The black trace above 300Hz shows the Focal's farfield response, averaged across a 30 horizontal window centered on the tweeter axis. Other stands were tried, but none fared as well as the stands from FOCAL. Manufacturing is quite complex, and takes about 30 minutes per driver. Vocals, male and female, were open and relaxed, but generally on the lighter side tonally. The new Focal Chora 826-D Atmos floorstanding speaker, announced at CES 2020, aims to give you an experience as close to the latter as possible for around 1699 per pair. ", "The Thaxton is amazing! All rights reserved. Speakers: Revel F206, C208, S16; Rythmik FV18 Electronics: Anthem MRX720; Buckeye NC502 amp; NUC w/Roon ROCK; Nvidia Shield; Oppo BDP-93 That way, I could listen to the speaker in a full surround system with four height channels and thus fully test its capabilities. 200Hz), while the CSD waterfall [Graph 2, below] reveals a few treble resonances. Focal Chorus 836W Loudspeakers Reviewed - HomeTheaterReview Nevertheless, after the initial setup, I did all of my listening with the grilles off. The benefit of this suspension, claims the company, is that it makes it possible to reduce distortion by a factor of three to around 2.5kHz where the human ear is at its most sensitive, but the 28kHz frequency ceiling is impressive, too. As Robert Deutsch preferred the Chorus 826W with its grille removed, that's how I measured it, though I left the wire mesh in front of the tweeter in place. There is also a current-hungry combination of 3.83 ohms magnitude and 53 electrical phase angle at 94Hz, a frequency where music can have high energy levels. We design and install world-class experiences for every space. The sound is full and balanced thanks to the speaker drivers equipped with the Slatefiber cone. There are two ports: one downward-firing, and one front-firing, "for bass impact." The middle part is covered with a densely woven fabric, the frame of which is fixed with magnets. The last is associated with a vibrational resonance at 426Hz that I could detect on all the cabinet surfaces but that was particularly strong on the sidewall adjacent to the midrange unit (fig.2). As a magazine dedicated to the interests of a broad spectrum of audiophiles, Stereophile has an obligation to examine equipment that covers the entire price range, from the entry level to the extreme high end. Weight: 21kg During Rutters Requiem my attention turned to the resolution of the Turtle Creek Choralethe individuation of voices and the ability of the Chora 806 to distinguish volume gradients and tiny dynamic swings. The compact Chora 806 standmount costs just 599, the petite 816 floorstander is 1099 and the not-inconsiderably proportioned Chora 826 reviewed here is 1299. Product: Focal Chora 826 We started the tests with the exciting sci-fi film After Earth, which was screened in 2013 starring Will Smith. Just getting back into 2-channel audio and today was my first visit to an audio shop in decades. The Chora hit these notes spot on with no bloat or port overhang. Matters Of Style The same thing was true of the two ports. The speaker's cumulative spectral-decay plot (fig.7) is dominated by the tweeter's ultrasonic resonance but is otherwise respectably clean in the treble and upper midrange. Time Alignment and a tilted stand focuses the sound image on the listener for full, generous sound. On the midrange driver, it is shaped to put the squeeze on interference and so reduce distortion, but on the bass drivers caps are flattened to enhance cone rigidity and improve definition and impact at the bottom end. - I was told that Focal is increasing their prices by 15-20% come the first of the year. ), FOCAL-NAIM AMERICA The Chora 826 speakers reproduced very beautiful, realistic, detailed and accurate sounds, we could hear full, intense basses, the sound filled the space. From a Canadian indie band known for dreamy pop sounds that tackle love and relationships, a song that highlights their musicianship. Its main advantage, apart from its low directivity, lies in its use of a small diameter coil (think faster and lightweight) directly affixed to the crest of a rigid metal dome. The second difference between the 826V and the 826W is cosmetic: the finish of the 826W is to a higher standard, with optional red or white sides available only for the 826W. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The Chora 826 works best in rooms measuring over 323 sq/ft. Weight: 16.2 lbs. Available in 3 finishes, the light wood housing has a beige front, the walnut received a blue front panel, and the black has a black lacquer front design. Complete System Review! Total System $5475! Featuring Focal Chora 826 As has become increasingly clear with my recent reviews of the B&W 603 and KLH Kendall, there are some things a well-designed and engineered three-way floorstander of a certain size can do that are simply beyond even the best standmounts or smaller floorstanders with fewer drivers. They are bass-reflex models, and feature Focals newly developed mid/bass driverstransducers that sport a unique, in-house-developed cone material. Weve been on a grand tour through the high-end stables of the FOCAL/Naim warehouse over the last three years. The notch at 41Hz in the woofers' output suggests that this is their tuning frequency, as suggested by the low-frequency saddle in the impedance graph at the same frequency. While my review period with the 806 was mostly focused around music, the 806 also worked spectacularly as a two-channel theater speaker, the tuning of which kept dialog in good measure. Currently I split my time between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Studio City, California with my wife Judi Dickerson, an acting, voice, and dialect coach, along with border collies Ivy and Alfie. Kim was really responsive to all questions and made the booking process seamlessly easy. The most prolific member of the Focal Chora series, with its exterior design, amazing sound and performance, clearly represents premium quality. The woofers roll off smoothly and cross over to the similarly sized midrange unit (green trace) between 200 and 300Hz. However the Opticon 6 keeps sticking in my head, its detailed seperation is just amazing. Piano reproduction was also very good. The Chora series features an exclusive Slatefiber cone for powerful bass and precise midranges and a TNF Aluminum/Magnesium tweeter for "silky treble". Its a continuing (and presumably never-ending) quest, but Focals track record thus far in bringing new materials and composites to market is impressive. After some very hard work we ended up finding the vocals too harsh in some moments. Again, the Focal remains coolly agnostic, effortlessly and enjoyably revealing the differing abilities of a Cambridge Audio CXA61 (see full review next month) and a Hegel H90 (HFC 427), despite their nominally identical 2x 60W power outputs which, even in the larger room, proves more than enough to drive the sensitive 826 (rated at 91dB) to very healthy levels. Of the album Song From The Big Chair, The Working Hour. From Belgian-Caribbean artist Charlotte Adigry and collaborator/partner Bolis Pupul a song to get the FOCAL Chora 806 woofers flexing at their best. Chora 826-D is a loudspeaker equipped with a specific speaker driver that reproduces Dolby Atmos effects: for ultra-realistic 3D soundtracks and total immersion in the films you watch. This is followed by a lazier up/down pulse that is the output of the midrange unit, also connected in positive acoustic polarity. I spent many months looking for what I wanted at up to nearly 3 times the price and these were a runaway best buy. Chora 826 - Bass-reflex loudspeaker - Focal | Focal The new Chora line includes the, Bass response was more than respectable for a compact, descending cleanly into the 50-60Hz midbass region and rolling off fairly swiftly from there. I absolutely concur that these are a great example of trickle down technology and would embarrass many more expensive bookshelf speakers. I prefer, when possible, to buy local, and I'd like to give this place my business since they spent a lot of time with me today. Log In. The Chorus 826W 30th Anniversary is a floorstanding three-way design featuring a 1" aluminum-magnesium inverted-dome tweeter, a 6.5" cone midrange, and two 6.5" cone bass drivers. For the most part there were no obvious colorations, though on occasion the enclosure hinted at a slight hollownessa sense, at times, of images not able to fully escape the cabinet. The same applies equally to Van Morrisons latest album, Dark Night Of The Soul, which sounds gloriously rich and unprocessed, Van the mans voice in fine, growly fettle. The Chora range also introduces the company's new 'Slatefiber' cone material, which is claimed to be light, stiff and well damped all at the same time. The brand new membrane type, an innovation over previous Focal models, is the so-called Slatefiber membrane, made of slate-effect, nonwoven carbon fibers and thermoplastic polymer, which in turn provides greater rigidity, resulting in a more natural sound. Right now the FOCAL Chora 806 speakers and 806 Stands are on are on promotion at 20% off. ), There are the expected discontinuities in the impedance traces above the audioband, these associated with the metal-dome tweeter's resonant modes. Would the same be said for me when confronting the entry-level priced offering? Each of these four drivers is inset neatly into the front baffle, with concealed mountings. Total System $5475! The distinctive graphite shading of the Slatefiber diaphragms is also a cool conversation starter. Along those lines, there was also a rewardingly tactile presentation of drum kits, a sensation of sticks striking the drum head and of the reverberant bounce and action of the skin. Diffusers and sound-absorbing panels have been recommended for the walls and ceiling, and thick, densely woven curtains in front of the rather large windows and patio door. Due to the lack of furniture and a lot of bare glass and wall surfaces, there was a lot of reflections damaging sound quality, so we advised the owner to perform an acoustic treatment of the room as soon as possible. Our group got into the spirit with full '20's dress! If it doesnt work, you can always hit him with it.. Focal Chora 826 Three-Way Floorstanding Loudspeaker (Single . The track Ballad of the Runaway Horse from Jennifer Warnes Famous Blue Raincoat album has a strong repetitive bass line that I usually listen to when attempting to take the measure of a loudspeakers low-end performance. What did people search for similar to nightlife near Maplewood, MO? The answer came to me when I saw an ad inof all places!Stereophile. Vocals here are over-processed but in a likeable way for the genre, and likely also given a boost in the 1200Hz region by the 806s crossover tuning. Technics Premium Class C600 System | REVIEW, Acoustic Sounds Behind The Scenes | Documentary, Cake Audio, another local Southern California dealer, was showing the perennially popular Alsyvox (website)Botticceli speakers in a room Im convinced was designed to double as a sensory deprivation chamber. Focal Chorus 826W 30th Anniversary Edition - Stereophile.com Description and Design Songbird Alison Krauss, whose voice brims with as much purity as any Ive heard in popular music, gained a hint of sparkle and sibilance during her Youre Just a Country Boy. Overall, I concluded that, although there was a slight treble lift, it was a minor, non-fatiguing artifact that didnt detract from the balanced way in which the 806 went about the serious business of making music. These speakers are characterised by Read more, Testing The KEF Q350 Speakers The KEF Q350 speakers offer impressive sound and stylish looks at a competitive price. 'High perceived value' from a 'sleek, modern design' is how the company's product sheet describes it. However, these EQ programs are really great and useful for fine tuning and sound enhancement. No matter which finish combination you opt for, the Chora 826 features a one-inch aluminum/magnesium inverted-dome tweeter (with a perforated protective cover), a 6.5-inch Slatefiber midrange. (866) 271-5689, Associated Equipment Why Do Aftermarket Car Stereos Sound Better? The Focal Chora 826 befits rooms of at least 20-25 square meters, but if you are looking for speakers for a smaller room, we would recommend the smaller siblings of Chora. Informed by over 40 years of acoustic research, Focal Audio is known for its meticulous craftsmanship utilizing some of the best materials in the world. Chora is the successor to Focals lauded Chorus line that included models like the Chorus 705, which garnered more than its share of praise and was repeatedly selected for TAS Editors Choice award. Website. Sign up to receive exclusive offers and recommendations from our experts! This special FOCAL Slatefiber mid-woofer features a composite cone comprised of recycled non-woven carbon fibres and thermoplastic polymerFOCAL is the first brand in the audio field to use recycled carbon fibers in its speaker drivers. What are some highly rated nightlife near Maplewood, MO? Equipped with the exclusive Slatefiber cone developed and manufactured at the Focal site in France, the speaker drivers deliver balanced and precise midranges and perfectly articulated bass; leaving you to enjoy a big, full and generous sound. Yes. The music is more articulate, however I do miss the "warm?" and lower ( beefy? ) Setup What are the best nightlife spots for dancing? I was introduced to Harry Pearson in the early 70s by a mutual friend. Normally, I steer clear of screw-on plastic plinths as, while undoubtedly increasing the stability of the loudspeakers to which theyre attached should a Great Dane or over excited toddler rugby tackle them, I find they usually inflict some harm on the sound. At the other extreme, when the 806 was pushed to higher volumes, as in the middle portion of the Manhattan Jazz Quintets cover of Autumn Leaves, the high-octane trumpet solo began to lose its luster and a hint of dryness accompanied some of the players bigger blasts. The TNF tweeter, set in a shallow waveguide, is unusual, too. This album is one of my favourite references because I know its so evenly developed and meticulously thought over. Bass response was more than respectable for a compact, descending cleanly into the 50-60Hz midbass region and rolling off fairly swiftly from there. Jessy Caron (guitar, bass) has a way of recording a more papery sound from his bass guitar than most other artistswhich is why I chose this song, to highlight what might present an annoyance with some speaker tunings. Begin typing your search above and press return to search. I grew up Los Angeles in a house where music was constantly playing on the stereo (Altecs, if youre interested). I found this loudspeaker extremely easy to set up, aside from the hassle of wrestling it out of the big packing carton in which it arrived; indeed the instruction manual stipulates that it's a two-man lift. There are zero audible downsides." . Focal Chora 826 Three-Way Floorstanding Loudspeaker Reviewed Any experimentation that does take place is confined to discovering whether the tall and slightly tilted-back Chora prefers my small or large listening room (surprisingly, it works equally well in both without the need to be pulled especially far away from boundaries), and how it fares with a selection of classy integrated amps. Having said that, the cabinet here can certainly show some rivals at this price point a clean pair of heels when it comes to its perceived sturdiness. Focal Chora 826 Loudspeaker Lab Report | Hi-Fi News Best Nightlife in Maplewood, MO 63143 - Pop's Blue Moon, Foley's, Fox & Hounds Tavern, The Cue, The Lobby Lounge, Bar Napoli, Saratoga Lanes, Sasha's, Louie's Wine Dive & Clayton Kitchen, Focal Point If accomplished, thats quite some prospect. Assembling and setting up was fairly simple, we were able to attach the docks to the speaker very quickly and easily. Unlike the sprawling Chorus range it supplants, the Chora family for now has just three members, all solidly constructed bass-reflex designs. It was on the back cover of the magazine, with a picture and description of the Focal Chorus 826W 30th Anniversary Edition. Like its stablemates, the Chora 826 comes in a choice of what the company perhaps somewhat pretentiously calls 'on-trend colours', which encompass black, light wood and dark wood finishes. Low-level resolving power, dynamic gradients, shadings, timbral color and contrasts. The suspension between the dome and its bracket uses Poron, a fine pitch open cell urethane foam produced by the Rogers Corporation. The banana cork caps are pretty hard to remove, they fit so tightly. Yes, this is an affordable loudspeaker at under $1K a pair, but the seams of this review samples faux dark wood veneer did impress, and the splash of slate blue on the front fascia did well to add aesthetic drama to what is, without doubt, an almost mid-century modern inspired design. Highly recommended. Video series index:Focal Chora 826-D Floorstanding SpeakersFocal Chora 826-D Floorstanding SpeakersFocal Chora 806 Bookshelf SpeakersFocal Chora Center Channel SpeakerFocal Chora Surround Speakers, Chora 806 Bookshelf Speakers with Sub 1000 F High Power Subwoofer (Black). If anything, its even more apparent with the Chora 826. Focal Chora 826 Loudspeaker | Hi-Fi News Removing the banana cork caps was quite problematic, but really thats what we did struggle with, no major flows while testing the Chora 826. We got a realistic stage picture, we could hear clear, accurate, dynamic sound, and we were lucky with an extremely intense, muscular bass range. - Is the Focal 826 really optimized for music, or is it a home theater-focused speaker? These speakers require space, so we recommend to place them in relatively larger rooms. We found that the distance between the two speakers should be matter of precise calculations as the sound can be distorted if we put them too close to each other, as well as if they are too close to the listening position. The Absolute Sound is the worlds preeminent source of expert reviews, features, and commentary on high-performance audio and music.
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