The one tweak most Focals need ...


From a lot of work done analyzing Focals, if you have one, especially an older one, and want to improve the sound and maybe learn something, try upgrading the tweeter caps.

Usually this is 1 or 2 film caps in series with the tweet. I can recommend Mundorf MKP as well as Clarity CSA as being good improvements.

Of course, you probably wouldn't want to mess with your Utopias, but for the mid to low end, highly recommended.
erik_squires
No evidence that replacing the caps will improve the sound. It could be make believe. 
Hey @auxinput -

Smoother is exactly the word. I find the Solen caps Focal uses to be really pretty harsh sounding. I prefer Mundorf MKP's relatively to those. though not all agree.

Clarity is less dark, but also a lot less harsh than what Focal puts in.

I suggest that experimentation here is your key to learning. Try it and come back and tell me what you found. :)

Best,
Erik
Well, I ordered some Clarity CSA caps.  They seemed to be the only ones that would fit in those positions.  If I hear any significant difference, I'll report back (in time), but since these are used as surround speakers, I'm not sure that I would be that clinical in listening.
I'm a little surprised! I thought CSA's ran a little larger than Mundorfs.

Do let us know!


Erik