Полочная акустика — Focal ARIA EVO X N°1

The Aria Evo X N°1 is the only bookshelf model in Focal's Aria Evo X line, which was introduced at CES in January 2024 as the update of the Aria 900 series from 2013. The line has five members - this compact two-way, the N°2, N°3 and N°4 floorstanders and a Center for home cinema. At launch the N°1 was priced at GBP 1,299 per pair in the UK. Focal develops and manufactures the drivers in France and recommends the speaker for rooms of at least 15 m2.

Key specs that matter

Two drivers work in a vented cabinet - a 16.5 cm (6.5 in) bass/midrange unit using a Flax cone and a 25 mm (1 in) TAM tweeter, handing over between them at 2,800 Hz. Response is rated at 55 Hz to 30 kHz within 3 dB, with the -6 dB point at 47 Hz. Sensitivity is 89.5 dB, impedance is 8 ohm nominal with a minimum of 4.6 ohm, and Focal suggests amplifiers of 25 to 120 W. Each cabinet stands 39 cm tall, 22.5 cm wide and 28 cm deep and weighs 8.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

The TAM tweeter replaces the TNF unit of the earlier Aria range. Its inverted dome is formed from an aluminium and magnesium alloy into an M profile, a shape Focal uses to extend treble output, and it sits in a urethane plate with a waveguide meant to improve horizontal directivity. The Flax cone, a feature carried over from the original Aria line, is paired with a TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) surround that steadies the behaviour of the suspension. For the Evo X generation, Focal reworked the crossover with better parts and revised the magnets of the bass driver. The enclosure is ultra-rigid MDF with side panels that are not parallel, which Focal uses to keep cabinet vibration very low. A leather-effect front panel and a magnetically attached cloth grille complete the cabinet, and the colour choice covers Prime Walnut, Black High Gloss and a newly added Moss Green High Gloss. Four spikes with pre-mounted counter spikes come in the box.

Pairing

The high sensitivity and a minimum impedance that stays above 4 ohm leave the speaker easy to drive for modest integrated amplifiers, while the upper end of the power range allows larger amps to be used without strain. Focal offers a dedicated 60.3 cm stand with a satin black metal plate and a tempered glass base, and the N°2 to N°4 towers and the Center let the pair grow into a matched multichannel setup.

Alternatives

In Focal's Vestia range, the Vestia N°1 is a two-way bookshelf built around a Slatefiber cone and the same TAM tweeter type.