**HELP** FOCAL ELECTRA 1028Be sound issue (muffled)

I would ike to thank everyone who contributed and tried to help with my issue. I decided to go to a local dealer and listen to the speakers, and decide from there. My amplifier was updated, with caps, and some transistors replaced. It was done by a great technician recommended by many audiophiles. I will take the small steps and see where this will lead me. I don't want to start spending thousands to replace the amp, cables, etc. I will advise about the results once the issue is found and resolved. Thank you again for all your feedback and advice. I truly appreciate this great community.

Good plan. Test... remove that variable, then test the next most likely... etc. Until the offending component. I would recommend spending no money until you are 100% sure that is the offending component. Starting with the speakers sounds like the right move. 

Don't think your amp is up to the task. Those speakers can dip below 4 ohms, not many amps from the 70's are comfortable with that. If all the drivers are working, its gotta be the electronics, last thing those speakers are is dull and muffled.

Former owner of 1038's. Happy to say former...

sensitivity 91db, they should sound good being driven at normal volumes by nearly any amp, and this review says

"A single set of high-quality five-way binding posts is located on the rear." so it isn't missing jumpers.

unless they altered the design

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/focal-electra-1028-be-speaker-system-page-2

@adbacl  -  Probably not the case, but just gotta ask.... Have you checked the cable connections to make sure you don't have the '+' and '-' reversed on one of the speakers.  One speaker being out of phase would do it.