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Focal Scala or Diablos with subs?

Hi all,

was looking for some advice discussion regarding a potential upgrade/purchase that I am considering.

I currently own a pair of Focal Diablos which I have had for around 6months. Amplifier is Musical Fidelity AMS Primo pre amp / AMS35P 35w class A amp. Source is Linn Akurate DS streamer.

Room size is fairly small, 4mtr x 4mtr x 2.4mtr ceiling, carpet floor brink render walls. Listening position is about 2.5mtr from the fronts. I also use the Diablos as part of my HT set-up.

I am very happy with the sound quality that the Diablos give me & feel that they suit the size of the room quite well. Synergy with the MF gear is good, the warmth of the a-class amp fits well with the detailed nature of the Focals, nice & silky. At times however I do feel that they lack a little in the bottom end.

Recently had a chance to listen to a pair of Scalas which a local dealer has as trade in, was very impressed. Everything that the Diablos offered and so much more. They will push my budget but with a trade in on the Diablos it can be done (& please don't start talking about the Maestros!!!)

However I have just started using my JL Audio F110 sub with my hifi & I have to say that it has made me stop & think. I can appreciate that the bass is not as tight or as perfectly integrated as the Scalas but it would be a lot cheaper to buy one more sub than stretch for the Scalas. It would also have the added advantage of beefing up the sub section of my HT set-up.

So questions are:
1) Thoughts on comparison of Scalas to Diablos/subs
2) Suitability of Scalas to room size
3) Suitability of Scalas in a HT set-up (I use the same speakers for both)
4) Suitability of AMS35P 35watt class A amp to run the Scalas (won't be able to change the amp any time soon, have been told that it should be more than adequate)

TBH I already feel that the Scalas are the way to go, they pretty much blew me away when I listened to them & I think that the deal I can strike is great value. But interested to get thoughts/advice from those with more experience than myself.
neuphonix
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
I see you use an old Rel subwoofer. I sold these 10 years ago. For stereo they are much toooooooo slow. For stereo use subwoofers without bass reflex and the speaker unit should be single and placed in front. With Audessey pro I became fully stealth subwoofer sound with my speakers. Rel is always toooo slow. Wenn I use my own music you can easily here it is not synchroon with the speakers.
jerrypan
19 posts
 
neuphonix - my comment might be too late, but just the same I'll share with you my experience. We have the same size of room and with it are focal scala speakers and pass labs xa 100.5 power amps. The latest addition to my audio equipment is the musical fidelity primo preamp. Having a tube preamp and a solid state power amp makes it a hybrid. The speakers and the preamp are still in the break in stage but I want to believe that it can only get better. Perfect match . . . almost any type of music sound with great clarity, deep and wide soundstage. I think the TT, cd player, interconnects, power cords and my room acoustic treatment contributed to the great sound as well.
I also took the risk with the scala . . . just got lucky.
Hope you made the right decision.
nvp
317 posts
 
Bo1972, I believe your comment about the REL was address to me. Firstly, IMO the concept of slow subwoofer is a misnomer. Most often it is the resonances in the room that give one the impression that a sub is slow, i.e. bass notes hang into the room too long. This is most often a problem with the set-up and with the room. Secondly, while indeed a old subwoofer, the REL Stentor 3 is certainly not a bad subwoofer (I had great results with it with and without electronic room correction). Surely, there are much better subs these days, but this has nothing to do with the OP's original question. Finally, thanks for reminding me to update my system page.

Neuphonix, I have re-read me initial post. I am sorry for being so bold. I was probably not that happy to realize that in 10-15 year my daughter me also not know that much about drums or speaker set-up or things that I do for living (e.g. physics, math, programing). :)
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
I sold the more expensive Rel subwoofers in the past. The difference for newer subwoofers is quite big. Downfyring and bassreflex does not make is more easy. Bassreflex makes a sub always slower. Downfyring means bigger chanches for acoustic problems. The older Rel subwoofers are difficult to use in higher freq. like 120 hz. The become noisy and the sound is not that tight anymore. The use of Audessey Pro and my Monitor Audio PlW-15 makes is very easy to use to 120 hz. The integration with the speakers become extreemly stealth. To be unnest I never thought this would be even possible. To use it to 120 hz makes the integration go to a new level which most people never heard. Voices and instruments are so much better focussed and more 3d as well. I had a few highend systems always without sub's Like The Nautilus 800S. Now with Audessey pro and my Monitor Audio PLW-15 I have superior low freq starting from 16hz. Many of my clients with highend systems call my subwoofer voodoo. Because they are stunned about the stealth integration of the whole sound.
nvp
317 posts
 
Bo1972, I agree with what you are saying. Electronic correction has come a very
long way in the last years. I use an Accuphase room correction unit for some
time now with wonderful results. IMO it is a must for SOTA bass and stereo
image.

Initially I though that we are digressing but not anymore. The OP should be
made aware of how seaming-less subs and monitors can be integrated these
days using room correction units.
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