In this review, we will be comparing Theatrus T65 Speaker and Aria Evo X No1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Aperion and Focal.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker and Focal Aria Evo X No1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker | Focal Aria Evo X No1 |
|---|
| Brand | Aperion
United States · founded 1998 | Focal
France · founded 1979 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 2" | 1" inverted dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" | 6.5" Flax |
|---|
| Frequency response | 35-35k Hz | 55-30kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 89.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-250 Watts watts | 25-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 14.97kg / 32.9lbs | 8.50kg / 18.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14" x 17" x 8.7"
355.6 x 431.8 x 221.0mm | 15-3/8" x 8-7/8" x 11"
391.0 x 225.0 x 280.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker and Focal Aria Evo X No1 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker |
Focal Aria Evo X No1 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Theatrus T65 Speaker and Aria Evo X No1 are 2-way speakers.
Aperion Theatrus T65 SpeakerFocal Aria Evo X No1
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker |
Focal Aria Evo X No1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
2-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Theatrus T65 Speaker features a 2" Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Woofer. On the other hand, the Aria Evo X No1 features a 1" Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Flax Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800 Hz.
Frequency Response
Theatrus T65 Speaker has a frequency range of 35-35k Hz whereas Aria Evo X No1 has a frequency range of 55-30kHz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the Theatrus T65 Speaker can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Aria Evo X No1's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Theatrus T65 Speaker is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Aria Evo X No1 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Theatrus T65 Speaker can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Theatrus T65 Speaker sensitivity is rated at 94 dB and the Aria Evo X No1's is rated at 89.5 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker a more sensitive speaker compared to Focal Aria Evo X No1, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Theatrus T65 Speaker can handle a max power of 500 watts RMS, whereas Aria Evo X No1 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 380 watts less than the Theatrus T65 Speaker.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Aria Evo X No1 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Theatrus T65 Speaker has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker's and Focal Aria Evo X No1's external dimensions. Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker has external dimensions of 355.6 x 431.8 x 221.0mm (14 x 17 x 8.7inch) whereas Focal Aria Evo X No1 has external dimensions of 391.0 x 225.0 x 280.0mm (15-3/8 x 8-⅞ x 11).
Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker is 35.4mm shorter and 59mm less deeper than Focal Aria Evo X No1 but it is also 206.8mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker needs about 51% more floor or shelf area. Focal Aria Evo X No1 is 59mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Focal Aria Evo X No1 is 35mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker is approximately 954.2cm2 / 147.9inch2 and base area of the Focal Aria Evo X No1 is approximately 630.0cm2 / 97.7inch2. The Theatrus T65 Speaker requires 51% more surface area than the Aria Evo X No1 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker weighs 14.97kg / 32.9lbs and the Focal Aria Evo X No1 weighs 8.50kg / 18.7lbs. This makes the Theatrus T65 Speaker 76% heavier than the Aria Evo X No1.
Here is a comparison of how Theatrus T65 Speaker and Aria Evo X No1's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker
 Max Input Power |
500 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
35 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
355mm
vs
391mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Base Surface Area |
630cm2
vs
954cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker |
Focal Aria Evo X No1 |
| Brand |
Aperion |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-250 Watts watts |
25-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
94 dB |
89.5 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4.6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
35-35k Hz |
55-30kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Flax |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
TMD |
| Tweeter Size |
2" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
inverted dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2800 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
355.6mm (14") |
391.0mm (15.4") |
| Width |
431.8mm (17") |
225.0mm (8.9") |
| Depth |
221.0mm (8.7") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Weight |
14.97kg (32.9lbs) |
8.50kg (18.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black High Gloss, Prime Walnut, Moss Green High Gloss |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker digs deeper - 35Hz against 55Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker is more sensitive (94dB vs 90dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Focal Aria Evo X No1 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker takes more power (500W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Focal Aria Evo X No1 is easier to place; Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Focal Aria Evo X No1: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($2,398 vs $2,398 a pair). |
A Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker B Focal Aria Evo X No1
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Aperion Theatrus T65 Speaker the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Focal Aria Evo X No1 for a mid-size room and a large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.