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 4 responses by verdantaudio

Spendors definitely can handle the music you like. They are tremendous speakers and much more natural sounding than the Focals.
Sonus Faber and Habeth are also brilliant. Will work well with your Mc amp. Any one of the tree will resolve the issue.

The Focals need a very warm amp. You would have to swap your Mc for Naim to get that balance closer to natural.

Alternatively, you could look at other warmer amps like Pass or AVM. I have had a few customers swap AVM amps int systems with bright speakers and they are getting wonderful results.
Regarding amplification, not sure Parasound would be any warmer than your current Mc combo.  It might be a hair more forward.  Moot though.  Mentally, it sounds like you are ready to dump the Focals. 

What you will find is that Spendor and Harbeth actually deliver a ton of detail, it just isn't accomplished via a more forward tweeter like what is used in the Electra's  If you paired the Focals with very warm amplification (Naim/Conrad Johnson) you will find that they will sound natural.  Spendors paired with your amplification will sound natural.  The net result will be a similar, very detailed sound profile.  

I did a demo of the Spendor D7.2s with Naim gear and it was dark.  AVM tube gear was more forward than the Naim gear I listened on.  

An alternate is to do exactly what mijostyn is suggesting and that is run a digital EQ and turn down the high frequency response.  Or theoretically you could get an old-school graphic equalizer.  

Do you use Roon?  Roon has a digital EQ incorporated into it and could solve your issue.  
Adding the Mc MEN220 is running separate software in that it is the Lyngdorf room correction and is a pricey solution at $4500.   It is also not certain to solve your problem.  I find Lyngdorf amps sound a little bright even with room correction engaged but I am not an expert on the implementation and engagement of that software.  

It might be cheaper for you just to get new speakers.  You should be able to get $2800 to $3000 on trade for your speakers if you have original packaging.  More if you sell them yourself.  Out-of pocket would then depend on the exact model you look at.  

For example, the Spendor D7.2s list for $6800.  That would means $3800 to $4000 out of pocker for a new Spendor vs. $4500 for the MEN220.  

If you were my customer that is roughly the deal I would offer for the Spendors.  

Another interesting speaker in the same price range would be the Scansonic MB5 B.  List is $7200.  Scansonic delivers a huge soundstage and is very natural sounding.  You are supposed to set them up off axis as the speaker is designed to use reflections in the room to deliver a deep and immersive soundstage.  

Trade allowance would probably go up a touch vs. Scansonic compared to Spendor but you get the idea. Whoever your dealer is, should be able to work with you to get to a smart solution that will resolve your issue and keep your budget down.  
Your current combination is relatively neutral.  You could move to an MC275 which would help.  That bring said, I am not sure if that if far enough.   I have listened to the Electras driven by a C22 (warmer than your C2600) and MC275s bridged mono and still found it bright.  It was just about right for the Sopras which are more neutral than the Electras.  

If you wanted to commit to the Electras (good speakers though not personally to my taste), then I would look at Naim gear.  For comparable quality to your Mc I would look at the Naim NAC 282 Preamp and the NAP 250 DR Power amp.  Of course, that is not an inexpensive solution and even used, I bet will cost $7K to $8K. Probably overkill for the Electras and you would be fine with a Supernait 3.  

Naim is warmer than VTL for some perspective.  if you want to go away from Mc, I would put it out to the group here what tube amp will work with you Mc pre.  Those Mc pres work well with Mc gear but can run into issues with other brands.  I know that Conrad Johnson and VAC would deliver the sound you need but am not certain on compatibility.  

An alternative would also be certain Pass units and you could look at AVM.  Both offer a range of power amps and integrated amps that would work and soften the harshness of the Electras.  

The alternate direction is different speakers and committing to the Mc gear.  You have some solid recommendations that should offer tons of detail without the harshness of the the Electra tweeter.  Spendor, Harbeth, Sonus Faber and Scansonic along with others will be great.  

Full disclosure, I am AVM dealer and have access to Spendor.  In a prior post I mentioned Scansonic and I am a dealer of that brand as well.  I have no affiliation with any of the other brands mentioned.