Loudspeakers

As the smallest model in the Kanta range, the No1 would be expected to have the lowest sensitivity and it does. Focal claims 88dB SPL for 2.83V at 1m but we weren't quite able to confirm that, our pink noise and music figures of 87.2dB and 86.7dB, averaged for the review pair, suggesting that 87dB is a more realistic figure. As with many modern loudspeakers, low impedance helps achieve this. Focal quotes a nominal 8ohm but also a minimum of 3.9ohm, which conventionally makes it a 4ohm design. Our measured minimum was slightly lower at 3.8ohm but impedance phase angles are sufficiently well controlled that EPDR (which takes into account both modulus and phase) never falls below 2ohm, recorded at 20Hz. This suggests that the No1 is a little easier to drive than some competitors but further EPDR dips to 2.1ohm at 134Hz and 2.2ohm at 358Hz complicate the picture.

Forward frequency responses [Graph 1, below] were measured at 1m on the tweeter axis and reveal an obvious 'BBC dip' of about 2dB between 1.3kHz and 8kHz, with the extreme treble output rising above 16kHz. Response errors are ±3.3dB and ±3.5dB as a result, but within ±2dB up to the 16kHz climb. Pair matching is OK at ±0.9dB over the same 200Hz-20kHz. Diffraction-corrected nearfield measurements show a classic reflex-loaded bass response, with a flat output to about 60Hz and 4th-order (24dB per octave) roll-off below that. Bass extension is 48Hz (–6dB re. 200Hz) or 87Hz with the optional port bung fitted (2nd-order roll-off). The CSD waterfall [Graph 2] reveals treble resonance activity resulting from cone breakup in the bass-mid driver, despite the sandwich construction. KH