Focal Aria Evo X No.2

The New Classic Naim 200 Series is here, and with it arrived the smaller of the Focal Aria Evo X towers, the No. 2. The Focal Aria Evo X range comprises a compact bookshelf speaker, the No.1, three floorstanders called No.2, No.3, and No. 4, as well as a Centre speaker. The emphasis is on cinema installation in terms of price, literature, and marketing, but how will No.2 stack up in a two-channel setup?

Design

The Aria Evo X No. 2 are a three-way design with a multi-port (front and downward) bass reflex arrangement.

There’s a ton of design in these Aria Evo X No. 2 coming from the thinking in the Kanta and the Utopia loudspeakers; you know it will be good. The Flax technology is a sandwich made of high-quality French flax fibre placed between two thin glass fibre sheets. It was first seen in 2013, and it is light and rigid. It has a unique design, and the lightness coupled with the tuned mass damping technology makes both the midrange and bass drivers fast, and it gets back into shape for the next note quickly. The TMD technology was seen in the wonderful Focal Kanta. There are two 16.5cm (6.5”) bass drivers and a single 16.5cm midrange in the No.2s.

The TAM tweeter has a wide diffusion angle and is made of an aluminium/magnesium inverted dome that is “M” shaped. This 25mm inverted dome limits rear wave reflections and improves clarity.

The speaker’s claimed frequency response is 45 Hz—30 kHz (+/—3dB). Its nominal impedance is 8 Ohms (though it can be lower than 3 Ohms). The loudspeaker sensitivity is an easygoing 91.5 dB.

Quality

There is a high production aesthetic with these loudspeakers, from the unboxing experience (10 out of 10 from me for ease), the glass top and the leather effect front and back. Focal says the cabinets are made of ultra-rigid MDF construction and set on an aluminium alloy plinth. There is a full-length magnetic grille with the logo on the front. The binding posts at the rear are really solid and have a great feel. The loudspeakers weigh in at just 25kg each, making lifting them easy. The plinth has a recess for fingers to get a grip. The dimensions are 103.5 x 29.4 x 37.1cm (H x W x D).

Prices

Aria Evo X N°1 – £1,299 / $2,398 pair , Aria Evo X N°2 – £2,999 $4,798 pair, Aria Evo X N°3 – £3,499 / $5,198 pair, Aria Evo X N°4 – £3,999 / $5,998 pair , Aria Evo X Center – £699 / $999

The full specification is here;

Performance

Review Equipment

I have the Naim Audio New Classic NSC 222 preamplifier with the associated Burndy-connected NPX 300 power supply while they are still here. I’m using my Moor Amps Angel 6 power amplifier to drive the Focal Aria Evo X No. 2 loudspeakers. I have Atlas Mavros loudspeaker cables with Grun.

The speakers are 2.5m apart, and I’m sitting around 3m away from them. They are around 70 cm from the front wall, which is fairly irrelevant with the front and downward-facing bass ports.

Physically

I am a grille-off person, but in this case, I prefer them on. I’m not sure what this says about the look of the flax drivers, but the leather effect frontage (and rear) is very tactile indeed. As is the glass top on the loudspeaker, though I fear my wife will put a plant on them in the medium term, I always prefer a slanted top on the loudspeaker for this reason!

The loudspeakers come with a red key to help level them out from the top of the base plinth, and this is good. There is a slight issue with this key’s turning and its proximity to the cabinet, but all is well in the end. Whilst I’m round the back, I’m unable to get the plastic ‘nubs’ out of the binding posts, hence the dodgy wiring at the rear (see below), but in principle, the binding posts are lovely.

Soundstage

The soundstage is wide and full and very engaging

These speakers, particularly with modern music with high production values are excellent in the round with a softer laid-back presentation that is very appealing for late-night relaxed listening. The soundstage is wide and full and very engaging. The overall presentation is big, reflecting the high claimed 91.5dB sensitivity, the N222 is barely hitting 20 on the volume count for a big sound (yes, the Angel 6 is 150W/ch into 8Ohms big).

Tone

…female vocals are extremely engaging with the likes of Norah Jones, Lady Blackbird and Diana Krall….

Whilst I’m finding the loudspeaker may be lacking precision at some points there is enough detail to satisfy this listener. Certain pieces are generally well delivered, and the low midrange is fine for me, female vocals are extremely engaging with the likes of Norah Jones, Lady Blackbird and Diana Krall spending much time with me in the evenings.

As I have mentioned, for me, these are late-night, laid-back speakers that have a responsive bass if it’s needed, for example, the chilled-out tango poca by the Gotan Project (Naim UnitiServe WAV rip, 16-bit, 44.1kHz) is well delivered. A listen to Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (Qobuz 24-bit, 96kHz) offers a solid presentation as this bass punch is often difficult to get right. The low end at low volume would need a subwoofer if you were that inclined, and I can see the appeal of a sub with this loudspeaker. Much of the literature I have for this No.2 loudspeaker refers to the centre and ancillary speakers, as well as a subwoofer. The frequency range hints at this as being a design consideration.

Musical Interlude

These loudspeakers put on a fine show with a bit of late-night Qobuz jazz or this HF&MS Focal Aria playlist.

Naim Audio NAP 250

The return of the New Classic NAP 250 to partner the NSC 222 with Atlas Mavros RCA interconnects reveals a very lovely partnership at work.  I note again that my Old Naim Classic NAP 250 (not DR) offers a fraction more in the bass response, as referred to in the New Classic NAP 250 review.  This consistency is a credit to the Focal Aria Evo X No.2.

Thoughts

This Focal Aria Evo X No. 2 is the smaller of the three towers in the range and, in 2-channel mode, well suited to my space. They are, however, priced at a very competitive price point; there is so much choice out there. Having just seen off the well-balanced Audiovector QR3s at a slightly lower price and recalling the more expensive Triangle Duetto from last year (not to mention B&W, Acoustic Energy or Monitor Audio), listening in your own space is going to be the key to your decision. If you are after a warmer fireside presentation, these loudspeakers need your consideration.

Overall

…these Focal Aria Evo X No. 2 loudspeakers are unreservedly gorgeous to behold…

There is a huge amount of choice out there, but these Focal Aria Evo X No. 2 loudspeakers are unreservedly gorgeous to behold with a sound, for me, best suited to jazzy or other vocals; they are going to need a good listen in my view, and any great retailer will help you here.

Specification

Full details are on the company’s site.