TECH TIPS

Focal Car Audio Tech Tips, Q&A & Upgrade Advice

Focal Australia Tech Tips is your go-to hub for real-world car audio advice, drawn from decades of helping enthusiasts and installers get the most from Focal speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers.

Here you’ll find practical Q&A, setup tips and troubleshooting guidance on everything from speaker selection and amplifier matching to subwoofer power, sound-deadening and installation best practices.

Whether you’re planning your first Focal upgrade or fine-tuning a high-end system, use these tech tips to:

  • Choose the right Focal components for your vehicle and budget

  • Understand installation details such as mounting, wiring and tuning

  • Avoid common mistakes that can limit performance or reliability

  • Get more output, clarity and control from your existing Focal system

Bookmark this page and check back regularly – as new questions come in from Australian Focal owners and dealers, we continue to add more up-to-date, vehicle-relevant tech tips. If you need personalised advice,

 

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BMW - IC BMW 100 and IC BMW 100L What's the difference?

The difference is to do with the speaker mounting depth available in the doors. Some BMW models have shallow doors and the window glass is close behind the speakers. The speakers for those models have the whole cone and magnet assembly spaced further forward. The door trims are made to accept this. In these vehicles you need to use the ICBMW100L and ISBMW100L speaker kits. C and S in the part number indicates co-axial or 'splits' - component speakers with separate tweeters.

BMW models with bulkier doors use ICBMW100 and ISBMW100.

Attached are a couple of photos so you can see the cone on the L model speaker set is further forward from the mounting plate.

We have a chart on our website so you can choose the appropriate speakers for your vehicle: https://focalaustralia.com.au/focal-vehicle-compatibility/

There are a further couple of BMW upgrades you could consider. Replacing the underseat subwoofers makes a significant improvement, those subs cost $520 each. An amplifier package is also worthwhile, the Focal BMW amp pack retails around the $700 mark.

If you are using the Focal amplifier kit the correct subs are ISUB BMW2 and if you aren't using our amplifier then ISUB BMW4 will work with the factory set-up. You really need to decide whether you want the amplifier pack before you buy subwoofers. If you take the Focal amp path you will find the front speakers get boosted as well as the subwoofers so it's a great value package.

Click on image to view full product information and specification sheets.

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A customer with PS165FX speakers asked the purpose of the crossover switch marked High and Flat

That crossover switch controls midrange level: Set the midrange output to High or Flat to match their position in the car. When the mids are installed low in the door, some of the output is absorbed by the upholstery and they benefit from the High output setting.

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I'm about to purchase a 21 Hyundai i3O N hatch back.......

I’m about to purchase a 21 Hyundai i3O N hatch back. I have a budget of $2,000 – $2,500 for Audio. As such, I wanted to get your recommendation on what I should get (ideally with a sub). I also heard that if the budget is tight, to leave the rear door speakers as factory, and get the installer to “re-tune” them. What do you guys think? And with the Sub, should I get one that is strapped into the boot or install it under the passenger front seat?

…..We don’t have a vehicle-specific speaker kit for Hyundai’s at the moment. We don’t do installation work here at the Australian warehouse and our French head office don’t see any Hyundais (I have never seen one in Europe!). We don’t have first-hand experience of what fits your particular vehicle but if I can line you up with an experienced dealer, they will be better informed.

As for the subwoofer, two come to mind: PSB200 is a sub-in-a-box that is quite small and can be disconnected easily if you need the boot space. We have a new model of subwoofer called ISUB TWIN which has just come out, and one small sub fits under each seat.
These are very good and would be my preferred option for both sound quality and being out of sight. We sold the first batch within a week or two and the next batch arrives in about a month. These are probably going to push your budget at $750 for the pair but they are a long-term purchase as they will be able to be moved from car to car in future. They only need a small amplifier to run them, we recommend our concealable Impulse 4.320, one rear channel to each sub and that leaves you two channels to run your front speakers.
Two words of warning, ISUB TWIN are two ohm each so don’t bridge those rear channels, also allow about ten hours of running before they sound at their best. Most good speakers have a run-in period of between ten and fifty hours.
If you are on a budget, better to buy good front speakers (Flax if you can afford) and leave the back speakers disconnected until you can afford a matching pair of the same series as in the front. We often find that the original rear speakers play out of phase with the new front speakers at certain frequencies, so the system sounds better without them.

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How to get the lid off your Focal ES100K crossover.......

It's simple when you know how: put one end of the crossover onto a table or bench, press on the indented tab at the other end of the clear lid, and voila!
Here is a photo that might help:

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How many hours “Run in Time” before the speakers sound the best?.......

There is no crossover adjustment on these entry-level speaker kits but you might just have to run the system in. The tweeter level decreases and the midbass increases during the first twenty hours of use and in fact right through to fifty hours of playing you will get further improvements. This is due to the suspension within each driver becoming more supple. Home speakers are the same, if you order a good set of home hifi speakers the dealer will unpack them a day or two prior to delivery and ‘burn them in’. You won’t get that sort of service with car audio speakers or lower cost home speakers simply because of the lower margins and the time involved but the principle still applies.
If you are still getting too much treble after the run-in period you might have to solder a 4 Ohm resistor in line with one of the tweeter wires, encase it in heat shrink for insulation. I have never encountered that yet, the tweeters usually quieten down, but that is Plan B

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I recently purchased a set of midbox for the 3" and tweeter of 165KX3 kit, but the set seems to be two left-hand midboxes.......

Sometimes they came from the factory assembled like that. The solution is simple:

unscrew the back and front plate of one midbox and reverse them.
Note that the top screws where the 3″ speaker goes need to be about 3mm out from fully tight, so the grille can clip onto them.

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I have installed Focal - ES 165KX2 speakers......

We don’t make two channel amplifiers any more so you will need a four-channel amplifier and use the other two channels on a small subwoofer or the rear speakers.

All our speakers are very efficient so you don’t need the more powerful amplifiers unless you play the music very loud or if you want to run a subwoofer on the rear channels. Impulse 4.320 at $419, FDS4.350 at $399, FPX4.400 at $749 or the Sound Quality amplifier FPX4.400SQ would all work. The SQ amp is about 50% larger in physical size than it’s brother FPX4.800, it is using components that dissipate more heat therefore it needs a bigger chassis.

If you have a compact car and don’t have much room for an amplifier, the Impulse 4.320 will be quite adequate and it’s so small that it can be tucked away within the dash or under the console. Being a digital amplifier it runs cool so doesn’t need the ventilation that larger amplifiers require. If your car has ISO plugs in the radio wiring, there is a quick-fit wiring harness that speeds up installation and avoids running wires from the battery etc. I will attach some info on that. The harness is $65.

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Building a car stereo using focal components......

I’m in the process of building a car stereo using focal components.

My front stage will be a set PS 165 V1’s and my amplifier is an FXP 5.1200, I do not plan to run rear speakers at the moment. I am also undecided on a sub woofer set up yet. My main question is, the PS 165 V1’s allow for bi-amping which is what I intended to do. Will no-amping give me the best from these speakers? Or would I benefit more from running them purely passive on one channel each and using the other two channels for rear speakers?“

No, the PS165V1 don’t have the option to bi-amp. You can do so if you are using a sound processor (budget $1000 to $2000 for a good one, plus professional help to set it up properly). When you use a sound processor you can control the frequencies assigned to each individual speaker, along with time delay and amplifier gain specific to each particular speaker.

Those PS165V1 sound really good using the factory-designed crossovers, there is little to be gained in bi-amping unless you use a processor.

Bi-amping is a bit of an urban myth. It might be relevant in high-end home speakers which are many tens of thousands of dollars, when used with specific speaker cable that sometimes costs a thousand dollars per metre and amplifiers that also cost tens of thousands of dollars. The story has been passed down from home audio to car audio by keen amateurs and has become a bit of an urban myth on the car audio blogs that it will make your $500 car speakers sound like $1000 speakers. In reality, it’s a wank. You won’t hear any improvement without a processor,. You might think you do if you spend a lot of money and time bi-amping.

If you want to make a major upgrade for minimal outlay, you will get much better results from lining the doors with sound-absorbing material like Focal BAM. Don’t use the commonly-used stuff with aluminium surface, even if a dealer recommends it. You need to use something with a soft rubber surface which will absorb sound. Line the outside of the doors, especially directly behind the speakers. If you can afford it, line the inner door skins too, that will cover many holes in the door and make it into a sealed enclosure that absorbs the sound from the back of the speakers

In short, find better things to do than bi-amping. Line the doors with sound-absorbing Focal BAM or similar. Use matching speakers in the rear doors, probably PC165. Choose a good sub, Flax P25FSE or P25FE might be a nice option. Wire it all up, give it about ten or twenty hours of running-in, and you will have a very sweet system

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I am purchasing an ES165KX3 and EC165K

I am purchasing an ES165KX3 and EC165K and already have a peer I sting sub. I don’t want to run multiple amps. Does focal have any 1 amp solutions that can handle the power requirements of the speakers, in particular the ES165KX3?

The ES165KX3 don’t need massive power, like most of our speakers they are very efficient.
I don’t know what a peer 1 sting subwoofer is, I can’t find it on Google. Without understanding the specs of the sub, it’s hard to advise you.

We have a possible candidate, the FPX5.1200

If this is a massive subwoofer, I would like to suggest keeping it on its’ own amplifier. Subwoofers are ‘current-hungry’, especially big ones. If the music includes a lot of bass they tend to suck all the available power from the amplifier and the remaining four channels will be struggling to provide clean sound.

If you want really hifi performance you might consider a special sound-quality amplifier like FPX4.400SQ and a subwoofer amplifier FPX1.1000. The SQ amp will have adequate power for the front three-ways and the rear co-axials and you have the subwoofer isolated on its’ own amplifier. Just a thought . . .

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Power two E30KX 12 inch subwoofers

I want to power two E30KX 12 inch subwoofers, should I use a single amp that is rated at 2400 watts into one ohm or two Focal FPX1.1000 amps rated at 700W RMS into two ohms? The cost of one single amp and two Focal amps is similar, around $1400.

I would prefer to see two separate amplifiers since you are running two heavy duty subwoofers. The weakest part of an amplifier is usually the power supply which is a collection of oscillator, transformer and capacitors which collectively raise the voltage from 14 volts to around 70 or 80 volts on the high voltage rail. I think two separate power supplies are preferable, two amplifiers, one dedicated to each subwoofer.

Many amplifiers can put out their rated output for a short burst and therefore can claim massive power output. However when presented with sustained load and asked to produce that output for ten, twenty or thirty seconds, it’s another story. If the voltage on the high voltage rail sags because the power supply can’t keep up, the bass loses some of it’s impact. Two amplifiers would be my choice, rather than one big amplifier working hard.

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I have two E30KX subwoofers I am about to instal. What amplifier should I use?

To get those subwoofers to kick hard they should have one amplifier each. Subwoofers are ‘current-hungry’, more than any other speaker they require big surges of power. Sharing one amplifier between two big subwoofers in this category, no matter how big the amplifier, is not going to be as good as having one amp dedicated to each subwoofer.

I would recommend FPX1.1000’s.

The power cabling needs to be heavy duty, not just the positive cable through to the amps but the earth return. The weak spot is the engine-to-chassis earth which regrettably even a lot of professional installers don’t understand. You need a heavy earth cable joining the car chassis to the battery negative terminal. From the factory all cars have a heavy cable to the engine block to carry the current for the starter motor, and a small earth wire from the engine block to the chassis to carry the earth current for the lights, wipers etc. That small cable is not adequate for the current surges demanded by large amplifiers you are adding, which can be above 100 amps.

That’s a side-issue from your original question as to which amps to use, but if you don’t get the cabling right you are restraining the new amplifiers output.

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2013 Ford Focus with the factory Ford/Sony head unit

I have a 2013 Ford Focus with the factory Ford/Sony head unit. I currently have a set of old aftermarket speakers playing in front but they are failing. They are rated at 70 watts, what do you think I should replace them with?

Don’t worry about matching the power ratings, Focal speakers are very efficient so don’t need a lot of power to work. But if you want to boost the power with a small amplifier we make a tiny amp that will hide behind the dash called Impulse ($359 retail), plus an ISO cable kit that lets it plug into the car wiring harness without cutting any wires IY Impulse at $55. This will give whatever speakers you choose more mass, tighter bass and clearer vocals etc.

Speakers, 6.5″ is the format so you have a vast range to choose from. I would strongly recommend using the same series of speakers front and rear, it makes a lot of difference. Using the factory speakers in rear doors is a no-no. Even if no-one sits in the back ever, it still matters. They will invariably be out of phase with the front speakers at various frequencies. If you can’t afford to buy matching front and rear speakers, best to disconnect the factory rears, they are interfering with the new front speakers.

Let’s look at the ranges: Auditor is the entry level, Access is two up, Flax is next, then Elite K2.

Matching front component speakers and rear co-axial in each range:
Auditor RSE-165 Auditor RCX-165
Access 165AS Access 165AC
Flax PS165FX Flax PC165F
Elite ES165KX2 Elite EC165K

Add the amp and its cable kit $414 and you have a pretty good system. Obviously the higher up the speaker ranges you go, the better will be the results, but even a basic Auditor kit front and rear, without the amp, will be an improvement on your old speakers.

If you can afford, lining the doors with a sound-absorbing material like Focal BAM will significantly improve sound quality of any of these speaker ranges. BAM works by absorbing the back-wave from the rear of the speakers which interferes with the sound from the front of the speakers. Don’t confuse it with sound-deadener which has the principal purpose to stop door panel vibrations. BAM does that also, but it has a soft surface that absorbs sound waves.

I hope this helps.

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Can you give me any clues on where to install my speakers for best sound quality?

Try to mount your midrange speakers on a wooden panel if possible, or at least on a solid surface. A lot of good installers cut out MDF panels for every speaker. This ensures a few things: a good air seal for the speaker, it avoids buckled frames, and it addresses the issue of spill. Don’t raise the speaker above the surrounding panel with those little speaker spacer rings if you have the option to make a small MDF mounting panel. This need only be a couple of inches bigger than the speaker.

Don’t use tweeter ‘surface mount pods’ if you can devise a way to recess mount the tweeters into the doors or into a fibreglass or body putty custom mount. I have heard some good results from mounting tweeters at the base of the A pillars. This will involve making up a fibreglass or body-putty moulding on the A pillar. The mirror pods are probably second-best position. The mirror pod is the easier position to mount tweeters on, the A pillar gives better sound quality but will cost more labour.

If you are shaping up a tweeter mount using fibreglass or bog, try to create a flat area extending a centimetre or two around the tweeter. This reflects the ‘spill’ from the tweeter out toward the listener.

The aiming of the tweeters is also important. They should aim across the car at the opposite front seat headrest. In other words the passengers side tweeter should be aimed at the drivers head and vice versa. If you pay attention to these details you will get 100% better sound quality.

When people complain that their tweeters sound bright and intrusive, you can bet they have broken one or all of these installation rules.

Adjust the crossovers at installation, then again two months later. If you have installed tweeters at or above dash level, turn the level down a little with the adjustment switch inside the crossover. The KP and K2P range have eight tweeter level settings inside their crossovers, the other Focal ranges have three, so you should be able to find a setting that suits you.

There is a principle that tweeters and mids should be in the kick panels to get them equidistant from the listener. It sounds great in principle, I can never deny the theory is absolutely correct. The problem in practice is that your legs obstruct the sound. Kick panel mounts sound best if you sit with your feet tucked under you. Another important principle is that woofer and tweeter should be within fifteen inches of each other. Technically correct again, but it’s not always possible without rebuilding the whole door panel, an expensive operation.

Don’t expect to get a carefully planned tweeter and speaker installation for $100, it will take someone half a day to build-out A-pillars or mirror mounts, fit the tweeters and then re-skin the panels in new vinyl. Unless you are a whiz at motor trimming, be prepared to pay for an expert to do this.

Most car radio shops won’t volunteer to do A-pillar installation of tweeters when they sell you the speaker kit because the cost would scare most customers away. If you’re after hi-fi sound, you’ll have to ask for specialist installation, be prepared to pay the money.

Factory tweeter mounting position in many new cars direct the tweeter against the windscreen glass. It’s an absolute no-no in home hi-fi to point your tweeters anywhere near glass and the same applies in your car. Reflected sound off a windscreen is not going to be good.

Focal put a lot of research into designing tweeters with a linear sound output. If you install them right, you’ll reap the benefits.

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Advice on setting up Focal Kit 7

I’d like some advice on setting up Focal Kit 7 Active three-way speakers using my old six-channel amplifier in place of the UNIQ crossovers. I’m doing the installation at home to save money, also there isn’t a Focal dealer nearby. Alternatively, I could use the UNIQ crossovers, bridge four of channels on my six channel amp to achieve more power, and have two channels remaining for the rear speakers.“

Yes it is possible to use your old amp in a fully-active configuration, however I urge extreme caution. I’d suggest you leave the installation and tuning to an expert installer, even if it means a long drive . There are many subtle design features built into Focal UNIQ crossovers which you will be bypassing if you use active amplification. The failure rate of speakers is much higher when using them without the factory crossover.

I’d draw a parallel to installing an after-market engine-control module into a new car. The car may perform a little bit better in straight-ahead acceleration but many other functions don’t work as well as the they normally would, for example gear changes will be rougher, the idle will be rougher and the car will chew through fuel and exhaust filters.

The genuine Focal crossovers were carefully designed to restrict the individual speakers to certain frequency bands, compensate for phase shift at the crossover frequencies and balance the outputs of each speaker appropriate to an overall sound. Engineers with years of university education have spent a lot of time designing these things, so to double-guess their design would be a case of hit-and-miss. Bear in mind that should you burn out any of those 6″ Utopia speakers it will cost you $415. There is no warranty on speakers with burnt voice-coils.

Your entire Focal Kit 7 could run quite happily on a good amplifier of 60 watts RMS per channel. Amplifiers with higher power ratings are also okay, a bigger amplifier is probably a wise investment as that amp will be idling, not stressing out. Speakers don’t burn out by themselves, overworked amplifiers tend to pass the stress along to the speakers in the form of clipped signal and it’s clipping which releases the smoke from the speakers. An amplifier with plenty of headroom is always safer than an amplifier too small for the job, and you’ll get better sound quality as a bonus.

Whatever you do, don’t bridge an amplifier onto any speakers other than a subwoofer. The sound quality deteriorates noticeably whenever you bridge an amplifier. Considering the speakers you are using, which are very revealing of any weakness in the system, bridging an amplifier to get more power is a definite no-no.

So when it comes to recycling your old six-channel amplifier in this new car, I’d suggest you start again and buy the right amplifier for the job, an FPS4160 four-channel amplifier. Use two channels to run the Utopias through the UNIQ crossovers, the remaining two to power the rear speakers. Sorry, no matter how high a quality your old amplifier may be, if you have to bridge it to make use of it, you are defeating the purpose of buying excellent speakers.

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I have some great sounding (brand X) speakers

I have some great sounding (brand X) speakers from my last car. Would these be okay to use in the rear of my new car with my new Focal 165W-XP in the front?

No, you should never mix up speaker brands and series within the one car. Always use the same series speakers front and rear. If you use Focal K2 Power in front, you should use Focal K2 Power in rear.

It’s to do with cone mass and magnet material etc. If the speakers front and rear have similar characteristics, they will move in time with each other at all frequencies. If you use speakers of a different series, even if from the same manufacturer, they will be ‘out of phase’ with each other at certain frequencies causing some blurring of the music.

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How do I adjust my Focal iBUS20 for the best sound?

We would suggest as a starting point:

Subsonic at 35 Hz,
Bass Boost at 6
Low pass at 80 Hz

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What is active configuration?

Active configuration is when each individual speaker, each tweeter, each midbass driver, is powered through a separate amplifier channel.

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Why do people consider Bi-Amping is superior?

Bi-Amping is a bit of a myth promulgated by online chat and blogs, which are usually run by weekend experts. In the hands of a very well educated installer, with a lot of high-end test equipment on hand and the skills to use that gear, you can get sound quality improvements. The level of improvement achievable relates back to how cheap and nasty the factory crossovers were.

With most European speaker brands a lot of design work went into the crossovers so you won’t get a big improvement by second-guessing the manufacturer, trying to do an active system with just an amplifier and the inbuilt crossovers.

In as few words as possible, use the crossovers that came with the speakers. Do not bridge amplifiers onto any speakers other than a subwoofer. These are the two commandments of car audio. Defy them at your own risk.

To do active configuration properly:

  • You need to sell the customer a sound processor
  • You need to know the design frequency range of each individual speaker
  • You need a machine called a Real Time Analyser (RTA) to analyse the output sound
  • You need an oscilloscope to check for clipping of both input and output signal
  • You need training in which crossover slopes to use in which situations

Customers will come in and try to bluff you into taking their job on, as an active installation. The risk of damaging one or multiple speakers are great. Best to avoid the job if you don’t have the equipment and training.

A signal processor and an active configuration in a car stereo system can give significant sound improvement because the installer can make compensations for frequency response dips caused by the vehicle interior or various components in the audio system. However selling a processor is fraught with dangers unless you have the above equipment and know what you are doing.

If you really want a noticeable improvement with minimum fuss, sell the customer on sound-absorbing sheets (Focal BAM etc). Don’t confuse sound-absorbing with sound deadening material. Sound absorbing material has a soft rubber surface to absorb sound waves. Sound deadener has a shiny surface and is a reflector for sound waves, so it causes more trouble acoustically than it fixes. Lining the doors with sound-absorbing material will give bigger bang for the buck than wiring speakers active configuration.

Keep it simple. Don’t get talked into active wiring setups. Better to let them go elsewhere if they insist, it’s just going to end in tears.

TECH TIPS

Focal's Legacy and Expertise

  • Established Heritage: Founded in 1979 in Saint-Étienne, France, Focal has over four decades of experience in designing and manufacturing high-fidelity audio equipment.
  • Diverse Audio Solutions: Originally specializing in home hi-fi systems, Focal has expanded its expertise to car audio, professional studio monitors, and headphones, demonstrating versatility and a deep understanding of various audio environments.
  • Dedicated Workforce: With a team of over 250 professionals based in France, Focal combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to produce exceptional audio products.

Innovative Technologies

  • Inverted Dome Tweeter: Introduced in 1981, this design offers low directionality and high dynamics, ensuring an optimal listening experience regardless of the speaker's orientation.
  • Advanced Cone Materials: Focal's commitment to innovation is evident in their development of unique cone materials, such as the Polykevlar sandwich structure and the "W" sandwich cone, enhancing rigidity and damping for superior sound reproduction.
  • Beryllium Tweeters: Focal was among the pioneers in utilizing beryllium for tweeters, offering unparalleled rigidity and lightness, resulting in exceptional clarity and precision in high frequencies.

Uncompromising Quality

  • Stringent Quality Control: Focal products undergo multiple stages of inspection, ensuring each component meets the highest standards of performance and durability.
  • Extended Warranty: In Australia, Focal offers a 3-year warranty on car audio products installed by authorized dealers, reflecting confidence in their product longevity and reliability.

Superior Sound Performance

  • Natural and Detailed Sound: Focal's use of innovative materials and designs results in speakers that deliver natural, detailed, and dynamic sound, providing an immersive listening experience.
  • High Sensitivity: Focal speakers are known for their high sensitivity, allowing them to produce clear and powerful sound even with lower power inputs, making them versatile for various audio setups.

Commitment to Sustainability

  • Eco-Friendly Materials: Focal integrates sustainable practices by developing materials like the Slatefiber cone, made from recycled non-woven carbon fibers and thermoplastic polymer, combining performance with environmental responsibility.

By choosing Focal, you're not just selecting a product; you're embracing a tradition of excellence, innovation, and a passion for delivering the ultimate audio experience in your vehicle.

Utopia M

Key Product Notes:

  • French Engineering & Craftsmanship: The Utopia M line is entirely designed and handcrafted in France.
  • Years of Innovation: Developed over 3 years, this range represents Focal’s pinnacle of engineering excellence.
  • Expert Manufacturing: Only the most experienced engineers are involved in the production and inspection of this prestigious line.
  • Precision Tweeter Technology: The TBM tweeters utilise an ultra-thin Beryllium diaphragm, thinner than a human hair, allowing movement up to 50kHz. This results in minimal distortion within the human hearing range, superior ultrasonic reproduction, enhanced imaging, and an expansive soundstage.
  • Elite Audio Heritage: This same Beryllium tweeter is featured in Focal’s high-end Hi-Fi tower speakers, which can cost up to $600,000 AUD.
  • Advanced Woofer Technology: The 3.5 WM, 6 WM, and 10 WM woofers incorporate the “W” membrane, “M” profile, and TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) suspension, all of which are groundbreaking technologies that deliver exceptional accuracy with minimal distortion.
  • Space-Saving Subwoofer: The 10 WM subwoofer requires a compact enclosure of just 10L to 15L, making it highly versatile for installation without compromising valuable space.
  • Optimized Efficiency: The Utopia M range is designed with high efficiency, ensuring superior performance even with moderate power input.

Key Application:

  • High-Fidelity Sound Anywhere: Designed for audiophiles who demand the ultimate Hi-Fi experience in their vehicle.
  • Concert-Like Audio Performance: Delivers an immersive soundstage and unmatched musical accuracy.
  • Fully Active System: Requires a DSP/Amplifier for operation.
  • Premium Installation Recommended: For the best results, use Focal BAM sound deadening treatment, high-quality RCA cables, speaker cables, and power cables.
  • Optimal Listening at Any Angle: The inverted dome tweeter design ensures superior sound dispersion and clarity.
  • Compact Yet Powerful: Despite their performance, Utopia M speakers are engineered with a relatively shallow mounting depth, making them easier to install in various vehicles.

K2M

Key Product Notes:

  • A Perfect Blend of Accuracy & Power: The Focal K2M range combines the high-end musical precision of Utopia M with the dynamic, punchy performance of K2 Power, delivering an exceptional audio experience.
  • French Engineering & Craftsmanship: Fully designed and handcrafted in France, ensuring top-tier quality and performance.
  • Breakthrough FRAK Tweeters: A revolutionary advancement in Focal technology, the FRAK tweeters feature an extended frequency range of 600Hz – 32kHz, allowing for an exceptionally high soundstage in the vehicle without dragging down the audio imaging.
  • Perfect for 2-Way Active Setups: The K2M tweeters excel in a two-way active setup, as the FRAK tweeter seamlessly fills the midrange frequencies better than most other tweeters. Adding the 3.5KM driver further enhances clarity and detail.
  • Revolutionary Woofer Technology: The K2M, 3.5KM, 6KM, and 5KM all incorporate the K2 Sandwich membrane, "M" Profile cone, and TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) suspension, ensuring exceptional accuracy with minimal distortion.
  • Compact Yet Powerful Subwoofer: The 5KM subwoofer delivers unmatched bass performance for its size, requiring only a 4L – 6L enclosure, making it ideal for space-conscious installations.
  • High Efficiency Across the Range: The K2M series is designed for high efficiency, maximizing performance while maintaining clarity and impact.

Key Application:

  • Ideal for Compact 2-Way Active Systems: If your vehicle setup allows only a two-way active configuration, pairing the FRAK tweeters with the 6KM woofers is an optimal choice.
  • Perfect for Tight Spaces: The 3.5KM driver features an ultra-shallow mounting depth, making it an excellent solution for vehicles with limited space when using a 3 - way setup.
  • Fully Active System: Requires a DSP/Amplifier for operation.
  • Space-Saving Subwoofer Option: The 5KM subwoofer is an ideal choice for those wanting a compact yet powerful bass solution in an enclosure.
  • Optimal Sound Dispersion: The inverted dome tweeter ensures a premium listening experience from any angle.
  • Recommended Installation Enhancements: To achieve the best performance, use Focal BAM sound deadening treatment, along with high-quality RCA cables, speaker cables, and power cables.

K2 Power

Key Product Notes:

  • Precision, Performance & Emotion: The Focal K2 Power range delivers exceptional audio clarity, power, and emotional impact, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
  • French Engineering & Craftsmanship: Fully designed and manufactured in France, ensuring the highest level of quality and performance.
  • An Iconic Heritage: "If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it." The yellow cone is a signature element of Focal’s history. The K2 Sandwich Cone, first introduced in 1986, continues to evolve with cutting-edge Hi-Fi technology.
  • Advanced Tweeter Technology: Features both the TKME tweeter and the FRAK tweeter, delivering exceptional treble clarity and extension.
  • Innovative Design & Versatility: The K2 Power range incorporates the K2 Sandwich membrane, TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) suspension, and optimized crossovers, making it adaptable for a variety of high-performance audio setups.
  • Enhanced Treble Performance: The ES 165 KX2E and ES 165 KX3E feature the FRAK tweeter from the K2 Power M range, delivering an elevated level of high-end detail and clarity.

Key Application:

  • Optimized for 2Ω Systems: The K2 Power series offers a selection of 2Ω speakers, including the ES 165 K2E, ES 165 K2S, and ES 165 KX2E, ensuring high efficiency and powerful output.
  • Perfect for Loud, Hi-Fi-Quality Systems: Designed for enthusiasts who want high-volume performance without compromising on audiophile-grade sound quality.
  • Superior Sound Dispersion: The inverted dome tweeter technology ensures an optimal listening experience from any angle.
  • Recommended Installation Enhancements: To maximize performance, use Focal BAM sound deadening treatment, along with high-quality RCA cables, speaker cables, and power cables.

Flax Evo

Key Product Notes:

  • Hi - Fi Product for Car Audio Prices: Notably, the Flax technology is also utilised in Focal's high-fidelity speaker lines, such as the Kanta series which is valued up to $23K AUD.
  • Natural Sound, High Performance: The Focal Flax Evo range delivers rich, detailed, and dynamic sound, combining high-end audio performance with natural tonal balance.
  • French Engineering & Craftsmanship: Fully designed and manufactured in France, ensuring precision, durability, and superior acoustic performance.
  • Innovative Flax Cone Technology: The Flax Sandwich Cone, exclusive to Focal, features a natural flax fiber core between two thin layers of glass fiber. This unique construction offers exceptional neutrality, dynamics, and rigidity, minimizing distortion for a more natural, lifelike sound.
  • High-Definition Tweeters: The range includes both the Al/Mg (Aluminum/Magnesium) "M" profile inverted dome tweeter and the TAM tweeter, designed for extended frequency response, wide dispersion, and detailed treble reproduction.
  • Advanced Suspension for Accuracy: Features TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) suspension, an exclusive Focal technology that significantly reduces distortion and enhances precision, particularly at high volumes.

Key Application:

  • Slimline Option: The PS 165 FSE is a slimline 6.5” component speaker kit, specifically engineered for vehicles with limited mounting depth, ensuring high-quality sound in compact spaces.
  • Ideal for High-Fidelity Car Audio Systems: Designed for audiophiles and music lovers seeking natural, high-resolution sound with dynamic performance.
  • Perfect for OEM & Custom Installations: The range includes multiple sizes and configurations, making it ideal for both factory replacement and high-end custom audio systems.
  • High-Power Handling: Works exceptionally well with high-performance amplifiers, ensuring crystal-clear sound, powerful midbass, and controlled low-end response.
  • Space-Efficient Subwoofer Solutions: The P 25 FSE and P 20 FSE subwoofers are designed for compact enclosures, offering deep bass performance without taking up excessive space.
  • Premium Sound Tuning Capabilities: For optimal performance, the Flax Evo range is best paired with a Amplifier or DSP/Amplifier, allowing for precise tuning.
  • Enhanced Sound Treatment Recommended: To maximize performance, Focal BAM sound deadening, along with high-quality RCA cables, speaker wires, and power cables, is highly recommended.

Slate Fiber

Key Product Notes:

  • HI - Fi Product Line
  • Innovative Slatefiber Cone Technology: The Focal Slatefiber series features the exclusive Slatefiber cone, crafted from non-woven recycled carbon fibers and thermoplastic polymer. This design ensures exceptional rigidity, damping, and lightness, resulting in dynamic, rich, and well-balanced sound, particularly in the midrange.
  • French Engineering & Craftsmanship: Entirely designed and manufactured in France, the Slatefiber series exemplifies Focal's commitment to precision engineering and meticulous craftsmanship, delivering reliable and high-performance audio solutions.
  • High Sensitivity & Power Handling: These speakers boast high sensitivity and excellent power handling, ensuring consistent performance even after prolonged listening at high volume levels.
  • Distinctive Aesthetic Design: The Slatefiber cone's unique "slate effect" not only contributes to acoustic performance but also adds a modern and stylish appearance to the speakers, enhancing the interior aesthetics of any vehicle if on display.
  • Shared Technology with Home Audio: The Slate Fiber technology is also utilised in Focal's home audio speakers, such as the Versita and Theva series, reflecting its versatility and high-performance characteristics across different audio applications.

Key Application:

  • High-Fidelity In-Car Audio: The Slatefiber series is ideal for audiophiles seeking dynamic and balanced sound reproduction in their vehicles, delivering clarity and purity across various music genres at a great pricepoint.
  • Seamless Integration: With standard dimensions and a smart design, these speakers can be easily installed in most vehicles without the need for additional amplification, making them suitable for both factory system upgrades and custom installations.
  • Enhanced Listening Experience: The high sensitivity and power handling capabilities ensure excellent performance, even during extended periods of high-volume listening, providing a reliable and immersive audio experience.
  • Aesthetic Enhancement: The modern design and unique slate-colored cone add a touch of elegance to the vehicle's interior, appealing to users who value both form and function.

Access

Key Product Notes:

  • Focal's Longest-Running and Best-Selling Speaker Range: The Access series has established itself as Focal's most enduring and popular line, known for delivering reliable and high-quality audio performance.
  • Dual Fiberglass Structure (DFS®) Cone: Each speaker features Focal's innovative DFS® cone technology, composed of woven glass fiber for a light yet rigid structure. This design ensures flawless stability and resistance to extreme conditions, both in terms of power and climate.
  • Wide Frequency Response: The Access 100 AC (4-inch) model offers an impressive frequency range from 70Hz to 20kHz, surpassing many similar-sized speakers that typically only reach down to around 100Hz. This extended range delivers deeper bass and a richer listening experience.
  • Robust Subwoofer Options: The Access series includes the SUB 25 A4 and SUB 30 A4 subwoofers, engineered to provide powerful and precise bass, enhancing the overall audio system's depth and impact.
  • Inverted Dome Tweeter Technology: Incorporated across the series, Focal's signature inverted aluminum dome tweeters produce a broad sound stage, ensuring optimal listening experiences at any angle.
  • Durable Build Quality: Designed to withstand harsh conditions, the Access series utilizes materials like butyl rubber surrounds, resistant to ultraviolet rays, temperature extremes, and humidity, ensuring longevity and consistent performance.

Key Application:

  • Ideal for Harsh Environments: The Access series is perfect for vehicles subjected to tough conditions, such as 4WDs and SUVs, where durability and resilience are paramount.
  • Versatile Installation: With various sizes and configurations, these speakers can be easily integrated into diverse vehicle interiors without compromising on sound quality.
  • Enhanced Sound Quality: The combination of DFS® cone technology and inverted dome tweeters ensures a dynamic and immersive audio experience, making the Access series suitable for both casual listeners and audiophiles seeking high-fidelity sound.
  • Reliable Performance: The robust construction and materials used in the Access series make these speakers highly reliable, maintaining consistent audio performance over time, even in challenging environments.

Universal

Key Product Notes:

  • Shallow Mounting Depth: The ISU 165 and ICU 165 speakers feature a compact design with a mounting depth of only 48.5 mm, facilitating installation in vehicles with limited space.
  • High Sensitivity: Most Universal models boast a sensitivity rating of approximately 93 dB, ensuring robust performance even when powered by factory head units.
  • Polyglass Cone Technology: The Universal series utilizes Focal's Polyglass membrane, a technology also employed in Focal's Hi-Fi speakers. This design combines the sonic neutrality of paper with the rigidity of glass, resulting in a detailed and natural sound.
  • Aluminum/Magnesium Inverted Dome Tweeter: Incorporated across the series, this tweeter design offers low directionality and high dynamics, providing an extended frequency response and improved sound dispersion.

Key Application:

  • Direct OEM Replacement: The high sensitivity of the Universal series allows for effective performance when powered by factory head units, making it an excellent choice for those seeking an upgrade without additional amplification.
  • Versatile Installation: The shallow mounting depth across the range enables these speakers to fit into a wide variety of vehicles, accommodating installations where space is limited.
  • Enhanced Sound Quality: The combination of Polyglass cone technology and aluminum/magnesium inverted dome tweeters ensures a rich, detailed sound with minimal distortion, significantly improving the in-car audio experience.
  • Optimal Listening Experience: The inverted dome tweeter design allows for a broad sound stage, ensuring consistent audio quality regardless of the listening angle.

Auditor

Key Product Notes:

  • Slimline Speaker Design: The ASE 165 S and ACX 165 S models feature a shallow mounting depth, facilitating installation in vehicles with limited space.
  • Entry-Level Excellence: Positioned as Focal's entry-level offering, the Auditor series provides an accessible introduction to Focal's renowned sound quality.
  • Versatile Subwoofer Options: The SUB 10 SLIM and SUB 12 SLIM are engineered for compatibility with slimline sealed enclosures, while the SUB 10 and SUB 12 models offer robust bass performance for various installation preferences.
  • Polypropylene Cone: Speakers in the Auditor series utilize polypropylene cones, delivering a neutral and dynamic sound signature.
  • Butyl Surround: The inclusion of butyl surrounds enhances the speakers' durability and resistance to environmental factors.

Key Application:

  • Cost-Effective Focal Experience: The Auditor series is ideal for individuals seeking to experience Focal's signature sound without a significant financial investment.
  • High Sensitivity: Designed to perform efficiently with factory head units, the Auditor series can also be amplified for enhanced results.
  • French Engineering, Global Production: While engineered and developed in France, production in China allows for reduced costs, making the Auditor series more accessible.
  • Inverted Dome Tweeter Technology: This design ensures precise treble and an enhanced soundstage, providing an optimal listening experience at any angle.

Focal Inside

Key Product Notes:

  • Plug & Play Installation: Focal Inside kits are designed for seamless integration into your vehicle's existing system without the need for cutting wires or creating spacers. This allows for easy restoration to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) setup without leaving any trace.
  • Vehicle-Specific Engineering: Each Focal Inside speaker kit is meticulously engineered to match the acoustic characteristics and mounting specifications of specific vehicle models, ensuring optimal sound quality and fitment.
  • High Sensitivity: The Focal Inside speaker range is highly sensitive, designed for optimal performance with either OEM or aftermarket head unit power, or with a compact amplifier such as the IMPULSE 4.320.
  • Inverted Dome Tweeter Technology: This proprietary design ensures precise treble and an enhanced soundstage, providing an optimal listening experience at any angle.

Key Application:

  • Factory System Enhancement: Focal Inside speaker ranges are highly sensitive, meaning they are designed for optimal performance with either OEM or aftermarket head unit power, or a compact amplifier such as the IMPULSE 4.320.
  • Non-Invasive Upgrade: The plug-and-play nature of Focal Inside kits allows for installation without permanent modifications, preserving the vehicle's resale value and original condition.

Key Product Notes

FPX 5.1200

  • 5-Channel Amplifier: Combines four channels for speakers and a dedicated subwoofer channel, providing a comprehensive solution for full-range audio systems.
  • High Power Output: Delivers robust power to drive both speakers and subwoofers effectively, ensuring dynamic and immersive sound reproduction.
  • Compact Design: Despite its power, the amplifier maintains a compact form factor, facilitating flexible installation in various vehicle interiors.

FPX 1.1000

  • Mono Amplifier: Specialized for subwoofer applications, offering dedicated power to enhance low-frequency performance.
  • High Efficiency: Designed for optimal power delivery with minimal heat generation, ensuring consistent performance during extended use.

FPX 4.800

  • 4-Channel Amplifier: Provides 4×120 Watts RMS at 4 Ohms, suitable for driving front and rear speakers or a combination of speakers and a subwoofer in bridged mode.
  • Versatile Configuration: Supports 4-/3-/2-channel modes and is stable at 2 Ohms, offering flexibility to adapt to different audio system setups.
  • Compact Size: Its compact dimensions allow for easy integration into various vehicle interiors without compromising on power.

FPX 4.400 SQ

  • Class AB Amplifier: Offers 4×70 Watts RMS at 4 Ohms, focusing on sound quality with low distortion and high fidelity.
  • Flexible Operation: Supports 4/3/2-channel modes with active filtering for each pair of channels, allowing for tailored audio configurations.
  • Sound Quality Focus: Designed to fully exploit Focal speakers, delivering power and musicality for an enhanced listening experience.

IMPULSE 4.320

  • Ultra-Compact Amplifier: Measuring only 175 mm in depth, 66.5 mm in height, and 47 mm in width, it can be easily concealed within the dashboard or center console.
  • Digital Class D Amplification: Delivers 4×55 Watts RMS at 4 Ohms with over 90% efficiency, resulting in less heat, low power consumption, and low distortion at high volumes
  • Easy Installation: Equipped with high-level (automatic detection feature) and low-level inputs, compatible with all head units.

Benefits of Choosing Focal Amplifiers

  • High-Quality Sound: Focal amplifiers are engineered to deliver clear, dynamic, and immersive audio, enhancing the listening experience.
  • Innovative Design: Combining compact form factors with powerful output, Focal amplifiers ensure flexibility in installation without compromising performance.
  • Versatile Applications: With a range of models catering to different needs—from comprehensive multi-channel amplifiers to specialized mono and compact options—Focal provides solutions for various audio system configurations.
  • Efficient Performance: Utilizing advanced technologies like Class D amplification, Focal amplifiers achieve high efficiency, resulting in reduced heat generation and power consumption.
  • Extended Warranty: If a Focal amplifier is installed by an Authorised Australian Focal Car Audio Dealer, the warranty period will be extended from 12 months to 3 years.

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