In this review, we will be comparing Theva Center and Chora Center, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Focal.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Theva Center and Focal Chora Center first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal Theva Center | Focal Chora Center |
|---|
| 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 | 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 59-28kHz | 59-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 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) | 8-1/4" x 20-7/8" x 10"
210.0 x 531.0 x 254.0mm | 8-5/16" x 20-7/8" x 10-11/16"
212.0 x 531.0 x 272.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Focal Theva Center and Focal Chora Center 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 Theva Center |
Focal Chora Center |
| 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 Theva Center and Chora Center are 2-way speakers.
Focal Theva 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 Theva Center |
Focal Chora Center |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Theva Center features a 1" TNF Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2100 Hz. 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
Theva Center has a frequency range of 59-28kHz whereas Chora Center has a frequency range of 59-28k Hz.
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
Theva Center and Chora Center 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Theva 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
Theva Center features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Chora Center has a Binding post which doesn't 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 Theva Center's and Focal Chora Center's external dimensions. Focal Theva Center has external dimensions of 210.0 x 531.0 x 254.0mm (81/4 x 207/8 x 10) 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).
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 Theva Center is approximately 1348.7cm2 / 209.0inch2 and base area of the Focal Chora Center is approximately 1444.3cm2 / 223.9inch2. The Theva Center requires 7% less surface area than the Chora Center 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 Theva Center weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the Focal Chora Center weighs 8.91kg / 19.6lbs. This makes the Theva Center 12% heavier than the Chora Center.
Here is a comparison of how Theva 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 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
 Height |
210mm
vs
212mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1348cm2
vs
1444cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
649USD
vs
789USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Focal Theva 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 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
3.8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
59-28kHz |
59-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Slatefiber |
Slatefiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
inverted dome |
inverted dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2100 Hz |
2100Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
210.0mm (8.3") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Width |
531.0mm (20.9") |
531.0mm (20.9") |
| Depth |
254.0mm (10") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
8.91kg (19.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss,Dark Wood,Light Wood |
Oak |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Both are Focal, from different ranges - so the house sound is shared and the differences are mostly in scale, engineering and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (59Hz vs 59Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (91dB 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. |
| Expandability | A | Focal Theva Center: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Focal Theva Center is cheaper - $649 against $789, about 18% less. |
A Focal Theva 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?
Focal Theva Center has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does.
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.