In this review, we will be comparing Chora 806 and TSi200, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Focal and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Chora 806 and Polk TSi200 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Focal Chora 806 and Polk TSi200 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Focal Chora 806 and Polk TSi200 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 Chora 806 and TSi200 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Focal Chora 806 |
Polk TSi200 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Chora 806 features a 1" TNV2 AI/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the TSi200 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Organic Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Chora 806 has a frequency range of 55-28k Hz whereas TSi200 has a frequency range of 50-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the TSi200 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Chora 806's min frequency of 58Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf 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 806 and TSi200 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 89 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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 806 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Chora 806 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 30 watts less than the TSi200.
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 806 features Pair of 5-way binding posts - Gold-plated type posts and TSi200 has a Pair of 5-way binding posts - Gold-plated type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Chora 806 and TSi200 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
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 806's and Polk TSi200's external dimensions. Focal Chora 806 has external dimensions of 431.0 x 210.0 x 270.0mm ( 17 x 8.25 x 10.7inch) whereas Polk TSi200 has external dimensions of 392.1 x 203.2 x 298.5mm ( 15.4 x 8.0 x 11.7inch) .
Polk TSi200 is 6.8mm narrower and 38.9mm shorter than Focal Chora 806 but it is also 28.5mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Focal Chora 806 and Polk TSi200 in scale.
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 806 is approximately 567.0cm2 / 87.9inch2 and base area of the Polk TSi200 is approximately 606.6cm2 / 94.0inch2. The Chora 806 requires 7% less surface area than the TSi200 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
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 806 weighs 7.35kg / 16.2lbs and the Polk TSi200 weighs 7.71kg / 17lbs. This makes the TSi200 5% heavier than the Chora 806.
Here is a comparison of how Chora 806 and TSi200's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Focal Chora 806?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Chora 806:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 8 Self-adhesive rubber pads User manual
What's in the Box of Polk TSi200?
Here are the items that come with the TSi200:
2 Black bookshelf speakers Detachable cloth grille (installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Owner's Manual Online registration sheet Polk Audio product brochure
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Base Surface Area |
567cm2 (210x270mm)
vs
606cm2 (203x298mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
58 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Height |
392mm
vs
431mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
General |
Focal Chora 806 |
Polk Audio TSi200 |
Brand |
Focal |
Polk Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25 - 120 watts |
20-150 watts |
Sensitivity |
89 dB |
89 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
4.6 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
55-28k Hz |
50-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
Slatefiber |
Organic Fiber |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Butyl Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
inverted dome |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
2500Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
431.0mm (17") |
392.1mm (15.4") |
Width |
210.0mm (8.3") |
203.2mm (8") |
Depth |
270.0mm (10.6") |
298.5mm (11.8") |
Weight |
7.35kg (16.2lbs) |
7.71kg (17lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Lacquer/Leatherette |
Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Black, Dark wood, Light wood |
Black, Cherry |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
22-24" |
16-26" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 |
5 Years |