Focal Kanta N°2 Speakers

Focal Kanta N°2 Speakers

The Focal Kanta N°2 floorstanding speaker sits in the middle of this French company's Kanta range and is designed to interface nicely with medium to large rooms where the top of the range Kanta may prove a little overpowering. Make no mistake, this is still quite a large speaker, able to fill spacious rooms with sound, but, like all the Kanta range, it does subtle as ably as it does dynamic, with a succulent midrange oozing with sparkling detail that seduces but never gets too in your face.

The Kanta N°2 is the most versatile product in this series and, like its bigger brother, superbly combines depth, impact and bass articulation. The definition and neutrality of the midrange is incredible and the next generation IAL tweeter reproduces the tiniest details with absolute precision. The result? A precise, detailed sound, brimming with warmth and musicality. It is the start of a new era for those who love sound. 

Entirely dedicated to acoustic performance and with an incredibly original look. That, in a nutshell, is the Kanta DNA! After three years of research, Focal offers a new combination of exclusive Hi-Fi technologies: the marriage of Beryllium, the next generation IAL3 tweeter, and Flax, for the midrange and bass drivers. We were also impressed by the frequency response at the lower end where the specification states 35Hz. Although that is the maximum it is never-the-less impressive and if your buying as part of a stereo only system probably means you'll have ample bottom-end bass without a subwoofer.

Another strong point of the line is its bold look that puts the finishing touch on this acoustic masterpiece with a resolutely modern and bewitching design! With the option of gloss or matt front & side panels, there are a number of finish combinations to choose from, just to keep things interesting. Several styles, each one so different from the next, means there's something for everyone. Kanta is more than just another speaker, it is an ultra-stylish, modern designer object that will become the star of your interior.

A Closer Look At Kanta No 2

Kanta seeks to renew the premium loudspeaker segment through its design and technology. Focal's intention was to design a speaker range totally focused on acoustic performance along with a resolutely mould-breaking aesthetic; this is the Kanta DNA! After three years of Research & Development, Kanta brings a combination of hitherto unprecedented technologies. The marriage of Beryllium (in the latest generation IAL3 tweeter) and Flax (for the midrange speaker drivers and woofers) results in precise, detailed sound, brimming with warmth and musicality. This complete solution is designed to deliver a coherent sound architecture. All the models are made for high-fidelity music lovers who love listening to their sound systems, as well as film fans searching for a home cinema set-up with striking design.

Cabinetry - High Density Polymer: Everything is designed and made to create acoustic softness and warmth: the density and stiffness of the front panel and cabinet materials, softened angles and double port vents. The front panel is made of a new material to suit the acoustic parameters. It is moulded in one piece from High Density Polymer (HDP). This material has excellent performance: it is 70% denser than MDF, 15% stiffer and provides 25% more damping. The one-piece front panel totally eliminates any sound diffraction. Kanta incorporates Power Flow technology with two vents, on the front and rear panels, to limit bass compression.

Marriage Of Materials - Beryllium & Flax: For the very first time, a Flax sandwich cone speaker has been combined with a Beryllium tweeter. Flax is the answer to the low mass/rigidity/damping equation, leading to sound clarity and precision. This unique Flax/Beryllium combination gives music incredible warmth and musicality. Made in France, this patented flax cone has already proven itself in Focal home and in-car speakers. The midrange speaker uses TMD (Tuned Mass Damping) suspension, and every Kanta speaker is also equipped with an NIC (Neutral Inductance Circuit) motor, which stabilises the magnetic field for perfectly defined sound and better controlled bass.

Distortion Is The Enemy: Focal's research is geared towards reducing distortion in every register. With Kanta, the treble register is reproduced by a new pure Beryllium tweeter. This IAL3 tweeter combines the IAL (Infinite Acoustic Loading) and IHL (Infinite Horn Loading) tweeters features, both of which help with the absorption of waves and frees up the movement of the diaphragm, thus extending the tweeter's frequency range to five octaves (1000Hz – 40kHz).

Pure Style Meets Sonic Substance: Focal's engineers revisited their choice of 'Focus Time', which corrects speaker alignment, making them all the same distance from the ear. The cabinet is made in one-piece, of integrally moulded wood. The Zamac base also brings out masses of character and with its spikes and cups, the base provides great stability from a very small footprint. Finally, there is a glass-covered cabinet top and subtly integrated magnetic grilles. When the grilles are removed, they reveal the speakers' flax cones, the final design touch that gives Kanta its unique look.

Latest Fashion Or Classic: A range of finish combinations are available to fit into every interior space. The cabinet is available in High Gloss Black Lacquer or Walnut. For each of these, there are two front panels colours, in two finishes. With the High Gloss Black Lacquer cabinet there are two front panel colours available: High Gloss Carrara White and Black Lacquer. With the wood finish cabinet there are also two front panel colours available:  Ivory and Dark Grey in Matt Finishes. So, whether you want latest fashion or classic, one of the Kanta options should suit you perfectly.

Kanta In The News

"The creativity of designers continues to amaze. What is especially heartening is to find a leading company clearly not resting on their laurels. Focal has been around since it was founded as JM Labs in 1979, and is vying for top spot of Euro-makers with B&W and KEF. Focal has the facilities to create and manufacture all of its own drivers and it builds all of its cabinets as well. With that size and success has not come complacency. The company continues to strive and innovate, and the new Kanta N°2 as the progenitor of a new line proves. If you cannot afford or accommodate the flagship Utopia's, if the Sopra's are a touch too far, you can now rest easy. The Kanta N°2's will provide. Give them a good listen and maybe a good home. Very highly recommended!" Hi-Fi+

"The Kantas deliver macro- and microdynamics with ease while offering that perfect balance of neutrality and excitement the French brand is known for the world over … This is the kind of speaker the densely populated market has actually been waiting for." Stereo

"Wonderfully and seamlessly integrated treble that never grated, an expansive, three-dimensional soundstage … and an ample, yet always dynamic and taut bass." StereoPlay

"Focal is one of the most technically advanced speaker makers in the world, and the Kanta No.2 has benefited from that expertise, with drive-units designed and made in-house and the applications of other proprietary technologies. After suitable break-in, my review pair of Kanta No.2s was capable of dynamic, well-balanced sound with a high degree of transparency to the source, and surprising bass extension for the speaker's size. Although styling has obviously played a role in its design, there's nothing in the Kanta No.2's sound to suggest that it has resulted in any compromises. With the Kanta No.2, styling is merely the icing on the audiophile cake." Stereophile

Main Features & Specifications

• Design: 4-driver, 3-way floorstanding speaker
• Drivers
• 1 x 27mm (1.06") 'IAL3' pure Beryllium inverted dome tweeter
• 1 x 165mm (6.5") Flax midrange with TMD suspension and NIC motor
• 2 x 165mm (6.5") Flax bass drivers with NIC motor
• Sensitivity: 91dB (2.83V/1m)
• Frequency Response: 35Hz - 40kHz (+/-3dB)
• Low Frequency Point: 29Hz (-6dB)
• Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
• Minimum Impedance: 3.1 Ohms
• Recommended Amplifier Power: 40 - 300 Watts
• Crossover Frequency: 260Hz & 2,700Hz
• Speaker Terminals: Will accept bare wire, spades and banana plugs
• Speaker Base: Heavy duty floor spikes are integrated into the base
  
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 321 x 1,118 x 477mm
• Nett Weight: 35kg each
• Shipping Weight: 40kg each
• Manufacturer's Warranty: 5 Years (Covers faulty workmanship and materials, but not abuse)

Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE