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Warm romantic & detailed

Good morning Gentlemen & ladies... 

I'm just starting to toy with idea of replacing my Focal 1038's... No matter how I treat my room, or what equipment I throw at it I just can't seem to tame the harsh highs on this speaker. 

I'd like to stay in the same price range of the Electra's (7/8k), I don't mind buying used, the musts for me at this point are: Warm, romantic, yet detailed... It would be beautiful to just sit and listen and not have ear fatigue after 15 minutes of listening. 

Can you please recommend something? 
jeffinnh76

Showing 6 responses by twoleftears

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
Because I rank it close up there with the Harbeths and Spendors recommended by others, I'm going to mention the Vienna Acoustics Liszt again.  You can get exceptional bargains on used examples if you keep your eyes open.  
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
Vu of Deja Vu in Wash DC (a major Harbeth dealer) maintains the 40.2's need a minimum of 2' to the sides and really 3' behind them.  I don't have experience with 40.1's but it seems likely they might need more.  My 40.2's sound "just right" to me, neither too syrupy nor too incisive.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
Congrats!  Those are definitely get-off-the-merry-go-round speakers. If they're new, the treble and bass will break in perhaps around the 100 hour mark.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
Absolutely.  Harbeth 40.1's as already suggested, or alternatively Vienna Acoustics Liszt (used).  Both will perform exactly as you describe.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
And there you have it, from Tannoy Cheviots to sheep.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheviot_sheep
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
@jeffinnh76  There are significant differences between the .1 and the .2/.3.  The crossover in the 40.2 was changed to make it more living-room friendly.  The 40.1 could boom in too small rooms or when not carefully positioned.  The differences between the 40.2 regular, 40.2 Anniversary, and 40.3 XD are insignificant, and have more to do with marketing than performance.  A NOS/NIB/demo 40.2 is the purchaser's sweet spot.
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