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Focal Aria 936 vs 926 bass response

I am looking at a couple of Focal Aria speakers in the same model line, and trying to decide on which will work best in my room. The listening area is 14 x 25 x 8.5, but it opens up into another room of the same size (open concept with a half wall between them). Listening distance is 8-9 feet. I have listened to the 936 and liked it, but am a little concerned that it could be too much bass for my room. Also, I have very limited placement options where these are going. My dealer does not have the 926 in stock so I have not listened to it; I assume it will sound very similar to the 936, but with less bass, so I’m wondering if I can get away with the 926. The 926 is also a little smaller so it has better WAF. There is a return policy at the dealer but ideally I’d like to make the right choice initially.

The frequency response of the speakers is as follows. How much bass will I be missing in practical terms between the two? I know the replies may well be “nobody can tell until you get them into YOUR room” but I thought I’d throw it out for comment anyway.

Focal Aria 936:
Frequency response: (+/- 3dB) 39Hz - 28kHz
Low frequency point: 6 dB 32Hz
Sensitivity: (2.83V / 1m) 92dB
Nominal impedance: 8 Ohms

Focal Aria 926:
Frequency response: (+/- 3dB) 45Hz - 28kHz
Low frequency point: 6 dB 37Hz
Sensitivity: (2.83V / 1m) 91.5dB
Nominal impedance: 8 Ohms
braudio7

Showing 8 responses by contuzzi

contuzzi
413 posts
 
Both are outstanding.  The 936 in some way benefits the most from the fact that it's a taller speaker.  It sounds "larger" and even more "real" because of it.  Especially because the tweeters and mids do SO well off axis in this series. 

Get either of them, you will be very happy.

When you get them, make sure you don't toe them in too much at all, as it is completely unnecessary. 
contuzzi
413 posts
 
The 936 is a much more musical speaker than the KEF.  I highly recommend listening to a pair.  The R500 isn’t a bad speaker at all, just a little less open holographic and musical.  I’d also check out a Peachtree Nova 300 to power the 936.  Excellent pairing.
contuzzi
413 posts
 
The Peachtree has a Wi-Fi Module coming for $100-200 bucks by the end of the year.  It’s already prepped for it, with a Wi-Fi input and pause play etc on the remote.  
contuzzi
413 posts
 
Yes.  Give Peachtree a call and they will tell you all about it.  Very excited for it.  
contuzzi
413 posts
 
FWIW I prefer the 936 over the 948’s.  :)
contuzzi
413 posts
 
As far as Revel goes I would absolutely not agree with what you said and those have not been my findings at all.

As far as Aria updates, none in sight.  I was told that Focal supposedly has a real wood version of the Arias coming, which is why they are clearing out the Walnut.

Best deal ever.  Jump on it!
contuzzi
413 posts
 
I don’t recommend the 948 because they are extremely difficult to get to sound right.  You likely heard a bad setup, but I don’t blame them — they’re extremely hard to set up.

I think the 936 is an absolutely superior sounding speaker.
contuzzi
413 posts
 
Use the Yamaha for now, and get a Peachtree nova 150 or 300 (depending on how loud you listen and how much bass content your average choice of music has) to run the front two in Home Theater Bypass mode.  That way you have a simple two channel dedicated rig (that sounds amazing and has more than enough grunt to power them), as well as an external amp for home theater that will relieve a lot of stress off the Yamaha during movie watching.

If you have a sub or subs, the external amp will likely have no effect during movie watching as long as you have all speakers crossed over to the sub as you should.  Unless you are in a large room and listen painfully loud.
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