Which to choose: Focal or Scanspeak

[nick.h]

Hi,

I'm having trouble deciding on my new floorstanding front speakers.

Option 1:

Focal Utopia Be Alto Clone



Focal Audiom TD5
Focal 6WM
Focal 11WX

Option 2:

Wilson WATT Puppy 8 Clone



Scanspeak R2904/700000
Scanspeak 15M or 12M
2x Scanspeak 8" Woofer (Unsure of which driver)

21W/8555-00 Hard paper cone, low loss rubber surround, SD-1 motor 8 8 ohm

or

21W/8555-01 Hard paper cone, low loss rubber surround, SD-1 motor 8 8 ohm

or

22W/4851T00 Low loss linear suspension, SD-1 motor system, hard paper cone 8 4 ohm

or

22W/8851T00 Low loss linear suspension, SD-1 motor system, hard paper cone 8 8 ohm

or

22W/8857T00 Low loss linear suspension, SD-1 motor system, aluminium cone


Keeping in mind these are not exact clones, but close.

Designed to be used with a Bryston SP2 and 6B SST


What you guys think?

[TurboFC3S]

How about you design, tweak, and perfect both clones ... give us the plans ... and then decide which one you like best

[Mazeroth]

I'd build a speaker without a box (dipole) :T

[Rock789]

where do you purchase the focal drivers/tweeter?

[ThomasW]

Some places like Zalytron have a limited stock of Focal drivers.

[jdybnis]

I think you'll get much better bang for you buck with the ScanSpeak drivers.

[cotdt]

ScanSpeak and bang-for-buck in the same sentence? what is this world coming to...

[nick.h]

Costings are the same

[jimluu]

I've listened to both focal and wilson speakers several times, and in general I think the focals sound much better than the wilsons. If possible, I'd clone the focals. That said, I bought some 6w woofers from zalytron, and frankly I don't think they are worth the price at $90 each. The build quality is OK, but not great. I gave up trying to clone the focals, and will probably use the 6w as mids in a dipole project later on.

[Rock789]

is it possible to purchase the same drivers found in the present focal line, or only older models?

[TacoD]

Only older models, the berylium tweeter is available in the car series from Focal.

But I would not clone those speakers, build something from Jon instead.