• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Focal Solo6 Be Review (Studio Monitor)

Wes

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Dec 5, 2019
Messages
3,843
Likes
3,788
I was sufficiently interested to look up the size - 13" high; 24 lbs.

... but I don't see any pics of them with a grill?
 

dfuller

Major Contributor
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
3,335
Likes
5,050
I was sufficiently interested to look up the size - 13" high; 24 lbs.

... but I don't see any pics of them with a grill?
The newer ones have a tweeter grille to protect it from damage - they're very thin beryllium foil and don't take kindly to any kind of impact. It's a pretty open grille all things considered so its comb filtering should be minimal.
1627928667784.png
 

Wes

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Dec 5, 2019
Messages
3,843
Likes
3,788
Nah - I want a nice pretty grill to cover up the drivers - like the old black cloth of my youth!
 
OP
amirm

amirm

Founder/Admin
Staff Member
CFO (Chief Fun Officer)
Joined
Feb 13, 2016
Messages
44,368
Likes
234,385
Location
Seattle Area

Ardrazzt

Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2020
Messages
20
Likes
16
I have these as my LCR for home theater. I did REW and found this curious bump in 5k at 3 meters in my MLP. The funny thing is that follows almost perfectly the reference setting in my Denon 8500. I did a 1 meter measurement and this roll off was not there in deed. If I use the flat setting in the denon at 3 meters is almost the 1 meter measurement.
I actually use the flat setting with Cinema EQ most of the time for movies and it's pleasing and reduces a bit the bump.
Also, I found out that this is one of the curves used by some professional Home thearter installers.

I'm very happy to know that the dip I have at 2K has a relative easy solution.

After all the great Genelecs reviews I was going to give a try to the 8341A or the 8351B because of the coaxial hype.
Now I'm wondering if it's really a x2.5 or 3.5x diference like their price... and if it's worth it at 3 meters distance at all. I may buy and test some to hear if there is a sustancial diference.
 

stevenswall

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Dec 10, 2019
Messages
1,366
Likes
1,075
Location
Orem, UT
After all the great Genelecs reviews I was going to give a try to the 8341A or the 8351B because of the coaxial hype.
Now I'm wondering if it's really a x2.5 or 3.5x difference like their price... and if it's worth it at 3 meters distance at all. I may buy and test some to hear if there is a substantial difference.

Coaxials aren't hype, but rather the natural progression to make speakers have better ceiling and floor reflections, time alignment, and lack of vertical lobeing.

For over a decade, concerns about doppler distortion, air gaps, diffraction, etc. have been addressed (by Genelec in their 8260 whitepaper.)

If you want something with a coaxial driver, you don't have to pay Genelec prices. Looks like the IN-8 V2 has a better in room response than this Focal, and it's $800 a pair instead of $3000. Not sure how the Twin6 Be compares, but I'd take the Kali's because of the very picky soundstage with the Twin6 which hopefully this doesn't have (besides vertically where you see two blue dots where the speaker response falls off a cliff if you're a bit above or below.)

On a related note: If I were using the Solo6 monitors in a studio, I'd want to physically remove all clients before ever touching the play button when they are standing behind me listening, otherwise I'd need them to sit in my lap. Seems like there is no reason NOT to have a coaxial driver, and Kali has clarified that even the air gap isn't an issue, just the small lip around the coaxial driver that causes a bit of a dip in the on axis response that goes away in room.

Anyone know why the Sopra costs more from a technical standpoint? This Solo6 seems like it's a better deal: Better connections, built in amps, active crossover vs passive, and similar drivers it looks like. Maybe the cabinet on the Sopra is what they mark up for?
 

Sancus

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Nov 30, 2018
Messages
2,923
Likes
7,616
Location
Canada
2-way "W" cone+a beryllium tweeter, obviously newer drivers and a nicer cabinet , but still look at that price

Comparing Focal's home audio pricing even to their own pro lineup, you really get the impression that they are fleecing audiophiles just because they can with their brand.
 

dfuller

Major Contributor
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
3,335
Likes
5,050
Comparing Focal's home audio pricing even to their own pro lineup, you really get the impression that they are fleecing audiophiles just because they can with their brand.
I mean, let's be honest - audiophiles are a lot easier to fleece than professionals (even though they're subject to the same biases).
 

Sancus

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Nov 30, 2018
Messages
2,923
Likes
7,616
Location
Canada
WTH?

I haven't seen anything bad from Erin.

There was a big argument in this thread last month. I'm pretty disappointed with the outcome as well. I don't think driving Erin away from this place is healthy at all. It's Amir's forum and I can't argue with the fact that his word goes, but I don't think it was justified. That said, I don't think this is the thread to heavily discuss this topic either.
 

YSC

Major Contributor
Joined
Dec 31, 2019
Messages
3,194
Likes
2,570
There was a big argument in this thread last month. I'm pretty disappointed with the outcome as well. I don't think driving Erin away from this place is healthy at all. It's Amir's forum and I can't argue with the fact that his word goes, but I don't think it was justified. That said, I don't think this is the thread to heavily discuss this topic either.
It’s kind of sad to see another objective based reviewer turned other side and have to depart here
 

RoA

Active Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2021
Messages
125
Likes
65
Comparing Focal's home audio pricing even to their own pro lineup, you really get the impression that they are fleecing audiophiles just because they can with their brand.

Do they? Imho you get a piece of art compared to a pretty ugly box
 

Frgirard

Major Contributor
Joined
Apr 2, 2021
Messages
1,737
Likes
1,040
A piece of art ? :facepalm:

Focal does not steal from audiophiles. The Aria range is excellent value for money. The golden ears consider the price to be a sign of the audio quality of the product. The higher the import taxes, the more the quality of the product increases !
In asian market, if you do not produce speaker with luxurious finish, you do not sell.

the big issue with focal as numerous brands, it's the availability of hp over time.
 

Sancus

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Nov 30, 2018
Messages
2,923
Likes
7,616
Location
Canada
Focal does not steal from audiophiles. The Aria range is excellent value for money.

I don't really agree, no. The Aria 906 for example are ~$2000 USD, that's same price as the Kef R3 which are 3-ways, can most likely handle more power, etc. Both measure pretty well otherwise. So, high value? No, not really. Not as egregious as some of the higher end stuff, certainly.

As far as them being art... um okay. They look good, but their cabinet work is not as good as say, Salk's, and I can't really get excited about the chunky-segmented look of their higher end stuff. I think Kef's industrial design is better as well.

Anyways, I know they have very strong brand recognition. If you like 'em buy 'em, it's your money and there are definitely far worse choices out there.
 

VintageFlanker

Major Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Sep 20, 2018
Messages
4,940
Likes
19,691
Location
Paris
2-way "W" cone+a beryllium tweeter, obviously newer drivers and a nicer cabinet , but still look at that price
This measures pretty good, BTW.
A piece of art ? :facepalm:
I'm sorry Sopra line kinda is... (And yes, I would pay 7K€ for Sopra N°1)
I know a cabinet maker who worked for Focal and used to make Sopra cabinets. That wasn't an easy task at all. They do everything (cabinet, filter, driver) in house for these lines. This do have a cost, then you have to pay French employees and French taxes. Calling these overpriced when you can see Made in China speakers at the same price and above that worse performers, is a joke.
The Aria 906 for example are ~$2000 USD

Is there any chance on this forum that people consider not everybody is living in the US ? 2K for 906s is widely overestimated. I (and many) got a pair for 440€. Some paid 410€. You will get them for about 500 to 800€ anywhere in EU and even in US, Amazon.com did sell these at 999$ for a while.

So no, they don't compete with R3s, costing 3 times the price in many countries. Or in fact, they do, since I subjectively prefered 906s to R3s.;)
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom