What speakers to get? Focal or B&W


What speakers should I go with all things considered. Price, Sound, Value, Quality, ect.... I am considering the Focal Profiles 928 $2,999 for the pair and the B&W 804s $4,500 for the pair.
nitjt
They are quite different styles. I have owned both (Electra 926 and B&W N804) and kept the Focals. The B&Ws in my opinion have a slightly dry treble and lean midrange that the Focals don't have. If you like strict detail, then it is very hard to beat the B&Ws but if you prefer coherence and body, the Focals are the ones for you. The Focals are also a bit easier to drive and sound sublime with tube amps. The 804S is an improvement over the N804 (my neighbor has a pair of 804S so I know them well) but it still has that signature upper mid peak that I just don't really care for. And finally, even the Focal 918s have bigger and fuller bass than the 804S so the 928s will load a room much better than the 804S ever will. The 804S require a fairly small room to be tonally balanced - something on the order of 225 sqft. So if you like bass and big soundstaging, the 928 is definitely the better option.

Arthur
ITs a taste/judgement call.

I've found the B&Ws are very British....more laid back and refined with what I've found to be a very "warm" sound.

I've heard the smaller Focal Profiles, 908 and 918s, I believe and they came across as more dynamic, transparent, detailed, and forward than any B&W's I've ever heard.

The B&W sound has never floated my boat. I'd go for the Focals, but again that is just my particular taste. Many would prefer B&W as well, I am sure.
Which ever of the speakers you choose, change you amplification fairly soon. You can't appreciate that quality of speaker to its best with a big box receiver.