At the beginning of June, Focal introduced refreshed versions of studio monitors Solo6 and Twin6… and a new subwoofer Sub12.
The French manufacturer has become accustomed to sound perfectionists for its high-end equipment that meets even the most stringent expectations. How does he intend to delight us this time?
New Design of Acclaimed Monitors
The new versions of renowned powered monitors Solo6 and Twin6, originally released 15 years ago, retain Focal’s heritage of excellence in design and sound reproduction but offer increased sonic detail and even more transparency. Focal engineers have reached a new zenith in audio design through improved transducer designs, new amplifiers, and a structurally enhanced cabinet. The new monitors also push boundaries by adopting innovations from Focal’s award-winning Trio11 Be monitors, including Focus Mode. The new Solo6 features mounting points for wall and ceiling placement in immersive systems such as Dolby® Atmos and Sony 360RA® setups.
A More Transparent & Detailed Sound
The monitors sport a new Beryllium tweeter design with an M-shaped protective cover and a new woofer with an increased frequency range to 10kHz, specifically designed for Focus Mode. Both models include Focal’s patented Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) technology integrated into their new woofer design offering as much as 50% less distortion in the 1kHz to 3kHz frequency range — a feature borrowed from Focals’ flagship Trio11 monitors. A new cabinet design has a refined modern look that uses a thicker, more robust material. The cabinet interior features more reinforcement braces, both of which make the monitors more rigid and dampened, equating to less vibration and thus less distortion. All these key improvements come together to produce an even more nuanced, detailed playback than the previous models with new revealing transparency allowing engineers to hear their work more accurately.
Focus Mode for All
The new redesigned Solo6 and Twin6 both feature a new version of Focus Mode which offers a completely different speaker configuration at the press of a footswitch – like having a second pair of monitors with reduced dynamics for checking mixes and balance. The Solo6 has a 1-way single-driver Focus Mode with no tweeter, replicating the concept of the ubiquitous Auratone monitors, while the Twin6 Focus Mode uses a 2-way arrangement with both drivers, but again with no tweeter. Focal’s Focus Mode lets the engineer remain in the sweet spot when evaluating mixes, saves space on the desk or console, and simplifies cabling and monitor switching.
Each New Model Offers Specific Features
Solo6 and Twin6 now include a variable high pass filter and 160Hz parametric filter to mitigate console or desk reflections. The Solo6 is an ideal monitor choice for Dolby ATMOS immersive sound setups and now includes mounting points for wall or ceiling placement. Both models have a user-accessible Defeat Switch for the auto-off power-saving feature to offer a simple user controlled option; Power-saving circuitry is a regulated product requirement in the European Union.
With these new models, our Professional Products design team has created dramatically more transparent monitors with a more detailed sound to give engineers a sonic advantage when recording and mixing projects for their clients. Although these two iconic monitor models have not changed in many years, Focal’s technology and the professional market needs have evolved, so our new models incorporate our latest technology and innovative ideas like Focus Mode, and include features requested by the professional music industry — all while retaining the DNA of Focal: Excellence in Sound.
Vincent Moreuille
Newly Designed & Powerful ‘SUB12’ Subwoofer
Today Focal has announced that it is shipping an all-new, powerful “Sub12” subwoofer to add to its line with the Sub6 and Sub One subwoofer lineup. Focal Sub12 features a newly designed 13-inch woofer with a 600-watt power amp utilizing technology and features from their award-winning, flagship Trio11 powered monitors.
More Power and More Flexibility for More Studio Systems
The Sub12 features a completely new 13-inch woofer with even more articulation and definition due to its efficient design offering a very deep low-end impact and incredibly low distortion. The BASH amplifier provides 600W of RMS power with a 1000W peak. The cabinet design features optimized bracing and reinforcement and a front-facing port based on the company’s Trio11 monitors but adds internal and external flares to reduce mechanical noise and distortion. As a convenience, large handles are built in on the sides of the cabinet to more easily move the 154-pound unit with two people. A complete host of bass management controls on the rear of the Sub12 allow an acoustician, room tuner, or studio owner to dial in the perfect low-end settings for any system setup: variable low-pass, highpass, and phase. Rear controls also feature switches for polarity, +4dBu or -10dBv sensitivity, auto stand-by bypass, LFE input, and Throughout. The Sub12 also features Focal’s single footswitch control input to truly bypass one or multiple daisy-chained Sub12 units.
Although our Sub6 and Sub One subwoofers are extremely popular and work in many studio systems, we now cover an even wider set of studio requirements including immersive recording and mastering setups with the new Sub12. With its exceptional efficiency and deep low-end impact, the Sub12 achieves a new level of low-frequency reproduction. And its variable control settings for low-pass, high-pass, and phase set a new precision level for realizing the perfect studio sound.
Head of Global Export Sales for Focal’s Professional Division
