frankn Posted April 19, 2015 Posted April 19, 2015 Can I have these for an extended home trial ? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
samman Posted April 19, 2015 Posted April 19, 2015 _MG_0034.jpg Thought I would attach a clearer photo of the drivers as I've had some enquiries. Great photo, highlighting a beautiful speaker GLWTS
daviddsailor Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 I have the good fortune to have a pair of Grand Reference Monuments, the last of the all Focal driver models which I purchased new from Greg in December 2010. It's taken me until 2015 to finally get them to work to my satisfaction in my room. The room is just under 5M wide by just over 5m long and the speakers are placed each side of the narrower end right up against the curtained side walls and the nearest back edge being 950mm from the wall behind. The room is symetrical except for an angled double doorway on the left of my favourite seat. For years I waltzed the speakers around (172Kg each) slavishly facing them dead ahead as recommended. They are now angled towards the seating position so that I can just see a bit of the inside edges and the image depth and transparency are unbelievable compared with what I've been used to. They have always been considered great sounding speakers by all who have heard them but now I feel I'm getting close to hearing their real potential. For a long time I tried foam diffusers in various positions behind the speakers and across the wall behind them and the image seemed to become clearer with every change until it dawned on me that the dynamics had gone missing. I removed every diffuser and the dynamics came back in spades. The room is actually quite dead as there are drapes each side, carpet on the floor and 6 leather theatre chairs. The curtained sidewalls provide plenty of diffusion and I can get more dynamics by opening the curtains (at the expense of a degree of focus). So if the room doesn't do the speakers justice I wouldn't be too hasty in despatching the Monuments. My room didn't work for years but I finally got it to sound the way I thought it should. This was confirmed recently when I attended a concert by Tony Fenelon at the Kingston Centre where I picked up one of his Wurlitzer CD's. Playing that mightly Wurlitzer in my room was very close to what I heard live on that day. I love them. 5
Jventer Posted May 6, 2015 Posted May 6, 2015 Thanks @davidsailor for posting. I 100% agree with you in that the room or other things may be the issue. In my Alice Springs house I got good results with my Osborn speakers positioned straight ahead, but better results using th WASP method as described elsewhere in the forum. I unfortunately had a bass issue due to the layout of the room. I have since moved and one thing I am experiencing is that my speakers need a bit of room to breathe, as I always suspected. They do need to be away from the back wall to some extent. In the pictures the speakers here looks a bit too much toed in. I hopethe OP can get the sound he wants from these or sell it to get something that will work in his room. @@avian GLWTS
avian Posted May 7, 2015 Author Posted May 7, 2015 (edited) I have the good fortune to have a pair of Grand Reference Monuments, the last of the all Focal driver models which I purchased new from Greg in December 2010. It's taken me until 2015 to finally get them to work to my satisfaction in my room. The room is just under 5M wide by just over 5m long and the speakers are placed each side of the narrower end right up against the curtained side walls and the nearest back edge being 950mm from the wall behind. The room is symetrical except for an angled double doorway on the left of my favourite seat. For years I waltzed the speakers around (172Kg each) slavishly facing them dead ahead as recommended. They are now angled towards the seating position so that I can just see a bit of the inside edges and the image depth and transparency are unbelievable compared with what I've been used to. They have always been considered great sounding speakers by all who have heard them but now I feel I'm getting close to hearing their real potential. For a long time I tried foam diffusers in various positions behind the speakers and across the wall behind them and the image seemed to become clearer with every change until it dawned on me that the dynamics had gone missing. I removed every diffuser and the dynamics came back in spades. The room is actually quite dead as there are drapes each side, carpet on the floor and 6 leather theatre chairs. The curtained sidewalls provide plenty of diffusion and I can get more dynamics by opening the curtains (at the expense of a degree of focus). So if the room doesn't do the speakers justice I wouldn't be too hasty in despatching the Monuments. My room didn't work for years but I finally got it to sound the way I thought it should. This was confirmed recently when I attended a concert by Tony Fenelon at the Kingston Centre where I picked up one of his Wurlitzer CD's. Playing that mightly Wurlitzer in my room was very close to what I heard live on that day. I love them. Fantastic post David. I agree that with the right room and room setup these speakers are amazing. I've heard this version of the grand monument reference in other scenarios and rooms where they sounded stunning. In my case I'm happy to downgrade speakers for something that will work adequately within the room rather than modifying the room to work with these speakers. Its just a matter of preference/priority. I'm sure whoever buys these speakers and puts in a bit of effort to get them sounding their best will have a pair of speakers for life - with no regrets what so ever. Edited May 11, 2015 by avian 1
pasadena Posted May 18, 2015 Posted May 18, 2015 (edited) How do these compare to B&W's 802D or 800D or even against Duntech Sovereigns? Just curios if anyone has had the chance to listen to either of these to make a comparison against the Monuments? Thanks Edited May 18, 2015 by pasadena
avian Posted June 2, 2015 Author Posted June 2, 2015 a FYI, I'm getting crates made up and will entertain offers from interstate members willing to pay for a courier. Will update first post with details. 1
Sheafer Richards Posted June 3, 2015 Posted June 3, 2015 Beautiful speakers mate you wouldn't happen to need a new roof by any chance ?? i run a local roofing company specializing in colorbond roof installation and repairs and would love to do a deal on these .hint hint cheers Sheafer 3
Darren69 Posted June 6, 2015 Posted June 6, 2015 Yep, beautiful sounding speakers, congrats to the buyer.
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