Fantastic Speakers

I bought these together with the KEF R11 and tried in home using Crutchfield's 60 in home. (Fantastic service no hassle, I did have to pay $70 to ship speakers back) I tested these speakers with a Parasound JC5 and a Anthem STR Preamp, Oppo BDP-105 and a Technics 1200 TT. KEF R11: There were slimmer, taller and heavier than the Aria 948. These are slightly less sensitive and sounded a little on the dry side(With my equipment) The finnish on these are fantastic and beautiful. Great speakers and I would have kept them is the Aria were not in the room. Aria 948: I was blown away with the sound immediately, a little more expensive, sounded much more open, forward less compressed and restrained, also these got louder (More sensitive) There are light, shorter and less heavy than the R 11 but wider because of bigger woofers. The sound great for everything I listen to Rock mainly and they are a perfect match. I love bass (punchy) I like my music loud (Concert levels) and I love great clarity and the ARIA 948's check all of those category. Oh the top of the speakers are a black glass and the leather on front and back I'm told are genuine leather (meh who knows) These are beautiful speakers and have just a fantastic, punchy, powerful clean and clear sound. I kept these when compared to the R11 and decided to do that within a week. Hope this helps! The front grille's are magnetic on both, but I prefer the traditional grille of the Aria compare to the velvet type.

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possibly the best of its kind

I hadn't heard of Focal until it was time to upgrade my system from 2 B&W monitors that required more bass. I ordered the Focal Aria 948s after hearing a demo. They were professinally installed owing to their size and weight. I recommend you do the same. I never get tired of listening to these speakers; meanwhile, the B&W monitors sit atop a bookcase and all 4 are in operation for an amazing sound experience So amazing, in fact, that my neighbors are quite aware of them!

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Focal Aria 948

These are beautiful looking speakers. Fantastic craftsman ship that really screams "hi-end". Though the speakers are not all the way burned in they are transparent and have adequate bass for most genres of music. Highs are crisp and mids are forward and clear. The more hours I they play the more cohesive the sound becomes. I expect these speakers to really shine with another 25hrs or so.

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Just Wow!

I had heard numerous reviews and opinions on these speakers. The more I heard the more I wanted to try them out. They did not disappoint. I listen mostly to rock and roll of all types and descriptions, with a little jazz and classical mixed in. Regardless of genre, they just keep getting better. From quieter passages from Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens and Jeff Buckley singing "Hallelujah" and John Coletrane's "Stairway To The Stars", the performers sound as if they are sitting right in front of you. Prog rock, early Genesis, Yes, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, never sounded so thick, with all of the rich textures building an inpenetrable wall of sound. Electronic based music, Air and The Flaming Lips really shine. The more time you log on them the better they sound. I told my wife I was looking for my forever speakers, I found them!

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Great sound

Great speakers. The high range is fabulous, the bass is round and booming. My only slight issue is the mid range, which I think will open up as I play the speakers more.

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Focal Aria 948

Great product. Vocals are forwarding and crisp, and very good mids and bass. Soundstage is well perceived. It's not a warm speaker, so you will get a good SQ pairing with warm sounding amps.

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