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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
 
I just looked up the M32. The specs look like a good match to the speakers. I sincerely doubt you'll ever use even half that power with the most aggressive material at crazy loud volume. My F5 is operating at 41wpc RMS in class A with no sign of clipping. Definitely play with the placement. Break in on them isn't significant and doesn't take much time. Unless you're comfortable hoisting a 60 pound cabinet out of the box you might want some help. The best way to install the plinth is just laying it on it's back. I kept the boxes which came in handy when I moved. The EU makes them put plugs in the posts for bananas. They pull right out. I never looked up inside them until I pulled the plinths off to move. Those are some real pretty drivers in there. 
paul8060
43 posts
 
kosst, Thanks for the advice/suggestions. Yes, the 936s sounded great with the M32. I know the speakers are really sensitive, and don't need much to drive them, but I've read that, while they drive easily, it take a lot of juice to get the BEST from them. True? As for unboxing, I'm mush too old and short to handle the 936s myself, so I've got a friend lined up to help. The set I listed to locally yesterday had only about 30 hours on them, and they sounded great. I've kept the boxes from my present two (bedroom and living room) speakers, and it does making moving easier (and safer). I'm looking forward to having them.

Speaking of "mush", did you hear about the dog sledder who got a speeding ticket, because he was going mush too fast. :-)
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
It's that low impedance dip that punishes an amp. The 926's are actually worse in that regard. The nature of a push-pull class A amp is they start making excess heat when you drive them into class AB. 41 watts RMS drives them plenty loud with no sign of clipping. Bassnectar barely makes that amp break a sweat. I think you'll be very pleased what those speakers will do when you've got them tweaked in just right. 
baxsc01
3 posts
 
I have been listening to the Aria 926 for about two years and have not auditioned the 936.  Originally the 926 speakers were driven by a NAD C356BEE integrated amp.  Very careful room placement per the manual gave false bass (boomy) and it got worse closer to a wall.  I used the Focal test tones and the 45 Hz limit is accurate.  I verified with a SPL meter.  For me, I solved everything with the addition of a Gallo TR2 sub with embedded 80Hz filter.  The tone sweep with sub in place is within 3 Db, down to 35 Hz.  Now, as to the amp, I got curious and replaced the NAD integrated with a preamp and Rotel RB1080, at 200 watts a channel.  That made a huge difference, more than expected.  With listening levels being equal the soundstage was broader, imaging much more precise, and I heard things I did not hear before, like people talking in the background during a Miles Davis recording.  I also heard what I would call a sympathetic vibration in bass drum and snare rattle on the drum skin, not just the hiss.  I bought the Rotel primarily to avoid clipping, but got a lot more out of the speakers even at reasonable listening levels.  I don't know how much of this is a better circuit or more juice.  But it's not placebo - I put the NAD back in then went back to the preamp/Rotel and the difference was clear.
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
981 posts
 
Any owners of Focal should try the Isoacoustics GAIA isolation feet . Giant improvement in imaging and bass . The demo at RMAF was impressive with 2 pair of 936's alternating back and forth with and without the GAIA .
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