321 replies to this topic

[mav]

alebonau, on May 19 2007, 05:20 AM, said:

been too busy listening john.  

thanks for the comments guys. off to work now. looking forward to a bit more listening tonight.

the spikes are on. went on easier than I thought. focal have a great design there with the spikes - solid stainless steel cones that screw right into the inside of the rubber feet. lifts the speakers about another 10mm off carpet.

still sounds great. did mainly listening at low vol levels last night 60-70db. and very much enjoyed it. infact fell off to sleep ! at the end of it hehe

still havent tried any toe in as yet. that will be next to experiment with when get a chance.

have run the velo DD to check what the Divas are doing bass wise. I'll post some plots when get a chance which show their inroom bass response. I havent tried integrating bass with the velo DD for 2ch, just did a quick set up for ht.

Hey Al,

How is life these days with only one kidney.   

So are you going to keep these beasties or are they not up to the task.     

[AndrewW]

Lyle, on May 18 2007, 01:04 PM, said:

It's interesting that on their own (in my opinion) they look a bit over the top but in this room set-up Diva_in_place_resize.JPG they look magnificent.

I was thinking exactly the same thing.

Very jealous ...

And here I am trying to convince myself to spend $700 for a sub to complete my system.

Andrew.

[:)]

mav, on May 19 2007, 06:26 AM, said:

Hey Al,

How is life these days with only one kidney.   

So are you going to keep these beasties or are they not up to the task.     

hi mav hehe, kidneys still intact, though the 'cojones'..as norpus calls them ..the both of em  I think i've lost the use off.

don't have to worry about answering the 'keep' question for a while yet. just enjoying them at present.  and so far there has been much to enjoy !

[:)]

have added in some screen shots done via the velo DD of the measured bass inroom responses of the ..

Divas only
http://www.dtvforum....t...ost&id=3104

The velo DD15 on its own
http://www.dtvforum....t...ost&id=3105

And the overall system response, once I had the sub abd divas integrated for HT
http://www.dtvforum....t...ost&id=3106

I did this as a bit of a quick and dirty integration for HT. for 2ch I'd spend a bit more time on it. but anyways the divas in room bass response might be of interest

[RodN]

Hi Alebonau,

Those speakers look brilliant in position and I'm really happy for you as you have mentioned on occasions not being able to find something 'quite right' through all your experiments with PMC and the like. And it sounds like these things are FAR BEYOND just being quite right!nEven though you haven't bought these it appears to be that you might have found yourself something!

If you look at the Diva on its own vs the DD on its own plots I think you might have found a match made in heaven mate with an approx mid 30Hz xover point!

WOW!  (room integration can be the bane of even the best equipment in the world)

I admit I was worried for you in the bass department after the e-home GTG as wasn't sure how they would go in a normal domestic environment so am really happy to hear that the bass is spot on for you. What a find!  Good luck with your better half on this one mate as I'm sure once all is said and done your cohunas will be missing!

[Spearmint]

A very nice post Nobby and I agree it’s great that Al might finally have found audio nirvana.

I’m still a bit weary about going around there in case Mrs Al is still wielding the big knife!

[:)]

nobby, on May 19 2007, 01:01 PM, said:

Hi Alebonau,

Those speakers look brilliant in position and I'm really happy for you as you have mentioned on occasions not being able to find something 'quite right' through all your experiments with PMC and the like. And it sounds like these things are FAR BEYOND just being quite right!nEven though you haven't bought these it appears to be that you might have found yourself something!

If you look at the Diva on its own vs the DD on its own plots I think you might have found a match made in heaven mate with an approx mid 30Hz xover point!

WOW!  (room integration can be the bane of even the best equipment in the world)

I admit I was worried for you in the bass department after the e-home GTG as wasn't sure how they would go in a normal domestic environment so am really happy to hear that the bass is spot on for you. What a find!  Good luck with your better half on this one mate as I'm sure once all is said and done your cohunas will be missing!

thankyou nobby, yes been listening around the traps a bit now and great to come across something like these that has the appeal it has and seems jsut about within reach. Thanks on the sub tip, your right looking at the plots around 30hz for 2ch that would to be about spot on. will give that a try first up if get to integrating for 2ch.

[:)]

Spearmint, on May 19 2007, 08:42 PM, said:

~

I’m still a bit weary about going around there in case Mrs Al is still wielding the big knife!

hehe no risk of that spearmint. I'm carrying the knife around with me these days, imbedded deep ! hehe

[Curious]

alebonau, on May 19 2007, 10:48 PM, said:

hehe no risk of that spearmint. I'm carrying the knife around with me these days, imbedded deep ! hehe

Somewhere between the shoulder blades I suspect (harder for the victim to remove that way)  

Boy oh boy the Divas really look good in that front shot you took Al (yes you detect a serious note of 'longing' in my comments here   ) great to hear the positive comments are still coming forth regarding performance, looking forward to reading some more updates   (If I can't afford a pair then I will unashamedly live vicariously through the listening experience of others   )

Cheers,

Curious

[ritesh]

alebonau, on May 19 2007, 12:16 PM, said:

have added in some screen shots done via the velo DD of the measured bass inroom responses of the ..

Divas only
http://www.dtvforum....t...ost&id=3104

The velo DD15 on its own
http://www.dtvforum....t...ost&id=3105

And the overall system response, once I had the sub abd divas integrated for HT
http://www.dtvforum....t...ost&id=3106

I did this as a bit of a quick and dirty integration for HT. for 2ch I'd spend a bit more time on it. but anyways the divas in room bass response might be of interest

Hi Al,

Firstly congrats for trying out the Divas, from what I have heard of them, they are at the top of my list too, so looking forward to hearing your experiences, and perhaps if planets align time-wise, may get a chance to listen to them at your place too?

Anyway, just a question regarding the curves above, noticed a bit of a sharp hump and then dip around the 63hz (overall response). It would be interesting if you can smooth it out by toe'ing in and the like/s ......., rearranging a few furniture items etc.

Perhaps someone else can offer other suggestions...

Ritesh

[ritesh]

nobby, on May 19 2007, 01:01 PM, said:

Hi Alebonau,

Those speakers look brilliant in position and I'm really happy for you as you have mentioned on occasions not being able to find something 'quite right' through all your experiments with PMC and the like. And it sounds like these things are FAR BEYOND just being quite right!nEven though you haven't bought these it appears to be that you might have found yourself something!

If you look at the Diva on its own vs the DD on its own plots I think you might have found a match made in heaven mate with an approx mid 30Hz xover point!

WOW!  (room integration can be the bane of even the best equipment in the world)

I admit I was worried for you in the bass department after the e-home GTG as wasn't sure how they would go in a normal domestic environment so am really happy to hear that the bass is spot on for you. What a find!  Good luck with your better half on this one mate as I'm sure once all is said and done your cohunas will be missing!

Nobby,

I could be wrong here, but don't they say, the cross-over should be twice the lowest point, so if the Divas go down to 30hz you still want to cross them over around 40-60hz?

Ritesh

[:)]

Curious, on May 20 2007, 10:34 AM, said:

Somewhere between the shoulder blades I suspect (harder for the victim to remove that way)  

Boy oh boy the Divas really look good in that front shot you took Al (yes you detect a serious note of 'longing' in my comments here   ) great to hear the positive comments are still coming forth regarding performance, looking forward to reading some more updates   (If I can't afford a pair then I will unashamedly live vicariously through the listening experience of others   )

Cheers,

Curious

yep I think that knife is stuck in there for good curious hehe. all good mate.

thanks for your comments. heard a dean pere song on one of spearmints discs today. Really like nothign ever heard before. really brought a smile to my face

[:)]

ritesh, on May 20 2007, 04:15 PM, said:

Hi Al,

Firstly congrats for trying out the Divas, from what I have heard of them, they are at the top of my list too, so looking forward to hearing your experiences, and perhaps if planets align time-wise, may get a chance to listen to them at your place too?

~

thanks ritesh, hopefully you can come have a listen sometime, if I can get to get to keep them that is - something I'm dearly hoping for, jsut needs some planets to align myself  

[JohnA]

i'm sure you will be able to work something out Al.
From what i have read sofar and talking to you, you are in love all over again.
I am very happy for you that you found what you were after.
I'm sure your wife isn't as bad as we all make wifes out to be and she will let you keep your new toys.
Just take her out to a nice resteraunt, some nice flowers, maybe a diamond thrown in for good measure also should just about do the trick i would say

[Spearmint]

First off Al, thanks very much for a fantastic afternoon, excellent company, wine, fantastic gear and music.

I can truly understand your love for the Diva’s, I felt they were well balanced in their presentation, the mids have that nice Focal sound I so much enjoy, the highs were silky smooth, and the bass punchy.

I’m afraid we didn’t help matters with Mrs Al, however we had a lot of fun at your expense.      

In all honesty I think you have found your speakers that will keep you happy for the next 10+ years, they look so at home in your room, and perform exceptionally well at very quiet levels and also when pumped. There was absolutely no fatigue while listening for some 6 hours, even when I was sitting close by one of the speakers.

[:)]

JohnA, on May 20 2007, 08:44 PM, said:

i'm sure you will be able to work something out Al.
From what i have read sofar and talking to you, you are in love all over again.
I am very happy for you that you found what you were after.
I'm sure your wife isn't as bad as we all make wifes out to be and she will let you keep your new toys.
Just take her out to a nice resteraunt, some nice flowers, maybe a diamond thrown in for good measure also should just about do the trick i would say

thanks john, she's a gem and been pretty understanding about it all really. and our right these things do suit me both in my setup & taste and havent come across anything else like them. She knows how much I do like them, and I will do on the follow through for sure  

[:)]

Spearmint, on May 20 2007, 09:01 PM, said:

First off Al, thanks very much for a fantastic afternoon, excellent company, wine, fantastic gear and music.

I can truly understand your love for the Diva’s, I felt they were well balanced in their presentation, the mids have that nice Focal sound I so much enjoy, the highs were silky smooth, and the bass punchy.

I’m afraid we didn’t help matters with Mrs Al, however we had a lot of fun at your expense.      

In all honesty I think you have found your speakers that will keep you happy for the next 10+ years, they look so at home in your room, and perform exceptionally well at very quiet levels and also when pumped. There was absolutely no fatigue while listening for some 6 hours, even when I was sitting close by one of the speakers.

thankyou spearmint for the very nice words. It was geat having you guys over, plenty of good laughs, all good fun !   glad you liked the divas and good to hear your impressions. Great listening to some more new music from all you guys and those sweets JA brought over, very yummy indeed. Mrs Al was quite taken with them  

[50MXE20]

alebonau, on May 21 2007, 04:26 AM, said:

thankyou spearmint for the very nice words. It was geat having you guys over, plenty of good laughs, all good fun ! glad you liked the divas and good to hear your impressions. Great listening to some more new music from all you guys and those sweets JA brought over, very yummy indeed. Mrs Al was quite taken with them

Did they help remove the knife?

[the joz]

Spearmint, on May 20 2007, 09:01 PM, said:

First off Al, thanks very much for a fantastic afternoon, excellent company, wine, fantastic gear and music.

I can truly understand your love for the Diva’s, I felt they were well balanced in their presentation, the mids have that nice Focal sound I so much enjoy, the highs were silky smooth, and the bass punchy.

I’m afraid we didn’t help matters with Mrs Al, however we had a lot of fun at your expense.      

In all honesty I think you have found your speakers that will keep you happy for the next 10+ years, they look so at home in your room, and perform exceptionally well at very quiet levels and also when pumped. There was absolutely no fatigue while listening for some 6 hours, even when I was sitting close by one of the speakers.

Oh good I've finally got to post!!

Al I'm glad you still alive I was nearly to afraid to leave you alone with that knife weilding bride

Great laugh when she suggested that they didnt sound right,just to put you off them,then the boys suggested you need to buy the next model up

They do bass well don't they!and the treble is pristine.

Thanks again Al for your wonderful hospitalty and the opportunity for such an extended listen.They do have some magic to them,love those Focals

Always a pleasure to catch up with the boys aswell

[curly joe]

Bit of a luke warm review of the divas in a complete HT set up here, I've never been fortunate enough to hear these speakers myself but I would have expected the reviewer to be a little more enthusiastic 'bout them, everyone elese who has commented on them seems to rave about them.review

[the joz]

I can only see critiscms about the sub, center and his interconnects.

[50MXE20]

curly joe, on May 21 2007, 01:56 PM, said:

Bit of a luke warm review of the divas in a complete HT set up here, I've never been fortunate enough to hear these speakers myself but I would have expected the reviewer to be a little more enthusiastic 'bout them, everyone elese who has commented on them seems to rave about them.review

Summarising that article:

Highs and Lows

Highs
• Clean, open, detailed sound
• Airy, almost ethereal top end
• Unsurpassed workmanship; built like a tank, looks like a dream

Lows
• Top end can be unforgiving of bright material
• Subwoofer extension not as deep as some less expensive models
• Center Utopia Be configuration compromises off-axis response

[curly joe]

Seemed to me that he was suggesting substituting the divas with the mini's plus sub as his prefered system. perhaps that was only in a HT context rather than purely 2ch. He did have a bit of a gripe about the "richness" of the midrange i think it was.

[:)]

curly joe, on May 21 2007, 07:16 PM, said:

Seemed to me that he was suggesting substituting the divas with the mini's plus sub as his prefered system. perhaps that was only in a HT context rather than purely 2ch

could be. Infact spoke to one of the guys who came over yesterday who had heard the divas followed by the minis in a store in adelaide. his words were that the mini were a great speaker but theres no way in hell you'd go for them after hearing the divas. the use of sub with a bookshelf can produce great results no quaestion. the minis arent exactly a cheap proposition though and you'd need a mighty sub in my opinion to produce the punch and bass of the divas. a lot of the result with a sub bookshelf result comes down to hte integration/setup etc and in my opinion hteres still much to be said for a proper floorstander especially a decent 3 way with good quality midrange as these divas and above do.

curly if interested in any of this stuff check out for your self if you can. best way to get an idea whether to your taste.

[:)]

the joz, on May 21 2007, 01:09 PM, said:

Oh good I've finally got to post!!

Al I'm glad you still alive I was nearly to afraid to leave you alone with that knife weilding bride

Great laugh when she suggested that they didnt sound right,just to put you off them,then the boys suggested you need to buy the next model up

They do bass well don't they!and the treble is pristine.

Thanks again Al for your wonderful hospitalty and the opportunity for such an extended listen.They do have some magic to them,love those Focals

Always a pleasure to catch up with the boys aswell

thank you joz. was great having you over as with the other guys ...to help share my pain hehehe, and providing the sympathy and support



I am a very happy chappy this evening. the moons have aligned, have signed a contract with the wife ! and the deed is done with Geoff    these babies are mine to keep    

a big thankyou to all who steered me in their direction. To the friends who helped so much with the search, demoing and experiencing whats out there, and with their thoughts and impressions.

massive thankyou to geoff for firstly getting a pair of these to the e-home gtg so we could get to experience just what an excellent speaker they are, letting me demo them at home and then making them fall within my reach  

I am massively gratefull to my very understanding wife   , she really is a one and only, so understanding and to let me get a pair of speakers so wonderfull. She really is a Gem  

Well never thought I'd move on from my trusty missions that have brought me quite some joy for all these many years. So now onto looking forward to many many years of enjoyment from these ever so lovely Divas