SET-UP GUIDE

These speakers sound nice right out of the box. I am not sure they can sound much better after the recommended break-in period. I watched a You-Tube Video on how to set up and preferred this method to the Focal Instructions. Slide the speakers out sideways from the box. Then put the little piece of styrofoam (sitting on top of the base plate) under one end of the speaker before removing the big end part keeping off the floor then take out one end and this will not damage the grill. Then I assembled the base plate while in the sideways position, thus elimating the fear that focal says to carefully put the speaker on the glass end. The base went on fine and you are hard pressed to lift a 64 pound speaker and gently set down. Anyway after the base is on you can carefully remove the soft white cloth and you are able to move the speaker across the room rotating on just one bottom leg and rotating across the room without having any of the weight to contend with. Whenever I move or adjust the position of the speaker I used a towel or washcloth so that my hands are not touching the high gloss finish. Due to the weight of the speakers I put the feet on felt and you can hold the sides as well as use your feet on the aluminum base for ease of movement across a hard wood floor.

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Incredible Speakers!

I love these speakers!! They sound awesome. I cannot believe the difference between these speakers and the B&W 603's! It's like night and day. The sound stage is off the charts. I was surprised what 3 - 6.5" woofers can do for bass. There's plenty without a subwoofer (for music). I don't watch very many movies, especially movies that have a lot of bass in them (I find them hard to find). I did not purchase the Focal 948's because I felt that they would be too big. But after I ordered the 936's I realized that they dimensions given are the dimensions of the base, not the speaker itself. But I would still never return the 936's for the 948's. The 936's have PLENTY of base and play PLENTY loud - and I love my music loud. Just an FYI the actual speaker size of the 936's is 9" x 13". Of course the height is the height. My B&W 603's are 7.5" x 14" so the 936's aren't much bigger. They are taller though which is no biggie. They need room for the 3 woofers and the ports on the bottom. I am NOT disappointed in spending my hard earned money on these speakers. It's worth every penny. I have the Parasound A-21+ which is way bigger than it needs to be but I like my amp too. I had a Phase Linear 700 and believe it or not, it sounded pretty good compared to the Parasound. I highly recommend the Focal 936's.

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Incredibly wonderful loudspeakers.

These loudspeakers were smokin' right out of the box. Now, after nearly a year of use I would buy them again, all considered. There is some talk of not quite enough lower end reproduction. I have them in a 750 square foot room with hardwood floors and little thought for room arrangement but for speaker placement. I listen to them flat and am often surprised at their beauty and depth for most music. Same for the high end that has been described as occasionally tinny and over loud, I appreciate the light touch on a cymbal that comes through. I must say that when I am listening to something more complex, say, orchestral music (or Shamal Wind), I control the tone a bit by lowering the treble a hair and increasing the base a little. I am driving them with a Vincent SP-331 amplifier and using a Vincent SA-32 for control. I use 12 gauge wire. If you have the room these are amazing loudspeakers. I wish I had a bigger space to let these babies fly.

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Wow!

Wow. Wide and deep soundstage with solid bass, balanced midrange & realistic upper end.

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Best in their price range

These are exceptional. I was able to listen to them and compare them with similarly priced speakers in a high-end audio store, and these by far were the most pleasing to my ear. Build quality is top notch - you can feel and touch the quality. The sound is BIG in my opinion. Bass is full and punchy and there is definitely no need for a sub. The clarity is stellar. Mid-range is smoooooth. I am in love with these speakers.

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All Around Awesome

These are exceptionally well made speakers. Walnut wood veneer is not over-finished, leaving a realistic and clean look. Leather work on front and back is cleanly finished, and compliments the speakers well. Glass top adds a nice contrast and also a balance of sorts with the bottom metal stand. And the sound? Buttery smooth, and I mean smooth. All integrated very well, and the base belies the specs given. Deep and expansive when necessary, tight and crisp when called upon to be so. Not at all bright, but well-integrated sound. I use a Yamaha RN803 to power these and could not be more pleased.

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