Audioengine A2 Speakers VS. Focal CMS 40 Speakers - COMPETITION

[Howard]

This guy is batshit crazy. Directional cables. Man.

 

[cheez]

Depending on your main/sub crossover frequency (I hope you have a crossover), you're either a) running your sub up too high, hurting your imaging in the midbass due to localization, or b) lacking in clean dynamics in the midbass by running the 4" driver too low. There's no way you can appropriately match a 4" mid to a 12" sub unless the mid is ultra-long-excursion. Even inside of a floorstander it's difficult to do.

Yes it has a crossover. The 4" driver wouldn't be a problem if you lower the 30hz frequency via equalizer. There is also a thing called "Gain" control knob on the back of the sub. You must be new.

The problem with large front channel speakers is that they lack high's and mid's. Also often sound muddy. This is usually found in WALMART or TARGET grade speakers that you buy.

 

[sdifox]

Yes it has a crossover. The 4" driver wouldn't be a problem if you lower the 30hz frequency via equalizer. There is also a thing called "Gain" control knob on the back of the sub. You must be new.

The problem with large front channel speakers is that they lack high's and mid's. Also often sound muddy. This is usually found in WALMART or TARGET grade speakers that you buy.

Get a life. There is no defeating physics.

 

[cheez]

Quote from another thread:

"As a matter of fact I just returned both my Focal CMS40 speakers and Benchmark DAC-1 for a refund because they are not any better than my A2 setup."
I guess this settles his "COMPETITION"

Yes, the A2 speakers with $1200 Angel cable won. The Focal CMS40 with Benchmark DAC-1 and sub was actually a downgrade. Without the Benchmark DAC, the Focal speakers and sub sounds better. The money spent on the benchmark DAC wasn't worth it at all...

Wow. He can't use his expensive cable with the new speakers.

You just now figured that out? Man you are slow....
It would have been better if I went with the RCA-RCA.

And quess what I found at the AVS forrum!!!!!!!!

Audioengine A2 speakers + SVS SB12-NSD Sub + $200 copper & $1200 silver cable - PICS

In the thread it turns out this hole thing was an update to replace his Bose system. There are even pictures of his Bose set up. Apparently, he liked to wax his Panasonic TVs.

The BOSE setup I had previously was before I became a "true" "audiophile"... And I had no intention spending money on audio back then.

The first response in that thread: A picture of a troll.

It's just that I am famous at avsforum (and a legendary forum member at Anandtech). My PM box exploded because it had full of messages complimenting my setup and my passion for video (and audio now ).

I just looked up the specs on his A2s. They are ridiculously small computer speakers. Reading his superlative comments, you'd think they would be some of the highest quality speaker ever produced.

So you never had experience with the A2 speakers. No wonder...

It's about sound "quality" over "quantity". This is how I can tell you buy audio equipment from WALMART.... ha ha lmao

Well they replaced his Bose so yes, there would have been a significant improvement in sound.

They will also replace Audioengine A5 speakers and many many other speakers in the similar class. This can be done with a $5 audio cable + A2.

Has anybody noticed his new sig......

I am not making any of this up.

I know... I love my new sig. I admire Patrick. He is the man, the best of the best. I am second.

Making what up? I never accused of lyin' you newb.

Ha ha

 

[cheez]

Get a life. There is no defeating physics.

You don't have any good contribution to make for audio so don't even bother posting... You make very short comments that are meaningless and worthless. I noticed this when I first saw you posting in audio forum section. Are you young?

 

[sdifox]

You don't have any good contribution to make for audio so don't even bother posting... You make very short comments that are meaningless and worthless. I noticed this when I first saw you posting in audio forum section. Are you young?

Explain how a 4" driver is supposed to cover 3k Hz to 20Hz?

 

[Phanuel]

Explain how a 4" driver is supposed to cover 3k Hz to 20Hz?

BOSE does it, everyone else is just behind... man!

 

[Howard]

Yes it has a crossover. The 4" driver wouldn't be a problem if you lower the 30hz frequency via equalizer. There is also a thing called "Gain" control knob on the back of the sub. You must be new.

The problem with large front channel speakers is that they lack high's and mid's. Also often sound muddy. This is usually found in WALMART or TARGET grade speakers that you buy.

I truly believe you are mentally ill. I'm not trying to be insulting.

 

[vshah]

i was wholly unimpressed with the audioengines. my topping tp21 amp + dayton bookshelves blows them out of the water.

 

[Anubis]

i was wholly unimpressed with the audioengines. my topping tp21 amp + dayton bookshelves blows them out of the water.

its because you don't have them hooked up with a $1200 cable, :biggrin:

 

[Number1]

Yes, the A2 speakers with $1200 Angel cable won. The Focal CMS40 with Benchmark DAC-1 and sub was actually a downgrade. Without the Benchmark DAC, the Focal speakers and sub sounds better. The money spent on the benchmark DAC wasn't worth it at all...



Ha ha

The fact that the Focal CMS40 with Benchmark DAC-1 don't sound any better then you Audioengine A2s says a lot about the value of amplified desktop speakers. No matter how much you spend on them, they will remain low end audio solution.

I spent less money then you on my audio gears, yet there is no "COMPETITION". Check my sig for pics. You would be amazed at how good my system sound.

Cheez, if you like audio, listen to what people have to say in here. We are technical people, we love technology, we would not bulsh1t you.

 

[Howard]

The fact that the Focal CMS40 with Benchmark DAC-1 don't sound any better then you Audioengine A2s says a lot about the value of amplified desktop speakers. No matter how much you spend on them, they will remain low end audio solution.

I spent less money then you on my audio gears, yet there is no "COMPETITION". Check my sig for pics. You would be amazed at how good my system sound.

Cheez, if you like audio, listen to what people have to say in here. We are technical people, we love technology, we would not bulsh1t you.

I don't think he's in it for the audio. He's in it for the shiny.

 

[Number1]

I don't think he's in it for the audio. He's in it for the shiny.

Ya I think you're right. I read his comment in the Good HT 5.1 system for $600?


I am just disgusted and I reported his post. I just don't think people should be allowed to post this kind of nonsense in a technical forum like Anandtech.

He needs to be perma-banned.

 

[Howard]

Ya I think you're right. I read his comment in the Good HT 5.1 system for $600?


I am just disgusted and I reported his post. I just don't think people should be allowed to post this kind of nonsense in a technical forum like Anandtech.

He needs to be perma-banned.

Not so sure he's even in it for the shiny. I believe he suffers from a complex of some sort.

 

[Vdubchaos]

ROTFLMAO

So this guy REALLY spent that much money on these wires? WOW

More power to whoever sold it to him I guess.

I love how spent $1200 on a f'in wire but he can't even run the wires to his TV thru the wall. Quality work I tell ya.

It's almost unreal that such stupidity exists in this world.

 

[Number1]

ROTFLMAO

So this guy REALLY spent that much money on these wires? WOW

More power to whoever sold it to him I guess.

I love how spent $1200 on a f'in wire but he can't even run the wires to his TV thru the wall. Quality work I tell ya.

It's almost unreal that such stupidity exists in this world.

And check his sig, he brags about it.

 

[vshah]

its because you don't have them hooked up with a $1200 cable, :biggrin:

indeed. btw, are you sibuna on avsforum? i was reading the epik owners thread and came across that name.

 

[Anubis]

yes

 

[rbk123]

Not so sure he's even in it for the shiny.

He's in it for the attention, that's all. The more forums the better for him.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I just got these $1200 cables to go with $999 HDMI cable from Best buy.

WOW. My POS polks now sounds like $10000 speakers.

Cheez, thanks SO much for your advice!!!

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[cheez]

yes

Anubis = sibuna .... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA LOLOL

I just got these $1200 cables to go with $999 HDMI cable from Best buy.

WOW. My POS polks now sounds like $10000 speakers.

Cheez, thanks SO much for your advice!!!

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

You're welcome, but you own a set of Polks speakers? I was right..... most folks here on anandtech use cheap grade speakers from WALMART.



Hey guys, I returned the Focal CMS40 and Benchmark DAC-1 for a refund.

I don't regret returning the Benchmark DAC-1 at all.

............... but I feel regret returning the CMS40 speakers. They were still better than the A2 speakers.


Oh sh#t I already received a pair of CMS50! Breaking them in right now.


Rolzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (LOL)


lmao...........

 

[cheez]

The following items have been reviewed and the final winner is.........

Final Score

The CMS40 takes the trophy home...

The CMS50's are going back. Will be getting the pair of CMS40 as it has clearly superior mid-range openness and more air in the treble region. It just sounded wider.

 

[Number1]

The following items have been reviewed and the final winner is.........

Final Score

The CMS40 takes the trophy home...

The CMS50's are going back. Will be getting the pair of CMS40 as it has clearly superior mid-range openness and more air in the treble region. It just sounded wider.

Hang on here, how did you make all those measurements?
What scale did you use?
What test equipment did you use?

Let me hazard a guess as to your methodology: you pulled those numbers out of your pooper? I mean, how else would somebody "measure" accuracy or midrange openess or focus/musicality?


And to top it off:

You returned your cms40, ordered cms50 and now you're going to return the cms50 and reorder the cms40?

Cheez: the gift that keeps on giving!!!!!!!!

Thank you for the entertainment.

 

[gus6464]

Hang on here, how did you make all those measurements?
What scale did you use?
What test equipment did you use?

Let me hazard a guess as to your methodology: you pulled those numbers out of your pooper? I mean, how else would somebody "measure" accuracy or midrange openess or focus/musicality?


And to top it off:

You returned your cms40, ordered cms50 and now you're going to return the cms50 and reorder the cms40?

Cheez: the gift that keeps on giving!!!!!!!!

Thank you for the entertainment.

That is some epic charting. Awesome when something amazes and blows my mind in opposite directions at the same time. Keep it coming cheez.

 

[cheez]

The scores / graphs aren't based from measurements using a special equipment. It is based on my personal experience by carefully auditioning these speakers.

Overall the Focal speakers beat the Audioengine A2 speakers (even with $1200 mini cable) hands down. Only in a few area where the A2's did outshine. This is why I told you guys a while back that a small portion of the music I listen to sounds better with them. But the Focal's easily beat the A2 in everything else.

That CMS40 is a different animal.. It has smaller mid-woofer driver but man does that thing have such great sound quality. The mid range and high's are wide open, giving me wider soundstage than the CMS50. Not by a large margin though as they both share similar sound characteristics.

I have decided to stick with the CMS50 though. It's been tough making a decision as overall both the CMS40 and 50's are very close. But I have found myself that I have recently been bonded to the 50's. It's like I am married to it, loving couples.

Oh well...... when there is a market for my another set of speakers I know what to get, CMS40. Highly recommended.


cheez