A Review of The Focal Aria 906 Speakers

[@generationbehindhifi]

Get the Focal Aria 906 for up to 50% off at the below links: Focal Aria 906 in dark walnut (these are the ones I have): amzn.to/46frs2b Focal Aria 906 in prime walnet: amzn.to/3sW9Jyy Focal Aria 906 in gloss black: amzn.to/3t1B5Dt Focal matching stands: amzn.to/48nqS4C Dayton Audio DATs V3: amzn.to/3ZlG8L0 Speaker Switcher: amzn.to/3FEcGXs

[@gottrekk5798]

Fix your room acoustics before you start comparing speakers.

[@generationbehindhifi]

I can't compare speakers now? Some of these comments are just ludicrous. LOL! Yes, I do plan on addressing the acoustics at some point.

[@gottrekk5798]

@@generationbehindhifi room treatment has a huge impact on the sound quality. Carpet on the floor, few acoustic panels on walls including behind speakers area can significantly improve the sound, especially when it comes to brightness.

[@generationbehindhifi]

@@gottrekk5798 I'm well aware of the benefits of room treatment. It isn't like one speaker is being tested in a treated environment and the other is not, both are being reviewed under the same listening conditions. One day I will add some, but to suggest I can't review speakers because I don't have it is where you lose me.

[@DJSoulbrother]

Yeah hehe, I have these focals and they gorgeous BUT took forever to burn in and the bass comes out when they do, in other words this brightness some hear isn't as apparent then. But I also literally have mine as a listening set in an actual studio. You are hearing the room more when it's not treated :)

[@andrewganley9016]

Def not worth 2k plus have had these since new cost (GBP) 700 canget them for alot less here in the UK great 'speaker though

[@Pierronimo8764]

In France they are dirt cheap. I paid mine 650 for both. + 300 for both Focal stands. Which makes the 2 Aria 906 + their 2 stands for LESS than 1000 bucks. I'm really happy with them tho. They sound better than KEF LS 50 wireless (3k speakers)

[@generationbehindhifi]

That's a very good price! Unfortunately here in the US we don't have access to those types of deals.

[@DirectX3]

Just like the Mercedes in Germany 😂

[@budsmoker4201120]

For me it is them cashing in on their name. Selling to people that want the name brand.

[@kaminobatto]

I had the same deal you mentioned here on the Aria 906 and did an extensive listening session at an audio shop in my city. I agree with your comment on their brightness. Having a Focal Chora 826 floor standing speakers, I find that they share that same brightness in high frequencies. In most cases I like how they sound even with that extra touch of brightness; however, they can become a bit fatiguing with cassette playback, not so much with percussion but more so with vocals when the letter "s" comes up. If the sound wave coming out of them had a blade, it would chop your head off with how sharp and pronounced it is! Still, I like the airiness they give to vocals in the majority of cases. I also found them to be flexible and tolerant with source materials. I tried a bunch of CDs on them from exceptional mixing and mastering to piss poor MP3 rips and they performed much better than I expected without the need to tweak anything. In my A/B testing, I was comparing these with a pair of Dali speakers (forgot the model) which were $800 more expensive. The Dalis sounded more neutral and natural in some cases, but mostly just sounded soft, laid back, and even dull to my ears in most scenarios; however, they clearly outperformed the Focals in almost 100% of all the rock and metal auditioning that I have done with more warmth and punch in lower frequencies. Ultimately, I had to choose one, and the Focals were it for me from an overall experience perspective.

[@stumied1588]

Funny, during the demo I'm inclined to say that the Focals sound warmer than the Kefs, eventhough you mentioned the brightness and more-present bass of the Kef.

[@generationbehindhifi]

No worries. We all hear different things, but I'm thinking my microphone might have something to do with this.

[@gg0297]

A pair of Arias, in my country, costs $950-ish. $2200 is Rubicon 2/Elysian 1/Revela 1 etc. territory.

[@GarfieldZr]

They are 600 EUR in Europe. 936 are 1600 EUR, in USA are I think 4.000 USD.

[@leonsam12]

I owned the 906s and thought they were very neutral, but I do have Denon, and I guess that’s the reason

[@FranckLeroy]

Bought 549euros a pair (glossy white) in France with 5 years warranty, a good bargain.

[@mr.potatofries8094]

I’m so jealous they are so expensive here in Mexico I’m thinking of going to the US to pick up a pair they are half the price there. How do you like them?

[@FranckLeroy]

@@mr.potatofries8094 Very happy in a small room (20 to 40 m2) plus a subwoofer for low frequencies. Used in an Atmos configuration (7.1) with 4 Arias and 3 On Wall 301, movies sounds magic :-)

[@scottlowell493]

I had some and sold them. Peaks at 800 and 1800hz. Over ring. Deep midrange canyon. The cheap electrolytic tweeter cap saturates at medium loud volumes. . (even though I paid $1800 originally) There are several speakers at the $500-600 price point that are better and measure flatter. The focal are Overpriced garbage. I sold mine

[@generationbehindhifi]

I don't blame you. I would feel cheated and ripped off if I paid anything over $1000 for these. I had such a bad experience with these speakers that I'm afraid to try anything else from them. Focal is definitely the Porsche of HiFi, meaning the value proposition is low.

[@scottlowell493]

@@generationbehindhifi under engineered and designed to impress snobs with deeper pockets than listening skill. I heard the flaws. They are mid fi in my book.

[@scottlowell493]

@@generationbehindhifi You give these too much credit. There are a few $500-ish per pair speakers That measure and sound smoother than these. By the time you get into the $750+. range, there are plenty of speakers that do everything better than these. So, in my experience, these should be no more than $450 a pair. They have too many flaws to cost more.

[@fertanollume4658]

And with what garbage did you replaced them with ? Chinese toy speakers at 500$ a pair ?

[@hanniballecter388]

@@generationbehindhifi auch der Porsche lässt mal nach. War am überlegen mir Focal zu kaufen, aber ich glaube ich bin mit meinen ATL 706 pro besser bedient ! 😁

[@BobbyBass-x6i]

Thanks for the video. Appreciate that you show the construction and components of speakers in addition to your personal listening impressions. Please keep them coming! What are the specifics on the speaker comparison component you used? I Have been looking For something to use in my setup.

[@generationbehindhifi]

Thanks! Glad to hear you like the video. I left a link in the description to the speaker comparison tool that I'm using. It's just a simple switch with a switch on it. I really like it because it's passive and easy to use.

[@hanniballecter388]

How do they compare to the vocal Corus 906 ?

[@generationbehindhifi]

No idea. This is the only pair of Focal speakers that I have ever bought. I felt cheated with the Aria 906 and I'm too scared to try something else from them unless their willing to send me a pair for review.

[@hanniballecter388]

@@generationbehindhifi wollte mir erst die 706 Chorus kaufen von Focal. Ich glaube die ist besser als die Aria obwohl älter und billiger. Habe mich aber heute umentschieden und mir die ELAC DEBUT B6.2 gekauft, 250,00 Euro neu fürs Schlafzimmer. Paarpreis ! Habe dort schon ATL 706 Pro aber wollte mal etwas anderes ausprobieren. Sehr positiv was ich gelesen habe über die Box. Ich hatte früher auch schon Elac und auch einen Center und Sub. Die Focal hätte ich für 640,00 Euro als Auslaufmodell bekommen können, Ich glaube die Elac ist nicht schlechter ! :-)

[@richardzedman1160]

Just shows you how we all get ripped off your paying for famous name more thyan speakers

[@Adrianek81]

Why all speakers cost more in US than Europe,sometimes almost double the price,its crazy😱😱😱

[@Kamakazi1122]

Great video, you earned a new subscriber 👍

[@generationbehindhifi]

Thanks! Its much appreciated.

[@sc0or]

When I have yo pay $30 for a $20 compact cassette to dispatch it from the US to EU I ask the same question. A pandemic is over, but greediness of the US logistic services remains the same. So, that’s why I purchased 906 for €950, and you - for $2200 ;)

[@generationbehindhifi]

You lost me in that logic, but hey... whatever you say! :)

[@BoRerunn]

I own a pair of 705 & 707 B&W and they sound so loud & clear. You should reorder

[@Aderas82]

Picked mine up in 2020 for $899 a pair.

[@everything777]

The 936 is about 2000usd in the UK

[@budsmoker4201120]

I heard these next to the SVS Ultra Evolution and SVS wiped the floor with them. IMO

[@generationbehindhifi]

I'm not surprised by your assessment at all. The Ultra Evolutions are a phenomenal speaker for the money. IMO SVS hit a home run with them.

[@budsmoker4201120]

@@generationbehindhifi I agree I have had my black oak veneer pair for a week now and I love them. I listened to alot of bookshelfs up to my price point of $3000 over about 3months and I put about 4 hours of listening to them over a couple of days before I pulled the trigger and bought them. I could not be more happy. For the money I heard nothing like them at least sub 3000 grand. Note: of what I have heard so far.......... but for the price. The hit a grandslam.

[@RdandTrk1]

Loved the video. I see you're rocking that JBL Sub 550, nice.

[@generationbehindhifi]

I love that thing now that it has a CSS SDX10 driver in it. It's almost like the cabinet was made specifically for this driver. That's how good it is! :)

[@danfisher6154]

It's about time that any grown up audio reviewer who respects themselves and their partner stop using WAF

[@generationbehindhifi]

One thing I have learned about the internet is that you can't please everyone. No matter what you do or say regardless of how innocent, someone out there will always be offended.

[@onionknight9431]

Grown up audiophiles shouldn't have to worry about waf. If you're partner respects you, they would respect your hobby.

[@MichaelLivingston-me]

I've heard those Focals. They're too bright in my experience with them.

[@jC-kc4si]

Are these made in France?

[@generationbehindhifi]

Yes. They are made in France.

[@gregmatula9749]

The focal sounds bright even on my phone. Similar to the lower end b&w.

[@fertanollume4658]

Change your phone. Your phone problems have nothing to do with Focal

[@Pete.across.the.street]

You're paying for the name and overhead

[@generationbehindhifi]

Sadly, you're probably right. I had heard there was a time when Focal offered some great products at fair prices, but I think those days are over.

[@alanrichey5745]

I think you're probably right. I bought mine for $1000 and am generally happy with them but I'm using them with an AVR that has room correction software which really helps. I'm thinking about upgrading the crossoves in them but am considering selling them and looking for something better. Disappointing that they're not built better. @@generationbehindhifi