Nowadays, its perhaps best known for its high-end products with eye-searing price tags.
Launched in September, theChora linereplaces Focals Chorus family as the companys most affordable speakers.
This wasnt a simple refresh: its an all-new design, including a fancy Slatefiber woofer.
This new material is comprised of non-woven, recycled carbon fibers embedded in a thermoplastic polymer.
Translation: it sounds better.
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It provides a certain peace of mind.
Its a similar story for Focals drivers.
The company claims the net effect is higher sensitivity, improved dynamics, and lower distortion than competitors.
While the Choras sharp edges and faux-wood veneer wrapping do betray its price point, I dig the look.
For $1,000 its one classy-looking speaker.
Play some music through the Chora and thoughts of price point disappear: these are good-sounding speakers, period.
As with every Focal product Ive tried headphones and speakers alike the Choras dynamics immediately stood out.
Timbre and tonality were impressively neutral; vocals that struck me as particularly well-rendered.
No one will mistake these for sounding soft, overly warm, or laid-back.
Ive previously felt some Focal products have a smaller soundstage, but not so with the Chora.
Focal rates the Chora 806 as extending down to 49Hz(-6dB).
Throughout my testing period, I felt the Chora punched above its price class.
Again, a subwoofer is your friend.
Luckily, the measurements seem to largely back up what Ive been hearing.
Its not perfect, but it should be fairly representative of the speakers performance.
First, lets take a look at the speakers horizontal frequency response.
There is a slight downward trend, but this feels like balanced by the off-axis sound.
That happens around 3,000 Hz on the Chora, yet no dip is apparent.
It also means music should sound good even if youre not sitting in the exact sweet spot.
For comparison, check out my measurements of theKEF R3.
That typically means a narrower soundstage and sweet spot, although the image might appear more focused.
I generally prefer a more expansive soundstage, but your mileage may vary.
Unfortunately, the Chora is less impressive in the vertical plane.
I did not find this dip to be particularly audible.
But those relatively common issues aside, theres very little not to like about the Chora.
Its beautifully designed, feels well built, and comes from a reputable company.
This post includes affiliate links to products that you might buy online.
If youd like to support us, you canpurchase the Focal Chora 806 for $1,000here.
