Focal Sub6 Active Subwoofer Focal

The Focal Sub6 is an 11″, 350W RMS active subwoofer for professional monitoring systems that can be used as both an LFE channel in a surround system or subwoofer in a stereo system.

Designed to complement the Focal Solo6 Be and Twin6 Be with optimal bass extension, the Sub6 features an 11″ woofer in a large-volume cabinet with a rear laminar bass reflex port. The Sub6 has been meticulously designed to reproduce linear bass regardless of volume levels. To the casual observer, the Sub6 is basically a speaker in a box, albeit a great-sounding speaker, but on closer examination, you’ll see it’s so much more. Like all Focal monitors, versatility is the order of the day, and the Sub6 is no exception. It enables settings for optimum coupling with the Solo6 Be, Twin6 Be, or any brand of monitors, plus connectivity that allows 2.1, 2.2, and multichannel use. Another thoughtful feature is the footswitch input that enables a pedal to deactivate the subwoofer and the high-pass crossovers on the monitor outputs. This feature enables you to switch the sub in and out during mixing for convenient referencing.

Focal Sub6 – Just the Facts:

• Focal “W” composite sandwich cone speaker
• Custom-design, BASH® technology amplification
• 11″, “W” composite sandwich cone
• 30Hz-250Hz frequency range
• 350W RMS amplification
• Rear-mounted laminar port eliminates port noise
• Mono left/right summing
• LFE + mono low-pass (24dB/octave)
• Continuously adjustable fine-tuning of phase from 0-180°
• Polarity reverse switch
• Switchable high-pass filter, cut-off frequency selection
• High-pass frequency selection
• Low-pass cut-off frequency setting
• Adjustable subwoofer level control
• Subwoofer mute switch
• 1 “bypass” (external remote control mute)
• Releasable high-pass

Focal Sub6 – Behind the Grille

The “W” cone

Focal’s composite sandwich cone technology has been in development for more than 15 years. The “W” process (Glass/Foam/Glass), used on Focal’s SM11, SM8 and SM6 series, provides a true optimization of the frequency response by fine-tuning mass, rigidity, and damping parameters. The balance between these three fundamental and often contradictory parameters is the foundation of the outstanding neutrality of Focal speakers.

The 10-5/8″ (27cm) Focal sub driver is equipped with a high-excursion system to enable accurate and extended reproduction in the bass/infra bass register. The 2-5/8″-diameter voice coil ensures perfect mechanical coupling and a total control of the driver even at high sound pressure levels. The driver’s magnetic construction is made of double ferrite. Its large field and back plates offer a highly symmetrical magnetic field to keep dynamics consistent, even at very low frequencies.

Custom-designed amplification stage

Designing an amp to be integrated inside a speaker cabinet offers the advantages of a shorter path, optimal driver matching, protection circuitry and precision crossovers. However, the amplifier’s power and quality requirements for a sonically transparent monitor can be at odds with speaker size and cooling needs. While Class AB amplifiers offer a combination of high-frequency accuracy found in Class A designs, with the greater efficiency of Class B amps, the power output of Class AB can quickly bottom out when it comes to powering bass and midrange woofers.

Focal engineers used BASH technology to develop the bass/medium amplification circuit for the SM6 professional line of speakers. This was the only way to exploit the best of class AB style circuits (for exceptional quality) with a class D type yield, which is crucial when housing a 350W RMS circuit in a relatively small space.

Controls for optimal integration

The Sub6 monitor loudspeaker was developed to perfectly complement the acoustics of Focal monitoring loudspeakers. It features numerous settings such as a stereo high-pass crossover (75Hz – 100Hz) specific to left and right loudspeakers, a configurable low-pass filter with mono summing, phase inversion, adjustable phase, and even a mute switch. The various connectivity options enable use in 2.1, 2.2 and multichannel modes, via the L/R inputs and outputs, and the LFE input.

Mute footswitch

A major advantage of the Sub6 is its footswitch input. The input allows you to connect a momentary footswitch, such as those found on guitar amp channel switchers, which cuts off the subwoofer and deactivates the high-pass crossovers on the outputs powering the monitors. The footswitch input enables you to compare the sound of a 2.1 set-up (Sub6 filtered + monitors filtered by the Sub6) with that of a 2.0 set-up (subwoofer deactivated + monitors in wideband mode). The two versions can be compared instantly, simply by pressing the footswitch.

If you work in genres that require deep, controlled bass, or video post with thunderous effects, add a Focal Sub6 to your SM6 series or other monitors. For more information, call or chat online with your PAD Studio Specialist today. 

 

Specifications

Performance

• Frequency response: 30Hz – 250Hz
• Maximum SPL: 116dB SPL (peak @ 1m)
  

Electronic section

• Inputs: Left, right, LFE
• Inputs type/Impedance: Electronically balanced / 10k ohm
• Input connector: XLR 3 points socket
• Sensitivity: Adjustable
• Amplification: 350W RMS, BASH technology
  

Outputs

• Outputs (towards satellites): Left, right
• Type/Impedance: Electronically balanced/50 ohm
• Connector: XLR 3 points plug
  

Signal internal treatment and functions

Subwoofer section:

• Mono right/left summation
• LFE + mono low-pass
• 24dB/octave
• Phase adjustment
• Polarity selection switch
• Switch high-pass filter, cut-off frequency selection
  

Satellite section:

• 24dB/octave
  

Control

• Adjustable subwoofer level
• Low-pass cut-off frequency setting
• Phase adjustment
• Polarity adjustment
• Subwoofer switch (mute)
• 1 “Bypass” (external remote control)
• High-pass frequency selection
• Releasable high-pass
  

Visualization (LED)

• Power On
• Subwoofer switch(mute)
• Released high-pass
  

Power supply

• Local supply: 230V (1.6A fuse) or 115V (3.15A fuse)
• Connection: Removable CEI supply wire
  

Transducers

• Subwoofer: 11W7670; 10-5/8″ (27cm) Focal “W” composite sandwich cone driver
  

Cabinetwork

• Construction: 3/4″ (19mm) MDF panels
• Finish: Dark red natural veneering side panels, black body
• Dimensions (HWD): 14-15/16″ x 13-9/16″ x 17-5/16″ (380 x 344 x 440mm)
• Weight: 50.7lb (23kg)