Author Topic: My dream theater (Read 402513 times)

Rather than the usual superlatives to describe the performance of the Viva Utopias combined with the Maestros, let me just say that for the first time, I appreciate 2-channel music converted to multi-channel through Dolby Prologic II - I actually convert 2-channel to 11-channel + the 4 subs.

My idea behind getting the Viva was that the Front + Center (LCR) speakers are the main cast. All 3 are equally important, while all the other speakers are the supporting cast. I felt that it was essential to get a Center that was the equal of the Fronts because if you listen closely (like 2 feet away) to the center speaker, you will realize that there is a huge amount of material coming out from it. I have to say that the Viva Utopia is definitely the perfect match of the Maestro Utopias. It is perfectly timbre-matched, meaning that the LCR speakers are now all super detailed and accurate.

juanch · « **Reply #2468 on:** May 09, 2011 at 06:25 PM »

Viva Larasa!!!

Great upgrade sir Mark! I said it before and I'll say it again.
These speakers are the best upgrades you've ever made IMO

Looking forward to another visit, need inspiration for my HT

♡ lvcdg23™ ✌ · « **Reply #2469 on:** May 09, 2011 at 06:46 PM »

Everytime I log in to Pdvd I never failed to visit your gallery sir Marc. You really have a great set up that one could only "dream" of.
Your dream theater sir is one of my inspirations that's why I decided to convert from PC speakers to dedicated HT audio set up.
Hopefully one of these days I will be invited in one of your gatherings in your place sir and be able to listen to your great Focal Utopias

XXXyzledge · « **Reply #2470 on:** May 10, 2011 at 07:31 AM »

ganda nga ng mga svs na bookshelves !!!

ganda ganda naman !!!
woooooohoooooo !!!! Congrats Mark!

alvinh · « **Reply #2471 on:** May 10, 2011 at 09:39 AM »

Congrats Chief Mark! Another great addition sa dream set up.

vtec3 · « **Reply #2472 on:** May 10, 2011 at 11:11 AM »

Congrats Sir Mark!!!

Superman · « **Reply #2473 on:** May 10, 2011 at 11:15 AM »

Congratulations, Sir Mark!

Gwenael · « **Reply #2474 on:** May 10, 2011 at 11:49 AM »

Wowww! those are huge speakers. I could only imagine the sound coming out of your system while watching heavy/low bass loaded movies....

Congrats sir Mark. Hoping to be able to make it na on up and coming EB / party at your place to be able to finally experience your HT.

God Bless and more upgrades to come

XXXyzledge · « **Reply #2475 on:** May 10, 2011 at 12:02 PM »

magkasingtangkad ba si miguel & si mark?

ay! mas malaki pala yung viva utopias !!!!!!

streetsmart · « **Reply #2476 on:** May 10, 2011 at 12:25 PM »

Quote from: XXXyzledge on May 10, 2011 at 12:02 PM

magkasingtangkad ba si miguel & si mark?

ay! mas malaki pala yung viva utopias !!!!!!

Mukhang walang magawa itong mamang ito ...

I am gradually appreciating even more the Viva Utopia speaker. What really strikes me is that aside from the clear vocals, it has a very tight upper bass sound, something which I never expected. Iba rin talaga ang blending niya with the Maestros. It provides a completely seamless sound stage. In other words, sq has just gone up another serious notch.

yygoob · « **Reply #2477 on:** May 10, 2011 at 07:15 PM »

wow! dati ng super ganda lalo pang gumanda!!! congrats sir!!

berdilot™ · « **Reply #2478 on:** May 10, 2011 at 09:55 PM »

Congratulation Sir Mark!

macdon · « **Reply #2479 on:** May 10, 2011 at 10:35 PM »

Very, very nice Mark! Congrats!

Nelson de Leon · « **Reply #2480 on:** May 26, 2011 at 06:48 PM »

Quote from: XXXyzledge on May 10, 2011 at 07:31 AM

ganda nga ng mga svs na bookshelves !!!

ganda ganda naman !!!
woooooohoooooo !!!! Congrats Mark!

Nagmukha ngang BS yun SVS.

Congrats sir Mark!!
Btw, meron na ba ditong Focal na may built-in amp yun driver para sa lows?

pchin · « **Reply #2481 on:** May 26, 2011 at 06:56 PM »

Wow congrat Mark, Home Theater Nirvana to the next level!

streetsmart · « **Reply #2482 on:** May 26, 2011 at 07:19 PM »

Quote from: Nelson de Leon on May 26, 2011 at 06:48 PM

Btw, meron na ba ditong Focal na may built-in amp yun driver para sa lows?

None that I know of. I'm not aware of any Focal speaker that has a built-in amp. Besides, I prefer to have separate amps. More flexible.

Actually, parang lumiit nga ang kwarto ko with these speakers. Next upgrade requires a room upgrade as well.

These past few weeks, I've been enjoying the new system. My concert and CD collection sound so different.
Dami kong inuulit panoorin.

Stagea · « **Reply #2483 on:** May 26, 2011 at 07:29 PM »

Quote from: Nelson de Leon on May 26, 2011 at 06:48 PM

Nagmukha ngang BS yun SVS. Congrats sir Mark!!
Btw, meron na ba ditong Focal na may built-in amp yun driver para sa lows?

Marami silang active monitors/speakers, may built-in amp per driver.

They don't subscribe to separate amplification sa domestic audio dahil sa potential mismatches, hence hindi biampable/triampable/quadampable ang passive Focal speakers.

Eto yung maganda nilang matching na active set:
SM11 L (Left)
SM11 R (Right)
SM11 C (Center)
SM11 S (Sub)

Ironically, some high end professional mastering rooms use this as a "no-compromise" solution:

Looks familiar? Yes, they're Grande Utopia EM speakers.

streetsmart · « **Reply #2484 on:** May 26, 2011 at 07:35 PM »

Interesting that those Grande Utopias are stuck against the wall. They must have some massive EQ to sound good.

From what I know, the listening room of Focal for the Grande Utopia is 40 x 25 feet. Kung ganun ang kwarto mo, you can locate the speakers 4 to 6 feet away from the walls.

streetsmart · « **Reply #2485 on:** May 26, 2011 at 07:36 PM »

By the way, baka bumakas na dumating ang Emotiva monoblock amps.

Stagea · « **Reply #2486 on:** May 26, 2011 at 07:46 PM »

Quote from: streetsmart on May 26, 2011 at 07:19 PM

Actually, parang lumiit nga ang kwarto ko with these speakers. Next upgrade requires a room upgrade as well.

These past few weeks, I've been enjoying the new system. My concert and CD collection sound so different.
Dami kong inuulit panoorin.

Congrats sir Mark. I'm sure magandang maganda na talaga yan ngayon.

I heard rumors about this coming upgrade. It seems like you're going after the G.U.

Quote from: streetsmart on May 26, 2011 at 07:35 PM

Interesting that those Grande Utopias are stuck against the wall. They must have some massive EQ to sound good.

From what I know, the listening room of Focal for the Grande Utopia is 40 x 25 feet. Kung ganun ang kwarto mo, you can locate the speakers 4 to 6 feet away from the walls.

I think they would have quite a bit of processing to compensate. Though the Grande Utopia EM professional monitors are Focal Professional installed, afaik. I think they tune the flux density in the EM driver's gap, the crossover frequencies and the driver intensities to match the room and gear.

Apparently, compensating for these speakers is still preferable to going for the usual studio gear. The top to bottom integration is unrivaled by their active solutions at the moment (in fact, their studio monitor units are voiced after the Grande Utopias)

Stagea · « **Reply #2487 on:** May 29, 2011 at 02:19 AM »

I heard dumating na daw ang Monoblocks! Congrats Sir Mark!

streetsmart · « **Reply #2488 on:** May 29, 2011 at 05:07 AM »

Quote from: Stagea on May 29, 2011 at 02:19 AM

I heard dumating na daw ang Monoblocks! Congrats Sir Mark!

Yes, 2 of them. Iniisip ko pa to get a third for the center. They are incredibly heavy. Gumaan bigla ang Aragon amps ko.

streetsmart · « **Reply #2489 on:** May 30, 2011 at 05:43 AM »

Here's one of the Emotiva monoblocks:

You can see all the power amps here (6 of them):

Electricity bill just went up a little bit more.