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 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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?
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.
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 ? .
He speaks the truth, I have this speaker and love their transparency
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 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.
2k for a pair? that's crazy
@@Sheisintomalakasdino it's actually cheap
Hell I'm still runnin a Denon AVR 5803 and four Infinity overture 3's and they still make me smile everytime I listen to them lol
I love mine 936s, paired them with ARC VT100mkiii and Mcintosh C2300 preamp. Absolutely butter like Steve said.
Just got the Aria 936 and Aria CC 900.....love these speakers....always Focal!!!
What did you have before this setup? I have B&W 703s2 with the matching HTM71s2 but I’m strongly leaning toward Focal 936
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.
Jordy Baas I just bought a pair of 726's. I cannot believe the quality of the speakers or the sound. Best $2K I ever spent. Focal is 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?
Kevin, it would be nice if you compared the 936 to other speakers like b&w, sonus farber etc. Price and sound comparisons.
You got me sold on focal
If high sensitivity was king, every speaker company would make speakers that way...
This guy could sell a ketchup Popsicle to a woman in white gloves.
Naw, read his store's reviews. Apparently he's rude to customers and for support he rushes people off the phone and doesn't help.
He doesn’t respond to his UA-cam followers either . To busy selling to answer questions hmmmm
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.
Very informative and well explained presentation. Thank you, Kevin.
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.
Kevin Velasco get the towers, then you get full range and won’t need a subwoofer.
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!
Do you have any Sonus Faber Venere S in stock?
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?
Not from what I hear. And the cabinet is much bigger. But a grand could go toward a sub and that's your intentions.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Great feedback and insight! What would you recommend to power those Monitor Audio gx200s w the ribbon transducers?
Just purchased a pair of these 936’s Any Suggestions on best amps to pair them with ?
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!
How do these compare to b&w 702s2? Which ones to buy?
can you help me positioning these in my 4x4m room? what is the proposed wall distance and toe in ?
Kevin, can Outlaw RR2160 drive this Focal 936?
You ever cover martin logan?
thank you
What is the speaker he references at 3:17?
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.
Aron Gatt I believe paradigm makes Their own stuff in house
Dali also make there own drivers
Kef does not make their own speakers. I don't think they ever did. China makes their speakers.
Can any denon $1000 @ up receiver amp power these speakers efficiently, and the focal top speaker in the other video?
Well it will work. It may not give the best result but there is no problem either.
Even denon avr x1400/2400h has a power to drive them for sure, but as for avr it'd better integrate them with x3400h for the end choice.
Yea, 92 sensitivity. 30 watt amp would knock stuff off the walls.
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.
Kevin, I thought B&W made their own drivers too? I can see a pair in this video (the CM10 I think).
I own a pair of 936's and I'm wondering if the upgrade to Kanta's are worht 4x the money regarding they use the same size drivers !!
the law of diminishing returns affects everything not just speakers but .... yolo !
highly doubtful
These or should I go the extra mile for the 948?
the best is to listening them first.
what's your room size and listening distance ?
more than 30sqm and 3,5 meter or more, it's the 948
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?
6012 but honestly your speakers are worth much much more !
did you bought sr6012?. I am thinking buyng the same.
Paradigm great speakers also They make their own stuff to drivers and everything
Superb
2.6 ohms at 100 hz. :( that's the product of all this in house customization and brilliance?
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.
sounds like someone has never heard a pair in person. They are better than B&W all the way
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 ? .
I have a primaluna and the 936, I guess I am king shit for now. Or just shit, I don't know.
3 years old, but I hope that isn't a listening room. I can hear reverb even from your voice. Need some treatment in there...phew.
Oh dear
Focal are not making their drivers in France !
Only the high end headphones are "home made" in France.
Focal makes all of its drivers in-house from beginning to end. Take a look at the factory tour
Nice try
Ironic that the sound quality of your review is terrible 😂
Does this guy shill any harder?