ReviewFinder Studio Monitors

Focal Shape 65

TLDR: The Focal Shape 65 Studio Monitor is a powerful and precise nearfield monitor suitable for professional use, praised for its accurate and detailed sound reproduction and well-balanced low-frequency performance.
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Price:
The lowest price we found for Focal Shape 65 is $899, available here. This is above the median studio monitor price of $249.99.
  • Lowest price: $49.99
  • Median price: $249.99
  • Highest price: $2699.10
  • Focal Shape 65 price: $899
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ReviewFinder: reviews, prices and alternatives summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Focal Shape 65 Studio Monitor is a powerful and precise nearfield monitor suitable for professional use, praised for its accurate and detailed sound reproduction and well-balanced low-frequency performance.

The Focal Shape 65 Studio Monitor is a powerful and precise studio monitor that is well-suited for professional use. With a 25W class-AB amplifier for the tweeter and an 80W class-AB amplifier for the midrange-woofer, it has a maximum SPL of 109 decibels, making it suitable for use in larger studio spaces or for those who require high volume levels.

The monitor has been praised for its accurate and detailed sound reproduction, making it a great choice for mixing and mastering. Its well-balanced low-frequency performance allows for a wide stereo soundscape with a solid center image, making it easy to place instruments within a mix. The Focal Shape 65 is ideal for music producers, sound engineers, and audiophiles who require a high level of precision and detail in their audio monitoring.

Its physical dimensions make it suitable for small to medium-sized workspaces, such as small living spaces and recording studios, and its front-firing bass loading allows it to be placed closer to the front wall for those with limited space. Overall, the Focal Shape 65 is a versatile and suitable choice for nearfield monitoring in a variety of settings.

Power

The Focal Shape 65 is a powerful and precise studio monitor with a maximum SPL of 109 decibels, making it suitable for larger studio spaces, but some reviewers note that the bass response may be lacking for those who require a more pronounced low end.

The Focal Shape 65 is a powerful studio monitor with a 25W class-AB amplifier for the tweeter and an 80W class-AB amplifier for the midrange-woofer. It has a maximum SPL of 109 decibels, making it suitable for use in larger studio spaces or for those who require high volume levels.

The monitor has been praised for its accurate and detailed sound reproduction, making it a great choice for mixing and mastering. However, some reviewers have noted that the bass response may be lacking for those who require a more pronounced low end. Overall, the Focal Shape 65 is a powerful and precise studio monitor that is well-suited for professional use.

What is the wattage output of the Focal Shape 65?

The Focal Shape 65 has a 25W class-AB amplifier for the tweeter and an 80W class-AB amplifier for the midrange-woofer.
Based on 2 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

What is the maximum SPL (sound pressure level) of the Focal Shape 65?

The Focal Shape 65 has a maximum SPL of 109 decibels according to a product review on perfectacoustic.co.uk and confirmed by Sound On Sound.
Based on 2 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Sound

The Focal Shape 65 Studio Monitor is a highly praised and versatile nearfield monitor that delivers clear and accurate audio with a well-balanced low-frequency performance, making it an excellent choice for music producers, sound engineers, and audiophiles.

The Focal Shape 65 Studio Monitor is highly praised by experts for its clear and accurate representation of audio, with a transparent and precise mid-range, smooth and open treble, and well-controlled yet robust bass. It has a well-balanced low-frequency performance that delivers a wide stereo soundscape with a solid center image, allowing for easy placement of instruments within a mix.

These monitors are versatile and suitable for nearfield monitoring in a variety of settings, making them an excellent choice for those looking for an accurate and revealing sound.

Does the Focal Shape 65 provide a clear and accurate representation of the audio being played?

According to multiple product experts in the ReviewFinder database, the Focal Shape 65 provides a clear and accurate representation of the audio being played. The Shape 65 is praised for its transparency and timbral precision, revealing every detail in the midrange and treble frequencies. The mid-range is described as precise, detailed, and transparent, while the treble is smooth and open without losing its clarity. The bass remains tight, dynamic, and extended. The overall presentation is described as naturally neutral, revealing without sounding overly clinical. This makes it an excellent nearfield monitor for those looking for an accurate and revealing sound.
Based on 12 quotes from 6 sources [show quotes and sources]

How accurate is the Focal Shape 65 in reproducing low frequencies?

According to the reviews in our database, the Focal Shape 65 has a well-balanced low-frequency performance that delivers a balance and extension that some reviewers did not anticipate. The Focal Shape 65 has a specified frequency response of 40Hz-35kHz, ±3db, which has been borne out in listening tests. Reviewers have described the bass as robust yet well-controlled, and the Shape 65 as capable of delivering a wide stereo soundscape with a very solid center image in which each source can be located with precision, both in the left/right and front-to-back dimensions.
Based on 7 quotes from 4 sources [show quotes and sources]

What do experts say about the soundstage or stereo imaging of the Focal Shape 65 monitor?

According to the reviews from Sound On Sound and What Hi-Fi, the Focal Shape 65 Studio Monitor has a wide stereo soundscape with a very solid center image in which each source can be located with precision, both in the left/right and front-to-back dimensions. Stereo imaging is also good, allowing for easy placement of instruments within a mix. These monitors are extremely versatile in terms of the listening position and shouldn't be discounted on account of how you can fit them into your room or studio.
Based on 4 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

Size

The Focal Shape 65 is a studio monitor with a balanced and accurate sound, designed for small to medium-sized workspaces, featuring a 6.5” flax-sandwich-cone midrange-woofer and a 1” aluminum-magnesium inverted-dome tweeter.

The Focal Shape 65 is a studio monitor with physical dimensions of 14”H x 8.6”W x 11.2”D and a weight of 18.75 pounds. Its size is designed to provide a balanced and accurate sound, with a cabinet made of 0.6”-thick MDF and a curved front baffle to reduce diffraction.

The Shape 65 is suitable for small to medium-sized workspaces, such as small living spaces and recording studios, and its front-firing bass loading allows it to be placed closer to the front wall for those with limited space. The use of a 6.5” flax-sandwich-cone midrange-woofer and a 1” aluminum-magnesium inverted-dome tweeter ensures a well-balanced sound across the frequency spectrum, making it ideal for critical listening and recording applications.

What are the physical dimensions of the Focal Shape 65?

The Focal Shape 65 measures 14”H x 8.6”W x 11.2”D according to the reviews on SoundStage! Hi-Fi and SoundStage Simplifi.
Based on 4 quotes from 4 sources [show quotes and sources]

What is the weight of Focal Shape 65?

The Focal Shape 65 weighs 18.75 pounds, according to a product review on SoundStage! Hi-Fi.
Based on 2 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

How do the physical dimensions of Focal Shape 65 affect its sound quality?

The physical dimensions of the Focal Shape 65 are designed to provide a balanced and accurate sound. According to a product review on SoundStage! Hi-Fi, the Shape 65's cabinet is made of 0.6”-thick MDF, and its side, bottom, and rear panels are clad in black paint or black vinyl, while the front and top panels comprise a single piece of curved MDF finished in a veneer of real walnut. The curved front baffle helps to reduce diffraction, and the use of a 6.5” flax-sandwich-cone midrange-woofer and a 1” aluminum-magnesium inverted-dome tweeter, both designed and made by Focal, ensures a well-balanced sound across the frequency spectrum. The Shape 65 also features 6.5” passive radiators on each side panel to augment the speaker’s bass output. Overall, the physical dimensions of the Shape 65 are designed to provide a balanced and accurate sound for critical listening and recording applications.
Based on 3 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

What size workspace is the Focal Shape 65 suitable for?

The Focal Shape 65 Studio Monitor is suitable for small to medium-sized workspaces. According to the product review on soundstagesimplifi.com, the Shape 65 is designed to work well in small living spaces and recording studios alike. The front-firing bass loading allows the monitor to be placed closer to the front wall, which is beneficial for those with limited space. However, it is worth noting that the specific size of the workspace will depend on various factors such as room acoustics, personal preferences, and the type of work being done.
Based on 1 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

Expert Reviews

There are people on the Internet whose job is to review products. Below are their opinions.

ReviewFinder database has 10 expert reviews of Focal Shape 65.

Expert reviews [10]

90
Total expert reviews: 10
  • with a score: 3
  • without a score: 7
Highest score by techapel.com
100
Average score based on 10 reviews
90
Lowest score by What Hi-Fi
80

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20

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Position in ranking

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The Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor is a powerful and reliable speaker with accurate sound reproduction and complete response control, making it ideal for professional use in larger studio spaces or for live performances. The Neumann KH 120 A is a bi-amplified speaker system designed for accurate and detailed sound reproduction, making it ideal for critical listening applications in professional recording studios, post-production facilities, and broadcast environments. The Genelec 8010A Studio Monitor is a compact and powerful option for near-field monitoring in small studios or home recording setups, delivering exceptional sound quality in a small package. The KRK Rokit 5 G4 is a powerful and versatile studio monitor with a bi-amp design, accurate sound reproduction, and impressive bass performance, making it ideal for mixing and mastering music in small to medium-sized studios or home recording setups.
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ReviewFinder: reviews, prices and alternatives summarized by a powerful AI engine.