Used Focal Alto Utopia or New Focal 1038BE

Stanwal, "I would almost always go with used from a higher line rather than new from lower one."

In my opinion, that is sage advice.

Thank you Gregm for your opinion.The new Utopia series is out of my price range for now.

Hi Paul,
Once again you are right about Focal Utopia.Today I audition both speakers and they are both good match for my Rega.Electra has more forward midrange and is faster, but Alto's are sweeter sounding to me.Good news is that the sound is crystal clear even at low volume.I have a large room ,so monitors are probably out of the question. ( I prefer not to use the subwoofer).Best regards,
Mark

Zszwedo,

The Isis is awesome. You can't do much better at any price.

I auditioned both. I had option to buy great condition Alto Utopia for $5,500. Too bad that they would be too big in my room (20x20x9 but with back wall open to living room / foyer).

So, I ended up buying the 1038Be instead.

The main difference is in the bass. 1038Be is sufficient for my room but the Alto generates fantastic, weighty bass sound. In fact, I preferred the Alto to the B&W 802D (demoed in same room with same equipment).