Loudspeaker manufacturers with a product lineup that runs from three to six figures are few and far between. Focal is one such example, however, and after a few years where the bulk of its new arrivals have been at the more premium end of the scale, the focus has shifted back to being affordable. The Chora series is the second tier of the company’s range and comprises two floorstanders and the 806 standmount you see here. It follows the basic pattern of Focal standmount speakers. It’s a relatively large, two-way design that’s front ported and single wired. While the formula hasn’t significantly changed, the ingredients have. The 25mm aluminium and magnesium tweeter has been seen before, but it now uses a surround made from a material called poron which has trickled down from the company’s more expensive models. This is intended to reduce distortion across the high sensitivity point of our hearing while simultaneously improving dispersion.
The 165mm mid/bass driver is all new. Like previous models from Focal, it makes use of composites in its construction. This time, the primary ingredient is unwoven carbon fibre, arranged in parallel – something the French company says further improves consistency – and then sandwiched between two layers of thermoplastic polymer. The resulting concoction has been dubbed Slatefiber because it looks like slate once the driver has been finished. The resulting driver is extremely light and stiff – qualities Focal has long placed great emphasis on.
Denne historien er fra Yearbook 2020-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
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Denne historien er fra Yearbook 2020-utgaven av Hi-Fi Choice.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Old boys network
As the lineups start to emerge for this summer's festivals, Nigel Williamson investigates where the problem lies for the continuing dearth of female headliners
DESTINATION: LEITH
Welcome to a friendly haven of Californian cool in the creative heart of a former Edinburgh port. Simon Berkovitch samples the sunshine on Leith
Core values
Apple’s revamped HomePod smart speaker off ers attractive sound quality, but its Apple-centric focus remains frustrating for Cliff Joseph
Forty something
Creek Audio is celebrating its big four-o with the release of the new 4040 A integrated. Nick Tate lights the candles and listens in
One for all
German high-ender AVM wants to make top all-in-one performers. David Vivian takes a listen to its all-singing integrated amp
Three for all
The 700 Series receives a helping of tech from the flagship 800 models. Ed Selley sees how the smallest speaker fares
All in one
DAP, DAC, amplifier and streaming device, is there anything A&K’s new Acro can’t do? Cliff Joseph finds out
Wooden wonder
Better known for its speakers, ELAC’s range of electronics now has a new flagship turntable. Ed Selley takes it for a spin
System matching
Why finding the perfect synergy between your chosen integrated amplifier and favourite speakers holds the key to maximising your system’s potential
Game on!
At times the hi-fi and gaming industries might seem like they’re worlds apart, but Cliff Joseph reckons they both share a love of high-quality sound