In this review, we will be comparing Aria Evo X Center and Aria CC 900, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Focal.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Aria Evo X C and Focal Aria CC 900 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal Aria Evo X C | Focal Aria CC 900 |
|---|
| Brand | Focal
France · founded 1979 | Focal
France · founded 1979 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" inverted dome | 1" inverted dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Flax | 2 x 6.5" flax/fiberglass |
|---|
| Frequency response | 57-30kHz | 57-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-120 watts | 40-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.50kg / 23.1lbs | 10.45kg / 23lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-7/8" x 21" x 10"
20 x 53.3 x 24.5 cm | 7-15/16" x 20-15/16" x 11-3/16"
202.0 x 532.0 x 285.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Focal Aria Evo X C and Focal Aria CC 900 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* |
Focal Aria Evo X C |
Focal Aria CC 900 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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.
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Drivers
Both Aria Evo X Center and Aria CC 900 are 2-way speakers.
Focal Aria Evo X CFocal Aria CC 900
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Focal Aria Evo X C |
Focal Aria CC 900 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Aria Evo X Center features a 1" Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Flax Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800 Hz. On the other hand, the Aria CC 900 features a 1" TNF aluminum/magnesium inverted dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" flax/fiberglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz.
Frequency Response
Aria Evo X Center has a frequency range of 57-30kHz whereas Aria CC 900 has a frequency range of 57-28k Hz.
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
Aria Evo X Center and Aria CC 900 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 91 dB.
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 CC 900 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Aria Evo X Center has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Aria CC 900.
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
Aria Evo X Center features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Aria CC 900 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Focal Aria Evo X C's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Aria Evo X Center and Aria CC 900 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 Focal Aria Evo X C's and Focal Aria CC 900's external dimensions. Focal Aria Evo X C has external dimensions of 20 x 53.3 x 24.5 cm (7-7/8 x 21 x 9-5/8) whereas Focal Aria CC 900 has external dimensions of 202.0 x 532.0 x 285.0mm (7-15/16 x 20-15/16 x 11-3/16inch).
Focal Aria Evo X C is 2mm shorter and 40mm less deeper than Focal Aria CC 900 but it is also 1mm wider.
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 Focal Aria Evo X C is approximately 1305.9cm2 / 202.4inch2 and base area of the Focal Aria CC 900 is approximately 1516.2cm2 / 235.0inch2. The Aria Evo X Center requires 14% less surface area than the Aria CC 900 which gives it a small advantage 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 Focal Aria Evo X C weighs 10.50kg / 23.1lbs and the Focal Aria CC 900 weighs 10.45kg / 23lbs. This makes the Aria Evo X Center 0% heavier than the Aria CC 900.
Here is a comparison of how Aria Evo X Center and Aria CC 900's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Focal Aria CC 900?
Here are the items that come with the Aria CC 900:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- User Manual
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
200mm
vs
202mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1305cm2
vs
1516cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1099USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
| General |
Focal Aria Evo X Center |
Focal Aria CC 900 |
| Brand |
Focal |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-120 watts |
40-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.3 ohms |
4.3 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
57-30kHz |
57-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Flax |
flax/fiberglass |
| Woofer Surround Material |
TMD |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
inverted dome |
inverted dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2800 Hz |
2800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
200.0mm (7.9") |
202.0mm (8") |
| Width |
533.0mm (21") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Depth |
245.0mm (9.6") |
285.0mm (11.2") |
| Weight |
10.50kg (23.1lbs) |
10.45kg (23lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss, Prime Walnut, Moss Green High Gloss |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Focal Aria Evo X C is the newer design, against a 2013 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (57Hz vs 57Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (91dB vs 91dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | B | Focal Aria CC 900 takes more power (200W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | A | Focal Aria Evo X C: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($999 vs $1,099 a pair). |
A Focal Aria Evo X C B Focal Aria CC 900
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
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.