I have these 906s. I've found that these are great acoustic jazz speakers due to the sound signature. Pianos and horns sound natural and warm. One thing that's underrated about these is the aesthetic with the matte wood veneer, black glass top, and flax mids. When you see them in person, you'll get why they're such good value for the money.
@@InChristJesus87 Yes, they are reponsive enough for home theatre, but I think it would be a good idea to get the Aria CC900 center speaker if you can afford it. Then if you want to go 5.1, a pair of Dome Flax as satellites would be a good system that's not too expensive. Focal also makes the Dome Flax as a 5.1 kit with a Sub Air, if you really want a solid home theatre setup.
I'm on the lookout for a pair of these speakers! They seem to embody what B&W delivers in terms of clarity and midrange but with less harsher high's. Can't wait to get my hands on a pair!
Got the high gloss version for 999$. Very capable speakers can reach 40Hz easily. Must be placed away from side walls, to avoid a 100 to 250Hz boost, which can sound boomy. If you must place then near sidewalls, then you must use an EQ. I'm using Dirac Live on my NAD C658 pre-amp. Combined with dual REL t7i subs, the sound is amazing, better than their big brother Aria 936!
1st, thank you for your reviews and more, it's a pleasure to watch your chanel. You helped me to choose my speakers. I've got these babies since 2 weeks now. They replace some Cabasse antigua 222 (from early 2000') in a small room (11m²). The focal show much more power, with a wide soundstage. I can turn up the volume and the arias keep on singing very clearly. They are full of energy with beautiful mids. The treble are clear but high notes (piano, electric guitar or vocals) can be sometimes a bit "painful" to my ears. My other concern is about the bass. With the arias, it sounds like I put the loudness on all the time (usually I never use loudness!). That's a bit annoying to me. I used to hear the bass very "dry" with cabasse. To be frank, I got a really good bargain on theses babies and appreciate them. However, at "normal" price (around 600€ in France today), I would have been a bit disappointed (compared to my antigua paid 150€ in second hand 10 years ago). I'm not an audiophile, just a guy who likes to listen good music with a good sound (at least to my ears) . Greetings from France, cheers ;-)
Well, I just got my JBL studio 530s hooked up for my rear surrounds and that meshes with my JBl 590s in the front. I can't imagine hearing any better sound than what I'm experiencing right now. And the whole reason I have the JBO line is because a you so thanks!🤗🤗🤗 I listen to the music using the 5.1 stereo feature on again ends and it sounds nuts good. O by the way, picked up 2 jbl 550p's for $189 a piece that are absolutely phenomenal for that kind of coin!🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤫🤫🤫 Of course one sub got damaged on the top corner that they have to replace but besides that I can't imagine a better built sub for less than $200. Man those Focal speakers must be something extra special!😉😁🤗
JBL Studio series speakers don’t get much respect as they deserved, which is great that we can get them at very good deals and many people are missing out from very good sounding speakers. I’m very happy that you’re enjoying every bit of it, thanks
@@Tharbamar Watching a movie now and really love the whole system. When I originally saw your review on the 590's I figured they were 5 grand a piece until you mentioned the price. I also think they look great in a DarthVader type of way!🤗🤗😉😁 I mean the 590s are $430 a piece right now!🤪🤪🤪🤑
I watched this revue before I bought them, I have now had them for nearly two years . I love them, before I bought them I wanted speakers I could listen to at verry low volumes without losing "tambor"(Tone). With my DAC I can turn the sound so low I can hardly hear them and the music still sounds right. I wanted speakers that sounded like the recording not the speakers (Clean)and these give me that to the bottom of base, these will rattle your room well below auditable sound. (auditable base is tight and for me has brought the drummer into my music like never before) To me the front base port makes them realistic for people who can't stand speakers in the middle of your room ; Also base notes carry though walls more than any others so I am not blasting my base backwards at my neighbours. I have a subwoofer but I would not have bought it if I did not already own one because for my room these speakers don't need them. Treble is so accurate that the only sound I have heard that was horrid was during a live recording when a fan gave a peer sing whistle next to the mike. Thabamar this review helped me chose them ,thanks and all the best.
I agree with your opinion. Nice speakers. Much depends on what kind of music you listen ...And I have remarks on some performances, But overall they are good.Thanks for the review
Hi there. I’m thinking about buying these Focal speakers. I am an avid hip hop, funk,soul & R&B listener, would you advise I buy these? Paired with an arcam or marantz amp? Thanks. Adam.
Hello ..... I’m French and I purchase a pair of these monitors brand new for 500 € (Black Friday / around 600 US dollars). Bargain !!!! I will received them in 3 days ..... Very impatient 👍. Thank you
Great review, thank you! How does the 906 compare to the 706 S2s soundstage? The 706 S2 seems to have a nice big airy stage and I'm wondering if the 906 can get there.
Both tweeters measure on par with their off-axis response (dispersion). It should be similar. However, 70X S2 line shows a strange deep at 2Khz and then it massive rise up to 5Khz. Meaning: The B&W will be definitely brighter and harsher. See my comment above.
Do you have any experience with the Aria 936 or Chora 826? I'm debating on getting the Aria 936 vs the Chora 826. 90% home theater use. I can get them for roughly the same price right now. Curious if the Aria is a no brainer over the Chora or not? Also, would the Aria be tougher to drive than the Chora? Hoping to just run them with a good AV receiver since primarily for movies. Thanks for your help!
Hi Thomas, thank you for your review. I am interested which bookshelf speaker produces better bass. I was considering to purchase Aria 906, but am looking for good bass speakers as well. Thank you.
As always, excellent review. I have the 906's in my office with a Marantz Pm15s1. Sounds great. The opening and closing music sounds cool. Who's the artist and the album? Thanks
Do you still listen to the 906's? I'm only asking because I know this video is a year old. Regardless... I just purchased a pair used for 875 usd :) I was very curious if you tried tilting the speakers upwards... I know focal recommends one do that for the chora 806s.
It is a shame they got rid of the noyer (dark walnut) finish, as it was the best looking for this speaker imo. I kick myself daily for not buying them for ($999 while supplies last).
Thanks Tharbamar for your videos--always informative and enjoyable. My question is, at $999 are these that much better than the LS50 that are currently just $899?
@@γιωργοςχριστοδουλακης-ε5τ Only time I ever head LS50 in person, they were hooked up to a Naim Unity Atom. I think it was too weak to get them to their potential. What amp(s) have you heard them with?
@eriksven Yes in some ways because LS50 is not easy speaker to drive with and hard to get full potential out from it with average amplifiers, Aria 906 is much easier speaker for many amps.
Thanks for the comprehensive review. How would this speaker compare to the 3-way Wharfedale Linton Heritage? Can you please address how well the Focal images in comparison to the Wharfedale.
I bought linton & have this 906 also. Linton is more enjoyable & you can hear wider, warmer & better staging. 906 is good speaker & I enjoy it for sometimes. But if you compare with linton, better buy the linton.
It's a matter of personal preference: Focal 906 Aria gives you balance, transparence, accuracy, detailed sound. Superb. Lintons are part of the 60's revival. They are enjoyable if you like mellow speakers with an old fashioned vibe. I'd take the Focal a million times over.
I wonder if you can tweak the port to tighten up the bass?, did that once with a pair of ported speakers by putting some duct tape across it cutting the port size in half.. interesting results.. food for thought .
There is another video around showing what happens when you plug the front ports. You get smoother low end roll off and (oddly) some extension too. Haven’t seen anyone tinker with the bottom port yet. These have a little too much bass for my room.
I bought these same speakers several years ago I agree with everything the reviewer has said here. They are absolutely gorgeous to look at. The woofer cone is just so beautiful to. But After 2 weeks with them,we were disappointed with the amount of base, compared to my old celef speakers. So the dealer allowed me to swap them for the B+W cm5 S2 standmounts. Those are just wonderfull on most music. And I have had them ever since. But I think that the 906 cabinet is not made deep enough to deliver enough base. A subwoofer would probably make them excellent though . My B+ Ws were the predesesors to the 706 S2 speakers. The focals are nice and easy on the ear and ok for long term listening though.
Would never buy some passive bookshelfs... i prefer something like the Focal Shape Twin or for some more money the SM9 or Trio6 Be. When youve the cahnce, please test out something from KSDigital - like the C88, the A200 or A300
@@20puskinas1992 Studio Gear is build for extreme long run-times. But its a electronic part like a external amp. It can run for 20 years but also can have malfunction after 4 years like every other amp. And my Speakers (Neumann KH30) is not cheap 15$ Active Gear. Its one of the most linear Loudspeaker you can buy on the market... and i dont think Neumann (Sennheiser) would be so long on the market as Studio Standard, if they integrate cheap Components
@@20puskinas1992 there is a Customer Service for every High Priced Gear and they will fix it. Doesnt matter if the Amplifier Section is mounted into the speaker or in an external Case
Hello! I follow your videos about loudspeakers so If could please help me in this: my dream was the wharfedale diamond 10.2,and I bought and use it now but: In time I changed amp from onkyo to marantz (pm7005) and I feel that the amp pushes the max out from speakers so needed any serious, most precise or better sounded loudspeaker. The pros of the 10.2 is the good bass extension, pretty mids but sometimes highs can be brighter. Can You offer some good bookshelves with soft deep bass, good vocals-mids and fresh live highs? The room is 4,5x4,5m so I could place them about 3,8-4 meters apart. Best regards, Peter
Here is what I did to take those DAMN plastic plugs out of the terminals. The staples that close the box, use them or something like them, hold them with a pair of needle nose pliers and heat the end up nice and hot. Stick the hot end into the center of those plugs and wait about 20-30 seconds for it to cool off and gently pull and voila!
I assumed the reason these are going for $500 less is that it's vinyl wrap, _not_ wood veneer? The website is _really_ vague, calling this finish "noyer".
Yes I’m still confused about it, it’s hard to tell because of the quality of material. There is fine lines and grains as well and also it’s smooth and slippery feel like vinyl wrap as well, it must be really good vinyl wrap or synthetic veneer wood.
they are very beautiful speakers, funny thing is... comparing the sound using your demo videos, I prefer the Diamonds over these ones... but I'm sure is a youtube thing, in person the experience should be very different.
Adorama had Aria 906 + Aria Stands for $680 shipped. brand new. I purchased a pair. At that price I can live with these even if they're not the best speaker in my collection.
@@Tharbamar Ya and if and when they do a sale like that again I'll let you know.. I have the following in my setups: Martin Logan Motion 40 (living room) Polk Audio LSiM complete set (HT) B&W CM6 S2 + Dynamo 300 Sub (Office) Focal Aria 906 + looking for sub (bedroom)
Yikes, these must have been screaming at the end of the video. Never saw my drivers move like that. Oo With proper room EQ I got them down to around 40Hz, in a small room I'm not missing any bass. (EDM excluded, that is designed for subs anyway)
Focal is a little light on bass compare to others in the price range, 607 may be about the same but 606 will be much better than both in bass performance.
It’s not relevant, very different price point and near field monitors doesn’t have stereo image that I can enjoy in home music listening and other speakers have better bass performance than 906 even at lower price.
@@Tharbamar very different price point? yeah, but get 3 power amps in it so no need for power amp. near field monitors? They are used both as near field and as mid field monitors. You wont get such tight, deep bass from cheaper speakers/monitors.
@@doriaramaI confirm the Trio 11Be is designed for both near-field and mid-field. Apples and Oranges anyway. Don't know the price of the Trio6Be overseas (meaning outside EU), but in France you can get Kanta n°1 for the same price (sure, it still passive vs active monitor). Sopra n°1 for the same price of two 11Be.
@doriarama Yes I have limited experience with them in studio, sonically very good but not to my taste for long term use, a friend(sound engineer/musician) is using them in his studio as monitor speakers but he always go back to passive JBL and Yamaha speakers before final mix, next time I will ask him why? You know if I were to settle with Active for my music listening I will choose LS50 wireless it just personal preference and usability, thanks
I have a pair of these awesome Speakers 🔊 😎 im very Happy with them I have Genelec Subwoofer that is paired up with them and it's totally Unreal sound 😀
I think Parasound NewClassic 2125v2 has a little too much power while in studio 230 it is the maximum upper power limit so will it be a load for the amplifier and speakers due to lack of power reserve?
Personally I do not believe in too much power, more power the better. I used to drive them with Halo A21 and it was very musical and pleasure to listen.
What Tharbamar said. It is always better to have much more power than needed. The more you get, the farthest you are from the clipping point and dangerous rises in distortion. I used my 906s with my 620W/8Ω Apollon AS1200, and it was a great pairing.
The only problem is that I don't have funds for halo 21. So what do you propose from these two above proposals or up to a maximum of $ 900. For studio 230.
I noticed very interesting speakers namely Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary. So I have the last question for today ;). What would you recommend between this and studio 230, and because I have no reference point between them in the form of comparisons.
In Europe they are spot on at 1000 max and there are rebates. (Conversely, American gear is way overpriced in the EU) I prefer the money to be translated into music rather than in luxury finishes.
Jim, unpucker ur butt-cheeks brother or take a laxative. The man stated fact-and although he can’t time stamp everything so people like yourself don’t get sticker-shock-butt-hurt, what the reviewer states is completely true at the time he did the damn review. Geez.
@@fertanollume4658 my my my. Boggles the mind how (apparently) you cannot teach some people anything. If you have a boner for the Focal 906 get a pair. Don’t be a Douchnipple. Edit: I highly recommend
