Focal High End Speakers 101: Everything You Must Know
Read Time: Approx. 18 min.
The Focal All-Inclusive Guide contains everything you need to know about Focal's world-renowned headphones, including reviews, comparisons, information about audio cables, and more
The Focal Family of Loudspeakers
When it comes to high-end loudspeakers, Focal is a brand that consistently stands out from the crowd. The French hi-fi audio equipment manufacturer has been designing and producing home audio loudspeakers, car speaker drivers and amplifiers, and monitoring loudspeakers for recording studios for over 40 years. With a rich history of innovation and a dedication to delivering uncompromising audio quality, Focal has earned its place among the most respected names in the world of audio.
Focal speakers are known for their precise and detailed sound reproduction, thanks to the use of high-quality, unique materials, innovative technologies, and an in-house production process. In fact, Focal is one of the few speaker companies also to manufacture its own drivers. Focal's product range includes bookshelf speakers, floor-standing speakers, nearfield monitors, and even high-end car audio systems.
Focal continues to find new ways to innovate its loudspeakers, whether it be with new technology or breathtaking designs. Moon Audio sells loudspeakers from five Focal lines: Shape, Sopra, Kanta, Alpha Evo, and Aria Evo X. Each line is uniquely created with Focal's signature sound and the promise to deliver a product that welcomes you to a world of music and emotions. Whether you're an audiophile seeking the ultimate listening experience or a home theater enthusiast looking to upgrade your system, understanding what sets Focal apart will help you make an informed decision when selecting your next set of loudspeakers.
Focal's Current Loudspeaker Lineup
Focal's range of high fidelity and home speakers offer a combination of elegant design and high performance to listeners. Currently, Focal offers several impressive speaker lines that cater to the different preferences and needs of audiophiles, audio professionals, and music lovers. Let's to get know the Focal Sopra, Kanta, Aria Evo X, Shape, and Alpha Evo Speaker lines.
Focal's Home Speakers
Focal's home audio speakers are crafted to provide an immersive, cinema-like audio experience in the comfort of your home. They are designed to work seamlessly together for a cohesive and engaging surround sound experience. Within the home speaker line are Focal's reference speakers, the Utopia III Evo and Sopra, geared toward audiophiles who demand the highest level of sound quality. These speakers are meticulously engineered to reproduce music with unparalleled accuracy, clarity, and detail. Discover the Focal Sopra, Kanta, and Aria Evo X speaker lines.
Focal Sopra
Designed for audiophiles seeking a highly accurate and immersive listening experience
A part of Focal's reference speaker series, the Sopra sits at the top with the renowned Utopia lineup of loudspeakers. The Sopra line can be thought of as a lower-priced version of the Utopia lineup of loudspeakers. Unlike the larger-than-life Utopia, however, Sopra aims for compactness to ensure easy integration into reasonably sized rooms. Sopra speakers deliver a sound that is "fleshy" with a full and articulated bass, overall coherence, and harmonic richness. The flagship of this line is the Sopra N°3 three-way Loudspeaker, which perfectly combines dynamics, space optimization, and harmonic richness. The two woofers offer solid, rich, and perfectly defined bass for music lovers looking for optimum performance. Despite its reasonable size, it will reveal its full potential in larger rooms. Comparing the Sopra N°1, N°2, and N°3, you'll get lots of detail in both the N°2 and N°3, but the N°3 has more bottom-end weight (at a small loss of midrange transparency). With the N°1, you'll get a slightly sacrificed midrange because the driver is handling both the midrange and bass, so we recommend adding the Sopra SW 1000 BE Subwoofer.
For the money, the Sopra is without a doubt the best price/performance product. Sopra speakers feature Focal's signature beryllium tweeters and 'W' sandwich cone woofers, delivering unparalleled clarity, precision, and dynamics. The inclusion of the Neutral Inductance Circuit (NIC) and Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) technologies further enhance the speaker's performance, minimizing distortion and optimizing bass response. The Sopra line is ideal for discerning audiophiles who seek a highly accurate and immersive listening experience in both stereo and home theater setups.
Listeners can choose from several stunning color finishes for a customized look that complements their personal style and interior decor. The Sopra speakers are available in Black, Black Oak, Carrera White, Electric Orange, and Light Oak. In addition to the standard finishes, the Focal Sopra N°2 Loudspeaker has two limited edition finishes: Black Ostrea and Brown Concrete. The Sopra SW 1000 BE Subwoofer and Sopra Surround BE Speakers are only available in the black high-gloss lacquer finish. All Sopra models come with a detachable magnetic grille that ensures an ideal, discreet integration into any living space.
Focal intentionally designed the Sopra series to be deliberately uncluttered to offer connoisseurs the opportunity to enjoy all the small details. The grille with an incremental meshing motif protects the Beryllium tweeter and gives it a strong identity. This motif is repeated for sealing the curved back panel of the middle section. The terminal board, the thumb nuts, and the adjustable spikes have all been specially designed for Sopra, as have the few visible screws, all of which were manufactured by watchmaking experts.
Sopra N°1 Bookshelf Speaker
The Focal Sopra N ° 1 Bookshelf Speaker delivers premium sound quality in a compact package. Equipped with Focal's cutting-edge technologies, the Sopra N°1 features a 6.5" 'W' sandwich cone midbass driver, which utilizes a composite of foam and glass fiber to provide optimal stiffness and damping. The results are a precise and dynamic midrange and bass reproduction. A 1" beryllium inverted dome tweeter offers exceptional clarity, detail, and extended high-frequency response to faithfully reproduce every nuance in the music. Additionally, Focal's patented NIC technology and TMD technology is used to reduce distortion, improve clarity and transparency, and minimize resonance in the speaker's suspension.
Whether you're enjoying subtle acoustic passages or the thunderous roar of metal music, the Sopra N°1 will envelop you in a captivating, three-dimensional soundstage that will leave you speechless. Expect to enjoy your favorite music with a high level of immersion and engagement that only the very best speakers can deliver.
Some finishes are not displayed. Please refer to the product page for the additional imagery.
The Sopra N°1's cabinet is designed with performance and aesthetics in mind. The compact form factor of the N°1 provides you with the flexibility to place it on shelves, tables, desks, or a dedicated stand— all without taking up too much space in your home. The cabinet's exquisite construction, featuring high-density, non-resonant materials and precision-engineered internal bracing, ensures that every nuance and detail of the music is preserved and presented with unwavering fidelity.
Sopra N°2 Loudspeaker
The Focal Sopra N°2 Loudspeaker takes the performance to the next level with an even more immersive and lifelike sound reproduction. Its larger cabinet and dual 7" woofers provide a deeper and more powerful bass response while maintaining a level of clarity and articulation in the midrange and treble. You'll get an impressive amount of detail retrieval bringing you closer to your favorite recordings for an emotionally engaging listening experience. Like the Sopra N°1, the N°2 is equipped with Focal's patented TMD suspension and NIC motor technology that reduce distortion, improve transparency, and minimize resonance in the speaker's suspension. The Sopra's sound is precise, dynamic, and transparent — perfect for casual to critical listening sessions.
Some finishes are not displayed. Please refer to the product page for the additional imagery.
The Sopra N°2's construction is a work of art in itself. The sleek, modern design is consistent across the entire Sopra line with a glass top panel and a choice of premium finishes. The Sopra N°2's larger cabinet is optimized for acoustic performance, with reinforced front and rear baffles that minimize vibrations and ensure the structural integrity of the speaker. Focal chose glass as the material for the base of the loudspeaker to provide floor coupling, using spikes, which enabled the fastest propagation time possible, thus eliminating all halo effects in the bass. The angled base gives the Sopra an undeniably unique look.
Sopra N°3 Loudspeaker
The Sopra N°3 Loudspeaker is the flagship of this lineup, delivering audiophiles the best sound reproduction. The N°3 perfectly combines dynamics, space optimization, and harmonic richness. With two 8.25" woofers, you'll get a solid, rich, and perfectly defined bass response that sets it apart from its younger siblings with the most bottom-end weight. Like the Sopra N°1 and N°2, the N°3 is equipped with Focal's patented TMD suspension and NIC motor technology that reduce distortion, improve transparency, and minimize resonance in the speaker's suspension.
The Sopra N°3 delivers a truly breathtaking sound quality that immerses the listener in a lifelike and emotionally engaging audio experience. The midrange is highly detailed and natural, allowing vocals and instruments to shine through with great clarity and realism. The beryllium tweeter and "W" sandwich cone drivers work in perfect harmony to provide a transparent, accurate, and dynamic sound across the entire frequency range. The Sopra N°3's ability to handle complex musical passages and dynamic shifts with ease is a testament to its advanced design and superior craftsmanship. The Sopra N°3 is designed for audiophiles demanding nothing less than an exceptional listening experience.
Some finishes are not displayed. Please refer to the product page for the additional imagery.
Despite the reasonable size of the Sopra N°3, it will reveal its full potential in larger rooms. The sleek, modern design is consistent across the entire Sopra line with a glass top panel and a choice of premium finishes. With its larger cabinet and additional 8" woofer, the N°3 delivers the ultimate in terms of sound quality, scale, and immersion.
Sopra Center Speaker
The Sopra Center is a center-channel speaker designed to complement the other models in the Sopra line, delivering a seamless and immersive sound experience in home audio setups. The Sopra Center employs a two-way design, featuring a 1" beryllium inverted dome tweeter and two 6.5" 'W' sandwich cone midbass drivers that offer clarity, detail, and dynamics. The Sopra Center projects a wide and coherent soundstage with accurate localization and a sense of depth that's truly impressive. This is particularly important for a center channel speaker, as it is responsible for anchoring the dialogue and main audio elements in a surround sound system. When combined with other speakers from the Sopra line, the Sopra Center creates a truly immersive and captivating surround sound experience that will bring your favorite movies and music to life like never before.
Focal Kanta
Unparalleled audiophile performance that immerses you in the essence of music
The Focal Kanta speaker line combines innovative technology, premium materials, and elegant design to deliver exceptional sound quality and visual appeal. While it's not as ergonomically designed for home theater as the Focal Aria Evo X speaker line, the Kanta can handle anything from dedicated listening sessions to family movie nights. The flagship speaker within the Kanta line, the Kanta N°3 Loudspeaker combines depth, impact, and articulation of the bass register. The definition and neutrality of the midrange are incredible. The tweeter reproduces the tiniest details with clinical precision. The result? A precise, detailed sound, brimming with warmth and musicality. Comparing the Kanta N°1, N°2, and N°3, you'll get lots of detail in both the N°2 and N°3, but the N°3 has more bottom-end weight (at a small loss of midrange transparency). With the N°1, you'll get a slightly sacrificed midrange because the driver is handling both the midrange and bass so we recommend adding a subwoofer.
The Kanta speakers are another perfect example of Focal's expertise in loudspeaker design and manufacturing. The cabinets are constructed with a high-density fiberboard (HDF) and feature a non-parallel internal structure to minimize vibrations and standing waves, ensuring optimal acoustic performance. The front baffle is made of a high-density polymer (HDP) material, which is incredibly rigid and inert, providing an ideal platform for the drivers to perform at their best. The speakers feature Focal's signature 'Flax' sandwich cone drivers, which utilize a unique blend of flax fibers and glass fiber to create a lightweight yet rigid cone material. The result? Reduced coloration and distortion for a more natural and dynamic sound. The tweeters employ Focal's renowned inverted dome design, using beryllium to offer clarity, detail, and extended high-frequency response.
Listeners can choose from a collection of stylish finishes for a customized look that complements their personal style and interior design. The Kanta speakers are available in the following finishes: Black high gloss/black matte, black high gloss/grey matte, walnut high gloss/grey matte, walnut matte/ivory matte, walnut high gloss/black matte, walnut high gloss/taupe matte, walnut high gloss/ivory matte, white high gloss/Carrera white matte. The sleek, modern design of the Kanta series makes them a striking addition to any room, while the magnetic grilles provide a clean, unobstructed look when removed.
Whether you choose a bookshelf or floorstanding model, the Kanta series delivers a captivating and immersive listening experience that will delight even the most discerning audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. With their stylish design and wide range of finishes, Focal Kanta speakers are as visually stunning as they are sonically impressive, making them a true statement piece in any listening environment.
Kanta N°1 Speakers (Pair)
The Focal Kanta N°1 Bookshelf Speaker delivers premium sound in a relatively compact form factor that's suitable for smaller listening rooms or as part of a home theater setup. At the heart of this speaker is Focal's renowned Beryllium tweeter, which provides breathtaking clarity and detail in the high frequencies, while the Flax cone woofer adds a lush, natural midrange and deep, well-controlled bass response. The Kanta N°1 is a great choice for audiophiles who crave warmth and musicality in their music. What sets the Kanta N ° 1 apart is its ability to strike a perfect balance between technical excellence and musical emotion.
Some finishes are not displayed. Please refer to the product page for the additional imagery.
The cabinet's carefully tuned internal bracing and damping materials ensure low resonance and distortion, allowing the drivers to shine without any unwanted colorations. Additionally, the speaker's elegant, sculptural design not only looks stunning in any room but also contributes to its exceptional acoustic performance. Whether you're listening to your favorite vinyl recordings or high-resolution digital files, the Kanta N ° 1 will transport you to the heart of the musical performance, enveloping you in a rich, immersive soundscape that will captivate your senses and leave you craving more.
Kanta N°2 Speakers (Pair)
The Kanta N ° 2 Speaker sits above the N ° 1 bookshelf model in Focal's Kanta lineup. Like its smaller sibling, the Kanta N ° 2 delivers exceptional sound quality and design for discerning audiophiles. The N ° 2 features a three-way bass reflex design with a 1" beryllium inverted dome tweeter, a 6.5" flax sandwich cone midrange driver, and two 6.5" flax sandwich cone bass drivers. The beryllium and flax cone technology for the midrange and bass drivers offers a balance of lightness, rigidity, and damping to minimize distortion and colorations. As a high-end floorstanding speaker, the N ° 2 is designed for larger listening rooms and audiophiles who demand the best in sound quality and design. The construction of the cabinet minimizes vibrations and standing waves, ensuring a clean and precise sound reproduction.
Some finishes are not displayed. Please refer to the product page for the additional imagery.
The N ° 2's sound is full-bodied and dynamic, with a well-controlled bass response that integrates seamlessly with the midrange and treble. Despite the smaller size of the N ° 2, the soundstage is wide and precise with excellent imaging and depth. The combination of advanced driver technologies, carefully crafted cabinet, and premium sound quality places the Kanta N ° 2 among the top performers in its class.
Kanta N°3 Speakers (Pair)
Designed for the most discerning audiophiles and larger listening spaces, the Kanta N ° 3 Speaker represents Focal's commitment to delivering exceptional sound quality and aesthetics. The Kanta N ° 3 takes the performance to the next level, offering a larger and more immersive soundstage, with even greater bass extension and dynamics. The use of beryllium for the tweeter and the unique flax cone technology for the midrange and bass drivers is consistent with the other models in the Kanta line, offering excellent stiffness, damping, and lightness to minimize distortion and coloration.
The meticulously designed cabinet features a multi-port PowerFlow system for optimal airflow and bass reproduction, while the modern design with a leather-effect front panel complements the speaker's premium sound quality. As the top model in the Kanta series, the Focal Kanta No.3 is aimed at audiophiles who demand the ultimate in sound quality and have larger listening spaces to accommodate these substantial speakers.
Kanta Center Speaker
The Focal Kanta Center Speaker completes the entire Kanta line, as the center channel responsible for reproducing a significant portion of a movie's dialogue and soundstage. Listeners will enjoy their favorite music, shows, and movies with breathtaking clarity and detail. The use of beryllium for the tweeter and the unique flax cone technology for the midrange and bass drivers is consistent with the other models in the Kanta line, offering excellent stiffness, damping, and lightness to minimize distortion and coloration. The extreme definition of the higher mid-range register and its tonal balance make this a formidable weapon in any home cinema setup.
The cabinet is designed to minimize vibrations and features a sleek, modern aesthetic with a leather-effect front panel and high-gloss finishes, matching the look of the other Kanta series speakers. Film fans will be surprised by the sound clarity and speech intelligibility, which are far superior to the norm. The remarkable neutrality lends itself to thrilling emotion for an unparalleled home cinema experience. As a high-end center channel speaker, the Focal Kanta Center is designed for home theater enthusiasts who prioritize audio quality and seek a center channel that can match the performance of their Kanta bookshelf or floorstanding speakers.
Focal Aria Evo X
Elevate your listening experience with refined elegance and sonic precision
The Aria Evo X line is designed to offer listeners sophisticated sound quality in a simple, yet high-end design using high-quality materials. Each loudspeaker in the Aria Evo X line uses Focal's 'M'-shaped inverted dome TAM Tweeter delivering a silky smooth treble with a greater definition of sound. The TAM Tweeter is a new and welcome addition to Focal loudspeakers. Originally developed for Focal's car audio collection, the company revamped the tweeter to be used in their home loudspeakers for stereo and home cinema use. The aluminum magnesium material for the tweeter tends to have a warmer tonality which is especially great for home theater use as the recordings for movies tend to be a bit hot and are smoothed out by the tweeter.
Focal's TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) surround technology enhances the midrange and eliminates any vibrations so listeners can enjoy a harmonious sound. But that's not all! Focal has also incorporated its Flax cone into the Aria Evo X speakers. The Flax cone is a French flax fiber sandwich between two sheets of glass fibre. It's lightweight and good for dynamics, delivering a neutral and natural sound without coloration.
The result of all these technologies together is a balanced and dynamic sound that will complement any listening scenario.
Each product of the Aria Evo X line comes in three finishes: Black High Gloss, Prime Walnut, and Moss Green High Gloss. Focal has combined leather-effect front panels with these finishes to give the Aria Evo X loudspeakers character and sophistication. Also supplied with the loudspeakers is a magnetic grille that ensures an ideal, discreet integration into any living space. An accessory stand is available for the Aria Evo X N°1 bookshelf speaker so listeners can raise and showcase the loudspeakers.
Aria Evo X N°1 Bookshelf Speaker (Each)
The Aria Evo X N°1 is a powerful, space-saving bookshelf speaker. It's compact enough to fit easily and discreetly into rooms such as an office or living room den, either on an optional stand or without. The qualities of Focal's flax cone are center stage in this 2-way bookshelf loudspeaker: Neutrality, presence, and elegance. The material is renowned for its lightweight yet rigid properties, which help to produce a neutral and detailed sound. The TAM tweeter delivers precision and softness while the 6 1/2" mid-bass delivers a neutral midrange and powerful bass.
The design of the Aria Evo X N °1 is both elegant and functional with a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. The carefully crafted cabinet features non-parallel side panels and internal bracing to reduce unwanted vibrations and enhance the overall sound clarity. The Aria Evo X N °1 excels at producing detailed mids and highs, with a bass response that is tight and controlled, making it suitable for a wide range of music genres. The bookshelf has an optional stand available sitting at a height of 23 3/4".
Aria Evo X N°3 Floorstanding Speaker (Each)
The Aria Evo X N°3 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker delivers impressive dynamics and boosted bass. This is what sets it apart from the Aria Evo X N°2. With three subwoofers, it will make a spectacular impact in any home cinema setup. A powerful multi-port system at the bottom of the Aria Evo X N°3 ensures there is no dynamic compression with the floor-facing port delivering more depth. This loudspeaker is suitable for rooms from 269 ft², with a recommended listening distance of 10 to 13 feet.
The design of the Aria Evo X N°3 is both stylish and acoustically optimized. The speaker features a sleek, modern look with high-quality finishes that blend seamlessly into various home decors. Its cabinet is meticulously constructed with non-parallel sides and internal bracing to minimize vibrations and cabinet resonances, contributing to the speaker’s clean and accurate sound. The Aria Evo X N°3 loudspeaker embodies the essence of acoustics for music and film lovers, making it a distinguished HiFi loudspeaker.
Aria Evo X N°4 Floorstanding Speaker (Each)
The Aria Evo X N°4 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker stands out in the Aria Evo X lineup with its robust construction and superior sound quality, catering to audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. The N°4 features two 21cm woofers and a midrange speaker driver that's designed to optimize sound reproduction. With an additional bass-reflex system, the Aria Evo X N°4 delivers better sound depth for a pure listening experience. A powerful multi-port system at the bottom of the Aria Evo X N°4 ensures there is no dynamic compression with the floor-facing port delivers more depth.
The Aria Evo X N°4 excels with its powerful and balanced soundstage. Listeners will enjoy a rich and immersive sound with a deep, controlled bass, clear and articulate midrange, and crisp, detailed highs. Whether used for music or home theater, the Aria Evo X N°4 delivers a dynamic and engaging listening experience, capable of filling large rooms with ease. This floorstanding speaker is ideal for spaces of at least 323 ft², with a recommended listening distance of 10 to 16 feet.
Aria Evo X Center Speaker
The Aria Evo X 2-way center loudspeaker harmonizes with all the Aria Evo X floorstanding loudspeakers for the ultimate home cinema system. It's a pivotal component designed to deliver clear and precise dialogue and center-channel effects in a home theater setup. In terms of performance, the Aria Evo X Center Speaker excels at delivering a well-balanced and dynamic soundstage. The speaker's ability to reproduce detailed midrange and crisp highs makes it particularly effective at conveying dialogue and subtle audio cues, enhancing the overall immersive experience of movies and TV shows.
During the design process of the Aria Evo X Center particular attention was paid to pairing the timbres to guarantee uniformity and sonic coherence. The cabinet construction is robust, with non-parallel sides and internal bracing that minimizes unwanted vibrations and resonance for a clean and undistorted sound. The Aria Evo X Center Speaker is designed to fit seamlessly into various home audio setups, whether placed on a shelf, in a cabinet, or mounted. This speaker is recommended for rooms from 215 ft² with a listening distance of 10 feet.
Focal's Pro Audio Speakers
Focal Shape
Precision and transparency, shaped for your studio
Designed to meet the needs of nearfield monitoring, the versatile Focal Shape speakers are great for professional or home use, with remarkable acoustic transparency. Shape monitors combine an ingenuous design and numerous settings optimized for the acoustics of small listening rooms. The Focal Shape line is especially great for professional audio applications, offering high-quality sound reproduction and performance for recording studios and other critical listening environments.
The Focal Shape monitors use passive radiators on the sides, which give an incredible bass response in a small package. The lower mid-range and mid-range benefit from extreme neutrality, and without any masking effects, making equalization of these essential registers much easier. Finally, the tweeter efficiently reveals any hissing, and it’s also very precise in the very high end. The Shape 65 Monitor Speaker is the reference in this line. Although it’s dedicated to nearfield monitoring, this monitor enables extraordinary monitoring quality, in the lowest to the highest frequencies. This monitor will express its full potential from a listening distance of 3 feet away (1 meter). They are powered, so you don't need to spend extra on an amp. You just need a pre amp or a source with a volume control.
The Focal Shape Monitor Speaker lineup stands out as an exceptional choice for both professional studio environments and discerning audiophiles alike, offering a perfect blend of robust sound quality, superb tuning, and unparalleled linearity. At the heart of this remarkable lineup lies Focal's unwavering commitment to delivering an uncompromising listening experience, meticulously engineered to cater to the most demanding audio enthusiasts. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Shape Monitor speakers boast a proprietary blend of cutting-edge technologies and time-honored construction techniques, ensuring exceptional sonic performance across the entire frequency range.
The seamless integration of Focal's acclaimed inverted dome tweeters and high-performance woofers results in a remarkably coherent and natural sound reproduction, with a level of clarity, detail, and imaging that truly brings recordings to life. Meticulously engineered to minimize unwanted resonances and vibrations, these speakers deliver a consistent and reliable performance, even in challenging acoustic spaces. This versatility makes them an ideal choice for both professional studios and high-end home audio setups, where acoustic treatment may not always be optimal.
Check out our dedicated blog for more information on the sound quality and performance of the Focal Shape Speaker line.
Shape 40 Monitor Speaker
The Focal Shape 40 Monitor Speaker is a compact, two-way active studio monitor designed for small to medium-sized recording studios and home audio systems. As the smallest model in the Focal Shape studio monitor line, the Shape 40 offers high-quality sound reproduction and performance in a desktop-friendly form factor.
The Shape 40 features a 4" flax sandwich cone mid-bass driver and a 1" aluminum/magnesium inverted dome tweeter. The flax sandwich cone technology, unique to Focal, provides excellent stiffness, damping, and lightness properties, resulting in a low-distortion, well-controlled, and natural-sounding mid-range and low-end response. The tweeter offers precise high-frequency reproduction, with a wide sweet spot and excellent off-axis response. The Shape 40s cabinet is designed to minimize vibrations and colorations, featuring a 5/8" MDF construction with a walnut veneer finish. Despite its small size, the monitor delivers a surprisingly robust and accurate sound, with a focused stereo image and a well-balanced frequency response. While it may not offer the same bass extension or maximum SPL as larger models in the Shape line, its accuracy, clarity, and overall performance make it a strong contender in its class.
Shape 50 Monitor Speaker
Moving up in the Focal Shape line, the Shape 50 Monitor Speaker offers increased power handling, bass extension, and overall performance while still maintaining a relatively compact form factor. The Shape 50 features a 5" flax sandwich cone mid-bass driver and a 1" aluminum/magnesium inverted dome tweeter. The effects of the technology in the Shape 50 are consistent with the other models in the shape line.
The Shape 50's dimensions and weight make it a versatile option for small to medium-sized studios or nearfield monitoring applications. The increased driver size and power handling, compared to the Shape 40, allow for a more robust and extended low-end response, while still maintaining the accuracy and clarity that the Shape series is known for. Its balanced and accurate sound, combined with its versatile size and performance, make it well-suited for a wide range of monitoring applications and studio environments.
Shape 65 Monitor Speaker
The flagship model in the line, the Shape 65 Monitor Speaker enables extraordinary monitoring quality in the lowest to highest frequencies. As the largest model in the Focal Shape studio monitor line, the Shape 65 offers extended bass response, higher SPL capabilities, and a more powerful overall performance compared to its smaller counterparts. The Shape 65 features a 6.5" flax sandwich cone mid-bass driver and a 1" aluminum/magnesium inverted dome tweeter. The effects of the technology in the Shape 65 are consistent with the other models in the shape line.
The Shape 65's dimensions and weight make it well-suited for larger studios or nearfield monitoring applications. The increased driver size and power handling, compared to the Shape 40 and Shape 50, allow for a more extended low-end response and higher SPL capabilities, while still maintaining the accuracy, clarity, and transparency that the Shape series is known for. The Shape 65 is an excellent choice for audio professionals and audiophiles seeking a high-quality, full-range monitoring solution.
Focal Alpha Evo
Professional performance evolved for your studio
The Focal Alpha Evo speaker line is a series of professional studio monitors designed for recording studios, home studios, and pro audio applications. Building upon the success of Focal's original Alpha range, the Alpha Evo line incorporates new technologies and design improvements to deliver enhanced performance, accuracy, and versatility.
The Alpha Evo line consists of three models: Alpha 50 Evo, Alpha 65 Evo, and Alpha 80 Evo. All models feature Focal's proprietary Slatefiber woofer cones, which are made from recycled carbon fibers. This innovative material provides excellent rigidity, damping, and lightness, resulting in a precise, dynamic, and low-distortion bass and midrange response. The tweeters are made from aluminum, offering clear and detailed high-frequency reproduction. The Alpha Evo speakers feature a unique 'Focus Mode' that when engaged, reduces the monitor's bass response by 2dB and increases the midrange by 1dB, creating a more neutral and less fatiguing listening experience.
The Alpha Evo speaker's construction and matte black finish give them a sleek and professional appearance. The cabinet's are carefully crafted with various internal bracing and damping techniques to minimize vibrations and colorations. The Alpha Evo speaker line offers a compelling combination of performance, versatility, and value for money. With their innovative Slatefiber woofer cones, Focus Mode feature, and automatic power management, these monitors are well-suited for a wide range of professional and home studio applications.
Alpha 50 Evo Speaker
The smallest speaker in the Alpha Evo line, the Alpha 50 Evo Speaker delivers impressive performance despite its compact size. It's an excellent choice for small recording studios, home studios, and other pro audio applications. The Alpha 50 Evo features a 5" Slatefiber woofer cone, which is made from recycled carbon fibers. This innovative material provides excellent rigidity, damping, and lightness, resulting in a precise, dynamic, and low-distortion bass and midrange response. The tweeter offers a clear and detailed high-frequency reproduction.
In terms of amplification, the Alpha 50 Evo is bi-amplified, with a 35W Class D amplifier driving the woofer and a 25W Class D amplifier powering the tweeter. This configuration ensures optimal power distribution and helps to maintain a clean and dynamic sound even at higher listening levels. The dimensions and weight of the Alpha 50 Evo make it well-suited for desktop or bookshelf placement and it's perfectly capable of handling a wide range of music genres and audio production tasks.
Alpha 65 Evo Speaker
The Alpha 65 Evo Speaker is a mid-sized model in the Alpha Evo line. Designed for recording studios, home studios, and content creators, the Alpha 65 Evo offers a balanced combination of power, accuracy, and versatility, making it well-suited for a wide range of monitoring applications. The Alpha 65 Evo features a 6.5" Slatefiber woofer cone that delivers a precise, dynamic, and low-distortion bass and midrange response. Like other models in the Alpha Evo line, the Alpha 65 Evo incorporates Focal's unique 'Focus Mode.' This is particularly useful for long mixing sessions or when working in untreated rooms.
The Alpha 65 Evo is bi-amplified, with a 55W Class D amplifier driving the woofer and a 35W Class D amplifier powering the tweeter. This configuration ensures optimal power distribution and helps to maintain a clean and dynamic sound even at higher listening levels. The Alpha 65 Evo is an excellent mid-sized studio monitor that combines Focal's innovative technologies, robust performance, and flexible features.
Alpha 80 Evo Speaker
The Focal Alpha 80 Evo Speaker is the largest model in the line designed for critical listening applications and large monitoring environments. The Alpha 80 Evo features an 8" Slatefiber woofer cone that lends to the speaker's detail, clarity, and precise sound reproduction. The Alpha 80 Evo is bi-amplified, with a 70W Class D amplifier driving the woofer and a 35W Class D amplifier powering the tweeter. This configuration ensures optimal power distribution and helps to maintain a clean and dynamic sound even at higher listening levels.
The dimensions and weight of the Alpha 80 Evo Speaker make it best suited for stand or shelf placement. The Alpha 80 Evo is a powerful and versatile studio monitor that combines Focal's innovative technologies, excellent performance, and flexible features. Its Slatefiber woofer, Focus Mode, and bi-amplified design make it a top choice for professionals and enthusiasts seeking a high-quality monitoring solution for larger studio environments.
FAQs
1. What makes Focal speakers unique?
Focal speakers are known for their innovative driver technologies, such as beryllium tweeters, flax and "W" sandwich cones, and TMD suspension, which contribute to their high-quality sound reproduction.
2. What are the different speaker lines offered by Focal?
Focal offers several speaker lines, including Utopia, Sopra, Kanta, Aria, Chora, Chorus, and Alpha Evo (professional studio monitors).
3. Can Focal speakers be used in a multi-room audio setup?
Yes, Focal speakers can be integrated into multi-room audio setups, either through the use of a multi-zone amplifier or by connecting them to a wireless multi-room audio system.
4. How do Focal's professional studio monitors compare to their home audio speakers?
Focal's professional studio monitors, such as the Alpha Evo series, are designed for accurate and neutral sound reproduction in recording and mixing environments. While they share some technologies with the home audio lines, they are optimized for studio use.
5. Are Focal speakers good for home theater setups?
Yes, Focal offers several speaker lines that are well-suited for home theater setups, such as the Chora, Aria, and Kanta series, which include center channel speakers and subwoofers.
6. Are Focal speakers sensitive to room placement?
Like all speakers, Focal speakers can be sensitive to room placement. To achieve the best sound quality, it's essential to experiment with positioning and toe-in, and to consider factors such as distance from walls and listening position.
7. What is the overall sound signature of Focal speakers?
Focal speakers are known for their neutral, accurate, and detailed sound reproduction. They aim to present the music as faithfully as possible, without emphasizing or understating any particular frequency range.
8. Do Focal speakers have a wide soundstage and good imaging?
Yes, Focal speakers are known for their wide and precise soundstage, as well as their accurate imaging. They can create a convincing and immersive stereo image, allowing listeners to pinpoint the placement of individual instruments and voices.
9. How do Focal speakers compare to other high-end brands in terms of sound quality?
Focal speakers are highly competitive with other high-end brands in terms of sound quality. They are often praised for their accuracy, transparency, and ability to reveal fine details in recordings. However, personal preferences and specific listening environments can influence individual opinions on which brand or model sounds best.
10.) Can Focal speakers be used in a surround sound setup?
Yes, many Focal speaker lines include models suitable for surround sound setups, such as bookshelf speakers for surrounds and center channel speakers for dialogue.
Focal: Listen Beyond
Since its founding in 1979, Focal has won a laudable reputation with audiophiles worldwide. For more than 40 years, the company has designed and manufactured some of the best-sounding luxury loudspeakers in the world, and it's the company's commitment to innovation that led it into headphone design and manufacturing. To know Focal is to understand its beginnings and path to success, and it all starts in a little French city called Saint-Étienne.
The French city of Saint-Étienne, once known for its arms industry, was more recently a hub of coal mining, metals, and textiles. Coal mining disappeared in the 1970s, but the city retains its manufacturing air, as it is home to a number of engineering firms and other industries. It also holds a designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Design -- one of only a handful in Europe.
Focal, established in Saint-Étienne in 1979, beautifully embodies the spirit of creativity and innovation for which the city is known. Focal consistently pushes boundaries in sound technology. It's these technologies that have won the hearts (and ears) of audiophiles around the world. But while Focal has achieved international acclaim, it has also stayed true to its roots, retaining its "Made in France" ethic.
"Made in France" is a source of pride and importance to Focal, with the majority of the company's production carried out on home soil. A 188,000-square-foot production site in Saint-Étienne houses research and development as well as production lines for speaker drivers, loudspeakers, and headphones. Focal believes this is the best way to have total control over the design and quality control processes to ensure high-quality products. Focal products are the result of innovations and technologies exclusive to Focal, all developed by the company's engineers in France.
Focal is one of the only audio companies in the world to continually invest in research, with research into speaker driver acoustics being its core activity. In fact, Focal is one of the only loudspeaker brands to manufacture its own drivers.
Focal brings innovation and tradition together to enhance the performance of hi-fi sound and the beauty of music. It's a beauty that reveals itself through carefully crafted equipment that honors the artist's musical creation. Focal’s founder, Jacques Mahul, has always been committed to the faithful reproduction of music, just how the artist intended it to be.
Everyone at Focal abides by a common philosophy: French craftsmanship and industrialization, innovation, and tradition all come together to give audiophiles and music lovers access to the ultimate sound. Focal views its products as not only high-fidelity audio products but as lifestyle objects -- objects of everyday life. That’s why every tiny detail has been researched, designed, and tweaked. This makes them exceptional products capable of flawless performance with a distinguished style.
Who is Focal?
In late 1979, a young engineer and tech journalist named Jacques Mahul began producing speaker drivers at his father's precision mechanics company in Saint-Etienne. Soon, Mahul founded both Focal and JMlab. Focal commercialized speaker drivers for loudspeaker manufacturers, while JMlab specialized in high-fidelity loudspeakers.
JMlab's first commercial product, the DB13, was a bookshelf loudspeaker. With a double voice coil speaker driver, the DB13 revolutionized the world of small bookshelf loudspeakers, by producing volumes comparable to those of much larger models of loudspeakers, particularly in the bass frequencies. They were notable for their Polyglass and Polykevlar speaker cones.
In 1981, Focal debuted its "claim to fame" technology, the inverted dome tweeter. The inverted dome tweeter uses a voice coil that is affixed directly to a rigid dome. In a traditional tweeter, the voice coil is placed on the outside edge of the driver. By inverting the dome, Focal is able to place a voice coil on the driver itself, leading to greater efficiency and reducing moving mass.
In the late 1980s, Mahul decided to tap into his classic car enthusiast side. His childhood dream was to drive for hours on end while listening to music. The first car audio kits for speaker drivers were born, and the Focal Car Audio Department was created in 1989.
In 1995, Focal released the luxury Grande Utopia speaker to international acclaim. The Grande Utopia is considered one of the best hi-fi loudspeakers in the world. The goal at the time was to push the limits of acoustics and to serve as a reference for future generations of loudspeakers. What was only intended to be a technological challenge turned out to become a highly celebrated commercial product. Grande Utopia became a global reference in the world of acoustics. The latest iteration of the Grande Utopia, the Grande Utopia EM Evo, lives under the Utopia III Evo line of speakers. Other lines include the Sopra, Kanta, Aria 900, Chora, and Chorus 700.
In 2002, Focal entered the world of studio monitoring, giving birth to the Focal Professional department. The Focal Professional department offers a range of monitoring loudspeakers for recording studios.
Also that year, after two years of R&D, Focal unveiled its beryllium inverted dome tweeter. It was only the second time a tweeter had been made using beryllium, which offers low mass, high rigidity, and high damping. Beryllium is magnitudes more rigid than aluminum and titanium but without added mass. It is this rigidity that Focal says makes it the ideal tweeter dome material.
In 2003, Focal and JMlab two audio brands were incorporated under the name Focal-JMlab for home products, before being rebranded as just Focal in 2005 for all product sectors. In 2007, Focal bought a cabinet-making facility in Bourbon-Lancy, which was renamed Focal Ebenisterie Bourgogne in 2015. This is where a team of cabinet-makers use wood from a local sustainable wood supplier to hand-fabricate loudspeaker enclosures.
In 2011, Focal merged with Naim Audio Limited, a British company known for audio electronics. A holding company called VerVent Audio Group created in 2014 manages both brands, which remain independent with their own products.
2012 brought change to the company, with the release of Focal's first high-fidelity headphone the Spirit One. After four years in the headphone market, Focal released a revolutionary headphone in 2016: The Utopia Headphones. The world's smallest speakers are born in the Utopia open-back headphones, and the audiophile community has never been the same since. Over the course of the next eight years to the present day 2024, Focal released a wide range of headphones with ground-breaking technology, unique style, and impressive sound.
Today, Focal's products fall into five lines: Home, Headphones, Car, Professional, and Integration. Throughout its history, Focal has been recognized for its commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and delivering exceptional audio experiences.
Related Videos
Best Headphone Cables for Focal Headphones
Best Closed-Back Audiophile Headphones of 2023
DACs Deciphered: The 4 Major Types Explained
