How to make the Focal Kanta No. 2 speakers sing?

@kennyc

I felt like I hit the jackpot when I purchased the Linn/DSM2 w Organik DAC upgrade. BAACH looked interesting, but the BAACH-SP was priced way out of my comfort zone. I wasn’t sure if I can buy then work the software separately, thanks for letting me know this option. I would love to try BAACH with my current DAC.

To be clearer about BACCH options: Theoretica Applied Physics, which makes the expensive BACCH-SP (in several versions) and the really expensive Grand BACCH-SP also sells several versions of what’s called BACCH4Mac that are far less costly – for under $5K, you can get the loudspeaker option with the hand-built in-ear microphones, head tracking capability (you provide the webcam) and, of course, the XTC software. For the really uncertain and/or thrifty, there’s a software-only version (BACCH4Mac Intro) that’s priced just under $1000 that bases the "3D audio rendering" on distance measurements (with a tape measure) of your listening geometry, rather than in-ear acoustic measurements. It's not the full BACCH experience but a decent approximation.

Visit the Theoretica web site for full details.

@donald_dac Have you had a chance to read anything online about the Lyngdorf Voicings yet? I’m excited for you to, because it’s the solution you’re looking for, in my opinion, with your original inquiry in this thread. 
 

There will be lots of opposition to my suggestion around here, again, in my opinion because even some of our long term members that obviously understand how to achieve good acoustics just plainly have not gained experience with what I affectionately refer to as the Lyngdorf house sound, which is kind of like the Nordost house sound not in my opinion but based on my experience. 
 

Both of them are known, by those who’ve used their products anyway, for having the most neutral sound of all meaning that neither of them will “color” your sound. 
 

Another generalization is that they both are known, again by folks who’ve used their products, to allow you to achieve one of the quietest noise floors. Period. 
 

And that! is something I bet the old timers around here know about, because it’s a principle that we’re all out to achieve … if we are doing more than just collecting cool toys and plugging them all in together. 
 

what I’m referring to is called synergy, right? 
 

The only thing that’s imperative when you take this approach to building your system is that you have chosen your equipment well because another thing that’s I guess you could say is a principle too: and I can tell you this is true because I’ve been there and done that I guess is the way they say it … you will be able to hear clearly exactly what the designer of the piece of equipment is capable of in the way of both revealing and presenting your favorite music to you when you’re getting your jollies listening to your system. 
 

Fyi … one of the reviews I read before I bought my TDAI 2170 suggested that the Lyngdorf presented what he called the blackest background ever … and he suggested that Lyngdorf might want to check in to the idea of patenting the feature as what he called Blackground.

Their approach is just so different that, especially sone of the purists around here just are not familiar with how it’s so radically different. That is not the be taken as a slam at all. I referenced in my earlier post, the phenomenon of not knowing what you don’t know.  
 

By the way, how old are your speakers, have they had sufficient time to be fully broken in yet? Because that Trevor response may smooth out a little bit over time. Probably not sufficiently for your taste, though, so rather than chucking the speakers per @soix and whoever else disagrees and considers my suggestion to be polishing a turd … with this approach, you can both! tame your room response which will improve the hell out of your acoustics (all the way around) and also allow you to enjoy your speakers. 
 

I saw an MP-40 either here or on one of the other platforms for around $3500 which is not a real steep price to pay for having awesome acoustics. 

AND .., they’re your next door neighbors! because Peter Lyngdorf I believe is Danish. 

@tunefuldude Thanks for the Lyngdorf tip. I still have read up on what's unique with their approach. I heard a higher end Lyngdorf system at a HiFi show a few years back, with wall mounted speakers if I recall correctly, but wasn't blown away. Could have been the large room they had. I like the speaker wall mounting principle though to take down the room's effect . I will investigate further!

Yeah., the Danes are really productive and good audio equipment manufacturers. Can be tracked back to them having many audio universities/schools I've heard.

@snapoli2 

Its the speakers man. This is a common complaint with focal. Before you soend a ton of money on room treatment etc etc - TRY a tube pre. I would purchase a freya + (with the TUNGSTOL tubes) a great pre for the price (cheaper than installing a bunch of room treatment and you can return it if it doesnt do the trick). If it doesnt warm the system up then youll have a better idea that its the speakers. It try to borrow a tube integrated and try that. Best of luck!

The Freya + would be nice to try. I also like that it has three modes that you can cycle through for different sound characters.

@atanarjuat99 

My dealer has now ordered me a Pathos preamp, which I suspect will work well too.

A note on cables. They make a big difference. I upgraded my speaker cables to the DH labs Q 10. And also my amp power cable.

The Focals can sound amazing, but they need to be babied along on their journey to greatness.

My plan is to try a tube preamp and see where that puts me.

Cables matter, agree. Speaker cables mostly so I've noticed. That is for some reason really noticeable on my Yamaha receiver with the Kantas. I never experienced that when using the Aria 936 I had before. WIth the Purifi amp the speaker cable differences are smaller. I have a pair of QED Silver Anniversary XT that I used for a while to force a treble roll off. But it has other effects, rolled off and slower bass as well which makes the sound boring to listen to. So at the moment I use standard 12 AWG (4mm2) "pure" copper cable. I have to borrow a few cables when I'm ready and test what works for me.

@erik_squires 

Consider also combination absorbers / diffusors between the speakers, while focusing on absorbers on the sides as well as the ceiling between the listener and speaker. Not only does treating the ceiling add height to the images but they are a great, unseen space to add more absorption in the bands you care about.

I have been scratching my head about the low focus point of the Kantas. It seems that the sound emerges from my center speaker (while not in use) which is placed quite low, just below the TV (yes there is TV screen there which I sometimes use to cover up with a thicker blanket when nobody sees). I even tilted the Kantas a bit backwards in an effort to raise the focus point, but that didn't do much. Ceiling treatment might very well be the key to that problem. I will check if there is a more "hidden" treatment solution that can blend in.

@mjmcubfn 

I had these speakers for awhile and the Gaia II’s made a HUGE difference. If you can find them used, it’s a $500-$600 tweak and the difference for me was night and day. 

Yes agree, I have them installed. Quite noticeable difference for the better!

@soix @roxy54 

You’re fighting a losing and potentially expensive battle here for no good reason. Move on and be happy.  Sorry, but it’s now obvious and somebody’s just gotta just say it.  

I hear you! And you are probably right. 😀 I plan to better up the room acoustics a bit and borrow a pre and a power amp. If that doesn't do it, then I at least have a decently treated room prepared for a new set of speakers.

@aquint I dug up your old well written review of the Kanta No.2:s and your conclusion is what you state in this thread as well, basically to find the right pre and amp for them:

While the Kantas are not Sopras or Utopias, Focal has finessed the challenge of providing a significant slice of the performance of their top speakers at a more accessible cost. If you have a loudspeaker budget of $10k—and the right amplifier—the Kanta N°2 ought to be on your list of products to hear.

I noticed you even have your reviewer writing style when commenting in threads here. Entertaining to read 😀

I messed around briefly with Apple Music multichannel in my system but noticed quite quickly that my system is not up for a good experience given the weaker/cheaper center/surround speakers and Yamaha amp. 2 channel works much better for me. I have never managed to calibrate it fully to my liking for music. Movie watching works fine. Earlier this year I listened to an Atmos music demo session by Genelec using their "The Ones" for each channel (plus subs)which was quite cool.

BACCH /  Linn/DSM2 / XTC software. That's over my head at the moment. And probably price wise too. Thanks for bringing it up regardless.

I hear you! And you are probably right. 😀 I plan to better up the room acoustics a bit and borrow a pre and a power amp. If that doesn't do it, then I at least have a decently treated room prepared for a new set of speakers.

Sounds like a very good plan!  Hey man, I’m just here rooting for you to get there however you get there 🤞🤞🤞.  Keep us posted if you could.