Wow! Looks awesome. How do the Focals compare to the Vivids?
And do you have two separate systems driving them or a switch for the speakers?
Thx. Driven separately. The Giyas by a Linn Akurate combo (stable, too much trouble to change things). The Focal by different DAC/preamp combos (Cambridge Dac Magic+ in the picture) depending on the mood and a set of dual hypex nc400 monoblocks. Happy with both, just as I would be happy with many other speakers.
Random thoughts:
- the Utopias are harder to drive than the Giyas, that's what led me to try the Hypex kits.
- the Hypex kits have to be the best amplification deal ever.
- a year ago I could have sworn there was a massive difference between the Giyas and the Utopias, in favor of the Giyas. Then, I played the "blind test" game with my partner and that difference essentially collapsed. Now, after a bit of training, the difference is back, to a lesser extent, still in favor of the Giyas for the music I like most and know very well. But, as I already have said, I would have been happy with either.
- measurement for both are roughly similar at the sweep spot and along the lines of the "reference" curve that is so much liked here.
- I also have a set of subs (not pictured because they are on the side), not mandatory, but they do help some pieces.
Totally subjective assessment:
Giyas positive: they just aren't there. I will always remember the face of a friend, who is a pro classical artist and renowned teacher, when she listened to her own recordings on them for the first time. I can be summarized as jaw dropped on the floor and then "WTF, where does the music come from?" albeit in more elegant terms... Regardless of any long subjective discussion one can have about the ability of speakers to reproduce a live experience, the subjective total disappearance of said speakers is spooky in a very positive sense.
Giyas negative: reliability
D50 mid died on me, without even being driven hard.
Utopias positive: the ability to go to very high SPLs while staying close to Giyas in other aspects.
Utopias negative: comparatively to Giyas at least, you somehow feel their presence. Harder to drive (but ultimately driven cheaply thanks to NC400)