Floorstanding loudspeakers — Dynaudio Focus 30

The Focus 30 is the smaller active tower in the current Focus family from Dynaudio, a wireless streaming range introduced in 2022 that puts amplification, digital crossovers and network playback inside each speaker. It keeps a 90 cm cabinet close in size to the passive Evoke 30 but needs no separate amplifier or streamer.

Key specs that matter

A 28 mm Cerotar soft dome with Hexis sits above a 14 cm MSP midrange and a 14 cm MSP mid/woofer, arranged as a 2.5-way system whose DSP crossover works at 220 Hz and 2,400 Hz. Each driver gets its own class-D amplifier - 110 W for the tweeter and 280 W each for the two cones. Response is rated at 30 Hz to 22 kHz within plus or minus 3 dB at 85 dB, and 18 Hz to 36 kHz at the 6 dB points. Inputs comprise two analogue RCA pairs, one optical Toslink and one coaxial RCA, with an RCA subwoofer output and a trigger. Network playback runs over Wi-Fi or Ethernet with Roon, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qplay and UPnP, and Bluetooth 4.2 is also present. Mains input accepts 100 to 240 V, peak draw is 280 W and standby draw 2 W. The cabinet is 180 x 900 x 261 mm, or 268 x 947 x 342 mm with accessories, and weighs 16.2 kg.

Engineering and use context

The amplifier modules come from Pascal in Copenhagen, the supplier Dynaudio also uses in its professional Core studio monitors. Unlike the passive Dynaudio towers, the enclosure is sealed, and Dynaudio relies on the onboard power and DSP working together with that closed box to reach low bass. A custom high-pass filter rolls off the deepest bass at high playback levels to protect the cones from damage when the volume is high. The MSP cones use light aluminium voice-coils and a revised magnet system that allows more excursion, while the Cerotar motor pairs a strontium carbonate Ferrite+ magnet with an airflow-optimised layout for higher sensitivity. The two speakers talk to each other wirelessly over WiSA at up to 24-bit and 96 kHz, or by an RCA cable at up to 24-bit and 192 kHz, and a digital RCA output links the primary speaker to its client. A magnetic Smart Grille is detected automatically and the equalisation adjusts when it is fitted. Four finishes are listed, two wood veneers in walnut and blonde plus black or white gloss.

Pairing

With power amps and a network player inside the cabinet, the Focus 30 only needs a source - a turntable with phono stage, a CD transport, a television optical output or a phone app. The subwoofer output and trigger allow an active subwoofer to be connected and switched on together with the pair.

Alternatives

The Dynaudio Focus 50 is the larger active floorstander of the range, a three-way design with a 15 cm midrange and two 18 cm woofers.