Focal Aria Evo X No 2 REVIEW
Focal has given its Aria series a thorough technical overhaul, while keeping the design discreet. Our exclusive test reveals how this impacts the sound quality.
It has been quite a while since we tested a predecessor of the brand-new Aria Evo X No 2. Since then, the French developers have not been idle; they have worked intensively to make a very good speaker even better.
Visually, even experts will hardly notice the changes, as almost all improvements are hidden from the eye: they involve the drivers and their mechanics, the crossover, and the internal bracing of the cabinet. Externally, the front with its leather-look is very room-friendly. Additionally, magnetically attached covers are included. The solid MDF cabinets have no parallel walls, which likely improves their resonance and vibration control, enhancing the sound neutrality.
As before, the bass reflex ports are located at the front and additionally at the bottom of the box, where they radiate towards the sturdy aluminum base plate. This base plate includes four height-adjustable spikes from above. However, the plastic tool provided for adjustment was somewhat inadequate. The placement of the reflex ports generally allows the speakers to be positioned relatively close to the wall.
Listening Pleasure on a Broad Scale
Many speakers are designed for optimal sound for one person sitting in the center. The French developers have put in significant effort to achieve a particularly broad sound dispersion for high frequencies using Focal’s traditionally inverted dome tweeter and specially shaped baffle, allowing even two or three listeners to enjoy the full sound quality of the Aria. This setup could also make movie nights more enjoyable for everyone. Another advantage of this broad dispersion is that the Focal speakers can be placed further apart without creating a gap in the soundstage. The tweeter’s diaphragm is a mix of aluminum and magnesium, praised for its excellent ratio of low mass to high resonance damping in the audible range.
The other three drivers all feature a flax membrane sandwiched between two thin layers of fiberglass, each with a diameter of 6.5 inches. The midrange driver is visually distinct with its cone-shaped dust cap, while the woofers have flat, slightly domed dust caps. The magnetic drive and voice coil also differ significantly, though the French remain tight-lipped about specific details. However, they do reveal that the flax drivers, first introduced in 2013, offer high rigidity and excellent internal damping compared to other materials like Kevlar, aluminum, or fiberglass. The raw material for these drivers is sourced exclusively from France, as Focal claims the quality of French flax is unparalleled worldwide.
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High Quality, Yet Cost-Effective
To produce the drivers used in the Aria series at reasonable prices, the French developed an industrial process for manufacturing the raw material. Another unique feature of these drivers is the surround, which connects the diaphragm to the basket. To combat resonances and ensure high and consistent damping, they have integrated many small, differently shaped weights into the surround.
Our lab measurements indicated that the sensitivity is slightly lower than claimed, at over 87 dB but still in a favorable range, while the impedance is just below 3 ohms according to the spec sheet, with our measurements showing a minimum of around 3.4 ohms at 97 Hz. These values allow for a wide choice of amplifier partners. We initially paired it with the classically designed Exposure 3510, and alternatively, the NAD 3050 with its modern Class-D design.
Class AB vs. Class D
Both amplifiers performed well with the Focal in terms of power and sound, although they had different strengths. In terms of price, the Exposure is at the higher end at approximately $2,650, while the NAD is more affordable at around $1,500. The NAD handled its task well, except when dealing with large orchestral pieces, where it struggled a bit with detail and dynamics. In contrast, the Exposure, with its classic look, felt more relaxed and controlled, justifying its higher price. However, for less demanding material, the differences between the two became much less noticeable, as both handled the essential elements of long-term listening comfort with ease.
TEST EQUIPMENT
Amplifiers: T+A R2500R, Exposure 3510, NAD 3050
Streamer/CD Player: Eversolo DMP-A8
Speakers: Martin Logan Motion F10, Canton Reference 9, MoFi Sourcepoint 8
Cables & Accessories: Silent Wire, Cardas, Audioquest; HMS, Creaktiv
Sensitivity to Emotions
Till Brönner playing with Dieter Ilg on “A Thousand Kisses Deep” already captivated through the NAD, pulling you into the music and making you forget the outside world.
The same effect occurred with more pop-oriented sounds like “Smooth Operator” by Sade or “Love Gangster” by Beth Hart. Through various musical genres, it became increasingly clear that the Focal and the Exposure went beyond their French-British rivalry to create a harmonious bond, more so than with the Canadian NAD.
In this setup, the Focal responded well to input, even at low volume levels, turning it into emotionally moving sound waves with a gentle touch. This smoothness in vocals and high frequencies distinguishes this Focal model from previous experiences with their speakers. The current generation of tweeters plays smoothly, free from irritation even during long listening sessions, blending seamlessly with the flax midrange driver.
Focal’s advantage might lie in the fact that they develop and manufacture all their drivers in-house, allowing them to perfectly match the parameters of each driver during the development stage. This level of integration is hard to achieve with third-party drivers, ensuring that the crossover network smoothly transitions between midrange and high frequencies without affecting the sound’s spatial representation.
More Space, Less Focus
Another strength of these all-rounder speakers in their price range is their ability to clearly articulate and faithfully reproduce different recording situations. We started with a powerful live performance by Ike & Tina Turner from 1971 at Carnegie Hall, where the soundstage was both wide and detailed.
In the studio setting with the Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers,” the Focal speakers highlighted the varying acoustic scenarios that occur throughout the track “Sister Morphine,” creating a spacious soundstage even if the focus on individual elements wasn’t always precise.
The Focal tackled Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” with great enthusiasm, showing versatility in its performance. Anyone listening to this piece on the Focal will find that it lives up to its name, Aria, in every sense.
WHAT WE LISTENED TO
IKE & TINA TURNER LIVE AT CARNEGIE An explosion of energy without compromise.
E.S.T. LIVE IN LONDON Live, yet with an intense and almost refined character.
Specs
| Website | www.focal.com |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) in cm | 29.4 x 103.5 x 37.1 |
| Weight in kg | 25 |
| Distributor in Germany | Focal-Naim |
| Design Principle | Dynamic, 3-way, Bass Reflex |
| Terminal | Single-Wire |
| Recommended Setup | About 30 cm away from all walls, with significant toe-in |
Verdict
| Criteria | Percentage | Score | Description |
| Sound Quality | |||
| Sound | 60% | 8.1 | Powerful and warm sound with very good dynamic capabilities |
| Measurements | |||
| Frequency Response | 15% | 8 | Balanced, continuously declining at higher frequencies |
| Sensitivity (in Decibels) | 87.2 dB | Good | |
| Step Response | Good | Good response | |
| Minimum Impedance | Unproblematic | No significant issues | |
| Distortion Percentage at 63/3k/10k Hz | Satisfactory (0.45/0.14/0.2) | Satisfactory distortion levels | |
| Compatibility | Easy | Easy to pair | |
| Features & Handling | 20% | 7.1 | |
| Setup | Easy | Easy to set up | |
| Instruction Manual Quality | Sufficient | Adequate quality | |
| Initial Setup | Somewhat Complicated | Requires some effort to set up | |
| Sound Adjustment Possible | No | Sound adjustments are not possible | |
| Cabinet Finishes | Black, Walnut, High-gloss Green | Available in multiple finishes | |
| Accessories Included | Cover, Spikes | Standard accessories included | |
| Build Quality | Good | High build quality | |
| Service & Environment | 5% | 6.3 | |
| Warranty in Years | 5-year warranty | ||
| Packaging | Cardboard and Plastic | Standard packaging materials | |
| Upgradability | No | Not upgradable | |
| Overall Test Result | 7.8 | Good performance overall |
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