In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by Focal. Focal Aria Evo X Center is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Aria Evo X No1 is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Aria Evo X C and Focal Aria Evo X No1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Focal Aria Evo X C Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" inverted dome Tweeter
- 2 x 6.5" Flax Woofer
- 57-30kHz Frequency Response
- 91 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:40-120watts
- Weight:10.50kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 200.0" x 21" x 10"( 20 x 53.3 x 24.5 cm )
Focal Aria Evo X No1 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" inverted dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Flax Woofer
- 55-30kHz Frequency Response
- 89.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:25-120watts
- Weight:8.50kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 391.0" x 8-7/8" x 11"( 39 x 22.5 x 28 cm )
Aria Evo X Center and Aria Evo X No1 are members of Focal's Aria Evo X series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Focal Aria Evo X Series History
What size room are the Focal Aria Evo X C 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* |
Focal Aria Evo X C |
Focal Aria Evo X No1 |
| 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Focal Aria Evo X C and Focal Aria Evo X No1 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Aria Evo X Center and Aria Evo X No1 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Focal Aria Evo X C |
Focal Aria Evo X No1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
1 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 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
Aria Evo X Center has a frequency range of 57-30kHz whereas Aria Evo X No1 has a frequency range of 55-30kHz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Aria Evo X No1 can go slightly deeper then the Aria Evo X Center's min frequency of 57Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Aria Evo X Center and Aria Evo X No1 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Aria Evo X Center sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Aria Evo X No1's is at 89.5 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Focal Aria Evo X C a more sensitive speaker compared to Focal Aria Evo X No1, 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. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Aria Evo X Center and Aria Evo X No1 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Focal Aria Evo X C's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Aria Evo X Center has a rear firing port whereas Aria Evo X No1 has a front firing ports. Focal Aria Evo X No1's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Focal Aria Evo X C with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Evo X No1'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 Evo X No1 has external dimensions of 39 x 22.5 x 28 cm ( 15-3/8 x 8-⅞ x 11) .
Focal Aria Evo X C is 191mm shorter and 35mm less deeper than Focal Aria Evo X No1 but it is also 308mm 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 Evo X No1 is approximately 630.0cm2 / 97.7inch2. The Aria Evo X Center requires 107% more surface area than the Aria Evo X No1 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Sensitivity 
Number of Woofers 
Height 
Price per pair* 
Minimum Impedance 
Port Position 
Base Surface Area