Focal 807v & Triangle speakers.......

Chicomoralessxm

What can you guys tell me about these few speakers?
Has anyone ever compared any of these with the LSI9's. Mainly for music. Not sure if they can match when it comes to overall output. Oh and feel free to comment on the finishes if your familair
Just wondering how these few speakers compare in the sub1k category

Focal 807v
Epos M12.2
Triangle Cometa Es
Opera Mini
Opera Mezza
& finally the LSI9

thanks a million for the info.....

polkseller

I've tried both the Triangle Comet ES and the JMlab.

Comet didnt impress me much except for it's phenomenal tweeter effect. The tweeter is literally bouncing in the room and reach you easily, but no so detailed. Midrange was not perfect but very good. Power handling is minimal.

JMlabs on the other hands are very very nice, I think there are amazing in fact. Midbass and upper midbass/treble is the main force of these. One of my favorite speaker on the market. Very natural sounding, detailed sound and made in FRANCE. New tweeter is a dream to listen to.

didnt try the lsi 9, but everybody says they are high end speakers. I trust POLK for that. Again the tweeter of the LSI is amazing and 3D. You need 4ohms amp for theses.

RuSsMaN

My thoughts are similar on the Triangle and the JM Lab, with caveat being the JM Lab gel REALLY with some equipment, and can introducing listen fatigue on others.

The Opera offerings are on my short list - I'm rolling through monitors for the next year or so just for grins to hear what's out there currently, and who's who in the bookend category.

The Epos actually took 2nd place in the 'Great Small Speaker Shootout of 2007' hosted by StereoMojo last month. I was one of the judges, and the Epos REALLY impressed.

Cheers,
Russ

Chicomoralessxm

Cool russ what impressed you about the Epos?
Also you mention the JMFocal's are you refering to their higher lines? Or did were you able to listen to the 807V specifically?

Polkseller do you know if the triangles cometas come in real wood veneer it looks like a vinyl wrap to me.

Just for the sake of it guys i'll throw another name to the mix the dynaudio 52's.

treitz3

I currently have the Focal 807v's in my rig and I have heard the LSi9's in various locations and rigs, sometimes with the same amp and sometimes not.

That said, what I have observed is that both speakers have a pleasant but different sound. That's for sure. Both are IMO a good choice for 2 channel music.

Polks; nice overall sound with an amazingly good amount of midbass/bass for their size. Musical and not ear fatiguing tweeter, good choice by the Polk Corporation. This speaker turned many heads at a recent event that I attended, many that listened to them were very impressed on how much sound came from such a small speaker. Smooth overall sound that is responsive to different amplifiers, the more accurate power and source, the better. The placement is not to particularly as sensitive as some other bookshelf speakers, which in a small area can be a godsend. 4ohm. Main asset: the amount of provided lower end sound given the size of the speaker. Main gripe: midbass/bass sounds slightly thick.

Focals; again, a nice overall sound with a different sound than that of the Polk. Not as much lower bass available as the Polk's [keeping in mind that they are bookshelves], but a slightly cleaner bass which does not have as much "umph" or presence as the Polk's. A very detailed, precise and not ear fatiguing tweeter with IMO excellent reproduction of extreme higher frequency reproduction. 8 ohm. Main asset: The sound emitted from the tweeter. Main gripe: compared to the Polks, it is kind of lacking in lower octave presence.

polkseller

Triangle speakers were C recommended speakers If I remember well on one famous HIFI list (stereophile).

But the woofer use a unique double suspension that move easily and is low power handling. Finish is vinyl for sure. They are very heavy and big tho.

Difinetely prefer the JMLAB sound over the Triangle. More balanced flat sound. Pure sounding crossovers. dont match well with ''DRY sounding'' electronics like many denon receivers.

Next to my paradigm mini monitor v5, the paradigm can go to garbage...it's really in a different league.

The polk rti6 I use in the room like know is more of a competition for the JMlab sound.

Chicomoralessxm

LOL i actually own the mini v5. i'm running them on a hk3380. If find it not fatiguing to listen to but missing in presence. They lack that oooomph to them. Thats why i'm leaning toward the lsi9's. But i'm looking at what else is in the same price range. I'm probably not going to consider the triangles since i'm really looking for a speaker with sound and looks to match my decor. preferably with nice veneer (due to wife factor)
I'm curious though how the 9's and something like the studio 40 compare even though i'm sure for the price the will represent themselves quite well.

So russ what can you tell me about the Epos and operas?

RuSsMaN

My personal notes on the Epos from the shootout in the final two rounds:

Strengths:
RG: Detailed yet lush, solid bass impact and weight, good overall soundstage
RG: Midrange, vocals, bass articulation & control, overall better presentation of vocals

Weakness:
RG: Slight compression in lower mids, hint of boxiness/chuffing on kick drums
RG: Subtle cues of brightness on top

The entire shootout can be viewed here->
http://stereomojo.com/Small%20Speaker%20Shootout%202007/SmallSpeakerShootout2007Part1.htm

As far as the Jm Lab, I've spent good time with the 807 and other Chorus 700 and 800 lines, very familiar with the JMLab sound.

Cheers,
Russ

Chicomoralessxm

Well i'd like to dig a little further into your resources of experience.
Epos M12.2,
focal 807,
Polk Lsi9
Dynaudio 52's
oh i forgot the opera mini.

How do these speakers compare for a 2channel setup. I do enjoy some nice bass both quatity but definately quality midbass. Also i'm not a shy listener, i do like to crank up and enjoy my music without being fatiqued by it. At the same time if i choose more moderate levels, I definately enjoy 'hearing' the details of the music. I prefer a warmer sound so i'm seriously considering a bk preamp that will assist that presentation.

polkseller

Chico, the best thing you should do it to go listen to them in person !

There's a price difference between those speakers.

From your last phrase, I'd go with the dynaudio 52 if price is no object. Exactly what youre looking for. Very natural and detailed, strong bass.

wallstreet

My neighbor picked up a pair of Focals. I'm not sure of the model, but they are floor standing speakers. I believe they are in the Chorus 700 or 800 line. I spent a few minutes listening to the speakers as he was breaking them in. My impressions were that they were very detailed in the mid and high ends. And it's not that these speakers are overly bright. The low end was certainly lacking, but in this day and age, don't even the 2CH die hards use a sub too? No insight to long term listening fatigue, but I wouldn't expect there to be any with the Focals.

Chicomoralessxm

Would be nice but since i'm where i'm located dont have the luxury. None of those brands are located locally. Their is focal/paradigm dealor in puerto rico.
I'm only familiar with dynaudio, epos dealers in the US. I can get polk speakers outta the USVI but i'm not about to do all that travelling just for demo's. I got really excited on hearing about a local revel dealer. Bad new was that just order the stuff, no demo's not much good spending 2k on a speaker and realizing that hmmm its not the sound you looking for. I'd rather experiement for alot less

Russ not sure if you can help me out a bit but between the lsi9 and the epos 12.2. What are so pro and cons of the two? I'm tending to think that the focal's characteristics are not really match for my listening tastes. Quite a few refer to it as a 'polite' speaker. Also its not particularly known for its bass (lower or mid) extension. Which are big pluses for me. Have you listened to Dynaudio 52's?

Chicomoralessxm

Anyone directly compared the epos 12.2 again the lsi9's? what where you likes and dislikes of either. oh what equipment did you use?

RuSsMaN

I've had me ears on the 52's, but very briefly, so I can't really qualify an opinion on them.

I've got time with the 9's and with the 12.2 - but not in direct comparison. In general, I think the 12.2's are easier to drive, and have a more forward, lively sounding top end. The 9's are a tougher load, and more lush and laid back in the top end. Both have solid bass performace, and I could be happy listening to either without a subwoofer.

Cheers,
Russ

dkg999

And the 12.2's don't have any capacitors in the x-over to have silly arguments about

Chicomoralessxm

The price on 12.2 is kinda tempting. I've owned recently the mini v5 paradigms. They are satisfactory but one definate weakness their lower extention. As with most bookshelves this is a definate downside. I'm seriously thinking about getting a sub, but before i go that route i'm looking for a more refined bookshelf upgrade. Would love to audition these four bookshelves
Epos12.2 Polk lsi9's Dyna 52's and the Opera Mezza(just for the fun of it).

I'm just wondering since my wife who is also a bass lover (salsa zouk r&b)
would choosing darker electronics help? I'm looking at b&k but right now my seems to as always keep swelling.

Chicomoralessxm

dkg999 wrote: »

And the 12.2's don't have any capacitors in the x-over to have silly arguments about

excuse my ignorance but what do you mean?

dorokusai

I really liked the Triangle' loudspeakers I've heard, especially the Titus. I wouldn't buy it because it was the last name of an old boss, so that is unfortunate I guess.

Chicomoralessxm

lol good reason! here I was a little sketical about then because of the finish.

dkg999

EPOS used to have a blurb in their advertising about their "minimalist" x-over that didn't use capacitors to color the sound. I don't see that on their website now, so maybe they have changed.

RuSsMaN

Mark, not that it applies here, but the floorstanding models had some 'plinth' issues, didn't they?

dorokusai

There's been a rash of Triangle' loudspeakers on Audiogon to me, so something has happened, somewhere. It's probably a great time to get a pair but a bad time to sell them.

Russ - I have heard about that issue but haven't witnessed it. It may stem from rough handling but who knows. I would imagine if you're careful, you'll never experience that. The plinths aren't Spendor, MyeSound or Sound Anchor level but they aren't paper thin either.

Chicomoralessxm

What electronics would pair nicely with the epos speakers? ss prefably as opposed to tubes.

dorokusai

Chicomoralessxm wrote: »

What electronics would pair nicely with the epos speakers? ss prefably as opposed to tubes.

Anything, it's an easy loudspeaker.

RuSsMaN

Exactly. They are a gem with tubes, which makes them uber easy for sand amplification. If you want some names, look at Rotel, B&K, Arcam, etc etc.

Chicomoralessxm

Russ what operra offerings have you heard so far??

dorokusai

I'm not Russ but the Opera/Consonance gear I've heard or owned has been solid.

Chicomoralessxm

Have you heard either the Mezza or the Mini?

dorokusai

No. The only Consonance gear I've owned have been electronics ala the Cyber 20, Droplet and 2.0 SACD. I tend to avoid manufacturers that produce gear out of their "element".

Chicomoralessxm

Well just so that you guys know, i ordered a pair of the opera mezza's will let you know how they sound when i get them in a week or so. Hmmm well that is till i revamp my electronics. Would love to get the bk pre/pro combo. But its a little outta my range. I'll prob have to look into an intamp for now.
I'm hoping by feb i'll get an odyssey amp+second pair of bookshelves prob the dynaudio 52's, and finally i can relax a little bit and really enjoy the music.

jmwest1970

How are liking the Operas? I just went throught the same list you had minus the Operas and plus Totem Rainmakers. The sound of the Dynaudio 52s, the Focal JMLab 807v, and the Totem Rainmakers really stood out. I finally went with the Rainmakers as they seemed to disappear more to me.