Focal Kanta N1 Bookshelf Speakers - Gauloise Blue

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Clipdat
Clipdat Posts: 12,598
edited August 2022 in 2 Channel Audio
Look at these Focal Kanta bookies looking absolutely stunning in gloss "Gauloise Blue"! Awesome color combo with the gloss black. Love them!
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https://tmraudio.com/speakers/bookshelf-speakers-monitors/focal-kanta-n1-bookshelf-speakers-n-1-black-gauloise-blue-pair/

https://www.hifinews.com/content/focal-kanta-no1-loudspeaker

Another solid deal here as these go for $8k msrp new, and are selling for $4,434 shipped. Maybe because the blue color is less desirable? I don't know, but I want them!

I've actually heard these before at a local shop powered by a Naim streaming integrated and all Nordost cabling. Sounded absolutely incredible. Truly a sound you could listen to every day and never get tired of. Great sounding speakers!

I know we have at least one member here who loves his Kantas @stangman67 - anyone else have any experience with the line?
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 4,926
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    @Joey_V has (or had) the floor standing Kanta N° 2, if memory serves. 🤷‍♂️

    It’s a brand I’ve wanted to listen to for a while, but I haven’t found the time yet.
    Alea jacta est!
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,020
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    Yeah I think Joey had the towers in this color
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
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    Very cool Drew!
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,598
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    Unfortunately the crossover Focal chose to put into this $8k/pair speaker is downright embarrassing. We should not be seeing sand cast resistors and electrolytic caps at this price, imo. Not to mention cheap generic internal wiring.
    6c2j31t4rba9.png


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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,020
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    Look at that beefy iron core inductor though!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,311
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    Embarrassing is an understatement. That would be a great candidate for an x-over component upgrade though! I never did look at the crossover in my Focal's. Probably would have improved the imaging, or lack thereof, shall I say. I forget which model they were but it wasn't these.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,020
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    Unfortunately with focal you have to be unloading your bank account to receive entry level nice components... Solen grade caps, nicer resistors etc
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,311
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    I'm thinkin' (off the top of my head) that a decent x-over upgrade for that would be in the 2-3K range (parts only). IME, well worth it, especially if they are already basically half off of retail.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,020
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    Depends on the values and if it could be kept internal but 3k would be a worthwhile investment for sure
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,598
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    Someone with more money than I have should do it.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,518
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    I had the Kanta 2 in that same blue. It looks a little paler in person.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 675
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    Just curious. Can you only listen to music played on Pelham blue Gibson guitars with those speakers?
    Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,020
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    That's actually written in the manual
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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