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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
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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contuzzi
413 posts
 
“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.”

Unbelievably stupid assumption.

Also, focal speakers are not forward at all.  Period.  If you’ve heard them sounding that way, start hanging around people who know how to set a system up.  ;)
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Yes , lifestyles of people who love jazz .

enceinte
9 posts
 
having an old Sonus Grand Piano, I always had a soft spot for Sonus.They have a softness that I cannot find in a Kef or Focal within the same price range. I addition their cabinet wood work is unequaled . Also depends what kind of music one is addicted to ( piano concerto tell the story). Last but not least, one must have a preamp and amp that can push them correctly and all ears are not the same.
I have been looking at McIntosh C47 and MC152 but I think they are too limit to push Olympica 3 or Kanta 2. More W is serious $.  7 Grands for new Olympica 3 is a very very good price. 
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