2. speakers
  3. 138188-90127

Focal Aria 936 / Elac Adante AF-61 / Von Schweikert VR-33 , impressions, thoughts?

Thinking of upgrading my speakers and in the past have just gone with what I thought was a great deal, sometimes that worked, more often it did not!

Have a shortlist right now of those 3 speakers.

Focal Aria 936
Elac Adante AF-61
Von Schweikert VR-33

Presently using Triangle Altea ESW speakers.

What am I lacking right now? Possibly some lower bass, the Triangles are superb in the mids and upper registers but you can definitely tell they are  a little limp below 40hz. And at the end of the day even though I consider them to be fantastic speakers, they were after all only 2k brand new so there are likely better options out there to consider.


So thoughts and impressions on those 3 speakers or any serious contenders in the same sort of price bracket, I am looking at used examples only so think 3k max.

Will be driving them with an Ayre AX-7E integrated which I will NOT be changing anytime soon (famous last words I know!)

Thank you
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xuberwaltz
mtrot
642 posts
 
Yes, I also sit ~10 feet from my speakers. From the Focal web site on the 936:
"Appropriate for rooms measuring from 270ft2 (25m2) and from a listening distance of 10-12ft (3m - 3.5m)."

For the 948:
"This is the ultimate loudspeaker of the range for rooms measuring from 320ft2 (30m2) and from a recommended listening distance of 12ft (3.5m)."
My family room measures about 270 square feet, but the ceiling steps and bevels up to 10 feet, and the room is open to the breakfast nook and kitchen. So, there is a lot of cubic feet that is open to the speakers.
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
Not the most scientific measurement, but using an audio analyzer app on the Pixel 2 my 936 measure pretty flat down to 35Hz in my room listening to Mickey Hart's Temple Caves, and it sounds like it.  Can't think of much that has notes much lower than that. Just thought I'd throw that out there. 
uberwaltz's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
uberwaltz OP
4,946 posts
 
Thanks Kosst.

I have bit the bullet and bought a pair of 936 so fingers crossed!
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
2,766 posts
 
@uberwaltz...………………………………………

May I be the first to congratulate you.  It is always exciting when getting a  new piece, especially so for speakers.  Best of luck with them, I hope you love them.
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
Congrats! I'd suggest getting some help unpacking them unless you're comfortable dead lifting 65 pounds out of a box. Some assembly is required. 
More to discover