Focal Scala Utopia vs Wilson Sasha?

Mert/Nolitan,

Went back again yesterday after 2 weeks burn in. Set up identical - accuphase sacd player with accuphase pre amp and monoblocs (I think 160W). Took same discs. A colleague also joined us.

Once again I was disappointed. Wife and friend didn't like it much either. Voice was certainly good and probably better than my home set up but fell far short of what I remember these speakers were capable of. Highs were also splendid. But bass was pedestrian, inarticulate.

We suspect something wrong elsewhere - cables or amps or both or room.

Will give these speakers one last go in 2 weeks. They will set Scala in a different room with BAT monoblocs. I hope to rediscover the sound that mesmerized 7 months ago, at that time with reference Chord electronics.

Kw your diferencies on listneing the same model but diferent pair is quite diferent (too much for speaker as a system component I think) I assume you used the same jumper position? I would not consider Scala very hard to set up or critical to position placement.unless there is some BIG problems with room acoustic maybe something wrong with speakers technicaly? sometimes it just happens on assembling stage. anomality can be small enought to notice in general but big enought to spoil speaker abilities.

kw13
The problem is not the speakers, or room acustics. The Problem is the combination of the dealer has set for you.
Avoid all Accuphase setup, plus Chord electronics which is a nice partner for KEF speakers but not for Focal.
Try a solid state like Krell, Ayre, Halcro, Pass. Combine with any universaly accepted a good preamp. For example, Krell will work good with Audio Research Ref preamps. For digital you may depend on dCS as I do.
I would not choose components from same brand, having used all together.
Regards
mert
(some people argue that Focal Scala with Naim electronics yields very interesting results sonicaly)

I just sold my Dunlavy SC IV's and ordered the Focal Scalas. Meanwhile, I've borrowed a pair of Ktemas, Franco Serblin's new floorstanders. I miss the big sound of the Dunlavy's. I hope the Scalas don't disappoint. I wanted a speaker with modern driver technology, but so far I kind of miss the big SC IV's. Am I crazy?

i take it back. the ktemas have such great resolution and imaging.....