Focal Kanta No.2 speakers - any thoughts? Also in comparison with Sonus Faber Olympica 3s?

Thanks guys for all the feedback, really do appreciate it.

@tablejockey  I tried the Cardas room placement calculator and it suggested I keep the speakers 7' away from the rear walls!  In my room that would be like 2 "guests" with me all the time in the living room :-) . I agree though that in our regular world nothing is going to be ideal.

I have done a lot of research on the Primaluna HPs and all the feedback seems to be really good.  I've also seen Kevin Deal's (Upscale Audio) reviews and videos but not sure if he's the right person for an unbiased opinion since he is their main distributor (although the way he campaigns for the Prima Lunas it feels like he's a part owner)!  I don't mean that in a bad way, I do appreciate his passion for the product and the facts that he points out do seem to make sense to me.  But you're right given his experience with all the 3 brands in question he would have useful insights on how the PL HPs match up with the Olympicas vs. the Focals and I do intend to reach out to him on that.  

@djfst and @nnnnny - thanks for writing in, I will be messaging you'll.

Hi sorry about the silly question but how do I message individual members of the group?

rsure,  Thought Id lend a voice for the SF Olympica III's I currently own the OlyII's and love them.  I have driven them with lots of differing gear, old and new... The PL gear is wonderful stuff... 

My Oly II's sound great with my ARC DS-135 130 watt amp and LS17SE preamp... I do have an ancient M&K 125 sub which I have crossed over at about 35Hz and blends seamlessly driven off the ARC speaker outputs... I rarely listen at ultra high db levels however it does crank up nicely when I do.

My room is about 24x20 carpeted, glass at the far end from the system with an 8' ceiling and is open to the kitchen in an L shape which is another 15x20 space. Far from an ideal listening room...

The Oly II's are 1 db less efficient that the III's and don't have the same bottom end response however they are amazing in many similar ways... I would have purchased OlyIII's if I could have found them used at the price you are pondering given that they may be in excellent condition with original boxes etc.

My suggestion to you is this...  it's hard to go wrong either way and there is a bit if time pressure on the OlyIII's... I'd suggest  you BUY THEM and if you get tired of them simply sell them... like rent, it might cost you a few hundred $$ over the course of a year or two to use while you may save up for whatever comes next... or like myself you may have no need to upgrade.  Buy them and you get enriched with more listening experience...

I have found my audio "hobby" to be highly experiential even after working many years in the business myself... Those Oly's are a beautiful pair of speakers to live with and listen to. I think you will love them, of course keeping them long term will be up to you and yes they do need air around them, 2 feet in each direction of clear space is probably minimum but it is all unique to your own room  for image and overall listening at their best as well as high grade cables, sources etc.

A friend was the rep for SF and ARC for years and she came by at some point and adjusted them in the room to her liking with instructions "Don't move them!" ... They have about 2' behind them and about 3' open to  either side.

I have friends that LOVE the Prima Luna gear and I have had great experiences listening to the PL HP through SF $25K higher end speakers... great gear and amazing setup...  I may swap some of that PL into my system at some point to see if I like it here..
Anyway, nothing ventured nothing gained... good luck and enjoy the music!

I know both speakers more so the Sopra though here ,snd recently sold the  Olympia-3 this summer for ML
11-a. Thst too Sold. After  I found a speaker right in the $7k range that hit me Like a ton s bricks and consistently bests speakers at much more money.
The Pure Audio Project  Loudspeakers , if you can use a screw driver and Allen wrench these wonderful open baffle speakers beat by a Wide margin the emerald,and spatial by s long Margin.  Just research them I bought with the simple 1 capacitor Leonitis  crossover,and Voxativ full range driver but  used from 350hz to around 20khz - magical I use a clarity CSA capacitor and a 2uf Duelund JAM Copper oil cap .if you want a speaker that disappears and does Bass to 29hz
And 95db efficient look no more . Plenty of reviews online.

I own the Olympica 3 in my second system.  Unless I get the opportunity to buy a Futura, that O3 isn’t ever leaving my family room.