I found a pair of these in dark walnut (new) for $2K this past week. Close out open box. Sorry, not from Upscale Audio, but I could not pass them up. I have them next to a pair of Chorus 726S. These are a whole new dimension. The bass is tight and defined. The mids and tweets are incredible. You do not have to bias the treble in these at all. Run them flat and they are right there. Requires very little power to make these open up. Almost too much for a 20×20 room. The 726S speakers are sweet but lack a bit on the low end. No need for a sub IMO. My system: Luxman TP-113 preamp, Luxman M-117 power amp (200 wpc), Luxman DZ-112 CD, Pioneer PL-50Lii turntable (Japanese import) and a Les Carpenter tube phono preamp. Wow. Everything I run through this is amazing.
Your videos on Focal really grabbed my interest so I purchased the Aria 906 at my local dealer. Really like them. You used the word "butter" to describe the tweeter and I don't think there's a better term. Even some brittle recordings aren't fatiguing.
I've got a pair of Aria 926's. What are your thoughts on those? I've got them for over a year now and they still make me smile every time I enter my living room. They look stunning and they sound even more amazing.
Anyone heard a pair of Devialet Phantom Golds? How do they compare to a pair of focal loud speaker of around the same price including an amp? So $6000 approximately.
I see you like your 926's. Im considering buying a pair of those. The are priced right and don't seem to be power hungry. I currently have the Arcam SA-20 Integrated Amp and pushes 90wpc. What are you using to power your Focal's?
I'm not 100% sure you got the cone technology correct. You said pulp on the back and flax woven to the front "seamed together". My understanding is that its flax sandwiched between two layers of fiberglass.
Question for anyone listening: is it better to buy a lower quality/priced floorstanding/ tower speaker or a higher quality bookshelf speaker? For example: I'm looking at Focal aria 936 tower and Focal Kanta bookshelf. This is for a family room audio only. I'm not using for home theater.
Not heard these but I've heard several speakers that he likes. They are all on the bright side. If you enjoy room filling sound then ignore his suggestions. Not moaning, it's all subjective.
Hi Kevin, man I enjoy your videos and you have a really nice setup in store. I was wondering between the Aria 936 and B&W CM 10 S2, which one is the better all rounder speaker? Good for all genres, especially rock (hard, alternative) and more musical? Thanks!
While in France they sell entire series focal aria for 4,600$ in USA that will be price only for the tower speakers. Can't believe why such a difference?
I am looking to upgrade my KEF Q55.2's and the 936's are a major consideration along with Kef R7's and Proac DT8's, but after owning Proac Response 3.8's, all my speakers have been bi-wired. I notice that the 936's aren't. My question is does bi-wiring really make a difference in this day and age with tech advances etc? Is it such a big deal anyway? I may also consider a second hand pair of Electra 1028's. What's your thoughts?
With a good amp bi-wiring doesn't really make any improvement. Electra is quite different then aria , the tweeter in electra is very very reveling, no mercy for low quality recordings. Also electra is fast , design more for critical listening high quality recordings in well treated room. Aria 936 is more mellow, design for everyday listening in average livingroom. You need to be careful when choosing the right amplifier for your taste/music.
Great review. What’s the main difference between the 936 & 948? I’m looking to pair either up to a Uniti Nova. The problem I have is the 948 looks so much bigger. Is the performance much better on the 948 for the extra cost?
What amplifiers do upscale recommend to match with this speaker. I have recently purchased. Not a fan of a tube amp and currently have a Marantz so like a warm sound.
there are a few more speaker companies that make there own drivers , like KEF and I believe Bowers & Wilkins .. I'm sure theres a few more. also not including electrostatics.
That requires a LOT of info from you. If you are in the USA reach out at our website. Nobody's on commission and we take the time that's needed to get it right!
Focal must be offering huge discount to retailer to deserve such praise. focal is not bad at all, but they look really cheap, more like $500 speaker, which is what they are selling for in France BTW.
I actually own a pair of 936 and I can attest to the fact that they are pretty awesome. My question is, since I plan to upgrade my system to some PrimaLuna tube goodness : How would the DiaLogue Premium HP fair behind a pair of Focal Sopra 2 or 3 or a pair for B&W 802 or 800? The DiaLogue premium HP in monoblock configuration, ofcourse. Thanks for putting up good material. Cheers.
It's funny you mention that. We are going to be showing the PrimaLuna HP integrated with Sopra 2 at the L.A. Audio Show coming up soon. The best way to build a $20k audio system is NOT with $10k speakers and $10k in amplification. Put the money into speakers. The HP integrated, at $4399, will be as good or better than $40k in ARC separates (I have an e-mail from a customer on the PrimaLuna website who sold his $30,995 Ref 10 preamp and $10,995 Ref 110 power amp because he preferred the $4399 PrimaLuna). I have been running an HP with my $36k Sonus faber Amati Furura and it's heaven. Though I may get Sopra 2. They are frickin' magic. The new Amati Tradition is the biggest mistake Sonus ever made from what I'm hearing on the street. All style, no performance. Why they went with a smaller midrange defies logic but I don't know if they even have a real designer there now. It makes me so sad.
Seeing as how efficient Focals are, I guess a toaster can power them. Jokes aside, I would like to move from my Emotiva gear, witch did it's part brilliantly for the money I spent fro an XSP1 gen 2 and SA250, and move in to tube territory. Was taking a hard look at the PrimaLuna Dialogue line for a while and I might move in in to the PreAmp at first and later on look in to a Dialogue HP. My thoughts are with Dialogue HP x2 (monoblock) in to Sopra 2 or 3 or B&W 802 or 800 D3. I have no doubt about the HP being able to power the Sopra and doing a great job at it in the monoblock configuration, but I am wondering how well they will do with the B&W 800 series top range. I know they are a bit more demanding, but also the results can be great. Any thoughts? P.S. I'm running a full analog system with an Acoustic Solid Machine Black TT in to an Avid Pulsare 2 phono pre amp. On this end, I will probably only change the cartridge anytime soon and maybe add a second tone arm for a mono cartridge. Started building my system less than 3 years ago with Pro-Ject Carbon 3 USB in to a LG soundbar, got hooked to vinyl and never looked back :)
I have the JM Lab Mezzo Utopias and there really good speakers. I always loved the W Cone drivers. They sound articulate. They use a really good tweeter called the Telar 57. I'm using the JM Lab 920.1 for a home theater system.
@@upscaleaudio I like so much your explanations ,and all the details no other reviewers give. You have an hypnotic power and that effect makes me bought an 926 pair, now I would like you suggest me a stereo amp , and also if possible an multichannel, I was thinking on a sr6012. From Argentina best for you.
Bonsoir Messieurs je vais bientôt m'acheter une paire d'Aria 948, j'espère ne pas être déçue vue que je ne suis pas riche. Je peux avoirs une paire de 948 noyers à 1699 euros quand pensez-vous Messieurs ? .
Thanks for review. Can you recommend any appropriate avr's for Focal 936? I'm inclined to choose between Marantz SR6012 or Demon x4400h. Which one would be better in terms of sound quality?