Something about naturalness. Speaker systems Focal Aria 936

Speaker systems Focal Aria K2 936

Why did Focal violate its entire carefully built hierarchy of acoustic lines by including K2 clone speakers with completely different speakers in the well-known Aria model range? We have one assumption about this. And now we'll test it by listening to it three times.

INTELLIGENT AGENTS
The Aria series, presented back in 2013, has been studied far and wide by our editors. Here on the website you will find reviews of the shelf model 906 and all floor-standing models: 948, 936 and 926 (the latter, by the way, earned the highest Grand Prix award based on the results of the comparative test).

In principle, in order to again attract the attention of buyers to a successful line, the manufacturer only had to refresh the cosmetics. And this would be done in any other company, but in Saint-Etienne they often reject template approaches in favor of some bold ideas and innovations. Aria K2 936, released in limited edition, is another engineering surprise from Focal and, in addition, in a special finish. Ask: what is brave here? At least the price. These models turned out to be 40 thousand rubles more expensive than the basic 936s.

In terms of the totality of its characteristics, such a diffuser is superior to classic cellulose and polyglass, and is also technologically advanced in production.

We will not delve into the specifics of the already well-known model range. Let us remember only the main thing. The Aria already used improved inverted TNF tweeters and debuted for the first time speakers made from the patented Flax material, which is a lightweight composite with a thickness of only 0.4 mm based on flax fibers.

In terms of the totality of its characteristics, such a diffuser is superior to classic cellulose and polyglass, and is also technologically advanced in production. Later, on Flax, the company made a number of successful speaker systems both in an affordable price category and for discerning audiophiles - the higher-class Kanta line, for example, is built precisely on flax speakers.

But when the time came to modernize the Aria, Focal decided (perhaps out of pure curiosity) to make a test batch of speakers using even higher-class composite drivers - with ultra-light sandwich cones. This technology is used for the best branded W-heads in Focal's high-end systems (Sopra and Utopia). The price of these drivers, of course, is too high for mid-segment acoustics, but diffusers with a rohacell layer of similar structure have long been used in the Focal K2 Power line of advanced car drivers. They have gone through a number of modernizations, in many respects they are close to the flagships, but instead of the finest fiberglass fabric, which requires an extremely delicate technology of impregnation and connection with a weightless foam base on both sides, a simpler composition is used - one-sided, with aramid fiber (essentially the same Kevlar, but not with a simple woven weave of threads, but with a thinner one).

But any specialist familiar with the basics of acoustics design will say that this approach involves no less amount of design work.

This is not Focal's first experience of transferring K2 technologies to home acoustics. For its anniversary, Spectral 40th floor standing units, which have no analogues in the model range. In the Aria K2 936, at first glance, the engineers did not reinvent anything - they took ready-made housings, left the same tweeters (although the K2 series also has excellent composite tweeters) and replaced only the midrange drivers with woofers. But any specialist familiar with the basics of acoustics design will say that this approach involves no less amount of design work - it is necessary to completely recalculate the filters, re-match the impedances and phase characteristics of all bands, etc., and to achieve the above in extremely cramped conditions - for a given displacement of the body and the existing electromechanical characteristics of the new heads.

If K2 varieties appear in the Aria line for other models, we will have a reason to dig deeper into the engineering topic, and now straight to practice. We will conduct three auditions in which we will compare the new products with the previous Aria 948 on Flax speakers (yes, they are larger in caliber, but they are direct competitors to the new products in price), and with the much more expensive Sopra on W-heads.

Let's start with the last ones. When these beauties are connected to top-end audiophile-level amplifiers (in particular, to the Classé Delta Pre/Delta Stereo combination), the sound is practically infallible both technically and aesthetically - the stereophonic space is built according to all plans, the sound is smooth, strict, but filled with plasticity and color - all the sounds that are complex in timbre, all the playing shades Sopra reveals simply masterfully.

Aria K2 936, on the contrary, is now absolutely in its element. The stereo field is “visualized” and “materialized” better.

The Aria K2 936 in the same system initially leaves a strong impression on how similar they are in terms of tonal balance in the mids and mid-bass. Here everything is presented almost as harmoniously and coiffedly as with the neutral Sopra. There are characteristic differences only at the ends of the range. In acoustics with “yellow heads”, the lowest vibrating range is filled less densely and energetically, and the nature of the high-frequency transmission is more sharpened (but not more detailed - a slight tint is detected). In view of this, the atmosphere of the hall is not revealed so clearly by the new models.

But if, instead of the Classé, we include the Denon PMA-A110 amplifier, which is more price-matched to the new Focal models, the class differences almost disappear. Yes, Sopra remain an example of absolute tonal neutrality and are unattainable in terms of expressiveness in conveying the depth of the stage, but their overall reproduction character is no longer so comfortably soft and musical. And Aria K2 936, on the contrary, is now absolutely in its element. The stereophonic field is “visualized” and “materialized” better - the amplifier provides them with more powerful support in the lower register, “drives” into them a more airy and more detailed (but not at all aggressive) top, and at the same time provides a stricter focusing of virtual images.

And in the upper middle they are generally exemplary and at the same time very detailed - they are able to show orchestral brass very realistically, without “overcooking”.

What will the classic Aria 948 show with the same Denon? Everything is familiar: exciting dynamics at the bottom and top, well-developed midbass, extremely open and intelligible transmission of the entire mid and high ranges. But in such an interpretation, abundant in bass and generally relaxed, there is always something rollicking - sometimes overly free, sometimes daring, sometimes deliberately optimistic or embellished shades are caught.

To dot the i's, turn on the Aria K2 936 again. Yes, they lose a little in terms of bass dynamics (which is natural), but their drums are punchier and more textured. In the midbass band they are almost as temperamental, but more moderate in the vocal segment. And in the upper middle they are generally exemplary and at the same time very detailed - they are able to show orchestral brass very realistically, without “overcooking”.

There will probably be those who describe this sound as more boring or closed. But they seemed to me simply more honest in conveying emotions - unlike other “Arias”, the new models do not impose their own interpretation of the music - more festive, solemn, comedic or something else. This makes them similar to the much more advanced and mood-neutral models from the higher Focal lines.

SYSTEM

• Sources laptop Apple MacBook Air A1465

Focal Aria K2 936

Manufacturer: Vervent Audio Group (France)

www.focal.com/ru

Configuration: 5 emitters, 3 bands || Acoustic design: bass reflex || Frequency range: 39 - 28,000 Hz (+/-3 dB) || Lower cutoff frequency (-6 dB): 32 Hz || Sensitivity: 92 dB (2.83 V/1 m) || Resistance (nominal/minimum): 8/2.8 ohms || Crossover frequencies: 260 and 3100 Hz || Recommended amplifier power: 50 - 300 W || Finish: black front + gray lacquer on sides || Dimensions: 294 x 1150 x 371 mm || Weight: 29 kg

Source: salonav.com
Go to the manufacturer's catalog

The other day I had an irresistible desire to write about the French acoustics Focal Aria, wonderful in all respects, and its full variants. More than a year ago, I conducted a detailed test of the 948 model, which my old client, and now a very good friend, had the good fortune to purchase. The task was the following - to select floor-standing speaker systems for almost all genres and so that you would not want to buy a subwoofer later. Room 40 square meters. Ceilings are 3m high. A rectangular room, closed, not overexposed, I would say - an ordinary room. Signal sources include an Apple Mac Air connected to an M2Tech Young DSD DAC, a Cary Audio 500 CD player, two amplifiers: Accustic Arts Power ES and Sim Audio Moon 340i. First they connected it to Moon, then to Acoustic Arts. The difference is not significant, in my opinion.. Cable – TelluriumQ black II. For the test we used highrez - compositions by jazz performers, classic rock, some classics, Emma Chaplin, disco of the 80s; CDs were presented by such ensembles as Dimmu Borgir, AHAB, Helloween, Atrocity, My Dying Bride, UDO. We even connected the Music Hall 5.3se vinyl player once and listened to the Kreator – Endless Pain record, released in 1983. Germany. Now briefly about the acoustics themselves. Made very well in France. Non-parallel side panels made of high-density MDF, front and back panels trimmed with leather, tempered glass on top. The speaker cones are made of a half-millimeter layer of woven flax fibers, covered on both sides with thin layers of fiberglass. Tweeter made of aluminum-magnesium alloy, dome-concave. The bass reflex ports are one at the front, one at the bottom, directed towards the floor. The set includes aluminum stands with height-adjustable legs. The speakers had to be twisted a little in place, but in the end they took the optimal position for themselves, in which they turned out to be slightly turned towards each other. When listening, I immediately felt emotionality, openness, detail, the scene was depicted as ideal - all the musicians were in their places. There is a feeling of lightness and airiness, vocal parts are presented perfectly (this can be attributed to all Focals starting from the Aria line - for sure). The bass is collected, not loose. I didn’t want to finish listening at all. We started early in the morning and finished late in the evening with a short break to go get some cold drinks)). One can and should also note the complete absence of monitor sound, but on the contrary, a completely unobtrusive coloration throughout the entire range, which in the end we really liked. The heavyweight played dynamically, with a fast and tight chest serve. Disco recordings that have certain defects in the recording did not demonstrate these same defects at all. Emma Chaplin sang and poured balm on the soul with her unsurpassed performance. Misa Criolla – Kyrie performed by Jose Carreras sounded like I had never heard anywhere before. The choral performance was also very pleasing. We were pleased to listen to the Cathedral Children's Choir from Sweden. Conclusion: wonderful acoustics from France in a beautiful stylish design, suitable for most genres and trends in music. Currently in our showroom we present Focal Aria 936 in white piano lacquer. If you have the opportunity and time, I highly recommend coming to us and getting acquainted with these wonderful acoustic systems. Some more minor clarifications. Connecting the speaker cable - single wire. The 936th model has bass reflex ports - two forward and one down. The price for models in varnish is higher.