Focus Audio Classic

Maxxc,

I actually really like the VR4jr, but the VR2 (and VR1) to my ears just seem kind of bland to me. I've tried them both in my Blue Circle setup (BC3 preamp, BC28 amp), and I lose the richness and texture that I've gotten with a good number of other speakers.

Regarding a subwoofer, IMHO in a small room, it would be overkill. The FS688 has great bass extension (forget that it's a monitor, it reaches down to 40hz just fine with a good amp). To me, one of the greatest characteristics of the Focus Signature Series is how seamless it is through the frequency range. For rock and jazz, I would opt for an amp with more power before looking at a subwoofer. But as always, that's just my opinion... :-)

I've not yet had a customer using a sub with the 688 (that I know of), but I do have a potential customer who has been researching using a sub with the 788. Not sure if he's actually going to do it (he hasn't even placed his order for the 788 yet), but if he does and I hear the results, I'll be happy to share them with you.

Phil

I am using a sim audio I-5 intergrated with stellar results
My room is 14 x 16 and the sim makes the f688 absolutely sing in my system. The 70 WPC is very under rated in my opinion, I have hear 6000 (CDN) separates that could not reproduce the sound quality and speed of the I-5.(not to mention PRAT)
I have also heard the mark levenson and jeff rowland intergrated at, at lease twice the price and i would take the I-5 anyday

just my 2 cents
Jason

Thats what I kind of figured but wasn't sure. Yes I have heard the 688's at Tonys. Very large room 26 feet long almost as wide and with vaulted ceilings and opening up into other rooms. In otherwords a Supersize great room.

Bass was real good but no where near as deep sounding as in my room.

Your right about the amp too. The Jungson has just a touch of bloom in the bass region and digs considerably deeper then the Jolida and Cambridge Audio I previously used.

I guess when I get my Eastsound CD5 CDP from Andy at Sekei in a few weeks I'm done. Should be a real nice step up from the $350 Cambridge 300 player I'm using now.

Thanks again Phil

BW Maxx

Great stuff! The I5 is suppose to be exceptional. Did you see the Review of the I5 limited edition in UHF magazine?

I think they are only making 250 units. I know UHF was absolutely in love with this amp. They are going to be using it to replace one of the amps in one of their reference systems.

I've noticed alot of FA owners and even FA themselves when doing shows, tend to opt for quality SS rather then tubes. Real compliment to Focus Audio IMO. Unlike many highly resolving speakers you don't need to tame them, just pick an amp and CDP to allow them to live up to their potential.

"I've noticed alot of FA owners and even FA themselves when doing shows, tend to opt for quality SS rather then tubes"

FWIW, my favorite setup with the Focus speakers is using a hybrid Blue Circle amp (either BC28 or BC206), so technically there's a tube in there. And the folks at Focus tell me that a very popular combination for the 688's in Asia is with the Antique Sound Labs Hurricanes...