French audio brand Focal presents a line of products designed for listening in marine, coastal and wet settings, the Littora 200. Within this range, three products have been specially developed to bring sound to outdoor spaces such as gardens, terraces, pool areas, outdoor kitchens, and more. OD Sat 5, OD Stone 8, OD Sub 12. Beautifully designed, discreet and offering exceptionally high-quality sound, these products complement each other perfectly in terms of aesthetics and sound, to create an uncompromising audio system. Their versatility and ease of integration allow them to fit into any surface, anywhere, and for an impressive length of time.
Three Specific Outdoor Audio Solutions For Focal Outdoor Speakers
The OD Stone 8 loudspeaker is a model with a unique design, pebble-shaped and with sleek finishes; OD Sat 5 is a discreet and versatile loudspeaker supplied with its brackets for in-wall or in-floor installation; OD Sub 12 is a semi buried subwoofer offering powerful and enveloping bass to systems. Used on their own or together as a complete system, these three models promise harmonious installation and a high-end outdoor sound.
Design and Finish Options For Focal Outdoor Speakers
The OD Stone 8 loudspeaker presents a unique “pebble”-shaped design and is available in three finishes: Limestone, Sand and Basalt. These are textured for a rock effect ensuring they look stunning and blend seamlessly into their surroundings. In addition, and for optimal adaptation to any type of outdoor environment, Focal also offers different finishes for its OD Sat 5 and OD Sub 12 products, available in Dark or Light finishes.
Audiophile Speakers Capable of Taking Abuse From Mother Nature
The Littora 200 products are equipped with IRIS IP cone speaker drivers, developed by Focal to withstand any weather conditions, with no loss of sound quality. In addition to an anti-UV treatment, the OD Sat 5 satellite is IP55 certified, while the OD Stone 8 and Sub 12 are IP45 certified, international standards that guarantee protection against dust and water ingress.
Focal Drivers In Outdoor Speakers – a First
Beyond weather resistance, the cone included in the products’ speaker drivers helps to provide exceptionally high-quality outdoor sound reproduction, the fruit of Focal Sopra No. 2 sound know-how spanning more than 40 years. OD Stone 8 and OD Sat 5 also incorporate an Aluminum M-shaped coaxial tweeter for clear and defined treble reproduction in large spaces. Finally, the loudspeakers are equipped with a power transformer that allows them to be linked together within a 100V system. The transformer’s power can be adapted to manage the volume of each outdoor loudspeaker included in your system. A large listening area is therefore covered thanks to this easy connection, with a crystal-clear sound.
Focal Littora 200 OD Pricing:
- OD Sat 5 – $679 USD / $799 CAD
- OD Stone 8 – $799 USD / $899 CAD
- OD Sub 12 – $1,999 USD / $2,499 CAD
- Bundle 4.1 – 4x OD Sat 5 + 1x OD Sub 12
- $3,999 USD / $4,499 CAD
The History of Focal Speakers from France
Focal, a French brand renowned for its premium loudspeakers and audio equipment, has a long and storied history in the audiophile world. Established in 1979, Focal has since become a leading name in the production of high-fidelity speakers, amplifiers, and headphones. The company’s dedication to innovation, sound quality, and craftsmanship has made it a favorite among audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts, and professionals around the world.
The Founding of Focal
Focal was founded in 1979 by Jacques Mahul, a French engineer, who sought to create a company that would offer high-quality sound reproduction. At the time, Mahul had been working in the field of electroacoustic engineering and saw an opportunity to create speakers that would provide a more refined listening experience compared to what was currently available on the market.
The company’s first product, the “Focal 1000” speaker, was a breakthrough in terms of sound fidelity and design. It featured a unique bass driver technology and was aimed at high-end audiophile markets. The Focal 1000 helped establish the brand as a key player in the high-fidelity speaker industry, and it marked the beginning of a long line of innovation and success.
Innovation and Growth
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Focal expanded its product lineup and began to incorporate new technologies into its designs. One of the company’s key innovations during this period was its development of the “W” cone, a speaker cone made of a sandwich of materials, such as a foam core sandwiched between layers of fiberglass or aramid fiber. This design gave the speaker cones greater stiffness while keeping them lightweight, resulting in better sound quality, improved efficiency, and lower distortion. The “W” cone remains a hallmark of Focal’s speaker technology to this day.
Focal’s commitment to innovation and quality soon earned the company a reputation for producing some of the best loudspeakers in the world. By the 1990s, Focal had established a strong presence in the audiophile market and was regarded as one of the premier brands for high-end speakers.
Key Products and Breakthroughs
In 1994, Focal introduced the “Grande Utopia,” a loudspeaker system that would become one of the most iconic and revered in the audiophile community. The Grande Utopia speaker system was notable for its innovative design, which included a beryllium tweeter, a material known for its exceptional rigidity and lightness. The use of beryllium in the tweeter allowed the Grande Utopia speakers to reproduce high-frequency sounds with remarkable clarity and precision. The Grande Utopia quickly became a symbol of Focal’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of sound reproduction, and it helped cement the company’s position at the forefront of high-end audio technology.
Focal’s expertise in speaker design also extended to its line of professional audio products. The company began to develop loudspeakers for use in recording studios, cinemas, and other professional environments. Focal’s professional line of speakers, such as the “SM9” and “Shape” series, garnered praise for their accuracy, durability, and exceptional sound quality. These speakers were designed to meet the needs of audio engineers and sound professionals who require precise and detailed sound reproduction.
The 2000s and Expansion into Headphones
In the early 2000s, Focal further expanded its product offerings by venturing into the headphone market. Recognizing the growing demand for high-end headphones, Focal began developing premium models that would combine the company’s expertise in speaker design with the growing trends in portable audio.
Focal’s headphone line includes several models that have garnered critical acclaim, such as the “Utopia,” which is often regarded as one of the best headphones in the world due to its remarkable soundstage, detail, and comfort. Focal’s headphones feature technologies developed for its loudspeakers, including the use of beryllium in the drivers, ensuring that the same level of precision and clarity is present in the headphone experience.
The launch of Focal’s headphone range marked a new chapter in the company’s history, allowing them to tap into a rapidly growing market and cater to audiophiles who sought premium sound in a portable format. The brand quickly gained traction with high-end audio enthusiasts and has since become a go-to name for audiophile-grade headphones.
Focal’s Evolution in the 2010s
By the 2010s, Focal had firmly established itself as one of the leading brands in high-end audio. The company continued to release products that were celebrated for their performance and design. Among the notable releases in this period was the “Kanta” line of speakers, which offered a combination of performance, innovation, and aesthetic appeal. Kanta speakers featured Focal’s signature “W” cone technology and were designed to offer a precise and immersive listening experience, making them popular among audiophiles seeking top-tier performance in both sound and design.
Focal also began to gain a stronger presence in the home theater market, offering speakers designed to create exceptional surround sound systems for movie enthusiasts. Their “Sopra” and “Chora” lines of speakers were designed with both aesthetic and acoustical considerations, ensuring that they could fit seamlessly into a variety of home environments while delivering high-quality audio.
In 2011, Focal merged with another French company, the electronics brand “Naim Audio,” which further expanded Focal’s reach in the audio industry. The partnership with Naim allowed Focal to broaden its product portfolio, offering a complete range of high-performance audio products from speakers to amplifiers, ensuring a more integrated listening experience for audiophiles.
