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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
sjtm
92 posts
 
I vote for the 936.  My listening room has almost the exact same  L shaped configuration with the rear wall only extending about half way behind my listening position.  Main listening area is 12'x24' with a 12'x12' wing forming the L.  Ceiling is 7.5' ( basement).  Carpeted floor and large sectional couch about 8' from speakers.

I have a pair of Focal Chorus 836V's which have nearly the identical spec as the Aria 936, including the 3 Ohm dip at 100 hz. I traded up from a pair of Chorus 826v's.  Love the sound, but, frankly, still wanted mor low end range and found a Focal SW800 subwoofer.  This still only goes down to 27hz, but it made a huge difference - I still have the amazing mids and upper beauty that drew me to Focal in the first place, but would never give up what the subwoofer added.

I think there is a risk that any room can potentially be overwhelmed in the bass range, but doubt that will be an issue with the 936.  If it is, you can always work with room treatments to tweak the issue. 
sjtm
92 posts
 
BTW - the 836v is rated at 92db efficiency, as are the Aria 936; I drove these with a Marantz PM8005 (70wpc@8 Ohm / 100w@4 Ohm) and they sounded fine.  I recently upgraded to a Marantz PM 11S3 ( 100wpc@8 Ohm / 200wpc @ 4 Ohm - although tests indicate these are very understated) and the system sings whether played at low volumes or fully cranked.  In my view, any more power is just overkill.
braudio7 OP
35 posts
 
Sjtm,

Thanks for your response. So it sounds like you found an appreciable difference between the 826v and 836v bass response? As I said, I have not been able to demo the 926, so it's speculation on my part as to what I would be giving up. Just curious, what are your music preferences? I don't listen to a lot of bass heavy music.
mtrot
804 posts
 
Eh, I wouldn't fool with the 926.  Although Focal claims -3dB at 45Hz, sometimes these companies are a bit optimistic.  Also, with the room open to the other room, that is a lot of air to pressurize.  And you also lose a bass driver with the 926.
sjtm
92 posts
 
braudio7 - I am not sure how to quantify "appreciable", but I was willing to upgrade based on my listening impressions.  My decision was also influenced by the price ($1,200 for a virtually brand new pair). 

My music taste are fairly broad, but mostly Chicago blues,  classic rock and contemporary jazz.
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