Focal announces Aria 900 range of affordable speakers

Focal has announced a new line of affordable loudspeakers, the Focal Aria 900.

Available in four sizes, including three 3-way floorstanders and a 2-way bookshelf speaker, the Aria 900 range will gradually replace the Chorus 800 V range, and will be available in a choice of walnut or black gloss finishes.

There is also a centre channel and a set of speaker stands available.

It is the first range from Focal that uses the new “F” cone – a more cost-effective cone made from flax fibre – instead of the labour-intensive “W” cone found in its pricier ranges.

The cost saved here (the “W” cone cost is around double the price of the “F” cone, as each is hand made) allows the Aria 900 to launch at a much more reasonable price point than its predecessors, while still delivering a performance close to that of the premium models.

Other improvements include a new injected Zamak basket for maximum rear decompression and a new TNF tweeter with Poron suspension for a more consistent frequency response.

The Focal Aria 900 range in full is as follows:

Aria 906 – 379 euros (walnut) / 449 (black high gloss)

Aria 926 – 899 euros / 999

Aria 936 – 1099 euros / 1199

Aria 948 – 1399 euros / 1549

Aria CC 900 – 499 euros / 549

Aria S900 stand – 149 euros

The Aria 900 range launches in October, with prices starting from £760 for a pair of the Aria 906 bookshelf speakers.

MORE: Focal Aria 906 review

By Verity Burns

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Verity Burns

Verity is a freelance technology journalist and former Multimedia Editor at What Hi-Fi?. 

Having chalked up more than 15 years in the industry, she has covered the highs and lows across the breadth of consumer tech, sometimes travelling to the other side of the world to do so. With a specialism in audio and TV, however, it means she's managed to spend a lot of time watching films and listening to music in the name of "work".

You'll occasionally catch her on BBC Radio commenting on the latest tech news stories, and always find her in the living room, tweaking terrible TV settings at parties.