Focal Utopia 165 W3

Price Paid:  $1000.00

Summary:
had owned or tried different brands before.....but none of them gives me more listining pleasure than these 3way seps...in conjuction with an audison amp....these things are great....life is too short for these speakers...

Strengths:
detail...imaging....sound stage...impact, tonality......

Weaknesses:
always gives a tear to your eye when driving........... price

Similar Products Used:
3way Dynes,focal kevs, diamond, MB Qs..

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Originally installed the 3 ways with an IDQ12 off an RF Power 800a4, with an older pioneer 7010 head. The sound jump was huge from the old pioneer fronts. Then came into some money and upgraded to a Nak cd700 head, and a 33WX Focal Utopia sub. Oh..... My...... God!..... The Nak lifted the sound stage to the roof, I now get instruments and vocals from all over my bonnet, the dash, my feet, the rear vision mirror! the sun visor! everywhere! The Bass went so punchy, very strong, deep and tight (sealed rear corner largish box). I can''t fault the sound reproduction of the system, nak and focal were born to play together and the RF amp is great, very amp hungry. I''ve since picked up a bd1000a1 for the sub and I''m going to active split the fronts off the 800a4 (Looking at maybe the audiocontrol 4XS). Then drop a second 33WX in the other rear corner paralleled off the bd1000! For pure sound brilliance, go focal. I don''t find the tweeters noisy at all and regularly drive at close to (but under) the amp distortion level.

Strengths:
amazing clarity, very defined midbass and crystal highs. They work brilliantly with the 13WX.

Weaknesses:
pricey

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from friend''s store

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2001, utopia w3

Summary:
the slogan " everybody use utopia in heaven" is basicly true . The mid is so soft and "warm" and the midbass is pretty tight , the tweeter is a little bit noisy but the overall is good. I use the jl 300/4 bridged in mono for the front , powerclass 2 x 80 watts for the rear (I use the focal 165 k3....yes that k3) and a pair of the jl audio 12w3d2 for the sub with the jl audio 500/1 amps. For the head unit I use the alpine IVA-800 with the alpine dvd changer and I have plan already to install the alpine gps product

Strengths:
the midrange is so smooth, and a lot of detail compare to the 2 ways system that I used before.

Weaknesses:
the tweeter is a little bit "noisy" even in the -4 position in the crossover

Similar Products Used:
nothing so far , but I want to try the Dynaudio 340 or 360 system