Focal Chora 806 is a fantastic speaker,
that’s it go ---- buy it!
Speakers that are closest to Chora 806
No, that’s not all,
you probably want to know why I would call this one my favorite budget speaker.
And why indeed …
when you have speakers like Bowers and Wilkins 600 with its much wider dynamic response.
When you have QAcoustics 3030i with its better controlled and deeper bass.
Or maybe something like Monitor Audio Bronze 200, or Elac UniFi.
This are all good options, and maybe someone will agree that they are better budget speakers.
Open sound and fantastical soundstage
But when I hear sound of Focal Chora, and the way to sound opens in front of me,
the way it presents its instruments to me reminds me of listening music live.
And before I was a HiFi enthusiast I was trying every second of my life to be somewhere where you can find live music or jams. And I am not saying that with this speakers you will experience that kind of sound. No for that you will have to cash out a lot more money not just for speakers, but for good amps and source to achieve not just opens but dynamics and punch of that grand scale.
But this I a gateway to that, to that feeling.
Your music that was up until that point much more boxed and streamlined, now is open and free. The way it places instruments and shapes them in this sonic stage is what Audiophile magic is all about.
And it is not a forced sound, its airiness holds a lot of details, and presentation is very clear.
So even if you are a detail peeper there is something for you here.
Some Problems
Where of course it trails behind the other budget champions is sense of musicality, and punchy dynamics. It could have a bit more meat in treble. As drive in the rhythmic section is not so memorable, punchy or dynamic.
Bass is forward firing, and it is decent. There is nothing more to be said, as other alternatives give more structured and commanding bass. But if I did not have other speakers to compare, I would not notice that and would probably be quite satisfied.
As bass is there, bass is adding weight and fullness… it is good. Only not a class leader.
But to achieve that with all other perks, that this speakers have, requires more engineering and materials and therefore more expensive speakers.
Good Amps to pair with this speakers
It is something that people who wants more dynamic sound, might little bit miss with chora.
But pair this speakers with an amp like Rega Brio, Cambridge Audio CXA61 or something that has treble a bit spiked and they might push your speaker to become livelier.
Greatest part of this speakers
Listening to something beautiful, like Nick Cave and his Ghosteen album. This speaker will smite you with beauty and lushness. And oh boy that central imaging, is just amazing. Nick vocal was there in front of you, crooning, singing his poetry. The emotion in his voice is very charming, seducing and levitating above earth that does not hold him anymore.
You understand why I like this speakers so much. If I want to listen to the latter Cure, Nick Cave, some Dead Can Dance something with a lot of reverb. It will surround you, lift you up and force you to stay whole day listening to your favorite music.
And what more can you ask?
And should I maybe say that, it is also a low volume champion. Certain speakers need, certain amount of volume to open up. But here the sound becomes open, even at medium volume which is impressive on its own so much. Part of it is also because they are really easy to be driven. It wont require some expensive or strong amp to accommodate them. And they are also really easy to be placed in a room.
Design
The design is so lovely, I had one with Natural colors with light wood. I just prefer speakers which are on the lighter side, with wood accents. But something which look really nice is a speaker cone is blue marbelish color which looks very beautiful.
I am sad that this speakers are no longer in my collection.
Competition
So let us compere with speakers that I listened that I think are also great in this range.
Q Acoustics 3030i
Q Acoustics 3030i is a great speaker. Very warm, and punchy with impressive bass. It does not reach scale, depth, imaging of Focal but is certainly more musical and punchy. So if you prefer sound to be more meaty well this one might be more for you.
Monitor Audio Bronze 200
Similarly goes for Monitor Audio Bronze 200, which beside very good low end, can not compare to this speakers as to my ear Focal sound much more refined and mature, even thou Monitor Audio might sound a bit more entertaining.
Bowers and Wilkins 607
On other spectrum is Bowers and Wilkins 607, which are very live and bright sounding speakers with so much punch and dynamics they are completely different speaker than Focal. Of course many people listening this side by side will choose Bowers and Wilkins and there is nothing wrong with that. It is for people who at this level want lot of dynamics and punch, but my problem with Bowers is that they require really carful system paring or the sound will become too bright and fatiguing .
Elac UniFi
Elac UniFi is another great option. I spent only two weeks with this speaker, as friend landed it to me. Maybe I will ask him to give it to me again so I can review it. They seem really interesting, as they did a lot of stuff good. Okey no soundstage and imaging of Focal, but everything else was balanced and good. It had enough of everything, scale, dynamic, punch etc. So as an all arounder it might fit your needs better,.
Conclusion and Final words
I think I did my best to verbalize my love for this speaker. I tried to made this review subjective and objective as much as I can, try this amazing speakers at you local showroom.
Take a bottle of wine, dim the lights, play your favorite tune. Let Focals immersive sound and imaging hug you and relax you to the point that even after few hours of listening you want more.
Thank you very much for watching this review,
as always there are ways to help me by liking, subscribing and donating if you like. Bye.
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