Focal VS Hybrid Audio
07-14-2009, 05:49 PM
#11
Yankee
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
... I believe Hybrid Audio Technologies offers a legata xover now...
In comparing the Focal and the Hybrid, I would say they have more in common sonically then you might think. Their materials of construction differ wildly, yet they are both in the high accuracy camp (rather than the warm romantic sound of Dynaudio or Scan Speak even). When I listen to the Focal I feel they are generally 'tweeter centric' (it is the star of the show) when I listen to the HAT i think they are smooth extended and mid-range centric. I think out of the box the HAT is superior, with tuning and proper placement either will push your happy button. I have heard and judged world class builds with both and I would not discourage either as a purchase choice. I love the detail of the Focal and the timbre of the HAT.
I own and have currently installed a HAT L3 and L1 (original) and I am pleased with their utter neutrality. I was at the Crutchfield retail stored this weekend and I thought the Focal drivers in their boards were world beaters at $199 US. The Clarius mid-bass is awesome and is probably the best at its price point and matches up very well with the incriminator audio sub.
In comparing the Focal and the Hybrid, I would say they have more in common sonically then you might think. Their materials of construction differ wildly, yet they are both in the high accuracy camp (rather than the warm romantic sound of Dynaudio or Scan Speak even). When I listen to the Focal I feel they are generally 'tweeter centric' (it is the star of the show) when I listen to the HAT i think they are smooth extended and mid-range centric. I think out of the box the HAT is superior, with tuning and proper placement either will push your happy button. I have heard and judged world class builds with both and I would not discourage either as a purchase choice. I love the detail of the Focal and the timbre of the HAT.
I own and have currently installed a HAT L3 and L1 (original) and I am pleased with their utter neutrality. I was at the Crutchfield retail stored this weekend and I thought the Focal drivers in their boards were world beaters at $199 US. The Clarius mid-bass is awesome and is probably the best at its price point and matches up very well with the incriminator audio sub.
Last edited by JohnVroom; 07-14-2009 at 05:51 PM.
07-14-2009, 11:02 PM
#12
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 405
... I believe Hybrid Audio Technologies offers a legata xover now...
In comparing the Focal and the Hybrid, I would say they have more in common sonically then you might think. Their materials of construction differ wildly, yet they are both in the high accuracy camp (rather than the warm romantic sound of Dynaudio or Scan Speak even). When I listen to the Focal I feel they are generally 'tweeter centric' (it is the star of the show) when I listen to the HAT i think they are smooth extended and mid-range centric. I think out of the box the HAT is superior, with tuning and proper placement either will push your happy button. I have heard and judged world class builds with both and I would not discourage either as a purchase choice. I love the detail of the Focal and the timbre of the HAT.
I own and have currently installed a HAT L3 and L1 (original) and I am pleased with their utter neutrality. I was at the Crutchfield retail stored this weekend and I thought the Focal drivers in their boards were world beaters at $199 US. The Clarius mid-bass is awesome and is probably the best at its price point and matches up very well with the incriminator audio sub.
In comparing the Focal and the Hybrid, I would say they have more in common sonically then you might think. Their materials of construction differ wildly, yet they are both in the high accuracy camp (rather than the warm romantic sound of Dynaudio or Scan Speak even). When I listen to the Focal I feel they are generally 'tweeter centric' (it is the star of the show) when I listen to the HAT i think they are smooth extended and mid-range centric. I think out of the box the HAT is superior, with tuning and proper placement either will push your happy button. I have heard and judged world class builds with both and I would not discourage either as a purchase choice. I love the detail of the Focal and the timbre of the HAT.
I own and have currently installed a HAT L3 and L1 (original) and I am pleased with their utter neutrality. I was at the Crutchfield retail stored this weekend and I thought the Focal drivers in their boards were world beaters at $199 US. The Clarius mid-bass is awesome and is probably the best at its price point and matches up very well with the incriminator audio sub.
07-15-2009, 10:56 AM
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
sounds like the original poster should get some incriminator concoction, some hybrid concoction, some focal concoction and some scanspeak concoction and have someone with some experience install in with a good 4 way electronic crossover and be done with it
07-15-2009, 04:52 PM
#14
Yankee
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
he could do worse... all have been champs (except for maybe the incriminator... and that will probably be remedied soon too)
07-15-2009, 07:57 PM
#15
I have heard both and I would go with the HAT (I'll be buying some HAT after I rebuild my motor.....apparently droping a rod and breaking the crank is BAD at 180kph 
)
While the Focal tweeter is more detailed and brighter I think it woud get annoying after long listening periods. The HAT seem more balanced and enjoyable. Paired up with a sub it would be a nice sound (I say one sub as my hearing aid can't handle 2 anymore
)
Both are top notch choices. Best to get in a car and give em a listen
)While the Focal tweeter is more detailed and brighter I think it woud get annoying after long listening periods. The HAT seem more balanced and enjoyable. Paired up with a sub it would be a nice sound (I say one sub as my hearing aid can't handle 2 anymore
)Both are top notch choices. Best to get in a car and give em a listen
07-15-2009, 08:32 PM
#16
0 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 34
I'd probly go with the hybrids as well, I've heard both, and been less impressed with the focals than the hybrids
07-16-2009, 12:37 AM
#17
It should also be noted, that the Legatia set does not come with a crossover, so if passive is your game, then that leaves Hybrid out. You could use Clarus crossover, but that would be a waste of that Pro tweeter sort of speak, and I am not a big fan of that crossover, as it really picks up static noise, and you have to try to stash it away from everything as much as possible. Dont get me wrong, it is not brutally bad, and it cant be heard when music is playing, but you can hear it on quiet parts, and if you really care about that. Unless Hybrid has made a better crossover I am not aware of, but the crossover on the new Focal set should be killer, but I have no first hand experience, so cant comment.
07-16-2009, 05:36 AM
#18
Yankee
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
It should also be noted, that the Legatia set does not come with a crossover, so if passive is your game, then that leaves Hybrid out. You could use Clarus crossover, but that would be a waste of that Pro tweeter sort of speak, and I am not a big fan of that crossover, as it really picks up static noise, and you have to try to stash it away from everything as much as possible. Dont get me wrong, it is not brutally bad, and it cant be heard when music is playing, but you can hear it on quiet parts, and if you really care about that. Unless Hybrid has made a better crossover I am not aware of, but the crossover on the new Focal set should be killer, but I have no first hand experience, so cant comment.
07-16-2009, 06:08 AM
#19
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 429
YES Legatia passives can now be ordered but only on the two way set up. Three way passives are still in the works.
