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The one tweak most Focals need ...

From a lot of work done analyzing Focals, if you have one, especially an older one, and want to improve the sound and maybe learn something, try upgrading the tweeter caps.

Usually this is 1 or 2 film caps in series with the tweet. I can recommend Mundorf MKP as well as Clarity CSA as being good improvements.

Of course, you probably wouldn't want to mess with your Utopias, but for the mid to low end, highly recommended.
erik_squires
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Hey Erik.  I have a pair of older Focal Cobalt surround speakers that use the old metal inverted dome tweeter.  When you say upgrade the caps to Mundorf or Clarity, what would be the result?  Are we looking at a smoother sound?  Or more resolution / transparency?  Or what?!?
kenjit
1,771 posts
 
No evidence that replacing the caps will improve the sound. It could be make believe. 
bryhifi's avatar
bryhifi
374 posts
 
Narrow minded troll is back at it.  
erik_squires OP
16,173 posts
 
Hey @auxinput -

Smoother is exactly the word. I find the Solen caps Focal uses to be really pretty harsh sounding. I prefer Mundorf MKP's relatively to those. though not all agree.

Clarity is less dark, but also a lot less harsh than what Focal puts in.

I suggest that experimentation here is your key to learning. Try it and come back and tell me what you found. :)

Best,
Erik
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Well, I ordered some Clarity CSA caps.  They seemed to be the only ones that would fit in those positions.  If I hear any significant difference, I'll report back (in time), but since these are used as surround speakers, I'm not sure that I would be that clinical in listening.
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