Reviews for Focal XS Satellite Speakers

This is my second review of the Focal XS multimedia speaker system. Some of you may appreciate a follow-up. I have been critically listening this little system for 4 months. The price of admission is not cheap, but I must say, at $700 Canadian, the Focal XS is a bargain! I suppose some would call me an audio snob because I simply cannot tolerate most of what is available. The majority of producers and studio engineers intend for music to be experienced the way it sounded in the recording/mixdown process. Most speakers "color" audio to the point of being nearly unrecognizable when compared to the original. The Focal XS is an abrupt departure from the norm. The XS system is very true to the original…if the audio has been recorded well, it sounds excellent…if the music has been equalized, compressed and limited, it sounds that way. The Focal XS compares very favourably to most better home/professional speaker systems costing 3 to 4 times its price. I won't tell you the XS system sounds as good my $8,500 Martin-Logans or the $269,000 Focal Grand Utopia EM system (which, incidentally sets the worldwide standard for premium systems…yes the same company that makes the Focal XS). The Focal XS stands on it own, outranking 99% of ALL small multimedia speaker systems, at any price. The system is unique in that it employs its own custom digital to analog converter; which feeds a custom designed and built crossover and amplification system; which drives the speakers, which are designed and manufactured specifically for the application…all designed to function collectively as a unit. The Focal XS is intended to be a near-field monitor, therefore it is not as "loud" as some other speakers…but the sound that emerges from the system is as nearly perfect, pure and true as $700 can possibly buy anywhere.

As a side note: I have found iVolume to be the ideal companion to iTunes and the Focal XS, because without any compression or limiting, it sets all levels based on the loudest passages of each selection of music. I listen to everything from Jazz to Rock and Country to Classical…with iVolume, I rarely have any need to adjust levels.

I had a problem syncing my iPhone 3G with my iMac 27" i7. I got a message saying that "iTunes cannot read the content of the iPhone". After unsuccessfully testing all kind of possible solutions, including trying other USB ports, restoring the iPhone or disconnecting other USB devices, I managed to sync the iPhone by connecting the Focal XS through a powered USB Hub to the iMac. Strange but it works! The Hub is a Sitecom CN-052, not sold in the US, but it might work with other Hubs. For the ones who have the same problem, try it.

For the rest: stunning sound and beautiful design!

I bought the Focal XS system to playback music on my new iMac 27 and to dock my iPod and iPhone 3GS.
The sound is exceptional, as advertised but the device will not connect my iPhone to the computer/iTunes. Either it does nothing when connected or displays a simple error message that it cannot connect. It will charge the iPhone in the dock after dealing with the annoying 'accessory not made for iPhone' message.
I will likely return them and wait for this issue to be resolved. There is not a support area on the focal sight nor does it provide a contact number for email for the US.

I have been into audio for almost 50 years. Focal speakers are primo quality. The detractors must be used to bass kickers for thump, thump, thump; not adjusting for accurate playback because they don't know what is.

I believe these are the best computer speakers I've owned. I'm not really They have great highs and lows. If you are looking for just thumping bass, these aren't for you, the bass is controlled and very smooth, but they can thump if you set the sub up that way. I used to have a pair of Bose companion 1 and then companion 2 speakers both of which lacked highs and lows and were just plain loud, which is okay I suppose and they they did have loud thumping uncontrolled bass, and if that is what you are looking for once again, these aren't for you. These speakers are much more refined. Regarding the price of these speakers, I do agree they are kind of steep, but I believe they will last me a long time as the music that comes out of them are comparable to many home theater setups. I enjoy these very much, and please before you write these speakers off....give them some time to be broken in. All new high end speakers need to be broken in, once broken in, they sound a whole lot better. I love my speakers, and I think they are well worth the money.

I have just received my focal speakers for a B-day present and they are awesome, if I did not get them for a present, I would have bought them.

Apparently the name "Focal" has some of you fooled and you must think you are listening to something great. I can't blame you after spending $600.

These speakers sound tinny and bright and the subwoofer cannot keep up! The bass coming from the sub is compact at best and doesn't come close to sounding true. Kick drums sound more like wooden boxes and snares slap you in the ears. Vocals are ok on most tracks, but "s"'s sound like a pit full of angry snakes.

I have heard $50 sets that could compete with these so save your money.

Focal sound is good, lacks a bit of bass but that is solved with EQ and volume. Jazz sounds fantastic and classical I'm hearing new details. Other styles are hit or miss, sometimes more detail isn't desirable.

However...

On my unit iPod, Touch, and iPhone (1st & 3rd gen) charging and sync doesn't work. There is a loud thud upon waking my MacPro when using either USB or line in audio. Support is slow. As a result I expect to be returning them.

The Focal XS are great speakers, great frequency response (all range), crystal clear sound and great design. My desapointment is related to the power of those speakers. I don't understand the power specs provided by Focal. I bought the Focal XS as a replacement for my Yamaha 8W speakers. The Focal XS power (2 x 30w and 1 x 70w) is not in the same range as my old 8W Yamaha. I will have to continue to use my old speakers when I'm playing back tracks and playing guitar with my tube Fender 15w amplifier.

I just purchased these babies 2 days ago. I have owned every brand in my 24 year life span from Sony, Bose, Pioneer, Klipsch, etc. I expected for the price tag an absolute flawless subwoofer and I must say it sure lives up to the billing. It is a beast that hits accurately when it should, does not distort, or prolong the agony of fine listening. It has quality bass and this is what you will get when you buy the Focal XS subwoofer. The 2 speakers not only look systematically integrated with my 24" iMac by design, but completely and utterly enhance the exterior beauty with the pure luxury of clear, crisp high's that I have never heard from a computer speaker. Make no mistake about it if you own an iMac these are the speakers for you. You cannot go wrong. Sure the high end Focal's sound incredible also, but you will dish out five more benjamin bills for a minor improvement in sound quality and the design is lacking. The Bang & Olufsen Speakers aren't bad but they simply do not have the proper design for quality output. They cannot fulfill the potential of their monetary value. The Focal XS are without a doubt, most definitely the best speakers out there based on price, sound quality, subwoofer performance, and enhancing the iMac computer setup. They are the elite. Buy them.