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Focal Theva Center vs Focal Theva No1 Comparison

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Focal Theva Center

Passive Center Channel | 59-28kHz

Focal Theva Center
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Focal Theva No1

Passive Bookshelf | 58-28kHz

Focal Theva No1
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Focal Theva Center Focal Theva Center
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Focal Theva No1 Focal Theva No1
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Focal Theva Center
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Focal Theva No1
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Focal Theva Center vs Focal Theva No1 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by Focal. Focal Theva Center is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Theva No1 is a Bookshelf speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Focal Theva Center and Focal Theva No1 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Focal Theva Center Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" inverted dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer
  • 59-28kHz Frequency Response
  • 91 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:40-200watts
  • Weight:10.00kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 210.0" x 20-7/8" x 10"( 210.0 x 531.0 x 254.0mm )

Focal Theva No1 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" inverted dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer
  • 58-28kHz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:25-120watts
  • Weight:6.82kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 391.0" x 8-3/8" x 10-1/4"( 391.0 x 213.0 x 261.0mm )

Theva Center and Theva No1 are members of Focal's Theva series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

Focal Theva Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Focal Theva No1
Bookshelf 58-28kHz 89 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
Focal Theva No2
  
Floor-standing 53-28kHz 90 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
Focal Theva No3
  
Floor-standing 48-28kHz 91 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
Focal Theva Center
Center Channel 59-28kHz 91 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
Focal Theva No3-D
  
Floor-standing 48-28kHz 91 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"

What size room are the Focal Theva Center and Focal Theva No1 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 Theva No1
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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Focal Theva Center and Focal Theva No1 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both Theva Center and Theva No1 are 2-way speakers.

Driver Focal Theva Center Focal Theva No1
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x 6.5-inch 1 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 Theva No1 features a 1" TNF Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Slatefiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000 Hz.

Frequency Response

Theva Center has a frequency range of 59-28kHz whereas Theva No1 has a frequency range of 58-28kHz. With a minimum frequency of 58Hz, the Theva No1 can go slightly deeper then the Theva Center's min frequency of 59Hz.

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 Center Channel class in our database.

Low Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Theva Center
Theva No1
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Focal Theva Center
Focal Theva No1
Min
Average
Max

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

Theva Center and Theva No1 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Theva Center sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the Theva No1's is at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Focal Theva Center a more sensitive speaker compared to Focal Theva No1, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

Theva Center
Theva No1
Min
Average
Max

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.

Theva Center can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Theva No1 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Theva Center.

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

Both Theva Center and Theva No1 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

Focal Theva No1Binding post Terminals
Focal Theva No1's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

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 Theva Center's and Focal Theva No1'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 Theva No1 has external dimensions of 391.0 x 213.0 x 261.0mm ( 153/8 x 83/8 x 101/4) .

Focal Theva Center is 181mm shorter and 7mm less deeper than Focal Theva No1 but it is also 318mm wider.

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 Theva No1 is approximately 555.9cm2 / 86.2inch2. The Theva Center requires 143% more surface area than the Theva No1 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.


Reasons to choose Focal Theva Center over Focal Theva No1
Max Input Power 200 watts vs 120 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
Sensitivity 91 dB vs 89 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
Height 210mm vs 391mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Price per pair* 649USD vs 998USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Reasons to choose Focal Theva No1 over Focal Theva Center

Minimum Impedance 4.6 ohms vs 3.8 ohms Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier
Low Frequency Response 58 Hz vs 59 Hz Generates deeper bass
Base Surface Area 555cm2 vs 1348cm2 Takes less floor space
Focal Theva Center vs Focal Theva No1 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Focal Theva Center Focal Theva No1
Brand Focal Focal
Speaker Type Center channel speaker Bookshelf speakers
Power Range 40-200 watts 25-120 watts
Sensitivity 91 dB 89 dB
Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
Impedance 3.8 ohms 4.6 ohms
Frequency Response 59-28kHz 58-28kHz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 2 1
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 3000 Hz
Firing Direction n/a rear
Physical Specs
Height 210.0mm (8.3") 391.0mm (15.4")
Width 531.0mm (20.9") 213.0mm (8.4")
Depth 254.0mm (10") 261.0mm (10.3")
Weight 10.00kg (22lbs) 6.82kg (15lbs)
Enclosure Acoustic Suspension Bass Reflex
Available Colors Black High Gloss,Dark Wood,Light Wood Black High Gloss,Dark Wood,Light Wood
Mounting Bracket No No
Grille Yes Yes
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs Yes Yes
Other
Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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