What is the primary advantage of the flax sandwich cone?

The flax sandwich cone provides a high ratio of rigidity to weight and high internal damping. This results in a very neutral midrange and reduced coloration in the sound reproduction.

Can the Focal Shape 65 be placed against a wall?

Yes, the Shape 65 is designed without a bass port, utilizing passive radiators instead. This design allows it to be placed close to walls without the typical bass build-up or turbulence issues found in ported monitors.

What is the frequency response of the Focal Shape 65?

The monitor covers an extended frequency range from 40Hz to 35kHz. This wide range ensures that both deep sub-bass nuances and high-frequency harmonics are accurately represented.

What size is the woofer in the Shape 65?

The Focal Shape 65 features a 6.5-inch woofer. It is the largest model in the Shape series, providing the most significant bass extension of the line.

What type of tweeter does the Shape 65 use?

It uses an 'M'-shaped aluminum/magnesium inverted dome tweeter. This design is intended to provide low directivity, allowing for a broader listening sweet spot.

Are these monitors sold as pairs or singles?

The Focal Shape 65 is typically sold as a single unit. Users requiring a stereo setup must purchase two individual monitors.

What are the lateral passive radiators for?

The dual 6.5-inch passive radiators manage low-frequency pressure within the cabinet. They allow for deep bass extension in a compact, unported enclosure while remaining stable at high volumes.

Is the Focal Shape 65 suitable for mastering?

Yes, its flat frequency response and ability to capture audio nuances make it an ideal tool for both mixing and mastering applications. The clarity across the 40Hz to 35kHz range is specifically designed for these tasks.

How does the Shape 65 compare to the Neumann KH 120-II?

The Shape 65 features a larger 6.5-inch woofer compared to the 5.25-inch woofer of the KH 120-II, generally offering more low-end extension. The Shape 65 also uses a unique flax cone and passive radiators, whereas the Neumann uses a traditional front-ported design.

What amplification technology is used in the Shape 65?

The monitor utilizes Class AB amplification. This traditional amplifier design is chosen by Focal to maintain a high level of signal integrity and musicality.

What is the typical price for a single Focal Shape 65?

The typical price for a single unit is approximately £604. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current market conditions.

Does this monitor require a separate audio interface?

Yes, as an active studio monitor, it requires a line-level signal from an audio source. A device like the PreSonus Central Station Plus or a standard audio interface is needed to control volume and routing.

Gear article

Focal Shape 65 Studio Monitor

The Focal Shape 65 is a professional 6.5-inch active nearfield studio monitor designed for high-fidelity audio monitoring in small to medium-sized rooms. It features a unique flax sandwich cone and a portless design with dual passive radiators to facilitate placement in compact environments and against walls.

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Overview

The Focal Shape 65 represents the flagship model in Focal's Shape series of nearfield monitors. Designed to meet the needs of modern home and project studios, the unit balances a compact footprint with an extended low-end response. It is built around a 6.5-inch woofer and an 'M'-shaped aluminum/magnesium inverted dome tweeter, powered by Class AB amplification. The monitor is distinguished by its lack of a traditional bass port, opting instead for a closed-box design supplemented by dual lateral passive radiators.

Innovative Technology and Features

Focal incorporates several proprietary technologies into the Shape 65 to ensure acoustic transparency and stability:

Flax Sandwich Cone: The woofer uses a flax fibre core sandwiched between two layers of glass fibre, providing high internal damping and rigidity for a neutral midrange and tight bass.
Passive Radiators: Dual 6.5-inch radiators located on the sides of the cabinet allow for low-frequency extension without the turbulence or positioning limitations associated with front or rear ports.
Low Tweeter Directivity: The tweeter design is engineered to provide a wide sweet spot, allowing for more flexible listening positions within the studio space.
TMD Surround: The Tuned Mass Damper technology is applied to the woofer surround to stabilise dynamic response and reduce distortion.

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Sound Character and Performance

The Shape 65 is engineered for a transparent and nuanced soundstage across a frequency range of 40Hz to 35kHz. This wide spectrum allows the monitor to be used for critical mixing and mastering applications where capturing subtle details is essential. Because it does not rely on a port, the low-end remains controlled even when the monitor is placed in proximity to walls or corners, reducing the 'smearing' often found in smaller rooms.

Target Audience and Applications

This monitor is primarily suited for audio engineers, producers, and mastering professionals working in environments where space is at a premium. Its design specifically addresses the challenges of nearfield monitoring in rooms that may not have ideal acoustic treatment, as the low tweeter directivity and passive radiators make it less sensitive to room placement than many traditional vented designs.

Comparison with Alternatives

When compared to other professional options, the Shape 65 occupies a distinct niche. While the Genelec 8050B or 8341AMM offer sophisticated aluminium enclosures and DSP calibration features, the Focal Shape 65 focuses on the organic damping properties of its flax cone. It offers deeper low-end extension than compact monitors like the Yamaha HS5 or Neumann KH 120-II, while remaining more affordable than three-way systems such as the Neumann KH310A. Its passive radiator system offers a different low-end profile compared to the DSP-enhanced M-Audio Forty Eighty.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary advantage of the flax sandwich cone?: The flax sandwich cone provides a high ratio of rigidity to weight and high internal damping. This results in a very neutral midrange and reduced coloration in the sound reproduction.
Can the Focal Shape 65 be placed against a wall?: Yes, the Shape 65 is designed without a bass port, utilizing passive radiators instead. This design allows it to be placed close to walls without the typical bass build-up or turbulence issues found in ported monitors.
What is the frequency response of the Focal Shape 65?: The monitor covers an extended frequency range from 40Hz to 35kHz. This wide range ensures that both deep sub-bass nuances and high-frequency harmonics are accurately represented.
What size is the woofer in the Shape 65?: The Focal Shape 65 features a 6.5-inch woofer. It is the largest model in the Shape series, providing the most significant bass extension of the line.
What type of tweeter does the Shape 65 use?: It uses an 'M'-shaped aluminum/magnesium inverted dome tweeter. This design is intended to provide low directivity, allowing for a broader listening sweet spot.
Are these monitors sold as pairs or singles?: The Focal Shape 65 is typically sold as a single unit. Users requiring a stereo setup must purchase two individual monitors.
What are the lateral passive radiators for?: The dual 6.5-inch passive radiators manage low-frequency pressure within the cabinet. They allow for deep bass extension in a compact, unported enclosure while remaining stable at high volumes.
Is the Focal Shape 65 suitable for mastering?: Yes, its flat frequency response and ability to capture audio nuances make it an ideal tool for both mixing and mastering applications. The clarity across the 40Hz to 35kHz range is specifically designed for these tasks.
How does the Shape 65 compare to the Neumann KH 120-II?: The Shape 65 features a larger 6.5-inch woofer compared to the 5.25-inch woofer of the KH 120-II, generally offering more low-end extension. The Shape 65 also uses a unique flax cone and passive radiators, whereas the Neumann uses a traditional front-ported design.
What amplification technology is used in the Shape 65?: The monitor utilizes Class AB amplification. This traditional amplifier design is chosen by Focal to maintain a high level of signal integrity and musicality.
What is the typical price for a single Focal Shape 65?: The typical price for a single unit is approximately £604. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current market conditions.
Does this monitor require a separate audio interface?: Yes, as an active studio monitor, it requires a line-level signal from an audio source. A device like the PreSonus Central Station Plus or a standard audio interface is needed to control volume and routing.