FOCAL Speaker THROWDOWN! New KANTA #1 vs Vintage JMLab Chorus!

United States of Analog | May 15, 2024

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🎙️ Early Video Analysis

What is this video about?

This video is a comparison review between two Focal speakers: the new $8,000 Focal Kanta #1 bookshelf speakers versus vintage 1995 JMLab Chorus 705 speakers (which cost about $700 adjusted for inflation). The host borrowed the expensive Kantas from Origin Hi-Fi to pit them against his vintage speakers in what he calls a “throwdown.”

What gear, products, or brands are discussed?

Focal Kanta #1 bookshelf speakers [00:01:23]

• Price: $8,000 at Origin Hi-Fi
• 6.5″ flax cone woofer with tuned mass damping suspension
• 1+ inch beryllium tweeter
• Molded high density polymer front baffle
• Power flow port
• Frequency response: 46-40,000 Hz ±3dB
• Sensitivity: 88dB
• Impedance: 8 ohms
• Power handling: up to 150 watts
• Weight: 28.7 pounds
• Dimensions: 9.25″ wide, 16.5″ tall
• Designed and built in France
• High gloss finish (fingerprint magnet, difficult to photograph)

JMLab Chorus 705 speakers [00:01:36]

• Vintage 1995 model
• $700 adjusted for inflation
• Made by JMLab (predecessor to Focal)
• Also designed and built in France

Origin Hi-Fi [00:01:23]

• Local hi-fi store where the host borrowed the Kanta speakers

What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?

• The host expects the $8,000 Kantas to easily win against the vintage speakers, predicting a “TKO” [00:02:04]
• He finds the Kanta speakers beautiful to look at but notes they’re difficult to photograph due to the high gloss finish [00:02:43]
• He considers the speakers worth showing off and recommends not using the magnetic grills [00:03:38]

Were there any strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?

Recommendations:

• Don’t use the removable magnetic grills on the Kanta speakers – “You want to show these speakers off” [00:03:38]

Warnings:

• The high gloss finish is a “fingerprint magnet” [00:03:16]

Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?

Funny moments:

• Opening banter with “Crazy Lenny” character calling the host a cheapskate [00:00:22]
• Host’s dramatic response: “I do not enjoy being characterized as some kind of cheapskate” and “I hate being stereotyped as some kind of cheap audio man” [00:00:48, 00:01:15]
• Host mentions getting “fake fur all over myself” while setting up [00:01:11]
• “Power flow port. That sounds like something on an F1 car” [00:03:19]

Notable quotes:

• “We’re here for the entertainment value. We’re here to be infotained” [00:02:32]
• “Who’s cheap now, Lenny?” [00:01:35]

Summary

The video opens with playful banter between the host Bob and a character called “Crazy Lenny” who has apparently been calling Bob a cheapskate for comparing budget audio equipment to expensive gear. To counter this characterization, Bob has borrowed $8,000 Focal Kanta #1 bookshelf speakers from his local hi-fi store, Origin Hi-Fi, to compare against his vintage 1995 JMLab Chorus 705 speakers that would cost about $700 today adjusted for inflation.

Bob provides detailed specifications for the Kanta speakers, highlighting their premium features including a 6.5-inch flax cone woofer, beryllium tweeter, and high-density polymer front baffle. He notes that both speakers are French-made, with JMLab being the predecessor company to Focal. The Kantas feature a striking high-gloss finish that Bob admits is beautiful but challenging to photograph and prone to fingerprints.

While Bob acknowledges that the expensive Kantas will likely deliver a “TKO” victory over the vintage speakers, he frames this as an opportunity to showcase and review the premium Focal speakers. The tone is entertaining and lighthearted, with Bob emphasizing that the channel is about being “infotained” rather than conducting purely technical reviews. He clearly appreciates the aesthetic appeal of the Kanta speakers, recommending that owners display them without their magnetic grilles to show off their striking appearance.

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⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis

Gear, Products, and Brands Discussed

• [00:04:03] Focal JM Lab Chorus 705s (Gen One from mid-90s) – $400 pair originally
• [00:04:13] Poly glass cone JM Lab mid-woofer (~5 inches)
• [00:04:13] Titanium inverted dome tweeter (1 inch diameter)
• [00:05:05] Klipsch Fortes (mentioned for comparison)
• [00:06:53] Focal Kanta Number One speakers (with beryllium tweeter)
• [00:07:56] Cambridge Audio Evo 150 streaming amplifier
• [00:08:03] Cambridge Audio Evo CD transport

Key Findings, Verdicts, and Opinions

• [00:06:34] “There is absolutely nothing offensive about the Focal Kanta’s number one. Nothing offensive whatsoever. You can listen for days.”
• [00:06:46] The Kanta speakers were “several steps up from what I’ve been accustomed to listening to”
• [00:07:06] The beryllium tweeter “can move so fast, and can produce such levels of detail as to almost be unbelievable”
• [00:07:51] “Just that tweeter alone made me not want to stop listening to the music”

Listening Tests and Sound Quality Observations

• [00:05:17] Both speakers create similar “emotional impact” and “smoothness of the highs and detail of the highs”
• [00:07:19] Beryllium tweeter described as having “Airiness, light” and “almost supernatural” qualities
• [00:07:33] Sound characteristics: “Speed, airiness, a reality of sound that just captivated me, wide, beautiful detail, pinpoint separation and center image, and depth that really extended beyond the front wall”

Price/Value Assessments

• [00:04:09] Vintage Chorus 705s originally cost about $400 a pair
• [00:04:43] “Thousands of dollars in difference” between the two Focal speakers
• [00:05:47] Host typically reviews speakers in the $150-$500 range due to budget constraints

Comparisons to Other Gear

• [00:05:05] Klipsch Fortes mentioned but deemed unfair comparison due to different form factors (horns, passive radiator, floor standers vs bookshelves)
• [00:05:51] Lower-priced speakers ($150-$500 range) have “pretty minute” differences requiring “a magnifying glass”

Vinyl Records, Albums, and Music Discussed

• [00:08:11] West German “target” CDs from early CD era (uncompressed)
• [00:08:32] First CD ever purchased by the host
• [00:08:55] Deep Purple Machine Head – described as “one of the best rock albums. Pound for Pound, Song for Song”
• [00:09:14] Roxy Music Avalon – “sounds phenomenal”
• [00:09:23] Hall & Oates second album – “one of my favorite records of all time” and “the best Hall & Oates album”

Audiophile Tips and Advice

• [00:08:23] Early 80s CDs require cranking up volume because they weren’t compressed
• [00:08:39] Modern record labels compress CDs and increase volume because “they want the CDs to sound loud” thinking it will increase sales

Memorable Quotes and Strong Takes

• [00:07:02] “I am no scientist, but I read that beryllium is the lightest solid substance on the planet”
• [00:07:24] The tweeter “was made of something almost supernatural”
• [00:08:54] “You know, come on. Who doesn’t love this album?” (referring to Deep Purple Machine Head)

Summary

In this portion of the video, the host compares two very different Focal speakers separated by decades and thousands of dollars in price: vintage JM Lab Chorus 705s from the mid-90s that originally cost $400, and modern Focal Kanta Number One speakers. Despite acknowledging the unfair nature of this comparison due to the vast price difference, the host explains that he lacks other high-end speakers for comparison, having typically reviewed budget speakers in the $150-$500 range for his young YouTube channel.

The host is particularly impressed with the Kanta Number One’s beryllium tweeter, describing it in almost mystical terms as being made of “something almost supernatural.” He emphasizes the tweeter’s speed, airiness, and detail retrieval, noting that it created an emotional connection that made him not want to stop listening. The overall verdict on the Kanta speakers is overwhelmingly positive, with the host stating there’s “absolutely nothing offensive” about them and that they represent “several steps up” from his usual listening experience.

During his listening sessions, the host used a Cambridge Audio Evo 150 streaming amplifier with its matching CD transport, testing various CDs including early “target” pressings from West Germany known for their uncompressed sound. He also shared some audiophile wisdom about the differences between early CDs and modern compressed releases, while playing favorites like Deep Purple’s Machine Head, Roxy Music’s Avalon, and what he considers the best Hall & Oates album. The segment reveals both the excitement of experiencing truly high-end audio equipment and the practical challenges faced by emerging audio reviewers working within budget constraints.

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🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict

Gear, Products, or Brands Discussed:

• [00:09:43] Focal Kanta #1 bookshelf speakers with 6.5-inch flax cone woofer (dips to 46Hz, $8,000/pair)
• [00:09:59] REL Classic 98 subwoofer
• [00:10:14] Kanta #2 floor standers ($2,000 more than the #1s)
• [00:11:49] JM Labs Chorus 705s (mid-90s vintage) with titanium tweeter
• [00:13:11] Klipsch 600Ms
• [00:13:11] ELAC 5.2 and 6.2 speakers
• [00:09:29] URP and Analog Productions (record remastering companies)
• [00:11:43] Klipsch Fortes (mentioned as owned speakers)

Host’s Final Verdict or Conclusion:

• [00:11:56] The Kanta #1s “crushed” the vintage JM Labs Chorus 705s – “no contest”
• [00:13:41] Clear winner as expected, referencing the “clicky thumbnail”
• [00:10:45] The Kanta #1s delivered excellent width, depth, and soundstage as expected for $8,000 speakers

Final Recommendations:

• [00:09:54] Any bookshelf speaker should have a subwoofer
• [00:11:15] Consider the Kanta #2 floor standers for only $2,000 more if you have $8,000 budget
• [00:12:46] The vintage Chorus 705s (available under $200 on eBay) are worth considering and outperform modern budget speakers
• [00:13:11] Prefers the Chorus 705s with subwoofer over Klipsch 600Ms and ELAC 5.2/6.2s

Final Tips, Caveats, or Advice:

• [00:10:21] Reviews aren’t scientific – focused on emotional impact
• [00:11:00] Price is the only real negative with the Kanta #1s, not because they’re expensive but due to upgrade path
• [00:11:30] Bookshelf speakers allow for more variety and easier experimentation than floor standers

How the Video Wrapped Up:

• [00:13:48] Standard YouTube outro asking viewers to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell
• [00:13:59] Humorous closing about YouTube’s algorithm knowing what video viewers will like next
• [00:14:09] Encourages clicking on the suggested next video

Memorable Closing Quotes or Strong Final Opinions:

• [00:12:52] “We really haven’t progressed that far in the budget speaker realm over the past few decades”
• [00:13:17] About the Chorus 705s: “This… just had more richness, more presence, more impact than the bargain basement bookshelf speakers of today”
• [00:13:27] “They have some gravitas, and they have some history”
• [00:13:31] “I’m so sad that I’ve had them in a storage unit for five years”

Summary:

In the final portion of this Focal speaker comparison, the host concludes his evaluation of the $8,000 Kanta #1 bookshelf speakers versus the vintage JM Labs Chorus 705s. As expected, the modern Kantas decisively won the comparison, delivering superior speed, detail, and soundstage width compared to the older titanium tweeter design. However, the host emphasizes that his review approach prioritizes emotional impact over scientific measurements, and he strongly recommends pairing any bookshelf speaker with a subwoofer, specifically praising his REL Classic 98.

The comparison revealed an unexpected appreciation for the vintage Chorus 705s, which the host had stored away for five years. Despite being clearly outclassed by the Kantas, the old JM Labs speakers impressed him more than ever before, particularly when he realized they represented the classic “Focal sound” that audiophiles love. He notes that these speakers, available for under $200 on eBay, actually outperform many modern budget bookshelf speakers from brands like Klipsch and ELAC, suggesting that progress in affordable speakers has been limited over recent decades.

The host’s main criticism of the Kanta #1s centers on their pricing strategy rather than performance, noting that for just $2,000 more, buyers could get the floor-standing Kanta #2s and potentially avoid needing a subwoofer. He concludes by stating the vintage Chorus speakers will return to his regular rotation and wraps up with a standard YouTube outro, humorously referencing the algorithm’s ability to predict viewers’ next video choice.

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Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.