Focal Kanta No2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 30 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment64%
PROS 64%
CONS 36%

Rank based on 30 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want deep bass (down to 35Hz) without adding a subwoofer
  • You value striking looks and finish options that please household aesthetics
  • You already own or plan to pair with a high-power, low-impedance-capable amplifier

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're sensitive to brightness/harshness at higher volumes
  • You don't want to invest in a beefy amp to handle the challenging impedance curve
  • You're on a tight budget, since some feel Focal's pricing has climbed too high relative to rivals like Revel

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Klipsch Cornwall IV
Emotionally engaging, 'forever speaker' soundBig, effortless dynamicsRefined, clean bass and midrange after break-inQuestionable build quality for the priceHigh price relative to componentsLarge size and placement demands
Klipsch Cornwall IV
Emotionally engaging, 'forever speaker' sound
Big, effortless dynamics
Refined, clean bass and midrange after break-in
Questionable build quality for the price
High price relative to components
Large size and placement demands
Best value
2Premium
Wharfedale Elysian 4
Effortless, immersive 'wall of sound'Beautiful build and finishDeep, tight bassHigh price relative to budgetPlacement-sensitive, dislikes wallsCan feel 'boring' to some listeners
Wharfedale Elysian 4
Effortless, immersive 'wall of sound'
Beautiful build and finish
Deep, tight bass
High price relative to budget
Placement-sensitive, dislikes walls
Can feel 'boring' to some listeners
3Mid
Martin Logan Foundation
AMT tweeter detail and clarityAttractive styling and finishGood value versus pricier alternativesLimited deep bass extensionConfusing/overlapping product line pricingNarrowed dispersion versus older Motion-series speakers
Martin Logan Foundation
AMT tweeter detail and clarity
Attractive styling and finish
Good value versus pricier alternatives
Limited deep bass extension
Confusing/overlapping product line pricing
Narrowed dispersion versus older Motion-series speakers
4Premium
Focal Scala Utopia
Airy, detailed soundEnd-game musicalityStriking design and finishBright or thin midrange for someHigh price relative to sound for someOutperformed by some rivals in specific traits
Focal Scala Utopia
Airy, detailed sound
End-game musicality
Striking design and finish
Bright or thin midrange for some
High price relative to sound for some
Outperformed by some rivals in specific traits
5Premium
Focal Aria 936
Smooth, non-fatiguing trebleTight, defined bassAttractive appearanceRising, questionable pricingCheap-feeling build detailsRequires lengthy break-in
Focal Aria 936
Smooth, non-fatiguing treble
Tight, defined bass
Attractive appearance
Rising, questionable pricing
Cheap-feeling build details
Requires lengthy break-in
6Budget
Polk Audio T50
Excellent value for moneyImproves with placement tweaks and break-inStrong bass for the sizeRequires break-in and careful setup to sound bestTreble can be hot on some systemsCan be too much bass for small spaces
Polk Audio T50
Excellent value for money
Improves with placement tweaks and break-in
Strong bass for the size
Requires break-in and careful setup to sound best
Treble can be hot on some systems
Can be too much bass for small spaces
7Premium
Polk Audio RTi A9
Dramatically improves with separate power ampHigh power handling and bass outputAccurate, high-quality soundRequires significant amp investmentBi-amping benefit debatedSensitive to placement
Polk Audio RTi A9
Dramatically improves with separate power amp
High power handling and bass output
Accurate, high-quality sound
Requires significant amp investment
Bi-amping benefit debated
Sensitive to placement
8Premium
Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL
Transparent, airy soundDetailed, lifelike instrument reproductionLong-term durability and satisfactionRequires careful setup and room treatmentHigh price for the formatLimited bass extension
Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL
Transparent, airy sound
Detailed, lifelike instrument reproduction
Long-term durability and satisfaction
Requires careful setup and room treatment
High price for the format
Limited bass extension
9Premium
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6
Life-changing, room-filling dynamics
Klipsch Klipschorn AK6
Life-changing, room-filling dynamics
10Budget
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3
Precise, punchy bassStrong value for priceBalanced, warm British sound signatureRoom-dependent bass bumpSensitive to cables and positioningBasic spiked feet
Wharfedale Diamond 12.3
Precise, punchy bass
Strong value for price
Balanced, warm British sound signature
Room-dependent bass bump
Sensitive to cables and positioning
Basic spiked feet
You are here
15Premium
Focal Kanta No2
Attractive, well-finished designScales well with amp upgrades and tweaksDeep bass without a subwooferCan sound bright or harsh at volumeConsidered a step below higher Focal linesChallenging impedance curve needs a strong amp
Focal Kanta No2
Attractive, well-finished design
Scales well with amp upgrades and tweaks
Deep bass without a subwoofer
Can sound bright or harsh at volume
Considered a step below higher Focal lines
Challenging impedance curve needs a strong amp

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The Beryllium tweeter is detailed but can turn bright under pressure. Several owners praise the tweeter as a 'revelation' that's clean, open and natural, and one calls it the first Beryllium tweeter that isn't bright or harsh. Others disagree, noting the Kanta line is forward and can sound bright or harsh especially above 85dB, with one comparing it to a similarly bright experience from Focal flax car drivers. Amp choice, especially tube gear, is recommended to tame this treble.

Bass extension impresses without needing a subwoofer. Multiple 2-channel owners report the Kanta No2 reaches down to 35Hz with warm, satisfying low end, eliminating the need for a subwoofer in stereo setups. One shop demo listener was shocked bass was so full when told no subwoofer was engaged. Others still added subs (SVS SB4000) for reinforcement in the lowest octaves, suggesting extension is strong but extra low-end support helps some rooms.

These speakers reward a serious amplifier investment. Owners note the Kanta No2 has a challenging impedance curve despite decent sensitivity, and higher-powered amps make them 'sing.' Pairings mentioned include Mark Levinson, Naim, Hegel, Ayre, Emotiva, and tube amps for warming the treble. Stereophile measurements reportedly confirm it needs an amp that doesn't struggle into 4 ohms, reinforcing that budget or underpowered amps may not do it justice.

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