Blog

Oct 31, 2024

Focal’s Aria Evo X Loudspeakers: Overview & First Listen

Focal Aria Evo X Focal’s new Aria Evo X loudspeakers include five models: N°1, N°2, N°3, N°4, and a center channel. Our demo at FAE 2024 reveled them to have near Kanta level performance at about half

Focal Aria Evo X

Focal’s new Aria Evo X loudspeakers include five models: N°1, N°2, N°3, N°4, and a center channel. Our demo at FAE 2024 reveled them to have near Kanta level performance at about half the price.

Buy Now

Thank you for supporting Audioholics by purchasing from our Affiliates.

AtCES 2024, Focal introduced the all-new Aria Evo X loudspeakers, which representan evolution of the brand’s Aria 900 range. The Aria 900 line has remained apopular choice for Focal’s value-oriented customers since the launch of therange in 2013. The Aria’s decade of success also included the introduction ofthe excellent, limited-edition Aria K2 936floorstander in 2020, and the Aria K2 906bookshelf speaker, along with the matching center-channel speaker, in 2021.While the Aria K2 models were a fair bit more expensive than their Aria 900counterparts, the new Aria Evo Xspeakers keep prices within striking distance of the originals while addingsignificant technological enhancements and new styling options.

Suitedfor both two-channel listening and home theater, the Aria Evo X line includes five models. Focalcalls the Aria Evo X N°1($2,398/pair) a “compact bookshelf” speaker, but at over 15 inches tall, I’dcall it a stand-mount of respectable size. There are three floorstandingspeakers: the N°2($4,798/pair), N°3($5,198/pair), and N°4($5,998/pair). Finally, the Aria Evo X Center ($999 each) rounds out theoffering. The names of these models more closely follow the naming conventionestablished by other current Focal speaker lines (such as Sopra),ensuring consistency across the various ranges, and making it easier forcustomers to compare them. The Aria Evo Xline is all about providing high-fidelity audio while keeping prices asaccessible as possible to a wider audience of music-lovers. The line thereforepromises high value in relation to the performance it delivers, while offering“sensational listening pleasure with the brand’s signature immersive experience,”according to Focal.

Focalis known for developing its drivers and their foundational technologiesin-house, so it should be no surprise that the Aria Evo X boasts a number of technologicalinnovations that are exclusive to the brand. All speakers in the lineup use thelatest generation of Focal’saluminum/magnesium M-shaped inverted dome tweeter, which the company calls theTAM tweeter. The M-shaped dome is a Focal innovation, which we’ve also seen put to work inthe company’s superb headphones, including the Utopia,Stellia,and Clear Mg.The M-shaped tweeter in the Aria Evo Xspeakers “reproduces the treble more faithfully by going further into the highand low ends of the spectrum,” according to Focal. Indeed, the tweeterreportedly plays up to 30kHz. The tweeter also features a rear sound chamberthat limits interference caused by back waves, further increasing itsprecision. Focal says that the TAM tweeter “offers a wide diffusion angle andgreater definition of sound, without directionality, (delivering) flawlessharmonic balance and detailed treble of impressive finesse and clarity.”

Thetweeter isn’t the only driver in the Aria Evo X series to feature Focal’s sonicsecret sauce. The midrange drivers on the floorstanders all feature surroundsequipped with TMD (Tuned Mass Damper). This patented technology relies on circular “beads” that are molded into the massof the surround. These beads are “judiciously sized and positioned” tostabilize how the surround behaves, helping to avoid deformation of the coneand any negative impact on dynamics, according to Focal. The aim is to reduce distortion and deliver perfectlybalanced dynamics. The TMD surround with harmonic damper achieves this byeliminating unwanted vibrations, thus enhancing the quality of the midrange,according to the company. Meanwhile, the woofers in the Aria Evo X featurerevamped magnets designed to deliver more impact in the bass. The crossovershave also been reworked with better components to improve loudspeaker balance,according to Focal.

Masteringthe midrange is dependent on the surround that lies between the solid frame ofthe speaker driver and the mobile cone. Thanks to the expertise of ouracoustical engineers, we have found the answer in TMD (Tuned Mass Damper)technology.

—Focal

Firstunveiled with the Aria 900 line in 2013, Focal’s unique Flax cones are made from French flax fiber andused across the new line’s woofersand midrange drivers. Undeniably cool-looking, and unlike any driver you’llfind on any other loudspeaker brand, the Flax cones “produce a very naturalsound, free of coloration, while boasting rich midrange reproduction and clearbass strokes… offer(ing) an immersive and dynamic listening experience,reproducing vocals with exquisite clarity and definition,” according to Focal.These patented drivers are manufactured in-house, at Focal’s production sitein Saint-Étienne, located in France’s Auvergne region — one of the premier researchareas in the country. (Focal tells us that France is also Europe’s main cultivator of fiber flax, principally inFlanders, Picardy, Normandy, and the Pas-de-Calais region.) The Flax cone is amultilayer design, in which flax fibers are sandwiched between two sheets of glass fiber.The result is reportedly lightweight for good dynamics, and rigid to supportstrong, clean bass. It’salso self-dampening,to deliver a “neutral and natural sound, without coloration,” according toFocal.

Thecompany culture at Focal isn’t just about engineering chops, however. Thebrand’s French style is just as important. That’s where the new Moss Green HighGloss finish comes in. Its deep shade of green and glossy varnish coatingcertainly look fresh to me, lending a “bright and modern appearance” to thespeakers, as Focal would put it. Other finish options include Black High Glossand Prime Walnut, all combined with leather-effect front panels.

This2-way bookshelf loudspeaker features a 6.5-inch mid-woofer along with theM-shaped inverted dome TAM tweeter. It has a frequency response (+/-3dB) of 55Hz– 30kHz, with usable bass down to 47Hz (-6dB). With a sensitivity of 89.5dB anda nominal impedance of 8Ω, the Aria Evo X N°1shouldn’t be too taxing to drive, though its impedance does dip down to aminimum point of 4.6Ω.

Thissmallish 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker stands just under 41 inches tall, anduses two 6.5-inchwoofers and one 6.5-inchmidrange driver. Its frequency response (+/-3dB) is rated as 45Hz – 30kHz, with a -6dB point at 37Hz. With a sensitivityrating of 91.5dB and a nominal impedance of 8Ω, this looks like a very easyload for an amp, until you notice its minimal impedance spec of 2.9Ω.

Atjust over 45 inches tall, this 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker has room onits taller front baffle for a trio of 6.5-inch woofers, plus one 6.5-inchmidrange driver. It therefore digs a bit deeper, with a frequency response of 39Hz– 30kHz (+/-3dB). It’s down 6dB at 32Hz. Again, it boasts a usefully highsensitivity spec of 92dB, and a nominal impedance 8Ω, but its minimal impedanceis just 2.8Ω.

Thetop dog of this series, the N°4 isthe same height as the N°3, butit has a wider stance. More baffle width is needed to accommodate the pair of8-inch woofers beneath the 6.5-inch midrange driver. It reaches just a hairlower in the bass than its slimmer sibling, with a frequency response of 37Hz –30kHz (+/-3dB). It’s down 6dB at 31Hz. Sensitivity is rated at 92.5dB, andnominal impedanceis once again listed at 8Ω, despite a minimal impedance of just 2.5Ω. For allof these tower models, I’d reach for a truly beefy amp, like the Parasound JC 5 or McIntosh MC462.

Thiscenter-channel speaker uses a 2-way nested MTM design. The closer horizontalarrangement of the drivers should help to minimize lobing errors and improveoff-axis response, but still expect best sound within 20 degrees or so of thesweet spot. It uses two 6.5-inch mid-woofers, and has a frequency response(+/-3dB) of 57Hz – 30kHz. It’s down 6dB at 50Hz, but a good subwoofer or 2 (or4) will almost certainly be present in a home theater environment where thisspeaker would be deployed. The center speaker has a sensitivity rating of 91dB,a nominal impedance of 8Ω,and a minimal impedance of a more reasonable 4.3Ω.

We had the chance to demo the new Focal Aria Evo X N°4 at the 2024 Florida Audio Expo show. Even before the music began, we couldn't help but admire the meticulously crafted cabinets in a stunning green finish. This set the stage for a captivating hi-fi listening experience. As we played the track "Tremors" by SOHN, the Focals delivered a formidable bass rumble that was both tight and clean, while the vocals remained articulate and focused. The holographic imaging produced by the Evo X speakers transcended the confines of the small demo room. It felt as though the walls had vanished, leaving us immersed in audio bliss.

While I sat and listened to the Aria Evo X N°4, I couldn't help but notice how closely in sound quality they come to the Kanta N°2 at just half the cost. We are eager to conduct a formal review of these speakers later this year, as we believe they, along with the new SVS Ultra Evolution towers, will set the benchmark in the $5k/pair price category.

Allof the Focal Aria Evo X speakers should begin shipping in February 2024, fromauthorized Focal dealers like our friends at Dreamedia.

Moreinformation: Focal Aria Evo X

Focal’s new Aria Evo X loudspeakers include five models: N°1, N°2, N°3, N°4, and a center channel. Our demo at FAE 2024 reveled them to have near Kanta level performance at about half the price.

Buy Now

Thank you for supporting Audioholics by purchasing from our Affiliates.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.

Jacob is a music-lover and audiophile who enjoys convincing his friends to buy audio gear that they can't afford. He's also a freelance writer and editor based in Los Angeles.