Напольная акустика — Focal ARIA EVO X N°4

The Aria Evo X N°4 is the largest floorstander in Focal's Aria Evo X range and the only model in the line with 8-inch bass drivers. The Evo X generation updated the long-running Aria series by extending Focal's Flax cone technology to the bass drivers and fitting the TAM tweeter developed for the Vestia line in place of the previous TNF unit. Its drive units are designed and manufactured by Focal in France.

Key specs that matter

This three-way bass-reflex tower uses two 8-inch (21cm) Flax bass drivers, a 6.5-inch (16.5cm) Flax midrange with TMD surround and Focal's M-profile TAM tweeter in aluminium/magnesium, crossing over at 280Hz and 2,600Hz. Frequency response is 37Hz to 30kHz (+/-3dB), reaching 31Hz at -6dB. Sensitivity is 92.5dB at 2.83V/1m, and impedance is 8 ohms nominal with a 2.5-ohm minimum. Focal recommends 40 to 350W of amplification. Each speaker measures 37.1 x 115 x 42cm and weighs 35kg, in Black High Gloss, Prime Walnut or Moss Green High Gloss with a leather-effect front panel.

Engineering and use context

Moving from the 6.5-inch bass drivers of the smaller Aria Evo X towers to a pair of 8-inch units adds roughly 50% more cone area working in the bass band, which is what gives the N°4 its extra low-frequency reach and output for larger rooms. The bass drivers also received a revised magnet system in this generation. Flax cones use natural fibres sandwiched between thin glass-fibre skins, a construction that is light, stiff and self-damping, so cone resonances are controlled by the material rather than by added weight. On the midrange, the TMD surround carries small tuned masses that cancel the surround's own resonance. The TAM tweeter's M-shaped inverted aluminium/magnesium dome extends the treble with wide dispersion, and Focal reworked the crossovers with higher-grade components for this generation. An aluminium-alloy base stabilises the tall cabinet, and magnetic grilles are supplied. Focal specifies the N°4 for rooms of at least 30 m2 with a listening distance of 3 to 5 metres.

Pairing

The high sensitivity lets moderate amplifiers produce high levels, but the low impedance minimum demands an amplifier stable into very low loads with generous current delivery, which points toward powerful solid-state designs. In home cinema, it forms the front pair with Aria Evo X centre and bookshelf models sharing the same drivers.

Alternatives

Focal's own Aria Evo X N°3 is the mid-size tower of the range, for rooms smaller than those the N°4 is designed for.