Focal Chora 806 bookshelf speakers: A taste of high-end audio

The Chora’s beautiful build and styling is outmatched only by its sonic punch.

- THEO NICOLAKIS

French audio maker Focal is one of the most storied brands in high-end audio. The company’s products cover a wide range, including loudspeakers that cost upwards of $200,000, headphones, and automotive audio speakers. Focal’s Chora 806 pair of bookshelf speakers ($990) joins Focal’s latest speaker lineup, which looks to merge modern styling with some significantly more down-to-earth prices.

SUPERB FIT AND FINISH

The Chora 806 bookshelf speaker is a member of the Chora family, which includes two tower speaker models, a surround speaker, a center channel, and a subwoofer. The Chora line targets two-channel purists as well as audiophiles looking for full-blown home theater setups.

Unpacking the Chora 806, I couldn’t help but notice the solid build quality and styling. The Chora’s satin-finish woodgrain veneer is superb. The Chora 806 comes in three finishes to suit your tastes and decor: light wood (a maple-like look), dark wood (a walnut-like look), and black. My review sample came in dark wood. The baffle’s color varies with each veneer.