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Bring on the youth! After more than 15 years of good and loyal service, the emblematic Solo6 Be and Twin6 Be monitoring loudspeakers end their career in favor of the Solo6 and Twin6, synonymous with several acoustic and practical improvements.
Focal Solo6
Introductory price 1325 €
Woodbrass1,325.08
How the pricing table works
Focal Twin6
Introductory price 1990 €
- Woodbrass
1,990.08
How the pricing table works
The world of monitoring speakers is progressing at a snail’s pace, and Focal’s new announcement proves it once again. Despite the 15 years that separate the previous loudspeakers of the SM6 series (Solo6 Be, Twin6 Be and Sub6) from the newly released 2-way and 2.5-way models of the ST6 range (Solo6, Twin6 and Sub12), the design speakers remains quite close: after all, why mess up a recipe that works?
The Solo6 and Twin6 clearly surf on the heritage by first of all retaining the characteristic aesthetic identity of their predecessors (in particular with their sides in burr ash veneer, covered with a red varnish), with all the same lines a little less rounded. © Focal
From a format and aesthetic point of view, not much really changes. A few minor visual differences still conceal deeper changes, especially at the level of the tweeter part. The Solo6 and Twin6 now house a new “optimized” tweeter baffle whose grille follows the profile, thus making it possible to limit the acoustic impact of the latter and also to improve the width of the sweetspot, the ideal listening position. The 1.5-inch tweeter cone retains its inverted-dome beryllium design. The 6.5-inch woofer also retains its “W” composite sandwich cone but is now equipped with a cardboard core cover and patented TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) technology, for extension in the highest frequencies, a increased responsiveness, as well as better distortion management in the low-mids and mids.
The cabinetwork of the loudspeakers evolves subtly: the MDF panels gain 3 mm in thickness and are therefore more rigid, thus offering better management of unwanted vibrations and distortion. © Focal
The other great novelty brought to the Solo6 and Twin6 of 2022 is the integration of the “Focus” mode, present in particular on the high-end Trio6 Be and Trio11 Be models from Focal. When triggered, achievable via a pedal, this mode will allow you to switch from a 2/2.5-way monitor to a 1-way monitor, the woofer thus going into full band (120 Hz to 10 kHz). The relevance of this mode consists in checking very quickly the quality of the transfer of its mix on systems of listening definitely less capable.
The Solo6 welcomes new screw threads for easier wall/ceiling mounting, especially for 3D audio mixing configurations, Dolby Atmos or Sony 360 Reality Audio. © Focal
The latest innovations are happening at the rear of the speakers, with in particular welcome new settings: a low-cut filter (45, 60 and 90 Hz) and a “desk” setting at 160 Hz (to limit reflections linked to a desk or a mixing console) in addition to the usual shelving filters in the low and high frequencies (below 250 Hz and above 5 kHz), and the possibility of engaging or not the automatic standby mode. The speakers are always connected via their balanced XLR input, the Jack connectors being assigned to “Focus” mode.
Here are the technical characteristics of the Solo6 and Twin6:
- Frequency Response (+/- 3dB): 40Hz to 40kHz; “Focus” mode: 110 Hz to 10 kHz.
- Max SPL: 110dB/112dB.
- Amplification: 80W RMS + 50W RMS / 2 x 70W RMS + 50W RMS.
The Solo6 and Twin6 are available at respective prices of €1325 and €1990 each. The active subwoofer that accompanies them, the Sub12, with its 13-inch woofer and 600 W RMS power, is launched at €2,590.