In this review, we will be comparing Sib Evo and Sib-T, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Focal.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Sib Evo and Focal Sib-T first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal Sib Evo | Focal Sib-T |
|---|
| Brand | Focal
France · founded 1979 | Focal
France · founded 1979 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | .75" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Polyflex | 5.125" Polyflex |
|---|
| Frequency response | 70-25k Hz | 80-20kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-200 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 1.80kg / 4lbs | 2.60kg / 5.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9-7/8" x 6-3/8" x 6-7/16"
251.0 x 162.0 x 164.0mm | 2-1/2" x 5-5/8" x 6-11/16"
64.0 x 143.0 x 170.0mm |
|---|
Sib Evo and Sib-T are members of Focal's Sib series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Focal Sib Series
History
|
Model |
Body |
Frequency |
Sensitivity | Impedance | Woofer |
 |
Focal Sib-T
|
Bookshelf |
80-20kHz |
90 dB | 4Ω |
1 x 5.125"
|
 |
Focal Sib Evo
|
Bookshelf |
70-25k Hz |
90 dB | 6Ω |
1 x 5"
|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Sib Evo and Sib-T are 2-way speakers.
Focal Sib EvoFocal Sib-T
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 Sib Evo |
Focal Sib-T |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5.125-inch
|
Sib Evo features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Polyflex Woofer. On the other hand, the Sib-T features a .75" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.125" Polyflex Woofer.
Frequency Response
Sib Evo has a frequency range of 70-25k Hz whereas Sib-T has a frequency range of 80-20kHz. With a minimum frequency of 70Hz, the Sib Evo can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Sib-T's min frequency of 80Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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
Sib Evo is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Sib-T which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Sib-T can provide this impedance level.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 90 dBdB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
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
Sib Evo features Spring posts type posts and Sib-T has a Spring posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Focal Sib Evo's Push button terminals
Focal Sib-T's Spring posts 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 Sib Evo's and Focal Sib-T's external dimensions. Focal Sib Evo has external dimensions of 251.0 x 162.0 x 164.0mm (28-36inch x 6-3/8inch x 6-7/16inch) whereas Focal Sib-T has external dimensions of 64.0 x 143.0 x 170.0mm (2-1/2 x 5-5/8 x 6-11/16inch).
Focal Sib-T is 19mm narrower and 187mm shorter than Focal Sib Evo but it is also 6mm deeper.
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.
Focal Sib Evo needs about 9% more floor or shelf area. Focal Sib Evo is 187mm 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 Sib Evo is approximately 265.7cm2 / 41.2inch2 and base area of the Focal Sib-T is approximately 243.1cm2 / 37.7inch2. The Sib Evo requires 9% more surface area than the Sib-T 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 Sib Evo weighs 1.80kg / 4lbs and the Focal Sib-T weighs 2.60kg / 5.7lbs. This makes the Sib-T 44% heavier than the Sib Evo.
Here is a comparison of how Sib Evo and Sib-T'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 Sib Evo?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Sib Evo:
- 2 Satellite loudspeakers (base attached)
- 2 Wall-mount brackets
- 6 Screws
- 6 Wall-anchors
- User Manual
- Thank You card
What's in the Box of Focal Sib-T?
Here are the items that come with the Sib-T:
- One 100V/4-ohm commercial speaker
- Adjustable mounting bracket (installed)
- 3 Drywall anchors w/ 2 screws
- 5mm Allen key (attached to mounting bracket)
- User manual
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
70 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
698USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Woofer Size |
5.125 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
64mm
vs
251mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
243cm2
vs
265cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Focal Sib Evo |
Focal Sib-T |
| Brand |
Focal |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
70-25k Hz |
80-20kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5.125" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polyflex |
Polyflex |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
251.0mm (9.9") |
64.0mm (2.5") |
| Width |
162.0mm (6.4") |
143.0mm (5.6") |
| Depth |
164.0mm (6.5") |
170.0mm (6.7") |
| Weight |
1.80kg (4lbs) |
2.60kg (5.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
Plastic |
| Available Colors |
Black |
White |
| Mounting Bracket |
Yes |
Yes |
| Recommended Stand Height |
28-36" |
2-1/2" |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Focal's Sib series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Focal Sib Evo digs deeper - 70Hz against 80Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (90dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | Focal Sib Evo is the easier load at 6 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Size | depends | Focal Sib-T is easier to place; Focal Sib Evo is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | A | Focal Sib Evo is cheaper - $499 against $698, about 29% less. |
A Focal Sib Evo B Focal Sib-T
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?
Focal Sib Evo is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Focal Sib-T if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 80Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Focal Sib Evo has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Focal Sib-T is the easier speaker to get right.
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.