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Focal Aria 936 vs 926 bass response

I am looking at a couple of Focal Aria speakers in the same model line, and trying to decide on which will work best in my room. The listening area is 14 x 25 x 8.5, but it opens up into another room of the same size (open concept with a half wall between them). Listening distance is 8-9 feet. I have listened to the 936 and liked it, but am a little concerned that it could be too much bass for my room. Also, I have very limited placement options where these are going. My dealer does not have the 926 in stock so I have not listened to it; I assume it will sound very similar to the 936, but with less bass, so I’m wondering if I can get away with the 926. The 926 is also a little smaller so it has better WAF. There is a return policy at the dealer but ideally I’d like to make the right choice initially.

The frequency response of the speakers is as follows. How much bass will I be missing in practical terms between the two? I know the replies may well be “nobody can tell until you get them into YOUR room” but I thought I’d throw it out for comment anyway.

Focal Aria 936:
Frequency response: (+/- 3dB) 39Hz - 28kHz
Low frequency point: 6 dB 32Hz
Sensitivity: (2.83V / 1m) 92dB
Nominal impedance: 8 Ohms

Focal Aria 926:
Frequency response: (+/- 3dB) 45Hz - 28kHz
Low frequency point: 6 dB 37Hz
Sensitivity: (2.83V / 1m) 91.5dB
Nominal impedance: 8 Ohms
braudio7
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
The 936’s need no subs to dig down to 32Hz quite flatly with some considered boundary reinforcement. They make just as much deep bass as the 948’s and are simply better suited for a smaller room.

The thing with the 936’s is that they will reveal the virtues and drawbacks of the best amps you put behind them. Mine are totally taking advantage of the virtues of a Pass class A amp and I rather doubt you’re going to find a better commercial integrated. I understand it’s not common to dump as much or more than the speakers are worth into amplification, but these speakers WILL take full advantage of the best power you can buy. I strongly recommend quality over quantity in so much as at least having to power to satisfy your volume demands. At a listening distance of 12 feet, 36 watts RMS is plenty for my listening tastes and is in fact more than enough to do hearing damage.

All that said HR at Stereophile reviewed them with a stack of Moon gear to good effect. He also used the Primary Luna tube integrated at 30 watts or so and was pleased as well.
paul8060
43 posts
 
I've pretty much settled on the NAD M32 integrated amp (150Wpc), but I'm trying to decide on paring it with the Focal Aria 926 or 936 speakers. As I said above, I don't like a ton of bass. I listened to the 936s with the M32 and liked them a lot (although a bit too much bass). I also listened to the 926s with the Moon ACE (50Wpc), and did not like that combo at all (not a big soundstage, nor great definition or placement). My room is about 12x10x8, with very little space behind and to the side of where the speakers must be placed. Any advice on the M32 paired with the 926s or the 936s?
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
The 926 and 936 are very similar. Their placement demands will be similar. I definitely think 936's would overwhelm your room. The recommended listening distance Focal suggests are generally well advised, give or take a little. If one amp drive the 936's well, it'll be very similar with the 926's. I auditioned the 926 and 948 and bought the 936 sight unseen given the very similar sound of each. 
I've got mine a good 2 feet from the wall. Any less and imaging suffers and bass gets boomy and muddled. They are speakers that want to be properly placed and toed. They will exploit the best amp you can buy too. I'm feeding mine power through a beefed up Pass F5 clone and they are simply amazing. Endlessly deep and wide, crisp, clear, and well focused. The depth ranges from faint and distant to attacking your face and wrapping around you. If you're not getting something like that from the 900 series they're either poorly placed or poorly matched to power. 
paul8060
43 posts
 
Thanks, kosst. Placement will be a problem, but not much I can presently do.
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
I'd seriously consider acoustically simulating that space with room treatment in that case. Walmart has urethane matress pads for like 10 bucks. Not pretty or ideal, but they're dirt cheap and will give you a good idea what treatment can do and where it would be most useful before you throw down real money. 
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