In this review, we will be comparing Aria Evo X No3 and Kendall, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Focal and KLH. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Aria Evo X No3 and KLH Kendall first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Focal Aria Evo X No3 and KLH Kendall 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 No3 and Kendall are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Focal Aria Evo X No3 |
KLH Kendall |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6.5-inch |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
3 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Aria Evo X No3 features a 1" Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter , a 6.5" Midrange and 3 x 6.5" Flax Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 260 Hz - 3100 Hz. On the other hand, the Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
Aria Evo X No3 has a frequency range of 39-30kHz whereas Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Aria Evo X No3's min frequency of 39Hz.
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 Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
High Frequency
Floor-standing 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 No3 and Kendall have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Aria Evo X No3 sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the Kendall's is at 96 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the KLH Kendall a more sensitive speaker compared to Focal Aria Evo X No3, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
Aria Evo X No3 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Kendall has a max power handling value of watts RMS, 300 watts less than the Aria Evo X No3.
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
Kendall features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Aria Evo X No3 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Focal Aria Evo X No3's Binding post terminals
KLH Kendall's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
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 No3's and KLH Kendall's external dimensions. Focal Aria Evo X No3 has external dimensions of 115 x 29.4 x 37.1 cm ( 45-¼ x 11-5/8 x 14-⅝) whereas KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm ( 40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch) .
KLH Kendall is 83mm narrower and 129mm shorter than Focal Aria Evo X No3 but it is also 9mm deeper.
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 No3 is approximately 1094.5cm2 / 169.6inch2 and base area of the KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2. The Aria Evo X No3 requires 36% more surface area than the Kendall 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 Focal Aria Evo X No3 weighs 29.00kg / 63.8lbs and the KLH Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs. This makes the Aria Evo X No3 31% heavier than the Kendall.
Here is a comparison of how Aria Evo X No3 and Kendall's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Kendall?
Here are the items that come with the Kendall:
Floorstanding loudspeakerGrilleFoam port4 Rubber feet4 Spike feet (with nuts)4 Protective discsManual
 Number of Woofers |
3
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
92 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
| Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
39 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
1021mm
vs
1150mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
805cm2 (212x380mm)
vs
1094cm2 (295x371mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
5198USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Focal Aria Evo X No3 |
KLH Kendall |
| Brand |
Focal |
KLH |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
40-300 watts |
up to 250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
2.8 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
39-30kHz |
25-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
3 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Flax |
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
TMD |
Butyl Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
inverted dome |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
260 Hz - 3100 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1150.0mm (45.3") |
1021.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
295.0mm (11.6") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
371.0mm (14.6") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Weight |
29.00kg (63.8lbs) |
22.14kg (48.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss, Prime Walnut, Moss Green High Gloss |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
10 Years |