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iPhone/iPod Accessory Review: Focal XS Speakers
Reviewed by: Cyprian Peters
-Official website
Price: $699.00

When it comes to computer speakers, there are many run of the mill products out there. Most do a passable job and get your music through to you. Few can do it with the clarity and strength that the Focal XS system has. This is one 2.1 system that does not mess around, from the first time you power it on, you know you’re hearing a premium system. However, with that premium system, be prepared to pay a premium price.

I’ve been using the XS system at my computer for a little over a month now, and it really is quite remarkable. It comes with 2 satellite speakers and a subwoofer. The speakers output 30W each with the subwoofer putting out 70W.

Before even listening to them, the first thing I noticed was how good they look. The speakers are black with an aluminum finish that makes them pop. The sub has similar coloring as well. The speakers have nice thick wiring with a braided protective layer on the outside, which I really liked. The design of the speakers makes them look really sleek. They’re actually made to match up with a Mac, but they also work just fine with PC. They connect via USB for great quality sound.

The great part about these computer speakers is that they have an iPod dock on them, so you don’t even necessarily have to be playing music from your computer to use them. The speakers come with different dock attachments for different iPod models. There isn’t one specifically for the iPhone 3G but I did find one that works with it. The dock charges your iPod/iPhone and also lets you sync you your computer. To sync, all you need to do is push a button on the back of the speaker to go into sync mode. You can’t play music while in sync mode, however.

The speaker also has volume buttons and an on/off button. A little remote is included so you can control your iPod from a distance if need be. Unlike some of the other remotes I’ve seen for docks, this one does not let you scroll through the menus on your device. It has the basic volume and play, rewind, fast forward buttons.

Now, we know these speakers look awesome, but the big question is, how do they sound. In one word, amazing. The highs and mids are very clear, and the bass is precise. What else would you expect from a high end speaker manufacturer like Focal. The subwoofer has an adjustable bass knob that you can tweak to your liking. The bass isn’t overpowering to begin with so I’ve had the knob maxed for pretty much the whole time, and it only starts to distort at very high volumes. It won’t thump like some systems but it is definitely present. Not only do these speakers sound awesome when cranked, but they are just as clear at low volumes.

After using predominantly mid-range computer speakers, it is a real treat to be using a premium system. As I said earlier, price might be a big issue for most, coming in at $700. However, with all the audio equipment I’ve ever owned, the trend seems to be that you get what you pay for, and here is no different. If you want premium sound, expect a premium price. The Focal XS is easily one of the best speaker systems I’ve listened to.

Score:
9/10

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