In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers. Cambridge Audio SX-70 is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Aria 926 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Cambridge Audio SX-70 and Focal Aria 926 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Cambridge Audio SX-70 | Focal Aria 926 |
|---|
| Brand | Cambridge Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1968 | Focal
France · founded 1979 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" dome | 1" inverted dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 6.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4" treated-paper | 2 x 6.5" Flax |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-22k Hz | 45-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 91.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 10-100 watts | 40-250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.00kg / 8.8lbs | 25.00kg / 55lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5-7/16" x 14-1/4" x 9-3/4"
139.0 x 362.0 x 248.0mm | 40-7/8" x 11-9/16" x 14-11/16"
1039.0 x 294.0 x 374.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that SX-70 is a 2-way design whereas the Aria 926 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Cambridge Audio SX-70Focal Aria 926
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Cambridge Audio SX-70 |
Focal Aria 926 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 6.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
SX-70 features a 1" Silk dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" treated-paper Woofer. On the other hand, the Aria 926 features a 1" TNF Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter, a 6.5" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Flax Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 290Hz and 2,400Hz.
Frequency Response
SX-70 has a frequency range of 65-22k Hz whereas Aria 926 has a frequency range of 45-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Aria 926 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SX-70's min frequency of 65Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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
SX-70 and Aria 926 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SX-70 sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the Aria 926's is at 91.5 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Focal Aria 926 a more sensitive speaker compared to Cambridge Audio SX-70, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
Aria 926 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas SX-70 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 150 watts less than the Aria 926.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
SX-70 features Binding post type posts and Aria 926 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers 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 Cambridge Audio SX-70's and Focal Aria 926's external dimensions. Cambridge Audio SX-70 has external dimensions of 139.0 x 362.0 x 248.0mm (5-7/16 x 14-1/4 x 9-3/4inch) whereas Focal Aria 926 has external dimensions of 1039.0 x 294.0 x 374.0mm (40-7/8 x 11-9/16 x 14-11/16inch).
Cambridge Audio SX-70 is 900mm shorter and 126mm less deeper than Focal Aria 926 but it is also 68mm 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.
Focal Aria 926 needs about 22% more floor or shelf area. Focal Aria 926 is 126mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Focal Aria 926 is 900mm 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 Cambridge Audio SX-70 is approximately 897.8cm2 / 139.2inch2 and base area of the Focal Aria 926 is approximately 1099.6cm2 / 170.4inch2. The SX-70 requires 18% less surface area than the Aria 926 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Cambridge Audio SX-70?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SX-70:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Installation Guide
What's in the Box of Focal Aria 926?
Here are the items that come with the Aria 926:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Base
- 4 Spike feet (pre-installed in base)
- 4 Plastic feet
- 4 Screws
- Allen-key
- Hex-tool
- User Manual