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Focal 1008 be vs KEF LS50 vs KEF R300/500/700 vs MA Gold 200

Hi !

I just purchased a pair of Focal 1008 be. I was wondering how these other models I listed would compare with it.
  • KEF LS50
  • KEF R series (R300 or R700)
  • Monitor Audio Gold 200
  • Monitor Audio Platinium 100

I will be driving the speakers probably with a Hegel amp like H160, H300 or H360.
This week I will try to home demo LS50 and R300 if I can and compare them with Focals. I can still return Focal's, therefore I am questioning if any of those others would be a better choice. Use case will be 50% music %50 movies.

Thanks!
denizpiri
mofojo
2,300 posts
 
Heard them all except the Platinum 100. Out of The others I would pick the Focal for sure. 
chrisr's avatar
chrisr
543 posts
 
That will be an interesting comparison! I own the LS50s but I have never heard the others.  My guess is that the focal should be a more competent speaker than the LS50, as the LS50 has its limitations due to size.  Please let us know what you hear!
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
I drive a pair of Focal 1008Be's with a pair of pass xa100.5's and they sound very smooth and detailed and while I haven't listened to the other speakers you mentioned it would be hard pressed for me to switch from Focal except to maybe go further up their line. 

Chuck 
denizpiri OP
43 posts
 

I am definitely keeping the Focal 1008Be's. Initially had them connected to NAD c326's power amp which was fed by AVR's pre outs. Did sound ok with Audyssey, sounded so thin and lifeless without. Yesterday connected to NAD to a DAC directly, and speakers came to life! :D As I understand Audyssey was literally fixing up deficiencies of the AVR's pre section.


Taking Hegel H360 home today for demo, will keep it until Saturday, then exchange it for either Atoll IN300 or Audio Engine Puccini Anniversary. However, H360 makes much sense to me. Will see how it sounds with Focal. Will report back more later!


Overall I love the Focal 1008be's sound though. Love them visually as well. Bass wise, it doesn't go super deep, but whichever frequency it goes down to, it goes down smooth and with authority then fades away without any strange boominess at certain frequencies. Trebles,, well, those berylium tweeters are magic, what can I say :D Reveals a bit too much in low quality recordings. However, with better tracks, it truly sounds magical. Not laid back by any means though, yet not harsh or disturbing to listen to. Mid range is quite fine, nothing super warm or sweet though.


Will see how it does with Hegel H360 and make up my mind about it until Saturday.

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