
I've heard the Kanta 2's and those tweeters are very aggressive. I'd be careful and only buy them if you've had + a chance to hear them. I haven't heard the Contour 30s but every Dynaudio speaker I've ever heard has been smooth and full. Two very different sounding speakers. |
Yes they are very different sounding speakers for sure. I can see the appeal to either one although I would lean more toward the fuller perhaps slightly darker Dyn sound. Dynaudios to me do not sound like any other speakers especially their upper lines. |
I never heard a Focal speaker, but I'm assuming the highs of the Focals sound a bit like the Dali Epicon 6 speakers, which feature nice extension in the highs without sounding harsh.
Am I correct in such evaluation?
In other words, I love the highs in the Dali Epicon 6's, but I don't like it's bass, so that's the reason I would like to try the Focals. |
Forgot to mention that I am just replacing my Hegel H360 integrated amplifier with an Accuphase E-460. |
Never heard the Dynaudios but I have heard Kanta 2s powered by a Hegel H190 and H590. They sounded great both times.
I also own a pair of Kanta 2s and drive them with a tube pre and class d power amp. My room is lively and they are not harsh but lean towards bright clear highs and direct midrange. The bass is taught and snappy. Extension is pretty good, they are almost full range but don't output much below 30hz in my room.
You really need to hear them before making a decision. I love them but everyone's preferences are different. I don't like a dark or muted sonic signature or bloated bass.
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"I also own a pair of Kanta 2s and drive them with a tube pre and class d power amp. My room is lively and they are not harsh but lean towards bright clear highs and direct midrange. The bass is taught and snappy. Extension is pretty good, they are almost full range but don't output much below 30hz in my room".
It seems pretty good to me. |
@progger58 Focals have an assertive tweeter. I have lower end ones and they can get trashy at times but I like the sound overall.
if that helps at all |
I find lower end Focals, in general, to be slightly harsh in high end and not generous enough in the mid range. (Utopia/Sopra ranges are nicer) I like the Dynaudio sound and I immediately enjoyed the new Confidence 20s and a Hegel 190 recently. |
I’m late to the party but I don’t mind reviving the dead. I’ve had Focal 706’s and now Dynaudio S40’s. Focals are easier to drive than most speakers and Dyn’s are much more difficult. I’ve also heard Kanta’s and Sopra’s and the BE tweeter is something special and I feel like it images a little better than the Esotar... if you want to sit in the perfect sweet spot. The Esotar on the other hand does everything else better and images amazingly. I was watching a Horror movie and there was a scene with fingernails on a chalkboard, it sounded exactly like fingernails on a chalkboard but it hurt my soul, I needed several days to recover and I could still feel it. Focals are light and airy and Dyn’s can be as well if perfectly positioned listening to a great recording but the Dyn’s will also hit you in face with a 2x4 if you’re not paying attention. Luckily I’m not biased!
edit add: I really want someone to mod a pair of Focal Aria 948’s with a BE tweeter. From what I’ve read the 948’s will peel the paint off your walls then start on the neighbors house. A completely different speaker than the 936 but also needs a large room. That said if I’m spending the money I’m going for the Contour 60’s.
what did you end up with? |
I listened to focal kanta 2 at a dealer..they sound great..the bass is definitely chest thumping...not sure why people say it is bright..
ps: I have sonus faber Cremona auditor..which I consider musical ,”rolled off at high”..also rock is not my music..pop and Bollywood
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Sorry to revive this thread..I also listened to a Dynaudio Contour 30 paired with an Octave Integrated Tube amp(not sure which model)..Sounded really good..in a large room with High ceilings....Surprised that many posts mention that Dynaudios need SS amp with high current and power..Bass was real tight (bulls and the tiger track on tidal) |
Focal Kanta sound amazing, however I just got a pair and the build quality is atrocious for this level of speaker.
Went with a pair of black lacquer fronts and backs, terrible finish.
Spent $10k USD for the pair and the lacquer finish is very uneven
Also glue has been left in the front port tube and it doesn’t line up with the opening. For a company that prides itself on its finishing - I was very disappointed. |
That’s terrible. I just ordered a pair. They are on long back order due to COVID. Were you able to get any rectification of the finish issues? |
