Focal XS Book Wireless speakers
The Focal XS BOOK is a system that is powered. Notice that I say 'powered' and not 'active', because the design includes a passive crossover, and also the right hand unit houses a pair of 20-watt power amplifiers.
No frequency division happens before that amplification stage, so they are not quite exactly the same type of proposition as you'd get from a Linn/Naim six-pack/Isobarik PMS system, as an example.
Instead, the crossover splits the full-range output signal from your amplifier, feeding frequencies lower than 3kHz to a Polyglass 10cm midrange unit, and anything previously to a 19mm aluminium tweeter. The aluminium enclosure is vented and runs on the complicated, CAD modelled port to ensure exceptional air flow so as to not generate port sound and also to maximise efficiency.
As such, the Focal system should work with a broad range of powered amplifiers that are lowish.
This is just sufficient to whirl my double-21-inch-flat-display set up, but could be extended with a touch - only to make me one hundred per cent fulfilled. The cable that is concluding is an I figure-of-eight mains lead. A Focal representative tells me if you are prepared to make such tweaks on a method this inexpensive that the design reacts well to interconnect cable upgrades and mains.
Its operation wasn't inconsistent, and ultimately I left the loudspeakers permanently switched on and used the volume and mute controls on the' Qute as I'd with a non-powered speaker.
Naturally, you need to use the XS BOOK as a regular small-room speaker, but I examined it exclusively in its role as a desktop computer screen with my computer setup feeding one input signal of my Naim UnitiQute, while its UPnP connection provided the second source feeding rips and downloads from my NAS drive. Me pleased in the outset as desktop layouts so often do, by sounding substantial rather than modest and anaemic.
Sound quality
There was a naturalness about its demo which was an easy task to understand and love, especially when listening to vocals and acoustic instrumentation. Furthermore, it displayed near perfect voicing and a tasteful equilibrium. Whoever was responsible for voicing this was certainly very much in tune with what I need from a desktop computer system. The XS BOOK never seemed skimpy, although I guess one might say that a shade more bass extension would have already been valued.
It presented Massachusetts with true emotional certainty and faultless musical integrity from the Aaron Lewis record Town Line. It further conveyed Country Boy with proper opinion, all the stirring power of his tune, together with the potency of the straightforward but well measured arrangement, as well as Lewis' affecting vocal delivery.
The Alison McGillivray 24 bit/96kHz album, Geminiani exhibited that its formula has been certainly translated by Focal into one for studio desktop computer computer screens acceptable for loudspeakers positioned on the domestic computer desktop.
The abundance of bright tonal colour and dynamics coupled with a soundstage of ample proportions incline an air of credulity that was true to the quartet's performance. The speaker unquestionably knew how to groove; it was and latched on to timing clues immediately a thoroughly engaging layout.
Decision
The XS BOOK was agnostic, and seemed equally sensitive and responsive to any or all disciplines. Its finest advantage was its gift of communicating regardless of the source: whether it was CD rip, a 24/192 download, or a YouTube video, the emotional message came across clearly
In fact, it was so many streets ahead of the conventional desktop loudspeaker that comparisons to equivalently priced products seemed redundant. Something to make you catch up on your own book keeping, then...
