In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Focal. Focal Chora Center is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Chora 806 is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Chora Center and Focal Chora 806 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal Chora Center | Focal Chora 806 |
|---|
| 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" Slatefiber | 6.5" Slatefiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 59-28k Hz | 55-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-200 watts | 25 - 120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.91kg / 19.6lbs | 7.35kg / 16.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-5/16" x 20-7/8" x 10-11/16"
212.0 x 531.0 x 272.0mm | 17" x 8.25" x 10.7"
431.0 x 210.0 x 270.0mm |
|---|
Chora Center and Chora 806 are members of Focal's Chora series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Focal Chora Series
History
What size room are the Focal Chora Center and Focal Chora 806 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 Chora 806 |
| 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.
Drivers
Both Chora Center and Chora 806 are 2-way speakers.
Focal Chora CenterFocal Chora 806
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 Chora Center |
Focal Chora 806 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
1 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 Chora 806 features a 1" TNV2 AI/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz.
Frequency Response
Chora Center has a frequency range of 59-28k Hz whereas Chora 806 has a frequency range of 55-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Chora 806 can go slightly deeper then the Chora Center's min frequency of 59Hz.
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
Chora Center and Chora 806 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Chora Center sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Chora 806's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Focal Chora Center a more sensitive speaker compared to Focal Chora 806, 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.
Chora Center can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Chora 806 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Chora Center.
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
Chora Center features Binding post type posts and Chora 806 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Focal Chora Center's Binding post terminals
Focal Chora 806's Binding post terminals
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 Chora Center's and Focal Chora 806'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 Chora 806 has external dimensions of 431.0 x 210.0 x 270.0mm (17 x 8.25 x 10.7inch).
Focal Chora 806 is 321mm narrower and 2mm less deeper than Focal Chora Center but it is also 219mm 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 Chora 806 is approximately 567.0cm2 / 87.9inch2. The Chora Center requires 155% more surface area than the Chora 806 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Chora 806?
Here are the items that come with the Chora 806:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber pads
- User manual