FOCAL-JM LAB Profile 908 bookshelf speakers are on their way........

Wayner · « **Reply #20 on:** 8 Nov 2008, 01:45 pm »

Yes, it's aluminum/magnesium alloy, my mistake.

Things I've noticed so far......

1) The wire terminals on the back are not on the 3/4" standard, so dual banana plugs won't work. Apparently the French can't figure that out 'cause my Paradigms (French Canadian) aren't either. No big deal, I just used stripped wire.

2) They seem to image very well, though I don't think I have them in the best spot, I'll move them around a bit today.

3) They also exhibit no phase shifting when I do the stand up, sitdown test. The tweeter is crossed over very well with the woofer as the sound from both seem to blend together.

4) I haven't heard any noise from the front flared port, but haven't really cranked them either. Apparently, there is a rear port too, built into the rear connection panel.

5) They are basically only one of a couple of speakers that would fit on my shelf.

I forgot to mention that I got these from Music Direct in Chicago. Rocco (sales manager) handled my screwed up order and got it right in very short order. Things do go wrong and they went the extra mile to make it right. I don't think they made much money off of me, shipping a 66.5 pound subwoofer back and forth and the next day air shipment of the right speakers. Again, they did a fantastic job to right the wrong. Pretty good guys, if you ask me.

Back to Saturday chores.

Wayner

opnly bafld · « **Reply #21 on:** 8 Nov 2008, 02:08 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 8 Nov 2008, 01:45 pm

Things I've noticed so far......

1) The wire terminals on the back are not on the 3/4" standard, so dual banana plugs won't work. Apparently the French can't figure that out 'cause my Paradigms (French Canadian) aren't either. No big deal, I just used stripped wire.

It is illegal in the EU (Canada also?) because it happens to be the same size as their AC plugs,

,literally in this case.

Lin

Wayner · « **Reply #22 on:** 8 Nov 2008, 03:02 pm »

Good point! I seem to remember when I was in Germany that the spacing of the 220 volt outlets where about that spacing....oh well.

Wayner

avahifi · « **Reply #23 on:** 8 Nov 2008, 03:15 pm »

Bring the Focals with you the next time you come and visit, Wayne.

If they beat Nate Field's little speakers, then the pizza at the Little Oven is on me.

Best regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Wayner · « **Reply #24 on:** 8 Nov 2008, 04:42 pm »

I'll assume that if they don't, then the pizza is on me!

I just moved the speakers in closer, which required some new holes in the shelf (wiring), but now they really image. I can't wait to have the speaker shoot-out. It won't bother me if Nate wins, he can have pizza, too. My only concern with Nates speakers was depth, 'cause my shelves are very narrow. The Focals barely fit.

Perhaps next weekend.

Wayner

avahifi · « **Reply #25 on:** 8 Nov 2008, 05:16 pm »

Nate's little Model T5 speakers are 7.5 inches wide, 12 inches tall, and 10.5 inches deep with the grills on. The price is $1195 a pair in either black, maple, cherry or any color you want, price to be determined for optional custom colors.

Nate is here and we are listening to my new pair (in black) right now, and they are mighty impressive and VERY full range.

Regards,

Frank

ArthurDent · « **Reply #26 on:** 8 Nov 2008, 06:51 pm »

Any pics of these little beauties Frank ?

Nice looking speakers Wayner, keep us posted on the shootout, and who's buyin' the pizza.

Have a great one -

JD

Wayner · « **Reply #27 on:** 8 Nov 2008, 08:38 pm »

Either way I still win. Always Enjoy my time with Frank.

Here is the Studio as of right now. Some of you have wondered about my room and its many problems. As you can see, there is a shelf across the long side of the room. That is the only place for speakers. The shelf is at a 4 foot height, so it is perhaps the worst place to put speakers. Suprisingly, this also puts the speakers in a real nice near field position. This allows the listener to crawl right into the recording. This is not my main listening room, but it is my vinyl room, where almost all of my AVA and tables are. this is the reason I love vinyl. You can't get much closer to the music (or Borg Central).

The Focals are now 48 inches apart with a 7 degree toe-in. The amp is the 170EX OmegaStar (in the old Dynaco Stereo 120 cage on the shelf, between the speakers.

Wayner aa

mr_bill · « **Reply #28 on:** 8 Nov 2008, 09:00 pm »

Wayner,
You also have the Paradigm 40 V3's. That's a very good bookshelf speaker. Are the Focals better?
Bill

Wayner · « **Reply #29 on:** 8 Nov 2008, 09:52 pm »

Right now the focal and the Paradigms sound more alike than different, but they do sound different. The Focals High end is glorious, but the paradigms may have a little better bottom end. That makes sense since they have twice the surface area dedicated to the lower end. I'm still reserved as the Focals are not close to broken in yet. They are going to be ranked very high in my bookshelf speaker ratings. I also have a pair of paradigm Atoms that are killer speakers for under $300. If you need inexpensive quality speakers, with a small footprint, the Atoms will kill allot of larger more expensive speakers IMHO.

Wayner

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #30 on:** 9 Nov 2008, 01:45 am »

Wayner:

Where are your acoustic treatments?

Nice looking setup, BTW.

pbrstreetgang · « **Reply #31 on:** 9 Nov 2008, 01:48 am »

So the focals are sounding good even with the sidewalls of the Paradigms bracketing the tweeters?

robinje · « **Reply #32 on:** 9 Nov 2008, 04:32 am »

Very nice looking setup, there, Wayner!

Wayner · « **Reply #33 on:** 9 Nov 2008, 12:08 pm »

Quote from: pbrstreetgang on 9 Nov 2008, 01:48 am

So the focals are sounding good even with the sidewalls of the Paradigms bracketing the tweeters?

Yes, they don't seem to care. The Paradigms position can't move, as it took quite a while to get them dialed in, so the only place was inside or outside of those. On the outside, the Focals were too far apart, inside, the sound field is remarkable.

Remember, I listen to music in near field, and while the paradigms appear to slightly block the Focals, from my listening position, it is not noticed. I can hear stereo everywhere in the room even when I am sitting to the outside of the left or right speakers, I can hear both speakers.

Also remember, this room I'm in is a whole series of compromises. It does prove that you can get great sound from a crappy room/size.

For treatment, there is heavy carpet (berber) on the floor. the wall behind the listeners zig-zags abit, has a built in desk, about 800 LPs below that. the left side wall has a window and the right side wall has framed pictures. The built ins are oak. There isn't any echo in this room. There is also 12" of insulation in the ceiling and 4" in all of the walls, so it is also very quiet. There are 3 different outlet circuits with approx. 8 duplexes, and 12-14 strip outlets under the countertop. The countertop has a 1 1/2" gap in the rear to allow cords to access the power outlets anywhere along the length. That is my design and it works great.

Wayner

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #34 on:** 9 Nov 2008, 07:36 pm »

In-wall insulation is best, as I understand. In my house, my listening room is in a 100 year old part of the house and is without any insulation anywhere (also makes for a chilly February!). We were planning to have insulation blown in but were then advised that it settles. When we replace the cedar shingles (if the economy improves), we'll have insulation affixed to the exterior, although that wouldn't help with acoustics, I do not believe. Fortunately, my wife hasn't complained about the bass traps and acoustic panels in my room. I work with a woman whose husband is employed by a large audio company, and he gets whatever equipment he wants. She told me, however, when he wanted to install acoustic panels, she told him, "No." Eeck!

800 LPs, Wayner. How do you keep them stored? Also, what do you have covering your tables? It looks a lot better than the folded beach towel that I have covering my AR EB-101.

You have a good looking room, Wayner. Great system(s), too. I'd love to hear your Focal JM Labs.

Wayner · « **Reply #35 on:** 9 Nov 2008, 07:44 pm »

Oneinthepipe,

The tables are covered with black towels, to keep dust down and things from scratching the covers. I actually have over 2,000 LPs, but the studio has room for about 800.

Your welcome to give a listen anytime. Hopefully the Focals will be broke in by then.

Wayner

oneinthepipe · « **Reply #36 on:** 9 Nov 2008, 08:24 pm »

Wayner:

Thank you for the invitation. I couldn't think of too many things that I would enjoy more than visiting you, listening to your systems, and driving over to Franks', time permitting, and getting some pizza. Unfortunately, it will be some time, I believe, before I can make that trip, so I hope to hell that your speakers are broken in by then!

How do you store your LPs? As you might recall, I had taken a long hiatus from audio, and believe it or not, and I am embarrassed admitting this, but I still have LPs stored in pilfered plastic milk crates.

I think it is time to move on to something a little more aesthetically pleasing.

Wayner · « **Reply #37 on:** 9 Nov 2008, 09:02 pm »

I have some built in shelves. The top of the work station is 3/8" thick tempered glass and there is a recessed light above that. When I need to find an album, I flick on the light, which goes thru the glass, illuminating the LPs on the shelves.

Wayner

iclark · « **Reply #38 on:** 9 Nov 2008, 09:48 pm »

Hi Wayner,
Congradulations on your Focal-JM's. I am glad everything turned out well in the end!

" The wire terminals on the back are not on the 3/4" standard, so dual banana plugs won't work. Apparently the French can't figure that out 'cause my Paradigms (French Canadian) aren't either. No big deal, I just used stripped wire."

As an Anglo Canadian, I couldn't let this pass! Paradigm Speakers are made in Toronto, Ontario, English Canada. Quebec is where French is mostly spoken. A lot of American's (ie USA) think Canada is French. Not so. By the way Canadian's are American, as we live in North America.

Ian
Ottawa, Ontario, North America

Wayner · « **Reply #39 on:** 9 Nov 2008, 10:06 pm »

Thanks Ian!

I love our Canadian brothers to the nort! Yes indeed, we all are "Americans". I've been to Quebec, where I thought my Paradigms were made. English was not particularlly a language the locals enjoyed there. I do realize the rest of the Canadians speak english. We have plenty of Canadians on the Minnesota Wild hockey team. Go Wild!

Wayner