Both Revels and Focals can be found heavily discounted. I'm not a huge fan of either, but my opinion, having extensively auditioned both, was that the 936s were overpriced at their MSRP and belong in the $2.5K segment. In contrast, the Revel 208 was a bargain at its MSRP.
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
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
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- 69 posts total
The 948's, with their hideous impedance low point of 2.5 ohm compounded by some phase angle, aren't easy to drive. The Kanta and all the Sopra's are easier to drive than the 948's. The thing I like about the 936's is they're not the most politely voiced speakers out there. They have a smooth, meaty, physicality to the sound from top to bottom that I think a lot of other speakers are voiced to avoid in the interest of sounding more polite. They attack from all angles when it's called for and they lay back and chill when it's not. As far as an update to the 900 series, I'm not sure what they'd change. Maybe the TMD driver from the Kanta? |
kosst_amojan The 948's, with their hideous impedance low point of 2.5 ohm ...I'm not sure why you call this is "hideous." Many competent amplifiers can drive such a load. |
I have the 936's in a room that is 21 x 12 x 9. Because of non-audio constraints, I have them on one of the long walls with my ears about 91 inches away from the tweeters. Almost a near field setup. The bass absolutely does not overwhelm the room. BTW, I found I like them best farther apart from each other than from my seat and aimed at a point in front of me so that I can see a lot of the outside of the cabinets. |
- 69 posts total