In this review, we will be comparing Omada Center and Chora Center, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Focal.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Omada Center and Focal Chora Center first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal Omada Center | Focal Chora Center |
|---|
| Brand | Focal
France · founded 1979 | Focal
France · founded 1979 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Inverted Hard-Dome | 1" inverted dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6-1/2" Carbon Fiber + Polymer | 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 58-30k Hz | 59-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91.5 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-200 watts | 40-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.00kg / 22lbs | 8.91kg / 19.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-1/2" x 21-3/16" x 10-7/8"
216.0 x 539.0 x 277.0mm | 8-5/16" x 20-7/8" x 10-11/16"
212.0 x 531.0 x 272.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Omada Center and Chora Center are 2-way speakers.
Focal Omada CenterFocal Chora Center
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 Omada Center |
Focal Chora Center |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-1/2-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Omada Center features a 1" Al/Mg Inverted Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6-1/2" Carbon Fiber + Polymer Woofer. On the other hand, the Chora Center features a 1" TNF aluminum/magnesium inverted dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2100Hz.
Frequency Response
Omada Center has a frequency range of 58-30k Hz whereas Chora Center has a frequency range of 59-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 58Hz, the Omada Center 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
Omada Center and Chora Center have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Omada Center sensitivity is rated at 91.5 dB and the Chora Center's is at 91 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Focal Omada Center a more sensitive speaker compared to Focal Chora Center, 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.
Omada Center and Chora Center have the same power range of 40-200 watts.
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
Omada Center features Binding post type posts and Chora Center has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Focal Chora Center'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 Omada Center's and Focal Chora Center's external dimensions. Focal Omada Center has external dimensions of 216.0 x 539.0 x 277.0mm (8-1/2inch x 21-3/16inch x 10-7/8inch) whereas 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).
Focal Omada Center is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 8mm wider, 4mm taller and 5mm deeper than Focal Chora Center.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints.
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 Omada Center is approximately 1493.0cm2 / 231.4inch2 and base area of the Focal Chora Center is approximately 1444.3cm2 / 223.9inch2. The Omada Center requires 3% more surface area than the Chora Center 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 Omada Center weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the Focal Chora Center weighs 8.91kg / 19.6lbs. This makes the Omada Center 12% heavier than the Chora Center.
Here is a comparison of how Omada Center and Chora Center'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 Omada Center?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Omada Center:
- Center-channel speaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- Rubber base
- User Manual
- Focal brochure
What's in the Box of Focal Chora Center?
Here are the items that come with the Chora Center:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 2 Grilles
- Rubber foot
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber pads
- User manual
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
58 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
789USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6-1/2 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
212mm
vs
216mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1444cm2
vs
1493cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Focal Omada Center |
Focal Chora Center |
| Brand |
Focal |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-200 watts |
40-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91.5 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
58-30k Hz |
59-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6-1/2" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon Fiber + Polymer |
Slatefiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Inverted Hard-Dome |
inverted dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2100Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
216.0mm (8.5") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Width |
539.0mm (21.2") |
531.0mm (20.9") |
| Depth |
277.0mm (10.9") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
8.91kg (19.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Oak |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Focal Omada Center is the newer design, against a 2019 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (58Hz vs 59Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (92dB vs 91dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (200W vs 200W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | A | Focal Omada Center is cheaper - $499 against $789, about 37% less. |
A Focal Omada Center B Focal Chora Center
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $290 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.