Always enjoy your reviews. Unbiased, straight & great info.

Hey Nemo , thoroughly enjoyed this one must say you're getting so much better day by day ...thanks for the detailed review !!

On vacation right now, but I had to watch this one! Great video as always and thanks for all the info and comparisons.

Great review brother! Focal has super intriguing products and I appreciate the depth, detail and comparisons in your video. Your no BS approach works 👌. I hope you enjoy your Holiday weekend!

Focals are amazing (I heard the 948s)! They can be little bright at times, but I love their sound with the right gear!! Expensive but worth it!

Busy day, but I can’t wait to watch this later tonight!

Don't believe there is any reviewer as honest and accomplished as you are ! Keep going buddy.

Awesome video as always man! That flaxseed driver is a pretty weird idea LOL but it sounds like it works. Very interesting speakers, seems like you get a lot for the price!

Great Review Nemo...

Maaahvolous (😅) review as usual Nemo. Ur a ⭐! Cheers and have a excellent weekend,, 🍻😎👍‍‍

After watching your review I decided to give these bad boys a shot. You were spot on with everything you said! It was a risky move for me as this was my first non-Bowers purchase and I could not be happier. I just wanted to tell you that your video was the deciding factor for me and I sincerely thank you for it!

I bought my set of Arias recently based on your opinion and I can't be happier. The moment I hooked them up I understood what you wanted to say with "a lot of information". Your observations are sport on and I very much appreciate your help making up my mind.

Nice work 👏👏👏

I have them. At first a Yamaha A-S501 drove them. Now a Quicksilver Integrated Amplifier feeds them. It's only 20 watts of tube power, but great! The 906's have a high enough sensitivity (89.5 dB). I listen at moderate volume, and the volume control stays around 10:30 o'clock. Nemo suggested in a reply that a tube amp would pair well. That's what I have, and his prediction is fulfilled.

well said. I own the 906 paired with a roksan k2, which I like a lot for all the reasons you pointed out and thinking of trying the atc scm11 out. bass extension I don't care too much about with bookshelfs, but the midrange on the atc might make me switch, if it retains the nice analytical sound of the 906 on the top end. Will see. keep up the good work

Your review is like a tv series, I look forward to a new ep every week. Thank you! PS. any chance you can check out the Naim Unity Atom?

Excellent review….great information for potential buyers

I purchased the 905's, they're good but I wish I had purchased the 906's. A fellow I talked to a while back owns a high end stereo business told me the 906's are an incredible deal. Back then they could be had for a $1000. I have the 926's too.

Hey Nemo...unrelated question to this video...I have been watching all of your subwoofer reveiws. I especially enjoyed the one talking about svs vs rel. The issue is I find myself in the middle of these descriptions....I love listening to jazz standards...but sometimes I enjoy drum n bass, hiphop, jungle, neurofunk and just all things bass head related. Is there any subwoofer you would recommend that integrates well...but if I want some slam I could just crank the volume on the sub up?

I moved from the previous generation Focal Chorus stand mounts to the Aria 906 several years ago and it was a very easy to discern step up in listening experience. I initially had them paired with an Emotiva amp but found that combination to be excessively bright. I swapped in a Parasound amp and that tamed the top end issue and I've been running that combo since. I have them paired with an ELAC 3030 sub in a small (~160 sq ft) room and with the room correction done for the sub the blend is seamless and I can listen for hours with no fatigue. I find myself listening to this setup far more often than my main system with HK775 monoblocks and Vandersteen 2Ce. I sold the Focal Chorus pair to a friend and he absolutely loves them.

Great review and could not have been better timing for me. I own a focal sib evo atmos 5.1.2 speaker system driven by a denon 2700h in a 25m2 living room. Although I enjoy the movies, I am looking to replace the front speakers with one of the following options; chora 806, aria 906 or elac debut b6.2 in order music to be enjoyable as well. Which one do you consider a better fit?

Awesome review. I am looking at the Focal Aria 906s but do not have a shop where I can audition them. Any thoughts on how these would sound with a Cambridge Audio CXA81 integrated amp? TY TY

I was excited to see this review. I love my Focals 906. Current system with them is a Rega TT p3, to rega phono to Naim 5si, then my digital is a Innuos Zen streamer to Holo May dac to Naim 5si to the Focals. I've paired these Focal with many different hifi Amps both tube and solid state everyone costing 2 to 4x the price as the Naim. But something w Naim and Focal there is some serious synergy there. The Holo May makes them do things no bookshelf speakers should even think about. Massive 3d imagining detailed and super fast pace. Soundstage is not huge infact my impression is focused and controled like they are tryin to keep everything right there center, but again the imaging is like hearing instruments in every direction. So yeah when Focals are set up right they can be amazing.

Thanks for great and detailed review. This review was last nail to coffin, and i bought these to my home. And i have to say, yes... vinyl version. But price for new pair was 580e with home delivery, so im not complaining about vinyl :D

Like the review. I was looking at this today on a well-known site. How would you compare this to the Revel Performa3 M106 TKS

There's something very musical about Focal speakers while having an analytical side. In comparison to say Quad S series, those will have greater resolution and sound more analytical too while Focal, at least in my experience still give above average resolution and detail but have a certain aire about them. I found the Quads dry and not involving with music although you could hear more and with better resolution. It also provided a very flat 2D soundstage while my Focals, sounds just nice with a more 3D like SS.

Are you going to try an snag a pair of the Focal Aria K2 bookshelf speakers that just got announced? I’m rather torn because I’ve always loved the K2s I’ve put in 2 of my previous cars, but I’m also not sure if I can swing another pair of speakers.

Thanks for the cogent and articulate review, I’m with you 100% on these babies. I have the 906 matched to a Lyngdorf, and can not find fault, i just sit there and enjoy my music without wishing I would upgrade anything.Well, I wish there was a tiny bit more bass, but I’m working on my wife to approve the subwoofer. On a side note, i cannot understand the DBR hype: i bought them before the 906, they were boring , lifeless and flat, and I sent them back right away. For those so don’t have the budget for the aria 906 , as it’s true they are highly priced in North America, then the KEF 550 are not to be underestimated. I have them as well and they come close to the Aria in my environment.

Just bought these - great review. Any thoughts on pairing them with a JL Audio D108 sub?

Thank for your video about Focal. I am moving to another home, my new living room and listening room is a little bit smaller I have now, about 18 m2. Now I have Sonus Faber speakers Principia 5, I love those speakers, only listen to classical music. I am thinking buying Sonus Faber Lumina 2 or Focal Aria 906, I have allready heard SF Lumina 2, I love that sound, I am going to hear also Focal Aria 906 and I have to make my choise, but I want your advise, what is the difference between SF Lumina 2 and Focal Aria 906? , is it a good speaker for classical music? Thanks greetings from the Netherlands

Hi Nemo, between Focal Aria 906 and Kef LS50 Meta for a medium size room, which would you pick now that you have listen to both? Much appreciated and TIA.

Have you heard the Aria K2 range of these speakers, I think they are a limited edition series? They’re currently on sale in the uk with some massive price reductions

Great review, as always, nice job describing the sound characteristics. I'd like to check them out since I really like detail. It'd be interesting to see how you feel about the Kef LS50 Meta's , Kef R3's and the Dynaudio Evoke 20's compared to these. My impression is that they'd probably be a little more rolled off on the top end compared to these.

Hey Nemo, I have a chance in my area to grab pair of used (states nearly new) Aria 906 for the price of brand new pair of Chora 806 both at (1500 CAD = 1200 USD). New Chora 806 vs used Aria 906, what would you recommned? What would you do? for the same price should i grab the better brother? Or is Chora 806 still as good? if the performance is not hugely different, I thought maybe getting a new speakers would be better. And what do you think about the 1200 USD price for used Aria 906?

If you ever get a chance, it would be interesting to compare the Aria 906 with the Solo6 Be.

I picked these up used for cheap and you hit the nail on the head. These are great for low volume listening. I like to crank things to 11 so they aren't for me, but not a bad speaker.

I have the "vinyl finish" walnut 906s. To characterize them as "vinyl finish" is misleading. It's the same finish as a matte or satin polyurethane over architectural grade vinyl, which is found on the walls in any high-end space. I'm a designer/woodworker, and I would have a difficult time determining if it was a veneer or vinyl because of the high quality application. Moreover, the cabinet of the 906 isn't just a boring cube-it's contoured lines with a leather face and a custom smoked glass top. It's also bigger than most of its competitors. Overall, it's overdesigned and more difficult to build when compared to other brands. Lastly, the driver isn't made of flax seed-it's made of the stalk of the flax plant.

Nice review. Please, make review Amphion Argon 3s. Amphion have used big wave guide and passive radiotor long before Buchard. Argon 3s is about same price point as Buchard 400.

Hey nemo and thanks for all the amazing videos! I'm need a bit of advice here! I have no opportunity to listen to the speakers for my self before order so I have to make a decision without that! I'm down to deciding between focal 906 and the buchardt s400. I'm intending to use them in a 2.1 system. Like 50% watching movie, 50% Music. Things to take in consideration is. The focal Is like 600$ cheaper over here, and I already have a good sub in place! Is focal the best bang for the buck then? Mostly into rock music if that matters! I know this is really hard to answer but I would heavily appreciate if you tried! Love form sweden

@nemo propaganda Hi! Do you see any alternative for these speakers today? I care about spatial sound with a good midrange and treble. Would you recommend the T5X subwoofer with them or is it worth going with the Rel HT1003 mk2? Loudspeakers mainly for music. Small room. PS. have you listened to Heco Celan Revolution 3?

Imagine I bought 4 of these for an average of €325 / $400a piece. I bought the cc900 for €300. It makes a great 5 ch sound. Thanks for advising a sub, I've been looking for one.

Regarding room placement, are they ok to be more towards the wall, or you need to pull them out in the room ?

Hi Nemo, thanks for your review. My room is 15m², the listening distance is about 2m-2m20 and I can leave a distance from the speaker to the wall of 30cm at most. I currently live in an apartment so I don't want to make the sound too loud because of the neighbors. I would like to know if the 906 would be a good choice for a room that size or if I should instead turn to something more modest like the Acoustic Concept Q series. There is a consensus among audiophiles that a speaker shouldn't be too large for too small of a room and so i am worry that i will need to crank up the volume too loud of the arias to make the low end pop up and that my small room will muddy the bass. My usage is going to be movies and music. I live in France and i can get the arias for the same price as the concept Q.

Thank you for yours very detailed and informative reviews. I am planing to buy Focal Aria 906 black gloss and to pair them with Bowers & Wilkins ASW 608 subwoofer and Unison Research Unico Due hibrid amplifier. What is your opinion on this match? The other option are KEF R3, but they are more expensive in EU. Thank you

These Arias have been around since the year 2013 I understood, and yet they still mix it with top price competitors in 2022. Am looking forward to hearing their replacements now that Focal has refreshed their 800 series!

One comment about the grills - Yes, they aren't the best looking, but they are sturdy and have a plastic egg carton shaped cage behind the fabric that doesn't allow toddler fingers through. Most speaker grills are kind of flimsy and don't offer much protection. Besides the great deal I found when buying mine, this was a selling point. Imagine your new $xxxx speakers getting wrecked because > [insert insane chaos reason caused by toddler here]. Overall I love these speakers. The bass is there, punchy and clean, but perhaps not as full or loud as others. Still, well worth it.

Hi 😊 Just got a used one in Extra Mint condition over budget (just bought a new set up of rega Brio and fyne audio f303) . Used Aria@1000cdn all because of u 😉. But was wondering witch amp you recommend (or anybody in comments)

Run these with a pair of Graham Slee Proprius monoblock Amps. Match made in heaven. Full bodied sound at low volumes but the Proprius have the authority to control the 906s at higher volumes or a more hectic listen.

Thanks!

If you had to choose between these and the Dynaudio Emit 20’s, if they were the same price, which would you choose?

Great review! I have the ELACs but they still dont it for me. I havent heard a Focal, but sounds interesting. Are those actually made in France?

This is 1 year late but the reason Focal have a vinyl wrap option is because in Europe these sell for under $800. In the UK they are around £700 and in france they often go for under 500 euros so insane value.

I paired the 906's with a Prima Luna Evo 100 and a Cambridge Audio CXN v2 streamer and I experienced that wonderful holographic sound experience. I sold everything and went for the Kef LSW II and while these are great sounding I really miss the 906's and the PL and CA gear. Considering going back but difficult to find 906's used and same story for the CXN. Used to be able to get the vinyl walnut 906 for 1K but not anymore. Oh well!!

How would you compare the top end and mid to kef q350\q150

Thanks for the great review, do you think the 906 will be a good match for the Rega Brio amplifier? It is a fairly punchy amp with great rhythm.

I own the Marantz 8015 and now I have the possibility to buy 4x Focal Aria 906 as front and surround and 1x cc500 as center (5.0 channels) all sealed for only €1300 shipped, you think It's a nice deal?

What do you think about the combination with the Rotel A14?

listen about 65-73db 2.5 meters from speakers. This speakers ok at these conditions?

any chance you could review the dali oberon 3 the bigger bookshelf brother of oberon 1 yet cheaper than focal aria 906 and even cheaper than the chora 806.thanks man

I have the aria 905 and a yamaha wxa-50 amp it sounds great

How would they compare to the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3?

I came here for the S400 comparison. So maybe the Aria CC 900 wouldn't be a good center channel match to the S400's huh?

Please do a review on the focal dome flax ore the focal 301

The speakers are 1/2 the price in Europe but I looked into have a set shipped from France and it was not going to save me any money by the time of shipping and import fees, so I just bought them here. The real Walnut finish with the flax seed looks very nice and different - very high WAF in my home at least. Vinyl is a non-starter for me, hard pass there. Agree 100% with the grille - makes them look cheap and we just left ours in the box, will never ever use them. The Focal speaker stands are silver which I’m not real fond of. I’ve always been a fan of high “air’ speakers and personally I wouldn’t call these forward or bright at all, but I’ve got older ears and probably losing some of it. Sub is definitely a must (as with any such size speaker) and I’m using kef kc62 and I think it pairs very well. Would be interested to know where you set your low pass filter for these with your subs. Thanks for the review - hard to find many out there

I wish you could review the new Theva 1 and see how they compare with these. The new speakers from Emotiva also make me wonder... From what i've red they seem like great value and closer to these than the old chora line while not costing too much. (the Thevas) Also i'd like to ask for other recomendations that are good at low volumes. Maybe monitor audio and klipsch? I also have a Golden Ear BRX under my radar...

#1 Great review. I am a sucker for analytical speakers. #2. Fiddlefuck... love it!

I have the Focal 807W, grades better than the V Chorus series. So far, I have preferred them to anything up to a grand or even higher. Focal gloss speakers are flawless.

Hi Thank you for your great revews. I am looking for a bookshelf speaker 2000 to 3000us Most important is the midrange (tonal like bbc 3/5) nice highs not siblent or fatiging and a decent bass. I listen to chamer musik ,piano ,vokal mainly. Thank you Reinhart

I have a new Rega P3 TT / yellow cartridge and speed box with rega’s IO amplifier, running on Dali’s Oberon 3s I’ve just sold the Dali’s and replaced them with Focal aria 906 recommended by my dealership and the Rega IO amp drive’s them with no problem at all it’s not getting hot or anything and the sound? Well it’s moved up like I’ve got a new amplifier and speakers not just the Focal . This is a great system and my advise is just do it. But use your ear’s as final judgment

In France, Black Friday : 280€ for one !

What’s a good match amp for these speakers?😎

The FOCAL KANTA 1 bookshelf speakers are $8,000/pair.

Do you know the reason why in the United States they are worth $2000 a pair while here in France they can be found at 590 € a pair? It's completely crazy such a price difference But that must explain why you're not quite satisfied with some aspects of the finish, they don't have the finish of what you can get for 2000 dollars here

Currently £749 $1004 here in UK

Nice review BUT if you need a subwoofer with these beauties your amp is the problem..I have these with an Arcam A39 amp & the bass is full, solid & rich. Suprisingly so for a stand mount speaker.

@Nemo Propaganda Thanks for the quality content! Can the Buchardt S400 be as effective at low volume as the F906? P.S. I own a F906 with a sub, but like you, I'm also looking at another pair of S400s, DIY CSS Criton 1TD, which might be more neutral, but I lose the point if it can't reproduce effectively at low volume, because at high as we know , everyone shows themselves as Peacocks ;). I don't know of any other speakers that can be in the same league at low volume :( but maybe you know of or have had one?

I just got some white ones in the uk for £570 in a sale, couldn’t believe my eyes.

I have them in my basement setup and they kill. Have the same drivers in my hummer h3 and that is nothing short of amazing

They cost 1000 $ in my country, but I'm from EU, so import taxes add up, I guess, in the US pricing.

Great Review 👌 I have these and i would like to add a Sub, middle size room 25m2, 70% music, Cambridge Cxa 60 and Cxn. I watched your subs reviews and now, i m on Svs sb 1000 pro or Rsl 10 mk2. The app with preset looks good in order to switch between music and movie. Thank you 😊

Wow 2000$...? You are really paying high values for european brands in America. The same happens in Europe for american brands. In Portugal were I live I got a pair of these for 700 euros. Great speakers and great review.

The vinyl 906s we’re going for about $1000 - to me that’s a steal - I grabbed the 936s with the vinyl for about $2800 for the pair - miss the nice finish but not that much having paid almost half - they are great speakers

Are you sitting on an outlaw subwoofer?? 😂 That looks identical to the x12/LFM series

I reckon the ls50 Meta's would give these a good run for their money

I have focal aria 906 and atoll IN100 signature amp... great pair. The speakers are worth the money, especially in the EU, but in the USA they are really too expensive.

flax or flax seed lol?

Any chance those white beauties are for sale 😁

Not only the vinyl finish, but the whole speaker is unacceptable for 2000 USD. In europe they now are being sold for 700 EUR the pair. Why? Because they simply are not that good. I compared them both the KEF LS50 and the little brother Chora 806. These are more resessed, vocals are a bit distant, highs are pretty rolled off. Mids are superior to the Choras but fall short of the performance of the LS50's. For 700 - okay, worth a try. But 2000 USD? No way Jose.

These are 944 USD in Europe. ;-)

Wassup Nemo :-)

These are not “$2000 loudspeakers”. You could thank your domestic dealers who reasonable decided that european €1000 is a bargain price for such gems, but a mid level speakers is a fact. A cheap crossover, an aluminum tweeter instead of a titanium original one, thin cabinet, iron banana connectors... This is why the vinyl finish seems acceptable imho PS The same to Chora 806. Their not unique price is €540 for a pair. Just a little bit of discount.

Fleshed out.

You pass out because of the vitamin e overload