Focal Aria EVO X N°1 bookshelf speakers

The Focal Aria EVO X N°1 bookshelf speaker is true to the brand's DNA. It is the only monitor speaker and also the most affordable in the ARIA EVO X range, completed by three floor-standing speakers.

FOCAL ARIA EVO X N°1: DESIGN AND CONNECTION

This 2-way speaker is very elegant, and its appearance inspires quality and seriousness. It is constructed from ultra-rigid MDF, which generates very low vibrations and maintains maximum neutrality. The speaker can be placed directly on a piece of furniture or a console with a minimum height of 50 cm. Of course, the best choice will be to position it on dedicated stands, offered as an option by Focal: Stands for Focal Aria S900 speakers. The Focal Aria Evo X N°1 is available in elegant finishes (Black High, Prime Walnut and Moss Green High Gloss) combined with a leather-effect front panel for an original and refined aesthetic signature. On the back of the loudspeaker, a simple but high-quality terminal block allows connection of bare cables, banana plugs or forks. The drivers can be hidden (or not) behind the black Jersey cover supplied, which is attached by magnetic fasteners.

FOCAL ARIA EVO X N°1 : TWEETER

The shape and materials used for the diaphragms are essential for accurate, high-performance reproduction. Focal engineers have designed the TAM tweeter, consisting of an aluminium/magnesium inverted dome cone with an ‘M’ profile, which improves rigidity. The suspension linking the dome to its support uses a shape memory material. This suspension is derived directly from the famous Utopia Beryllium tweeter and reduces distortion by a factor of three between 2000 Hz and 3000 Hz. This area is particularly sensitive to the ear. This tweeter is combined with a decompression chamber that limits disturbance caused by back waves. The tweeter plate on these Focal Aria Evo X N°1 speakers is made of urethane. It features a waveguide that improves horizontal directivity and gives a better sound image.

FOCAL ARIA EVO X N°1 : LOUDSPEAKER

The midrange and bass frequencies are reproduced by a superb Flax membrane loudspeaker. A key element at the heart of Focal engineers' research, it required more than five years of research and development. This Flax cone is a sandwich made from very high quality French flax fibre placed between two thin sheets of fibreglass. It satisfies all the criteria of a top-of-the-range membrane: lightness to provide good dynamics, rigidity to hold the bass, and damping to deliver a neutral, natural sound without coloration. The suspension features TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) technology, which consists of the addition of finely positioned toroidal weights to stabilise the suspension for even greater sonic neutrality. This technology enhances the midrange and the erratic behaviour of the suspension between 1 kHz and 2 kHz. This driver is loaded with bass/reflex via a port on the front of the speaker.

FOCAL ARIA EVO X N°1: TESTING AND LISTENING

Focal recommends placing the Focal Aria EVO N°1 60/70 cm from the floor. Of course, they recommend their dedicated stands: the ARIA S900. It has to be said that the combination is effective, both acoustically and aesthetically. They are not extremely demanding in terms of amplification. A good source, an amplifier of around thirty watts and a good loudspeaker cable will suffice. From the very first measurements, we were surprised by the naturalness and spatialisation of the instruments. The soundstage is impressive compared to the size of the speakers! The sound reproduction is powerful, dynamic, articulate, nuanced and refined. The bass is, as always with Focal, a great success. It is fast and deep, with exemplary hold. The midrange is very neutral and informative. It lets all the information pass through perfectly without any projection or coloration. It offers remarkable presence and realism. It is elegantly combined with a precise, detailed and silky treble. The whole is very well balanced and the integration of the different registers is excellent. The Focal Aria Evo X N°1 is an undeniable success and is certainly one of the 2 best 2-way speakers in this price range.

A real favourite!