Catalog

Aria 948
Starting point for the Aria concept,
the Aria 948 was designed to make
the very most of our brand new
"Flax" technology. In fact, it serves
to some extent as a demonstration…
Starting by going back to
fundamentals, with its two large-
diameter 8" (21cm) bass cones even
if it meant defying market trends.
This is the only solution to having
performance and dynamics whilst
retaining good bass extension.
Profiting from more than twenty
years’ experience in membranes,
the woofers’ "Flax" sandwiches use
a 250g/m
2
flax braid to maximise
stiffness, while the midrange units
use 150g/m
2
density for optimal
lightness and damping.
The Aria 948 is, therefore, a "generous"
enclosure, with substantial dimen-
sions. With its high 92.5dB/W/m
sensitivity it is easy to drive, even
with modestly powered amplifiers.
Keeping its componentry in mind,
the objective given to the teams
for finalising tonal balance was to
move towards that of the Scala V2
Utopia, our range’s benchmark, if
indeed it can be said that we have
one! Of course, its definition is not
as marked as that of the Scala V2
with its "W" sandwich membranes
and its beryllium tweeter, but its
overall sound signature comes
astonishingly close, with the ease
provided by its high dynamics, airy
spatial characteristic and jubilant
sense of rhythm.
The contribution made by "Flax"
sandwich membranes is should be
compared with products in a similar
price range, formerly fitted with
Polyglass cones. There is a very real
gain here in terms of definition and
presence in the midrange.
Aria 948 was clearly the prototype
for definitive validation of "Flax"
sandwich cones, like the Grande
Utopia in 1995, developed as a
concept product used to validate
"W" sandwich cones. The results
more than met our expectations.
The "Flax" membrane is offering
Focal very encouraging prospects,
finding a place for itself among
the true acoustic values that Focal
holds so dear.
There is no measurement for the
ensemble of criteria used when
one listens to a piece of music - the
sensory dimension remains the
final arbiter.
> Aria 948 in Walnut finish.