Focal Aria 948

These speakers are very good. I have tried quite a few over the past few years, and these are by far, the best. You will need power. Placement is something I'm still working on, but normal toe in isn't what these speakers need. The detail is there. I've had for 2 weeks and they're still opening up in tweeter area. Mids are fantastic, bass is firm and plentiful. If you're like me, you'll find yourself adjusting the "color" of your music, more with these speakers than what you're used to. They are quite neutral. Overall it's a very very good speaker. You won't be disappointed

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Amazing Speakers

I bought these as my forever speakers & had waited years for the price to drop. First of all, the craftmanship and materials are gorgeous and the real leather on front gives it a classy look. I'm running these off of an Emotiva pre-amp and the Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 3 amplifier (300 wpc) and they are absolutely stunning. Not only can you hear minute details in your music, the sound is so balanced and the imaging dispersal so good that even with your eyes open your brain can't say "the sound is coming from there." Truly an amazing set of speakers that sounds great with everything from classical to metal. I've rediscovered a love for live recordings. As my wife said, "it's better than actually being at the concert" when we listened to Halestorm's "Live in Philly" album, and we've seen Halestorm live 3 times.

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Focal Aria 948

I absolutely love these speakers. I paired them with Cambridge Audio Edge W and NQ components. Smooth vocals, highs that are clear not bright and great well defined bass. I mostly listen to Progressive rock and metal and the soundstage is so wide I can close my eyes and be transported to directly to the source. Could not be happier with these speakers.

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Very happy with my purchase,

Some descriptive comments that come to mind are handsome and well-made, very efficient, great to look at, very clear, accurate and powerful. I looked at the Focal line for several months along with Klipsch, Wharfedale and B&W. Then I narrowed my focus to Focal and the Aria line. I had to decide whether to focus primarily on music or AV. Thus, the 936, 936K2 and the 948. I decided to aim toward music as I have an AV system. I read every article and watched every YouTube video I could find to gather information and make a selection. I even emailed Focal with a couple questions. Then, what's this? ... a sale? OK, time to pull the trigger. I made a good choice. I barely have to turn the volume up for loads of crystal clear, neutral sound. And wow? Do these speakers look great. My first product from France. For the money and what you get, I think more expensive speakers would result in quickly diminishing returns for the end user. Yes, the LaScala's could blow the paint off the walls, but I don't really need that. I'm very happy with these 948s. Right now I'm powering these with a pristine amp and pre-amp from Carver, both refurbished from an authorized repair service with all new caps, etc. Should be putting out over 400 watts per channel into 4 ohms. Now I need to set my sights on a new amp and pre-amp that will bring out the best in these beauties.

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Focal Aria 948

Dope speakers that not only looks great, but sounds fantastic. Deep lows and perfectly crisp highs blend together to bring music alive. I have them powered by an Emotiva XPA Gen3 amp, and the sound fills my house and puts a smile on my face everytime. I know these bad boys can handle more power, but they're perfect for what I want..for now....

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Continuing to impress

I have been searching for speakers for over 20 years. I was originally a fan of Dahlquist and was trying to find something that sounded so true and alive. I listen to a wide range of music as well as watch movies. I like subtle details, crisp highs and natural voices. Tight bass just adds icing on the cake. I'm done looking for speakers. The Aria 948 has satisfied me. I've had them for a year now and have not tired of them. They continue to impress me. I keep searching for different music to explore their abilities with. Currently driving them with a Hafler 9505 fed from a Marantz AV7704. I have the matching center and they do great for movies too. I don't use a sub for music but I do for movies.

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Philip Glass and Bruckner approve

Great sound, Handles everything I throw at them- loud Philip Glass and Anton Bruckner, along with techno music as well. Yet sounds great with more introspective music such as string quartets. Paired with two Hsu Research subs in a 2.1 system. Great with movies as well! Excellent build quality and looks. Made in France (drivers and cabinet) at Focal's own facilities.

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Excellent sound

sounds great, good bass, no distortion even at a very loud volume, perfect power for my living room size, 320 sq ft

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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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