Experts recommend Focal Shape 65 more than Focal Solo6 Be
As of 10 Jan 2025, experts prefer Focal Shape 65 over Focal Solo6 Be, but both Studio Monitors have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, Focal Shape 65 received 2 recommendations: from Hyperbits and Music Radar (27 Nov 2024). Focal Solo6 Be was also endorsed 2 times: by Hyperbits and Careers In Music (27 Nov 2024). However, experts generally ranked Focal Solo6 Be lower than Focal Shape 65 in their articles, which caused it to rank lower in ReviewFinder ranking.
| Rank | Change | Price | Studio Monitor | higherhz.com  | Pocket-lint  | woodandfirestudio.com  | Hyperbits  | Gearank  | Careers In Music  |
Music Radar  | PianoDreamers  | Music Critic  | Popular Science  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | - | $899 |  Focal Shape 65 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. | - | - | - | 12 | - | - | 1 | - | - | - |
| 24 | - | Check price |  Focal Solo6 Be The Focal Solo6 Be is a versatile and high-powered studio monitor that delivers remarkable clarity and an expansive soundstage, making it suitable for professional and personal use. | - | - | - | 14 | - | 7 | - | - | - | - |
Curious to see this month's entire Studio Monitors ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- Hyperbits ranked Focal Shape 65 as #12 and Focal Solo6 Be as #14
Rank Studio Monitor Comment ... ... ... #12 out of 20 Focal Shape 65 Best Professional Monitors ($1,000-$5,000/pair)... ... ... #14 out of 20 Focal Solo6 Be Best Professional Monitors ($1,000-$5,000/pair)... ... ... Source: hyperbitsmusic.com - On 27 Nov 2024 Music Radar ranked Focal Shape 65 as #1
Rank Studio Monitor Comment #1 out of 9 Focal Shape 65 The best value for money high-end studio monitors... ... ... Source: www.musicradar.com - On 27 Nov 2024 Careers In Music ranked Focal Solo6 Be as #7
Rank Studio Monitor ... ... #7 out of 8 Focal Solo6 Be ... ... Source: www.careersinmusic.com
After counting and adding up the 99 expert endorsements of the January rankings, Focal Shape 65 outranks Focal Solo6 Be. This is not to say that Focal Solo6 Be is a bad option. Like Focal Shape 65, it is recommended by experts, but less.
As can be seen below, Focal Shape 65 outranks Focal Solo6 Be by 12 positions. This indicates that, as of 10 Jan 2025, Focal Shape 65 is more critically acclaimed than Focal Solo6 Be.
| Rank | Change | Price | Studio Monitor | higherhz.com | Pocket-lint | woodandfirestudio.com | Hyperbits | Gearank | Careers In Music | Music Radar | PianoDreamers | Music Critic
| Popular Science |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | $198 |  Yamaha HS5 The Yamaha HS5 is a powerful and reliable studio monitor that delivers accurate and detailed sound reproduction, making it a great choice for home studios and small recording spaces. | - | - | - | 4 | 8 | - | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | - | Check price |  JBL 305P MkII The JBL 305P MkII is a highly recommended and affordable studio monitor that delivers accurate and detailed sound reproduction with advanced technology and excellent stereo imaging. | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | - | 7 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
| 3 | - | $720 |  Adam Audio A7V The Adam Audio A7V Studio Monitor is a powerful and accurate speaker that is ideal for professional recording studios, home studios, and music producers who require high-quality sound and accurate monitoring. | - | 5 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 8 | 7 | - |
| 4 | - | Check price | 
Neumann KH 120 A 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. | - | - | 1 | - | 12 | 4 | - | - | 9 | - |
| Show all rows | |||||||||||||
Expert reviews [10]
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 |
Expert reviews [7]
Total expert reviews: 7
- with a score: 1
- without a score: 6
| Highest score by Music Radar | 96 |
| Average score based on 7 reviews | 96 |
| Lowest score by Music Radar | 96 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
From Seller:
- Low tweeter directivity for a flexible listening position
- Designed without a port allowing it to be placed near a wall
- Numerous settings for optimal integration & accurate control, even in the very high end. Numerous settings for optimal integration & accurate control, even in the very high end
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From Seller:
- Pur Beryllium inverted dome tweeter: very low directivity, excellent linearity and dynamics.
- "W" composite sandwich cone: neutral sound, no distortion.
- Protected Beryllium dome (the effect of the grille has been compensated on the amplifier to adjust the tonal balance).
- Read more