Pure Heaven!!!

For years I was content with a pair of pretty good computer speakers, with a subwoofer, and being a professional musician, rather than a sound engineer, never trusted myself with mixing, always having to rely on expensive professional studios for that purpose.
Now, having bought a pair of Focal CMS 65 a couple of weeks ago, I wish I could have made this investment a few years earlier: it's an eye(ear) - opener, I discover a completely different sound world, wholly new depth, crystal clarity, calmness, warmth, balance - just wonderful!
Now I feel I can enter the new territory of mixing, already got myself a couple of books on that topic, and started experimenting. Making minor changes in the mix, like levels, EQ's, panning, plugins, I can hear the difference right away! Certainly, a game-changer for mixing myself!
But even without that, just to listen to music, these speakers are a pure heaven!!!
Thank you, Focal, and thank you, Sweetwater!

Clean, flat sound

These sound really great! I upgraded from a Blue Sky Prodesk 2.1 (which, incidentally, is actually more expensive than a pair of these, and has a sub) and I prefer these. After breaking them in for 5 hours, they seem to have a flatter response (less harsh highs, and better representation in the mid and lower midrange) than my Blue Skys, which sounded too "hi-fi" with less mids and more highs and bass. The Focals aren't my favorite for simply listening to music (the Blue Skys and other brands like Genelec probably are a little more fun to listen to as far as having a hi-fi style of sound), but I think they are more accurate, which is what I want. These will show you exactly what the mix is doing... you can hear noise, harmonic distortion, and other flaws in your mixes that wouldn't be picked up by other monitors. The way I know these are great is that my amateur mixes sound BAD compared to professional mixes, while on other speakers my mixes sounded okay compared to professional mixes. All of the flaws come out! If you want an accurate sound, get these. If you want it to sound more entertaining and don't care if you're hearing the actual mix, go with another brand like Genelec.

Really?!

Seriously blown away - things sound absolutely ridiculous. I was unable to hear these before I bought them because you generally have to order them. So I bought these strictly on the reviews and forums I had read from. For producing electronica these things are insane. I don't know about other music. I'm only about 2 hours in to breaking them in and they already sound absolutely amazing. Feel like I'm hearing this stuff for the first time.

Excellent Monitors

Believe what you read about these. They are remarkably clean & clear studio monitors. I've had them for about a month, and they're now a permanent part of my recording & mixing setup. They sound pretty good right out of the box, but after a run-in period of about 20-25 hours, they are glorious. I'm amazed by these guys every time I hear them. Highly recommended.

A powerhouse in a small package

Focal has an excellent reputation in traditional home audio. I figured their monitors would be equally good. Yes! Extremely pleased. Very smooth and dynamic, even at low volumes. Kick them up a notch and they really sing. Extremely well made. These should last me for many years.

Best Asset in your studio, no question!

I have $27K of studio equipment. Of everything I own, these monitors have been the biggest investment/game changer. The stereo field is mind blowing! You feel as if you are in the very room/space the song was recorded. In addition, Ive heard sounds in songs Ive never heard before. I swear some of my favorite artists have suttle sounds you would not hear without these monitors. Its like hearing the songs again for the first time all over again. Dont sell yourself short, put the money in your monitors! These blow away my $5K car stereo. Im thinking about putting 4 of them in the living room for movies.

Amazing

First of all I want to clear up this question. Will you need a sub with these? NO. I went from a system with a sub and these are just fine. They go deeeep! After a few hours of break-in they started going lower and lower with much better bass response. I;m at day 2 right now after about 12 hours and they are simply amazing.

Besides bass, everything else rocks as well. Super clear, nice punchy mids, smooth highs. These will show faults in MANY so-called professional recordings. Also, seems like their learning curve is low which means fast and excellent translation immediately.

I listened to the ADAMs and these blow them out of the water.

Great monitors enough said...

Simply put - amazing monitors. A must if you are going to be making serious mixes.

The Best Pair of Studio Monitors under $2000.

I spent several months researching studio monitors for my small, yet high-end home project studio in Brooklyn. After all the online reviews, visits to the stores and studios, and sifting through the "knowledge" on gearsluts.com, it came down to the Focals, the Dynaudios and the Adams. I chose these in the end because they are built to last and there's absolutely nothing to hide behind. Transparent and warm without the fatigue of Genelecs. The clarity really is unbelievable! Everyday I discover new things in records I've been listening to for years, even ones that I thought were perfect. And, since I live in NYC, I spend a lot of time listening to music on my ipod through top-notch in-ear monitors on the subway, so I know music intimately... If you want your mixes to sound consistent and superb anywhere you play them start with these in your studio. They'll make it really easy for the Mastering engineer, even if you have to master things yourself. I record and produce a variety of real music with real players in real environments and I love these speakers! If they let real instruments shine, they'll be even better for direct recording or beat makers. Thanks, Lip

amazing

I recently replaced my Tannoy Precision 8ds with the CMS 65s. I was concerned about going to a smaller speaker, even though my room is pretty small. I bought them sight unseen at the recommendation of my rep Richard Whittington. While I am still getting used to the monitors, everything I have read about these monitors is absolutely true. These speakers reveal everything. Mediocre mixes sound horrible and good mixes sound brilliant. The soundstage for these monitors is very open (way moreso than the Tannoys,) and there is a ton of information in the upper mids and higher frequencies. Going back and listening to CDs (and my own mixes) was an ear opening experience. They don't have quite the aggressive mids of the Tannoys or the Adam A7s, but that isn't a bad thing. That is what translates into less "ear fatigue" during long sessions and also it makes you work to get good slap and punch in the mids. I have mine attached to a 10" sub and I'm not missing any low end at all, though I suspect that if I was running them without they might be a little weak below 100hz.

Bottom line, these are some of the best monitors that i've owned. They are NOT pretty speakers. They show off the flaws in your mix like a big pimple on your nose, but I have found even with the short amount of time with them my mixes are infinitely better and they get right much faster. And for those of you debating between these and the solo 6s, if you have a small room or bedroom studio these are MORE than adequate. I would say dropping the coin for the solo 6s is only necessary if your in a pro room of some size and professionally treated. For the rest of us, the CMSs are perfect.

Amazing speakers

My speaker upgrade was long overdue, and after considering many different options I took the advice of one of my friends as well as Mike from Sweetwater - I haven't looked back since! These monitors are amazing, transitioning from my old pair to these was easy - they sound solid, easy on the ear, and powerful, even at low volume. Give them time to warm up, a few days of not working in the studio but just listening to music you know well will ease you into using them to their full potential. Have fun!