TEST: Focal Sub6

 When it comes to the appearance of subwoofers, two opinions often clash diametrically. One camp wants to visually integrate the woofer and the satellites into a harmonious concept, while the other camp simply doesn't care at all because it's all about the sound aspect of a woofer. As expected, this question is not about right or wrong, but simply about the user's expectations when it comes to the equipment in their studio. Anyone who belongs to the first group of the protagonists mentioned above has probably already dealt with the French manufacturer Focal, which also has its products manufactured in France and has a subwoofer in its portfolio, the Focal Sub6, which has interesting detailed solutions and a attracts attention with its comparatively “noble” look.

The concept of the Focal Sub6

The Focal Sub6 is a studio subwoofer in the classic sense, meaning that it sums the bass range in the typical 2:1 method, but due to its design it can also be used very well in the 2:2 method. As already mentioned, the French manufacturer always attaches great importance to the external appearance of its products, so it is no surprise that the Focal Sub6 comes with a tasteful “Red Burr Ash” layout. It remains to be seen whether the look, which may be reminiscent of a reception area in a private bank, will also find its acoustic wingman in a budget studio with a focus on electro or house, I for my part find the dark red wood note very tasteful. The actual housing, however, is made from 22 mm MDF.

With the performance data of 350 watts RMS and a sound pressure of max. SPL 116 dB (peak@1m), the Focal Sub6 is in the good midfield of comparable competitors and, with a retail price of €1,199, does not break the budget of a semi-professional Users or even a hobby producer. The amplifier is based on BASH® technology named by Focal, which according to the manufacturer is defined as follows: “This technology ensures excellent energy efficiency, enabling very high output power without being affected by heat loss. This technology is presented as a hybrid high-end system that combines the advantages of both D-Class and AB-Class, with the former known for its high energy efficiency and the latter considered more musical." With a frequency response of 30 - The system also reaches down to 250 Hz sufficiently low to supply any tonal alignment with the necessary frequencies.

With a weight of 23 kg and dimensions (H x W x D): 380 mm x 344 mm x 440 mm, the woofer can also be easily transported by a single person. Anyone who has ever looked for the optimal position for their woofer in their control room and spent half a day doing the happy “woofer back” knows what I’m writing about. The Focal Sub6 is supported on four solid feet, the rubber compound of which appears comparatively hard at first glance, but still provides enough of a springy effect under the weight of the woofer to dampen the housing vibrations accordingly.

The speaker

The built-in speaker of the Focal Sub6 seems interesting, simply because it is a very unusual size of 11 inches. For my part, I can't remember ever having seen an 11 inch speaker in my life, so I'm very excited about the sound result. To increase efficiency, the Focal Sub6 has an additional, ground-level, slot-shaped bass reflex opening on the back of the housing. However, if you want to look at the speaker without the protective grille provided, you will be faced with a tactile challenge. The protective grille is attached to three of the six screws that hold the loudspeaker in its position and is so tight that I asked myself several times while removing the filter whether this fastening was really intended by the manufacturer. Only with maximum force of the fingers could the grille be “broken out” rather than “pulled off,” which in my opinion means that the grille was completely over-attached. Here the manufacturer should really come up with a solution that is more tailored to the customer. This solution is completely impractical.

The speaker's membrane is made of a very stiff but light material, the exact nature of which I unfortunately couldn't find out in the manual. The dome of the speaker, on the other hand, is described as a “composite sandwich cone” and is also very rigid in its alignment. In addition, the loudspeaker is clamped very hard via the magnet and the surround also has a comparatively high level of stiffness. All of these features suggest a fast response with a focus on detailed reproduction.

The back of the Focal Sub6

Even at first glance you can see that the Focal Sub6 has significantly more control options than most of the competition offers. In addition to the standards such as Left / Right - In / Out in XLR, the Focal Sub6 offers, for example, an LFE In, which is required in the area of multichannel management (5.1, 5.2, 6.1 ...) and is only designed for the deep bass range. The next special feature can be found to the left of the main ins in the form of a jack socket, which allows the connection of a footswitch. Using a footswitch connected here, the subwoofer and the high-pass crossovers at the outputs to which the monitors are connected can be deactivated, thus enabling a quick switch between pure satellite operation or satellite/subwoofer operation. A really useful feature, which in a more subtle version is equivalent to switching between 2 different listening levels.

The frequency response of the woofer can also be regulated in several ways. On the far left we have a Hi Pass, which can either be turned down between 75 Hz or 100 Hz using a mini switch or completely removed from the signal path using another mini switch. This is followed by a Lo Pass rotary control, which enables continuous control from 50 - 150 Hz, a level control from 0 dB to -24 dB and a continuous (!) phase control, which can be adjusted from 0 to 180 degrees. All control knobs are pleasantly stiff and enable very precise control of the respective parameters. Finally, the polarity can be reversed and the system muted using two mini switches. A funny aside, it is well known that the French consistently refuse to recognize the dominance of the English language, especially in sound technology. But I don't really understand how one came up with the idea of calling the activation of a Hi Pass filter “defeat”.


The Focal Sub6 in practice

The strengths of the Focal Sub6 become apparent right from the first notes, which can be divided into three categories. On the one hand, the woofer offers a very strong low bass range, which really still offers a strong presence even below 60 Hz, and secondly, it remains well defined even in the ultra low range. Even at higher volumes, the system does not become spongy and remains well defined due to the stiff alignment of the dome/membrane and the associated quick response of the loudspeaker.

The third big plus goes to the great flexibility in terms of filters and tone control, with which you can not only find the perfect transfer frequency to the satellites, but also generate very good tuning of the entire system itself. In addition, the stepless phase control allows it to be used in rooms where other woofers have problems with the phase position. Don't misunderstand me, however, if you have a control room that's too small or are struggling with acoustic problems that are of a structural nature, you won't be able to generate a well-defined sound with the Focal Sub6 due to the laws of physics, although you can sometimes do it acoustically cheaply, However, the visually suboptimal placement of the woofer in the control room may be pushed into the best compromise using the phase controller.

All in all, a very good woofer, if there wasn't one downer that would spoil the overall picture. Unfortunately, like many other providers, the Focal Sub6 also works with an unspeakable noise gate, which is intended to reduce the background noise of the speakers during breaks in the game. This leads to the annoying effect that every time playback is paused, the speakers log off with a “click”. Personally, this way of working really annoys me and just because many providers want to optimize the background noise behavior of their components in this way, this design doesn't make it any better. I won't include this deficiency in the overall grade, but I feel compelled to point it out in the hope that more and more manufacturers will distance themselves from this circuitry in the future. The customer will thank you!

Conclusion

With the Focal Sub6, the French manufacturer has a visually and acoustically very good subwoofer in its portfolio. Processing, sound and control options are at a very high level and if it weren't for the clicking noise gate effect that is unfortunately becoming more and more common, there would be absolutely nothing wrong with the system.

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Additional Informations:

In the realm of high-fidelity audio, Focal stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence. Their journey, spanning over four decades, is a testament to their unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of sound reproduction. From humble beginnings in a small workshop to global recognition as a leader in acoustic design, Focal's story is an inspiring tale of passion, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of auditory perfection.

**The Birth of a Passion: The Early Years**

The story of Focal begins in 1979, in the heart of Paris, France. Jacques Mahul, an engineer with an insatiable passion for music and high-fidelity sound, founded a research office dedicated to acoustics. This small venture, initially known as Focal-JMlab, marked the genesis of a brand that would come to redefine the audio landscape.

Driven by an unwavering belief in the transformative power of sound, Mahul meticulously crafted his first speaker drivers, meticulously refining their design in a small workshop nestled in Saint-Étienne. These early creations, born from a deep understanding of acoustics and an unwavering commitment to quality, laid the foundation for Focal's future success.

**A Decade of Innovation: The 1980s**

The 1980s marked a period of remarkable growth and innovation for Focal. Mahul's pioneering spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence propelled the company forward, establishing it as a force to be reckoned with in the world of high-fidelity audio.

In 1980, Focal unveiled the Poly 25, a revolutionary loudspeaker that shattered the boundaries of sound reproduction. Its unique inverted dome tweeter, a testament to Focal's engineering prowess, delivered unparalleled clarity and detail, setting a new benchmark for audio performance.

The company's reputation for innovation continued to soar throughout the decade. In 1985, Focal introduced the Utopia series, a groundbreaking range of loudspeakers that pushed the limits of audio fidelity. These meticulously crafted creations, featuring Focal's signature inverted dome tweeter and advanced driver technologies, redefined the listening experience, captivating audiophiles worldwide.

**Expanding Horizons: The 1990s and Beyond**

The 1990s witnessed Focal's expansion beyond its traditional home of high-fidelity audio. The company ventured into the automotive sector, applying its expertise in acoustics to develop high-performance car audio systems. This diversification proved to be a resounding success, further solidifying Focal's reputation as a leader in audio innovation.

In 1998, Focal established its presence in the professional audio market, introducing a range of studio monitor loudspeakers designed to meet the exacting demands of recording engineers and music producers. These products, renowned for their accuracy and neutrality, quickly became the preferred choice of discerning professionals worldwide.

**A Legacy of Excellence: Focal Today**

Today, Focal stands as a global leader in acoustic design, renowned for its unwavering commitment to innovation and exceptional sound quality. Its products, spanning home audio, car audio, and professional audio, consistently set the benchmark for performance and redefine the listening experience.

Focal's legacy is deeply rooted in its unwavering passion for music and its relentless pursuit of auditory perfection. The company's engineers, driven by an insatiable curiosity and a deep understanding of acoustics, continue to push the boundaries of sound reproduction, creating products that captivate and inspire audiophiles worldwide.

Focal's journey is far from over. As the world of audio continues to evolve, Focal remains at the forefront of innovation, poised to deliver ever-more immersive and transformative listening experiences. With a rich heritage of excellence and an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound, Focal is destined to continue shaping the future of audio for generations to come.