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

Hi,

I am very excited about these new speakers and am looking for some help with a decision I am trying to make. I have an opportunity to buy a used (mint) pair of Sonus Fabre Olympica iii speakers for around $7000 but unfortunately can’t audition them for too long due to travelling schedule and as the seller is moving out soon. The Focal Kantas sounded very good to me (driven by a Devialet 130 pro) at the dealers but the Olympica IIIs  also sounded good albeit possibly a bit more laid back (they were driven by an Audio Research tube preamp and a pass labs power amp). Also, the listening room at the seller's place was not at all ideal/treated so is difficult to do a fair comparison. 

Compared to almost all other speakers I have seen so far the Olympicas are the most beautiful and almost high-end furniture like but the new Kantas don't give the Sonus any advantage in this regard as they are also really lovely looking speakers with many different finishes!  I am planning to run wither of these speakers with a Prima Luna Dialogue HP integrated amp so any feedback in that regard will also be much appreciated. 

If anyone here has heard both these speakers, any suggestions on whether the new Kantas are possibly worth giving up on the Olympicas at $7,000?  The Kanta's are retailing at a bit under $10,000.  If I decide on the Kantas then I will push out the purchase until I can find a better discount at some stage but if with the Sonus then will have to buy right away.

Thanks!
rsure
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,208 posts
 
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.
joey_v
668 posts
 
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.
rsure OP
29 posts
 
Thanks again for the feedback.  Where I'm located it is not easy to sell used equipment given the small market for these products and so I need to be reasonably sure that I'd hold on to something for a while before buying it.  And so I've decided for now to not rush into the purchase and audition a few more speakers before making the decision.  If the Olympicas get sold before that I'll just consider that a sign that they weren't for me ;-)

On another note, I just recently read about the new Magico A3 announcement and that has me super excited given that they cost the same as the Kanta's!!  It's just speculation on my part but I'd expect them to be better than the Kanta's for sure?!  Of course will have to wait for it to be released and more importantly have a listen before reaching a conclusion.  But I for one feel like it's worth putting off my purchase for now and wait for the A3s!

What do you'll think - are you'll excited about the new "cheaper" Magicos too?
nitewulf
426 posts
 
My thoughts...whenever I heard Sonus Fabers, they seemed laid back to me. That seems to be what they are tuned for, a darker sound.  And Focals are quite opposite. So you can't really compare them. Plus you don't want to rush into buying something that you already are doubtful of.

Magico A3 should be real nice, but in your budget check out Dynaudio, Legacy Audio, Dali, Endeavor Audio E3.

The Focal Kantas seem more of a lifestyle range geared toward millennials, so I'd be careful, you are paying a lot for the looks and comparably priced speakers may outperform them by quite a margin.

The new Magicos are very exciting, I'd definitely love to hear them when they are out. I love my speakers and unsure if the Magico's will be better on all aspects but down the line in  a few years, who knows!
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