In this review, we will be comparing Chora Center and Aria CC 900, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Focal
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Chora Center and Focal Aria CC 900 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Focal Chora Center Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" inverted dome Tweeter
- 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer
- 59-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 91 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:40-200watts
- Weight:8.91kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 212.0" x 20-7/8" x 10-11/16"( 212.0 x 531.0 x 272.0mm )
Focal Aria CC 900 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" inverted dome Tweeter
- 2 x 6.5" flax/fiberglass Woofer
- 57-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 91 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:40-200watts
- Weight:10.45kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 202.0" x 20-15/16" x 11-3/16"( 202.0 x 532.0 x 285.0mm )
What size room are the Focal Chora Center 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 Chora Center |
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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Focal Chora Center and Focal Aria CC 900 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Chora Center and Aria CC 900 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Focal Chora Center |
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
|
Chora Center features a 1" TNF aluminum/magnesium inverted dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2100Hz. 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
Chora Center has a frequency range of 59-28k Hz whereas Aria CC 900 has a frequency range of 57-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the Aria CC 900 can go slightly deeper then the Chora Center's min frequency of 59Hz.
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
Chora 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. 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.
Chora Center and Aria CC 900 has the same power range of 40-200 watts.
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
Chora Center features Binding post type posts and Aria CC 900 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Focal Chora Center's Binding post terminals
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 Chora Center's and Focal Aria CC 900's external dimensions. Focal Chora Center has external dimensions of 212.0 x 531.0 x 272.0mm ( 8-5/16 x 20-7/8 x 10-11/16inch) 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 Chora Center is 1mm narrower and 13mm less deeper than Focal Aria CC 900 but it is also 10mm 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 Focal Chora Center is approximately 1444.3cm2 / 223.9inch2 and base area of the Focal Aria CC 900 is approximately 1516.2cm2 / 235.0inch2. The Chora Center requires 5% 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 Chora Center weighs 8.91kg / 19.6lbs and the Focal Aria CC 900 weighs 10.45kg / 23lbs. This makes the Aria CC 900 17% heavier than the Chora Center.
Here is a comparison of how Chora 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 Chora Center?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Chora Center:
Center-channel loudspeaker 2 Grilles Rubber foot 4 Self-adhesive rubber pads User manual
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
 Base Surface Area |
1444cm2
vs
1516cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
789USD
vs
1099USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Minimum Impedance |
4.3 ohms
vs
3.8 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
202mm
vs
212mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Focal Chora Center |
Focal Aria CC 900 |
| Brand |
Focal |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-200 watts |
40-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
4.3 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
59-28k Hz |
57-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Slatefiber |
flax/fiberglass |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
inverted dome |
inverted dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
N/A" |
N/A" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2100Hz |
2800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
212.0mm (8.3") |
202.0mm (8") |
| Width |
531.0mm (20.9") |
532.0mm (20.9") |
| Depth |
272.0mm (10.7") |
285.0mm (11.2") |
| Weight |
8.91kg (19.6lbs) |
10.45kg (23lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Oak |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |