Hello,
I'm new to Stereophile.com and the Forums and entry-level-high end-audiophile equipment as well. I'm seeking some advice on which system to upgrade to and appreciate any and all advice. For the past twenty years I've had a good entry level hifi kit (Linn Majik I amp, Royd Sinta II Bookshelfs, Arcam Alpha CD player. While nice enough, I never really enjoyed the Royds. This is very subjective, I know, and have no intent to offend anyone, but the little Royds have never been musical enough or wide enough soundstage for me.
In any event, I now have an opportunity to acquire an entirely new system and stretching my budget, have one of two combinations to choose from: As above in the header, a new Naim Uniti Atom paired Focal Kanta 2 -or- the same Uniti Atom but paired with a new Electra 1038BE. I'm a film (video) editor with a background in radio and require streaming capabilities.)
Both systems come recommended to me at one of the most trusted names among audio dealerships in Israe; at first the salesperson suggested the Kanta 2's but on second thought reckoned I might do better (at a negligible increase in price) with the 1038's, given that 3 years earlier, I'd been absolutely smitten with Focal when he'd demonstrated the Atom (albeit with a Naim pre-amp) paired with the 1008BE's, blown away with their rich musicality, and treatment of detail - if I'm remembering correctly.
The 1008BE's were my starting point this round, but unfortunately, as I understand it, Focal is discontinuing the Electra line -replacing it with the Kanta series - probably until supplies run out. He suggested that since I was already familiar and liked the Electra presentation, the floor standing 1038's have, of course, 4 tweeters, a commensurately fuller yet controlled bass and richer presentation overall, besides being in another class entirely compared to the bookshelf Electra's and that there were still units available from Focal and could be ordered. But he also said that the Kanta 2's accomplished nearly the same beautiful audio via technology and the ingeniously baffled chamber.
Since my last conversation with him, I've had a chance to do some research, reading reviews of both speakers and albeit sound unheard, I've managed to browse myself into a decision corner.
As to placement considerations, the speakers will be in a furnitured (sic) open living room/kitchen space roughly 18' by 14.5' with a 7 foot ceiling and bordered on the left side with a sliding glass door; one of the aesthetic considerations being that the speakers don't dominate the living room space.
My taste in music, subjectively speaking, are totally eclectic. I listen to and enjoy all kinds jazz, blues, the entire range of classical chamber and orchestra music, opera, Broadway musicals, standards crooners, rock, country, folk, some alternative, latin, world, but not too big on alien white noise; I have a generous collection of CD's, some old school vinyl (for future reference and exploitation) but lately have been enjoying Tidal streaming. Heck, there's not enough hours in a day to enjoy all this music - to say nothing of live!
So, in terms of musicality, soundstage (I read in the Stereophile review of the 1038's that, generally, while the adequate soundstage could not be considered a "fault" Focal did not try to cover for it but emphasised details, etc.) accuracy, detail and some of the considerations I mentioned, which speakers would pair better with the Atom (I do hope to get the Atom power upgrade further on down the road); should I look forward with the Kanta 2's or advance in tradition with the Electra's?
Whew, this turned into a long winded thing. If you're still with me, thanks! I'll be very happy to learn from your expertise, experience and knowledge so that I can be more confident in my decision - which, unfortunately I must make by early next week (it's now Friday the 14th of Dec). Also in the mix is that the Kanta 2/Atom setup is available immediately, while the Electra 1038BE's must be ordered and delivery would be in a month or so. I'll be moving next week to the apartment described above. Thank you again for any time and consideration!
All the best,
David
Hello,
I'm new to Stereophile.com and the Forums and entry-level-high end-audiophile equipment as well. I'm seeking some advice on which system to upgrade to and appreciate any and all advice. For the past twenty years I've had a good entry level hifi kit (Linn Majik I amp, Royd Sinta II Bookshelfs, Arcam Alpha CD player. While nice enough, I never really enjoyed the Royds. This is very subjective, I know, and have no intent to offend anyone, but the little Royds have never been musical enough or wide enough soundstage for me.
In any event, I now have an opportunity to acquire an entirely new system and stretching my budget, have one of two combinations to choose from: As above in the header, a new Naim Uniti Atom paired Focal Kanta 2 -or- the same Uniti Atom but paired with a new Electra 1038BE. I'm a film (video) editor with a background in radio and require streaming capabilities.)
Both systems come recommended to me at one of the most trusted names among audio dealerships in Israe; at first the salesperson suggested the Kanta 2's but on second thought reckoned I might do better (at a negligible increase in price) with the 1038's, given that 3 years earlier, I'd been absolutely smitten with Focal when he'd demonstrated the Atom (albeit with a Naim pre-amp) paired with the 1008BE's, blown away with their rich musicality, and treatment of detail - if I'm remembering correctly.
The 1008BE's were my starting point this round, but unfortunately, as I understand it, Focal is discontinuing the Electra line -replacing it with the Kanta series - probably until supplies run out. He suggested that since I was already familiar and liked the Electra presentation, the floor standing 1038's have, of course, 4 tweeters, a commensurately fuller yet controlled bass and richer presentation overall, besides being in another class entirely compared to the bookshelf Electra's and that there were still units available from Focal and could be ordered. But he also said that the Kanta 2's accomplished nearly the same beautiful audio via technology and the ingeniously baffled chamber.
Since my last conversation with him, I've had a chance to do some research, reading reviews of both speakers and albeit sound unheard, I've managed to browse myself into a decision corner.
As to placement considerations, the speakers will be in a furnitured (sic) open living room/kitchen space roughly 18' by 14.5' with a 7 foot ceiling and bordered on the left side with a sliding glass door; one of the aesthetic considerations being that the speakers don't dominate the living room space.
My taste in music, subjectively speaking, are totally eclectic. I listen to and enjoy all kinds jazz, blues, the entire range of classical chamber and orchestra music, opera, Broadway musicals, standards crooners, rock, country, folk, some alternative, latin, world, but not too big on alien white noise; I have a generous collection of CD's, some old school vinyl (for future reference and exploitation) but lately have been enjoying Tidal streaming. Heck, there's not enough hours in a day to enjoy all this music - to say nothing of live!
So, in terms of musicality, soundstage (I read in the Stereophile review of the 1038's that, generally, while the adequate soundstage could not be considered a "fault" Focal did not try to cover for it but emphasised details, etc.) accuracy, detail and some of the considerations I mentioned, which speakers would pair better with the Atom (I do hope to get the Atom power upgrade further on down the road); should I look forward with the Kanta 2's or advance in tradition with the Electra's?
Whew, this turned into a long winded thing. If you're still with me, thanks! I'll be very happy to learn from your expertise, experience and knowledge so that I can be more confident in my decision - which, unfortunately I must make by early next week (it's now Friday the 14th of Dec). Also in the mix is that the Kanta 2/Atom setup is available immediately, while the Electra 1038BE's must be ordered and delivery would be in a month or so. I'll be moving next week to the apartment described above. Thank you again for any time and consideration!
All the best,
David