Sources for Focal 1038Be II

At these prices, I've been tempted to pick up a set of 1038 Be II, but I keep reading reviews and owner reports that the tweeter on Kanta and Sopra is newer and better, less strident. 

Btw, how can one differentiate between the II, and the original version?

from Audioholic Forum  in 2018
I do not know more


There is a notable difference between the 1038 BE and 1038 BE Mark2 (BEII). Make sure you know which is which as they updated the components and tweaked a few other things:

"Like all the high-end loudspeakers in the Electra 1000 Be 2 range, the Electra 1038 Be floorstanding loudspeakers has benefitted from new components and settings. The impressive punch delivered by three 7″ (18cm) woofers with their inexhaustible power, reinforces the new clarity in sound image and definition."

I have the Electra 1038BEII floorstanders and the matching Electra SW1000BE and never feel the itch to upgrade the speakers. They are gorgeous to look at, especially in Porsche Carrara White lacquer and without the speaker grills which cover those gorgeous 'W' sandwich cones!

I purchased a refurbished pair of 1038s from Upscale Audio in the fall of 2018. Shipped from Focal in Canada direct to my house via freight on a pallet.
I had the 1028 Be prior to the 1038 Be. 1038s are a superior sounding speaker in every way. Better bass, more integrated sound from top to bottom, fuller mid bass. They go LOUD. I was using subs with the 1028s but not the 1038s (for two channel). Flat to low 30hz range (measured). Only negative is larger size.
They are not strident speakers. The Be tweeter is amazing, excellent resolution and very transparent. I don't think anyone would say Focal makes romantic sounding speakers but they are not fatiguing in anyway . It is highly resolving, pure, and transparent. Once you have listening time on these most other speakers can't compete.
I did notice the glass plate on top of the left speaker is slightly lower than the right speaker. Not aligned quite right to the side panels. I think this a product of being "refurbished". The speakers may not be perfect if you go this route but you still get the full warranty and the sound is unaffected. Not a big deal. Took me several months to notice.
Per Focal, there is no difference between 1038 Be and 1038 Be II. They are the same. Not sure why both terms are used. 
I am using an Emotiva XMC-1 Pre/Pro, ATI AT525NC amplifier, Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) music server and WireWorld cabling. Also sprung for the Furutech GTX-D R outlet. 

Dead wrong.  The Be II has a larger tweeter by .25" for one...