Focal Aria 906 Bookshelf Speaker Review. Great for low volume dynamics.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2024
- Reviewed Today: Focal Aria 906
www.focal.com/en/home-audio/h...
Preamp & Power Amplifier & Integrated amps used:
Kinki Studio EX-P7: www.kinki-studio.com/ex-p7
Kinki Studio EX-B7 monoblock: www.kinki-studio.com/ex-b7
IotaVX SA-3: www.iotaenterprises.co.uk/pro...
Source: Bluesound Node 2i
www.crutchfield.com/p_813NODE...
(all music is hi-res streamed from Tidal)
DAC: Schiit Modius
www.schiit.com/products/modius
RCA Cables: Analysis Plus Oval One
analysis.plus/product/oval-on...
Speaker & Power Cables: Maze Audio REF4
www.mazeaudio.com/speaker-cabl...
Subwoofers Used:
Rythmik FVX12 www.rythmikaudio.com/FVX12.html
Kef KC62 www.shop.us.kef.com/subwoofer...
SVS 3000 Micro www.svsound.com/products/3000...
REL T5x Pair rel.net/shop/powered-subwoofe...
Rythmik F12SE www.rythmikaudio.com/F12SE.html
Your results may vary based on your ears, room, and associated equipment: - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
![แฟนแนวใด๋ - ยูริ โตเกียวมิวสิค [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4_XVMuhhbsU/mqdefault.jpg)
Always enjoy your reviews. Unbiased, straight & great info.
Hey Nemo , thoroughly enjoyed this one must say you're getting so much better day by day ...thanks for the detailed review !!
Hey Anand, glad you enjoyed it dude!! Inserting the pictures was kind of fun, did you find it helpful or more engaging in any way?
@@NemoPropaganda Yes Nemo ,it was helpful .. looks more organized and professional .keep it up !
@@Anand.Asrani Nice! Will do!
On vacation right now, but I had to watch this one! Great video as always and thanks for all the info and comparisons.
I just got back from vaca, so much sun burn :(
Focals are amazing (I heard the 948s)! They can be little bright at times, but I love their sound with the right gear!! Expensive but worth it!
Busy day, but I can’t wait to watch this later tonight!
Great review brother! Focal has super intriguing products and I appreciate the depth, detail and comparisons in your video. Your no BS approach works 👌. I hope you enjoy your Holiday weekend!
Thanks Josh. Oh yeah! off to go bake in the sun in Lake Havasu :D
@@NemoPropaganda NICE!! ENJOY
I'll be in AZ soon and can't wait
Great Review Nemo...
Maaahvolous (😅) review as usual Nemo. Ur a ⭐!
Cheers and have a excellent weekend,, 🍻😎👍
Awesome video as always man! That flaxseed driver is a pretty weird idea LOL but it sounds like it works. Very interesting speakers, seems like you get a lot for the price!
You certainly do! Ya'll should check them out for theater use, I'd imagine all that detail would make explosions & glass shatter effects really immersive!!
Don't believe there is any reviewer as honest and accomplished as you are ! Keep going buddy.
those are very kind words but I think there are a lot of great guys out there. A British Audiophile for example doesn't seem to pull any punches :)
Excellent review….great information for potential buyers
Wondering how they would compete against the monitor audio gold 100 , the are more expensive
Sorry I'm not sure.
Nice work 👏👏👏
well said. I own the 906 paired with a roksan k2, which I like a lot for all the reasons you pointed out and thinking of trying the atc scm11 out. bass extension I don't care too much about with bookshelfs, but the midrange on the atc might make me switch, if it retains the nice analytical sound of the 906 on the top end. Will see. keep up the good work
I have them. At first a Yamaha A-S501 drove them. Now a Quicksilver Integrated Amplifier feeds them. It's only 20 watts of tube power, but great! The 906's have a high enough sensitivity (89.5 dB). I listen at moderate volume, and the volume control stays around 10:30 o'clock. Nemo suggested in a reply that a tube amp would pair well. That's what I have, and his prediction is fulfilled.
Thank you for sharing :)
After watching your review I decided to give these bad boys a shot. You were spot on with everything you said! It was a risky move for me as this was my first non-Bowers purchase and I could not be happier. I just wanted to tell you that your video was the deciding factor for me and I sincerely thank you for it!
That's awesome Eric, thank you for taking the time to write that. I actually was listening to my Arias today :)
Think I'm about to make the same move
I bought my set of Arias recently based on your opinion and I can't be happier. The moment I hooked them up I understood what you wanted to say with "a lot of information". Your observations are sport on and I very much appreciate your help making up my mind.
That is awesome my bro, I am super happy to hear that!!! Feel free to join our discord if you want to chat more: discord.gg/pNtZkqh8
Your review is like a tv series, I look forward to a new ep every week. Thank you! PS. any chance you can check out the Naim Unity Atom?
Hey Chicken, thanks man, that's how I am with ShadowEliteHD & Hitman89, sadly they don't post that often. I've been posting once a week for awhile now but might slow down as I'm usually only reviewing gear I'm personally interested/curious about and the list is starting to get short lol.
I moved from the previous generation Focal Chorus stand mounts to the Aria 906 several years ago and it was a very easy to discern step up in listening experience. I initially had them paired with an Emotiva amp but found that combination to be excessively bright. I swapped in a Parasound amp and that tamed the top end issue and I've been running that combo since. I have them paired with an ELAC 3030 sub in a small (~160 sq ft) room and with the room correction done for the sub the blend is seamless and I can listen for hours with no fatigue. I find myself listening to this setup far more often than my main system with HK775 monoblocks and Vandersteen 2Ce.
I sold the Focal Chorus pair to a friend and he absolutely loves them.
That's awesome man! I sold my Chora to a friend when I upgraded to Aria, just a heads up after Aria if you want to upgrade check out the Platimon, it's cheaper than Kanta, built better, and sounds better.
I purchased the 905's, they're good but I wish I had purchased the 906's. A fellow I talked to a while back owns a high end stereo business told me the 906's are an incredible deal. Back then they could be had for a $1000. I have the 926's too.
Thanks for great and detailed review. This review was last nail to coffin, and i bought these to my home. And i have to say, yes... vinyl version. But price for new pair was 580e with home delivery, so im not complaining about vinyl :D
thats an outstanding price!!
@@NemoPropaganda Yepp, couldnt resist! :)
I was excited to see this review. I love my Focals 906. Current system with them is a Rega TT p3, to rega phono to Naim 5si, then my digital is a Innuos Zen streamer to Holo May dac to Naim 5si to the Focals. I've paired these Focal with many different hifi Amps both tube and solid state everyone costing 2 to 4x the price as the Naim. But something w Naim and Focal there is some serious synergy there. The Holo May makes them do things no bookshelf speakers should even think about. Massive 3d imagining detailed and super fast pace. Soundstage is not huge infact my impression is focused and controled like they are tryin to keep everything right there center, but again the imaging is like hearing instruments in every direction. So yeah when Focals are set up right they can be amazing.
well said, I still own my 906 and love them very much.
Thanks for the cogent and articulate review, I’m with you 100% on these babies. I have the 906 matched to a Lyngdorf, and can not find fault, i just sit there and enjoy my music without wishing I would upgrade anything.Well, I wish there was a tiny bit more bass, but I’m working on my wife to approve the subwoofer.
On a side note, i cannot understand the DBR hype: i bought them before the 906, they were boring , lifeless and flat, and I sent them back right away.
For those so don’t have the budget for the aria 906 , as it’s true they are highly priced in North America, then the KEF 550 are not to be underestimated. I have them as well and they come close to the Aria in my environment.
I really liked the DBR62, the magic is in the bass texture and richer midrange. If your system (or room) doesn't show that off in the speaker I can see it sounding boring. If you only want a little bit more bass to feel like the Aria are 2+ times larger the REL T5X (pair) gets my vote for best Aria subwoofer that has a good WAF.
I’m enjoying my 906’s with the Hegel 120 and a single SVS 3000 micro. So good
@@markk7203 that sounds like a lovely matchup!
I picked these up used for cheap and you hit the nail on the head. These are great for low volume listening. I like to crank things to 11 so they aren't for me, but not a bad speaker.
They should be able to still play plenty loud but most bookshelf speakers of this size definitely will not play as loud as full size floor standing speakers. I'd check out something like the Polk R500/600/700 if you like it loud.
@@NemoPropaganda I have the polk r200's. Honestly at $2k I would be highly disappointed. The polk r200's and elac dbr cost much less and I much prefer them. Not a bad speaker, just not for me.
@@charlesking678 really? I have the R100 and DBR62 but prefer the R100.
There's something very musical about Focal speakers while having an analytical side. In comparison to say Quad S series, those will have greater resolution and sound more analytical too while Focal, at least in my experience still give above average resolution and detail but have a certain aire about them. I found the Quads dry and not involving with music although you could hear more and with better resolution. It also provided a very flat 2D soundstage while my Focals, sounds just nice with a more 3D like SS.
These Arias have been around since the year 2013 I understood, and yet they still mix it with top price competitors in 2022. Am looking forward to hearing their replacements now that Focal has refreshed their 800 series!
As am I brother! I still love these speakers and still own them.
Run these with a pair of Graham Slee Proprius monoblock Amps. Match made in heaven. Full bodied sound at low volumes but the Proprius have the authority to control the 906s at higher volumes or a more hectic listen.
Imagine I bought 4 of these for an average of €325 / $400a piece. I bought the cc900 for €300. It makes a great 5 ch sound.
Thanks for advising a sub, I've been looking for one.
oh man I'm jealous, that's a crazy good deal!!!
Hey Nemo...unrelated question to this video...I have been watching all of your subwoofer reveiws. I especially enjoyed the one talking about svs vs rel. The issue is I find myself in the middle of these descriptions....I love listening to jazz standards...but sometimes I enjoy drum n bass, hiphop, jungle, neurofunk and just all things bass head related. Is there any subwoofer you would recommend that integrates well...but if I want some slam I could just crank the volume on the sub up?
Rythmik FVX12 with 1 port closed is what you’re describing, if thats too big the F12SE can bang hard when you turn up the gain also, or the larger more expensive REL subs like the S812.
One comment about the grills - Yes, they aren't the best looking, but they are sturdy and have a plastic egg carton shaped cage behind the fabric that doesn't allow toddler fingers through. Most speaker grills are kind of flimsy and don't offer much protection. Besides the great deal I found when buying mine, this was a selling point. Imagine your new $xxxx speakers getting wrecked because > [insert insane chaos reason caused by toddler here]. Overall I love these speakers. The bass is there, punchy and clean, but perhaps not as full or loud as others. Still, well worth it.
You know, many times after a video I thought, damn I should have mentioned the grill quality, but I always forget.
Great review, as always, nice job describing the sound characteristics. I'd like to check them out since I really like detail. It'd be interesting to see how you feel about the Kef LS50 Meta's , Kef R3's and the Dynaudio Evoke 20's compared to these. My impression is that they'd probably be a little more rolled off on the top end compared to these.
I dunno, I always thought LS50 was bright so I stayed away from them, my friend has them, I might see if I can swing by and have a listen.
@@NemoPropaganda you should definitely check out the Meta's, they have been made less bright than the originals and bass is also really impressive considering the size although you need a fairly decent amplifier to get the best out of them
@@hclandscapes eeesh, amplifiers aren't the problem for me as I have the Kinki Mono's but I'm just not sure I can get past the look of them, granted I have the KC62 so that could be a sweet experience, I'll give it some thought.
@@NemoPropaganda i have the Meta's in Limited edition Royal blue , sounds crazy and never thought i would own blue speakers but they look stunning with the gold drivers built quality is excellent too the speakers are really heavily braced , they would be a perfect match for the KC62 , even though the bass is already impressive without a sub.
I really hope you check them out as im yet to see someone not get on with these speakers
@@NemoPropaganda My understanding is the LS50 Meta's corrected some of the brightness that bothered many in the original LS50's. I don't think they are that far of a departure from the Q150's you reviewed previously reviewed and seemed to like. They are just a further refinement across the board.
Like the review. I was looking at this today on a well-known site. How would you compare this to the Revel Performa3 M106
TKS
Have not heard that specific Revel speaker. But with something like the Focal Chora 806 vs the Revel Concerta2 M16 which are both about $900/pair I found the Chora 806 to be more detailed and refined which I prefer. The Revel was more on the warm side in it's bass region. Both good, just Focal is more my kind of sound vs Revel.
Just bought these - great review. Any thoughts on pairing them with a JL Audio D108 sub?
I personally feel a pair of T5X is the natural mate for the Aria 906 but JL makes a fine subwoofer also, it's a very different sound being much more aggressive & assertive but is quick enough to pair with the Aria, if you check my channel you should be able to find my reviews for JL E110 and D110.
Great review and could not have been better timing for me. I own a focal sib evo atmos 5.1.2 speaker system driven by a denon 2700h in a 25m2 living room. Although I enjoy the movies, I am looking to replace the front speakers with one of the following options; chora 806, aria 906 or elac debut b6.2 in order music to be enjoyable as well. Which one do you consider a better fit?
Aria is the best one naturally but it depends where you're located as the price varies. Like in the US it's hard to recommend Aria over Chora since the price is 2x!
Awesome review. I am looking at the Focal Aria 906s but do not have a shop where I can audition them. Any thoughts on how these would sound with a Cambridge Audio CXA81 integrated amp? TY TY
it's hard to know for sure as I've not heard the CXA81 but I imagine it would be just fine.
I have the aria 905 and a yamaha wxa-50 amp it sounds great
Sounds like a nice setup!!
I paired the 906's with a Prima Luna Evo 100 and a Cambridge Audio CXN v2 streamer and I experienced that wonderful holographic sound experience. I sold everything and went for the Kef LSW II and while these are great sounding I really miss the 906's and the PL and CA gear. Considering going back but difficult to find 906's used and same story for the CXN. Used to be able to get the vinyl walnut 906 for 1K but not anymore. Oh well!!
oh no! were you just trying to downsize?
@@NemoPropaganda Yes, exactly. Moved to a smallish one bedroom apt.
Hi, how the the 906 compare to the Wireless 2 in terms of transparency, midrange clarity and bass?
@@-MarkWinston- Please keep in mind that the PL is a tube integrated amp so my opinions on the sound are based on this pairing. As good as the Kefs are, the 906's had better mid range clarity and that sparkle up top without ,IMO, coming across as overly analytical makes the Focal sound more to my liking. The base on the Kefs was punchier with more extension but I have the feeling that if I had added a sub I would have reached " my" nirvana. Like I said, I really miss that set-up. I tend to not listen much above 75 db, so that was also a big plus for Focal. If you decide on buying the 906s try to get a tube amp or a warmer solid state amp and I think you will be happy. Good luck. Hope I helped.
@@bradbates7796 Thank you so much for the reply Brad. So in your opinion, the Focals have a more detailed and transparent midrange and treble compared to the WII and only lacks bottom end extension?
What do you think about high volume listening with the Focals i.e 85db - 90db average at 3 meters? Can they do that without losing composure? I have a couple of subs so bass isnt really going to be a problem, Im coming from the Wharfedale Diamond 12.4 and Polk R700 for reference.
Are you still on your WII? What advantages besides bass do you think the WII have the Focals?
Are you going to try an snag a pair of the Focal Aria K2 bookshelf speakers that just got announced? I’m rather torn because I’ve always loved the K2s I’ve put in 2 of my previous cars, but I’m also not sure if I can swing another pair of speakers.
I don’t know. This is the first I’m hearing about them :). I don’t love the yellow but I’ll see if I can get a review set.
I have the "vinyl finish" walnut 906s. To characterize them as "vinyl finish" is misleading. It's the same finish as a matte or satin polyurethane over architectural grade vinyl, which is found on the walls in any high-end space. I'm a designer/woodworker, and I would have a difficult time determining if it was a veneer or vinyl because of the high quality application. Moreover, the cabinet of the 906 isn't just a boring cube-it's contoured lines with a leather face and a custom smoked glass top. It's also bigger than most of its competitors. Overall, it's overdesigned and more difficult to build when compared to other brands. Lastly, the driver isn't made of flax seed-it's made of the stalk of the flax plant.
Hi Ekko, thank you for the criticism, I mean that! It's not every day someone can clearly articulate disagreement or correction in a way that is both candid and courteous. You are welcome to criticize me any time :). I was not aware the now discontinued vinyl option was a higher end finish compared to standard vinyl. Good news though if you are a Focal can, Kanta No1 will be arriving tomorrow!
@@NemoPropagandaBasically, I just think that Focal should get a lot more credit for taking extra steps when it comes to cabinet design. When comparing the Aria to the B&W 700 series, the build of the Aria is so far ahead that I don't think it's a fair comparison. I could cut and glue up the cabinet for the B&W 700 in the shop in less than an hour, then stain and finish. Basic woodworking. The Aria? I need a CNC machine for contouring, I need to lay down the leather for the face, have another shop cut the glass top for it, then paint and finish. Focal builds are a completely different animal, and in my opinion, should really be priced higher than their competitors for that reason.
@@ekko808 no no no, the price is already plenty high in the US, in EU the Aria 906 are $800-$1200/pair depending on the finish, we already pay about double :(. Diablo Evo is $15k in EU and $21K in USA. That's a lot more than most regions but I will admit even at their US price they do compete favorably and I love them.
Nice review. Please, make review Amphion Argon 3s. Amphion have used big wave guide and passive radiotor long before Buchard. Argon 3s is about same price point as Buchard 400.
Probably wont due to the price :( unless they send me a review sample :D
Thanks!
#1 Great review. I am a sucker for analytical speakers.
#2. Fiddlefuck... love it!
If you ever get a chance, it would be interesting to compare the Aria 906 with the Solo6 Be.
I’m not a huge fan of powered speakers currently and my main rule is I review stuff I’m personally interested in :D
Hi Nemo, between Focal Aria 906 and Kef LS50 Meta for a medium size room, which would you pick now that you have listen to both? Much appreciated and TIA.
both are really good, they are priced $600 apart so that makes the LS50 Meta a better value as long as your room is not too big. I prefer the more detailed sound of the Aria and I love it's low volume dynamics. Others may prefer the LS50 Meta for it's top end separation, superior cabinet construction, and slightly better midrange. The two are equally good speakers. honestly, it's a really tough comparison. It seems you've narrowed it down to 2 excellent candidates.
Have you heard the Aria K2 range of these speakers, I think they are a limited edition series?
They’re currently on sale in the uk with some massive price reductions
nope, when I asked Focal for a review sample they said they didn't have any.
I have the Focal 807W, grades better than the V Chorus series. So far, I have preferred them to anything up to a grand or even higher. Focal gloss speakers are flawless.
I had the aria 906. The tweeter is actually cheaply made, the crossover is very cheap. There is too much over-ring and too many issues to be "great". Even older 3-way focals are built much better.
@scottlowell493 amazes me it gets such great reviews and costs so much. Heard it was similar sounding to 706 without too much addled improvement.
Thank for your video about Focal. I am moving to another home, my new living room and listening room is a little bit smaller I have now, about 18 m2. Now I have Sonus Faber speakers Principia 5, I love those speakers, only listen to classical music. I am thinking buying Sonus Faber Lumina 2 or Focal Aria 906, I have allready heard SF Lumina 2, I love that sound, I am going to hear also Focal Aria 906 and I have to make my choise, but I want your advise, what is the difference between SF Lumina 2 and Focal Aria 906? , is it a good speaker for classical music? Thanks greetings from the Netherlands
HI Jan-Pieter, I'm sorry but I have not heard Lumina yet so I'm not sure :(. I hope to hear it one day though.
Hey nemo and thanks for all the amazing videos!
I'm need a bit of advice here! I have no opportunity to listen to the speakers for my self before order so I have to make a decision without that!
I'm down to deciding between focal 906 and the buchardt s400. I'm intending to use them in a 2.1 system. Like 50% watching movie, 50% Music. Things to take in consideration is. The focal Is like 600$ cheaper over here, and I already have a good sub in place!
Is focal the best bang for the buck then? Mostly into rock music if that matters! I know this is really hard to answer but I would heavily appreciate if you tried!
Love form sweden
oh man, okay so, there is a lot of really big differences between the two and it sounds like you're leaning towards the Aria, I will try to make it easier for you:
Pick Aria if: You value low volume performance, you want all the detail from the music even though it might be a bit analytical (Ares 2 DAC or warmer gear can fix that though). Your amp is not harsh sounding or overly bright. You prefer your bass to be quick and detailed even if there is not that much of it.
Pick S400 if: You like listening louder, you prefer a thicker and fuller sound, you enjoy detail but it doesn't have to be front and center. You have powerful amps to control the bass well. You prefer your bass to be powerful even though it might not be the quickest.
Both are really good, they just sound different, for $600 less the Aria is looking very appealing though. I love the S400 but as the price keeps going up it's hard to see it as the value it once was.
@@NemoPropaganda Big thanks for the fast and thoughtful reply man! ❤️ It actually made things a little bit clearer for me! Due to verry small kids and a wife that always thinks thing could be played with a little less volume! It sounds like Focal really could float my boat! I'm a newbie in hifi but been an musician for many years, verry used to studio monitors that are reveling and detailed, and not that forgiving!
I still think I would love the s400 but hey 600$ is a lot when you have kids!
At last, do you have any other recommendations in this price range? Thanks again!
@UCUWrebNiPZ6YYlsbvR-I6eg
I'm sold🤤. No but I think it will be a good choice! Big thanks man! Really appreciate it😍. Its a jungle out there, especially when your kind of new and don't necessarily know what too look (listen) after!
Thanks again 💪
@@somehowiceaya anytime, enjoy!
This is 1 year late but the reason Focal have a vinyl wrap option is because in Europe these sell for under $800. In the UK they are around £700 and in france they often go for under 500 euros so insane value.
yeah, I later learned they are much more affordable in some regions. I believe the vinyl has also been discontinued now.
Regarding room placement, are they ok to be more towards the wall, or you need to pull them out in the room ?
Yes but depending on the room it could affect imaging but that's always the case when you move speakers forward or backward.
Hey Nemo, I have a chance in my area to grab pair of used (states nearly new) Aria 906 for the price of brand new pair of Chora 806 both at (1500 CAD = 1200 USD).
New Chora 806 vs used Aria 906, what would you recommned? What would you do? for the same price should i grab the better brother? Or is Chora 806 still as good? if the performance is not hugely different, I thought maybe getting a new speakers would be better. And what do you think about the 1200 USD price for used Aria 906?
Both are fantastic! Aria is slightly better overall. I would try and haggle down to $1000 flat as they’ve been discontinued now for the K2 version but $1200 is still good as long as it’s not one of the vinyl finishes.
@nemo propaganda
Hi! Do you see any alternative for these speakers today? I care about spatial sound with a good midrange and treble. Would you recommend the T5X subwoofer with them or is it worth going with the Rel HT1003 mk2? Loudspeakers mainly for music. Small room. PS. have you listened to Heco Celan Revolution 3?
Buchardt S400 MK2 for sure, more dimension, larger stage, better midrange, etc...
I have a new Rega P3 TT / yellow cartridge and speed box with rega’s IO amplifier, running on Dali’s Oberon 3s I’ve just sold the Dali’s and replaced them with Focal aria 906 recommended by my dealership and the Rega IO amp drive’s them with no problem at all it’s not getting hot or anything and the sound? Well it’s moved up like I’ve got a new amplifier and speakers not just the Focal . This is a great system and my advise is just do it. But use your ear’s as final judgment
Thank you for yours very detailed and informative reviews. I am planing to buy Focal Aria 906 black gloss and to pair them with Bowers & Wilkins ASW 608 subwoofer and Unison Research Unico Due hibrid amplifier. What is your opinion on this match? The other option are KEF R3, but they are more expensive in EU. Thank you
Hi Branko, that all sounds great except the ASW608, that sub is just a bit out dated now, unless you already own one from the past. I would not buy a new one today and instead would go for something like the REL 1003.
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks. I allready own ASW608. Replacing it can be next update, but it will wait “better time”.
@@brankodmitrovic1791 okay great, nothing wrong with that, it's a really great subwoofer. I just wouldn't spend $500 on one today.
@@NemoPropaganda Actually, I am replacing my Dynaudio Emit M10 bookshelf speakers. Those were not great sounding for me and I thought that for some weird reason I was the one not appreciating "that great dynaudio" sound. Now that I have seen your review on the same speaker, I can see I wasn’t the only one.
@@brankodmitrovic1791 ah yes, the old model M10 was very meh. The new model seems to have fixed all my complaints though, I will review them soon!
Great review! I have the ELACs but they still dont it for me. I havent heard a Focal, but sounds interesting. Are those actually made in France?
Hi Dodpr, yes these ones are made in France. Shame the DBR62 wasn't for you, what are you driving them with? They tend to require some beefy amplification.
@@NemoPropaganda Yes thats part of the problem. I need to upgrade to a better amplifier. Right now Im using a Onkyo A-9010 and a Cambridge AX35.
@@dodpr oh yeah, the DBR62 is not gonna be happy with an AVR or the 35w AX35. Maybe sell them and see if you can find a used pair of Focal Chora 806 :D those don't need much power at all.
@@NemoPropaganda Hi there, do you think that the Focal Aria needs a beefier amplification than the Choras? Thanks in Advance :)
@@TIZIROTA not at all, it's extremely easy to drive even 30-40w a channel should be plenty!
Hi Nemo, thanks for your review. My room is 15m², the listening distance is about 2m-2m20 and I can leave a distance from the speaker to the wall of 30cm at most. I currently live in an apartment so I don't want to make the sound too loud because of the neighbors. I would like to know if the 906 would be a good choice for a room that size or if I should instead turn to something more modest like the Acoustic Concept Q series. There is a consensus among audiophiles that a speaker shouldn't be too large for too small of a room and so i am worry that i will need to crank up the volume too loud of the arias to make the low end pop up and that my small room will muddy the bass. My usage is going to be movies and music. I live in France and i can get the arias for the same price as the concept Q.
Hey Manny, so the Aria are sound extremely good at low volumes. They are actually the best sounding low volume speaker I have personally heard. It's impossible to be sure of course but I think Aria is a fantastic speaker especially for lower volume listeners. If the room has bass problems it will have bass problems with the Q Acoustics also so I wouldn't worry about that. I would guess Aria will be a good fit for you.
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks a lot, i'm set for the focals :)
@@tidiane.b1691 Nice, enjoy!
@@NemoPropaganda You think that a 50w per channel amplifier would be good enough to drive them?
@@tidiane.b1691 yes, they are very easy to drive.
If you had to choose between these and the Dynaudio Emit 20’s, if they were the same price, which would you choose?
I don't generally answer hypothetical questions or "if you had to" type questions. I've always owned multiple pairs of speakers and don't think in absolutes. I also have not heard the EMIT 20.
What do you think about the combination with the Rotel A14?
I have not tried Rotel yet.
Hi 😊
Just got a used one in Extra Mint condition over budget (just bought a new set up of rega Brio and fyne audio f303) . Used Aria@1000cdn all because of u 😉. But was wondering witch amp you recommend (or anybody in comments)
Aye! Congrats on getting one of my favorite speakers :D. Amps are tough to recommend, the difference between them are sometimes very minor and I don't have the most experience with amps. I know Sean over at Zero Fidelity really liked the Unico Primo, personally I use Kinki Studio. The only thing I would stay away from is cheaper AVR especially Denon as they will suck the dynamics out of the presentation.
@@NemoPropaganda THX it is on shortlist with junsong, technics su_g700😮, Denon pma1600, and class d hybrid heaven 11 billie... To be continued 😁
In France, Black Friday : 280€ for one !
Please do a review on the focal dome flax ore the focal 301
I don't plan to review anymore Focal products at this time.
How would they compare to the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3?
I have only heard the S2 which were much brighter and more bass boosted. I felt the Aria was a more balanced sound overall.
How would you compare the top end and mid to kef q350\q150
Like comparing steak to hamburger. KEF speakers image a certain way that is unique to them. If you like that stick with the KEF family but the Q line can't even come close to Aria or even Chora in terms of detail retrieval and refinement.
I wish you could review the new Theva 1 and see how they compare with these. The new speakers from Emotiva also make me wonder... From what i've red they seem like great value and closer to these than the old chora line while not costing too much. (the Thevas) Also i'd like to ask for other recomendations that are good at low volumes. Maybe monitor audio and klipsch? I also have a Golden Ear BRX under my radar...
sadly Focal is not willing to send me any review samples, all the Focal I have reviwed I bought with my own money.
@@NemoPropaganda shame. You could do a comparison video between 3 speakers good at low volumes like The last One you did.
@@JoseFerreira-zb7wh maybe, I'll give it some thought! That actually could be helpful for a lot of people.
@@NemoPropaganda i live in an apartment so even if i wanted (i actually don't feel the need to crank it up) i couldn't listen to more than moderate levels without having my neighbors knocking at my door, specially at night. It's also at night that i use them the most to watch movies and such, so i need low volumes + dialogue clarity which is not an easy task for A LOT of speakers. i guess a lot of people have closeby neighbors, so i'm sure i'm not alone.
Thanks for the great review, do you think the 906 will be a good match for the Rega Brio amplifier?
It is a fairly punchy amp with great rhythm.
I have not heard the Rega but I think the Focal would be a good match for most class a/b gear. I would stay away from anything that has a bright top end that is lacking in refinement and also stay away from anything that has a very thin or dry midrange. A little bit is okay but it will make the experience even more analytical, but if the amp is too bright and the midrange too dry it can really ruin the whole presentation. Best way I can say it is any amp that feels "emotional" or "rich" with it's presentation would be an awesome match or at minimum something with a very refined top end. My gear for example has a very refined top end but my midrange is not the best match for the Aria but it's okay because my dac (Ares 2) fixes that.
@@NemoPropaganda thank you, the Brio is more "musical" than analytical in that you forget to listen to the hifi and enjoy the music more, so I think I will put the 906 on my shortlist.
Thanks once again.
@@mrkitewine7700 that certainly sounds like a good fit! I love the Aria personally :D I didn't mention this in the video but it's true with most speakers, if you have a room with lots of echo and reflection it could cause some fatigue so if you have like wood floors for example and the room is very empty I highly recommend a rug and acoustic panels at the first reflection points at minimum. But we can say this about any room with any speakers really.
@@NemoPropaganda the room is fully carpeted and has full length curtains behind where the speakers would be, so it has lots of softness to absorb reflections. I'll be using them without a sub and I'm hoping the Arias sound good at low-medium volume levels as (out of consideration for the neighbours) I don't get much opportunity to really crank up the levels.
Thanks once again for a really informative channel. 👍
@@mrkitewine7700 you got it brother.
The speakers are 1/2 the price in Europe but I looked into have a set shipped from France and it was not going to save me any money by the time of shipping and import fees, so I just bought them here. The real Walnut finish with the flax seed looks very nice and different - very high WAF in my home at least. Vinyl is a non-starter for me, hard pass there. Agree 100% with the grille - makes them look cheap and we just left ours in the box, will never ever use them. The Focal speaker stands are silver which I’m not real fond of. I’ve always been a fan of high “air’ speakers and personally I wouldn’t call these forward or bright at all, but I’ve got older ears and probably losing some of it. Sub is definitely a must (as with any such size speaker) and I’m using kef kc62 and I think it pairs very well. Would be interested to know where you set your low pass filter for these with your subs. Thanks for the review - hard to find many out there
When I use the KC62 and the Aria my crossover is about 45hz but that could be different in your room.
Hi
Thank you for your great revews.
I am looking for a bookshelf speaker 2000 to 3000us
Most important is the midrange (tonal like bbc 3/5) nice highs not siblent or fatiging and a decent bass.
I listen to chamer musik ,piano ,vokal mainly.
Thank you
Reinhart
I have not heard any bbc 3/5 so I'm not sure I can really provide any meaningful feedback.
@@NemoPropaganda
Hi
Thank you
Whats the best midrange you have heard so far on a speaker ?
@@reinhartfrais8549 midrange has so much going on, vocals, tone, etc.... Rarely does a speaker do everything in the midrange perfectly. The mon acoustics super mon mini has the best vocals I've ever heard at $2k, the buchardt s400 mk2 has some of the fullest midrange I've heard at $2k, the polk r100 has the best tone I've heard at $600, etc. etc... And then of course there are megabuck speakers I've heard but I don't think you're asking about that :)
listen about 65-73db 2.5 meters from speakers. This speakers ok at these conditions?
Yes, very good in those conditions! That’s almost exactly how I use them in the evening time.
The FOCAL KANTA 1 bookshelf speakers are $8,000/pair.
I own the Marantz 8015 and now I have the possibility to buy 4x Focal Aria 906 as front and surround and 1x cc500 as center (5.0 channels) all sealed for only €1300 shipped, you think It's a nice deal?
I mean, here in the US they're $2k just for a pair so to me that's a crazy good deal!! :)
@@NemoPropaganda You think these focal aria 906 they are great for home theater?
I have to decide between these Aria 906 and the klipsch rp600m for home theater 5.1 setup
@@carminedepaola8018 I would do aria all the way!
I came here for the S400 comparison. So maybe the Aria CC 900 wouldn't be a good center channel match to the S400's huh?
I'm not sure honestly, I havn't put together an HT system in over 20 years.
any chance you could review the dali oberon 3 the bigger bookshelf brother of oberon 1 yet cheaper than focal aria 906 and even cheaper than the chora 806.thanks man
Probably not bro, the Oberon range have an aggressive top end with a lot of treble energy/brightness. I reviewed the Oberon 1 and it was kind of painful for me. It's a great speaker if you're older and need a little extra treble energy or just like that kind of presentation but I couldn't really handle it so I won't review anymore from the Oberon range.
@@NemoPropaganda i think its really the sound of dali in general which has aggresive top end
@@myplaguesify eeesh, yeah I'm not the best person to review it then because I just get frustrated with it lol.
I have them in my basement setup and they kill. Have the same drivers in my hummer h3 and that is nothing short of amazing
that's a killer basement setup!
@@NemoPropaganda have a Martin Logan sub for them too . Morrow cables all around
@@howardgoldberg5318 nice, i keep seeing adds for Morrow, are they good?
@@NemoPropaganda they are extremely clean and crisp. A worthy chance because you can trade back up with them. Nobody else would consider that
@@NemoPropaganda living room is McIntosh ma7000 Martin Logan theos marantz cd krell wave speaker cables with cardas quad interconnect. Very smooth sound that floats around you
Currently £749 $1004 here in UK
What’s a good match amp for these speakers?😎
Hey Marc, unfortunately I don't have a lot of data points for amps but essentially you want something that has a refined top end since these offer up so much information if thae amps top end is a bit on the brighter or edgier side or even outright lacking refinement it could make them sound offensive. Also something that gives some warmth & richness to the midrange would be a welcome addition.
@@NemoPropaganda 💯 percent correct on this matter. Many folk really don't understand these speakers.
Great Review 👌
I have these and i would like to add a Sub, middle size room 25m2, 70% music, Cambridge Cxa 60 and Cxn.
I watched your subs reviews and now, i m on Svs sb 1000 pro or Rsl 10 mk2.
The app with preset looks good in order to switch between music and movie.
Thank you 😊
Aria 906 is a very light & airy sound, I like both of those subwoofers however I do not think either of those options is a good fit musically for the Aria 906. What is your budget and are there any other subwoofers you have considered?
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks for the answer 👌
What would you recommend under 1000 ?
Merci 😺
@@christophelechat6277 since you are 70% music and 30% movies I still want to make sure you have enough bass for movies so something like the older REL HT 1205 MK1 would be great, you should be able to find a second hand one for a good price. Keep the crossover knob at 9 o'clock and it blends with the Aria 906 extremely well while still having good output for some movies.
@@NemoPropaganda Thanks for your advice 👌
I will look After this one 👍
Do you have something else to propose under 700 ?
I d ont want to worry about settings between hifi and movie 😊
Do you think soundpad like svs is necessary ??
I will check your review of the Rel 👍
Thanks for a answering, there are so many options !!
@@christophelechat6277no, soundpath footers are not needed. Its a tweak, you can play with tweaks later when you’re bored and have extra money. You will never have the same settings for hifi and movies. Its not possible bro. But its easy to change depending on your avr. Even if your avr cannot do it no big deal, you just turn up the subwoofer gain for movies. Turn it back down for music. Or buy and sb1000 pro instead since that has profile options.
The vinyl 906s we’re going for about $1000 - to me that’s a steal - I grabbed the 936s with the vinyl for about $2800 for the pair - miss the nice finish but not that much having paid almost half - they are great speakers
What's up Koi! I remember that, it happened 1 time around the time they first launched and then the Vinyl went up to the same price as the painted finish, that's the problem I have with it. If the Vinyl was cheaper full time like it is in EU then I'd have been a bit more forgiving of it. I don't expect it to be half price but same price as the painted finish is just super uncool!
@@NemoPropaganda yeah I totally agree with you. No way they should have been pricing the vinyl near the price of the nicer finishes - grateful I got them at the low price.
@@kyleo2113 oh yeah, at $1k its an absolute steal!!
I just got some white ones in the uk for £570 in a sale, couldn’t believe my eyes.
excellent choice and excellent deal!
I have focal aria 906 and atoll IN100 signature amp... great pair. The speakers are worth the money, especially in the EU, but in the USA they are really too expensive.
oh yeah, sadly in the US we have to pay a lot, 2k for Aria :(
I was just considering this combo! I saw a review that said the in100 sig wasn’t good to pair with bright speakers like Focal. This wasn’t really my experience with my demo with the new Atoll, but I didn’t use Focals either.
Nice review BUT if you need a subwoofer with these beauties your amp is the problem..I have these with an Arcam A39 amp & the bass is full, solid & rich. Suprisingly so for a stand mount speaker.
I have 5 different amps my bro, I think it's more likely your room has strong bass reinforcement or we just have different taste. It is very commonly known that Focal bookshelf speakers don't have much bass Chora, Aria, even Kanta.
Wow 2000$...? You are really paying high values for european brands in America. The same happens in Europe for american brands. In Portugal were I live I got a pair of these for 700 euros. Great speakers and great review.
Yeah, it's like that with most things. Like SVS subwoofers are cheaper in USA, Focal is cheaper in EU and the list goes on in both directions. Part of it is taxes and the other part is the dealer network.
Focal just seems wonky like that. Everything else from B&W, Dynaudio, Monitor Audio, KEF, and a few others are in the same ballpark, but Focal wants $1,000 pair for the Chora 806 and $2,100 for the Aria 926. I don’t get it.
@@danielhenderson8316 MA is more expensive in the US compared to EU too though.
But at least they're in the noise. About the only way I can see over a $1000 difference in MSRP might be that it's built in France instead of China, but I also haven't seen B&W 800 series prices as those are still made in the UK.
They cost 1000 $ in my country, but I'm from EU, so import taxes add up, I guess, in the US pricing.
exactly :(
Do you know the reason why in the United States they are worth $2000 a pair while here in France they can be found at 590 € a pair?
It's completely crazy such a price difference
But that must explain why you're not quite satisfied with some aspects of the finish, they don't have the finish of what you can get for 2000 dollars here
I don't but after the Buchardt S400 MK2 came out I've stopped recommending these too much as the price is now $2200 and I don't think Aria 906 are worth it anymore. At $2k it was a stretch already.
@Nemo Propaganda Thanks for the quality content! Can the Buchardt S400 be as effective at low volume as the F906?
P.S. I own a F906 with a sub, but like you, I'm also looking at another pair of S400s, DIY CSS Criton 1TD, which might be more neutral, but I lose the point if it can't reproduce effectively at low volume, because at high as we know , everyone shows themselves as Peacocks ;). I don't know of any other speakers that can be in the same league at low volume :( but maybe you know of or have had one?
I have CSS Criton 1TD and both buchardt s400 versions, it might be easier for you to hop in the discord and chat there discord.gg/nemopropaganda I love the CSS but I feel it is more a high volume performer and its treble is the opposite of Focal, 1TD treble is on the darker side of neutral. S400 MK2 is my primary speaker but Aria 906 will sound more open and airy at lower volumes like 70dB but I feel S400 MK2 performance is good enough at low volumes though amplifier/preamp pairing can have a big impact on low volume performance. Cheap amps generally need to be driver harder to open up but something like a Hegel will sound much better at lower volumes.
I reckon the ls50 Meta's would give these a good run for their money
Not really. Kef is smaller with smaller mid/bass driver. Without subwoofer Aria is probably better, personal taste like always.
Are you sitting on an outlaw subwoofer?? 😂
That looks identical to the x12/LFM series
REL HT1205 :D
Not only the vinyl finish, but the whole speaker is unacceptable for 2000 USD. In europe they now are being sold for 700 EUR the pair. Why? Because they simply are not that good. I compared them both the KEF LS50 and the little brother Chora 806. These are more resessed, vocals are a bit distant, highs are pretty rolled off. Mids are superior to the Choras but fall short of the performance of the LS50's. For 700 - okay, worth a try. But 2000 USD? No way Jose.
Yeah, the mids definitely is where the price shows but I think it's still a strong competitor due to it's unmatched low volume clarity & dynamics. I do feel a more fair price in the US would be around $1500 but I guess that's where people have to haggle with their dealers.
@@NemoPropaganda fair enough. Thanks for taking the time to reply!
flax or flax seed lol?
These are not “$2000 loudspeakers”. You could thank your domestic dealers who reasonable decided that european €1000 is a bargain price for such gems, but a mid level speakers is a fact. A cheap crossover, an aluminum tweeter instead of a titanium original one, thin cabinet, iron banana connectors... This is why the vinyl finish seems acceptable imho
PS The same to Chora 806. Their not unique price is €540 for a pair. Just a little bit of discount.
yeah, Focal and the US dealer network really screw the customer. Kanta No1 is $8k here :( and that is without stands.
lol is this because you watched the GR-Research video? Not at all defending the $2k price, that is ridiculous, but you can find these new on ebay for $1000 which I think is more than a fair price for this. I like GR but just like any of these youtube reviews, they are trying to sell speakers. He almost always shits on a speaker's quality because he is literally in the business of selling speakers and speaker upgrades. Some of history's most desirable proaudio equipment used some form of cheap/budget component. Its about the sum of parts not the quality of each individual piece. All im saying is take it with a grain of salt and dont just regurgitate another youtuber's statements into the comment sections elsewhere.
Any chance those white beauties are for sale 😁
Lol I should have waited for the end of your video before asking 😒
@@alfernandez7170 possibly, depends on if I can get my hands on a pair of S400 MKII to own. I have a review set now and they are my perfect speaker :D
@@NemoPropaganda
Mahalo!
Great review by the way. You had me sold before the video ended lol. Looking forward to your next review!
@@alfernandez7170 Next one is a good one, Buchardt S400 MKII :D but I might sneak in a cable video before that on silver cables lol. Like a bonus vid.
@@NemoPropaganda
Cool b looking forward to it 😀
These are 944 USD in Europe. ;-)
Yeah, a lot of stuff is cheaper in it's origin area, like SVS subwoofers are cheaper over here.
Wassup Nemo :-)
oh my goodness hello you beautiful bastard! Any changes to your system or is it holding steady?
@@NemoPropaganda nothing new my friend, have been working at home the last year and that has turned my listening room into an office :-(
@@robinpengelly8202 well feel free to come over sometime and check out my setup if you like, offer is always open brother.
Fleshed out.
You pass out because of the vitamin e overload
Really?
To much electric = E