Focal’s award-winning Chora loudspeakers have had quite the run and been one of our favorite affordable loudspeaker ranges for the past 3 years. When the French manufacturer introduced its new Vestia series, we wondered if that meant the end was near for the less expensive Chora models. Instead of losing that part of their range, Focal have introduced the new Theva loudspeakers that will be unveiled at Axpona (Audio Expo North America) from April 14th-16th which is being held in the Chicago suburbs.
Focal are not completely ditching every aspect of the Chora series and we think that will prove to be a wise move; the pricing is aimed at the same type of customer who is looking for a Focal system that won’t crush their bank account.
All of these products will be available at the growing list of Focal Powered By Naim locations that are scattered across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Six Speakers
The six new speakers in the Theva lineup include:
- Theva N°1 (bookshelf speaker) – $998/pair
- Theva N°2 (floorstanding speaker) – $1798/pair
- Theva N°3 (floorstanding speaker) – $2398/pair
- Theva N°3-D (floorstanding speaker w/ built-in height module) – $2998/pair
- Theva Center (center channel) – $649 each
- Theva Surround (on-wall) – $649 each
Core Features
The Focal Theva speakers are designed to be flexible for both music and home theater setups.
The Theva line incorporates a visually pleasing design that blends in with any decor.
Focal is offering the following finish options for the Theva line: Black High Gloss, Dark Wood, or Light Wood. Added finish details include metallic rings that surround the drivers. A matching magnetically attachable grill is provided with each speaker for those that don’t like to have the cones exposed.
Being specialists in loudspeaker driver construction, Focal has chosen to incorporate its Slatefiber cone in the Theva midrange and bass drivers.
First used in the Focal Chora in 2019, the Slatefiber is made from recycled carbon fibers. This cone material was well received by the market and Focal has continued to update the technology since its initial launch. This has resulted in higher performance beyond its original capability and was adapted for the Alpha Evo studio monitors and made available for in-car kits via the Slatefiber line.
The Theva speaker line incorporates Focal’s Aluminum/Magnesium TNF inverted dome tweeter that also includes poron suspension to provide smooth treble response.
For additional support, Theva loudspeakers (with the exception of the center and surround speakers) include a rear port for extended low-frequency bass response.
The floorstanding speakers feature tilted stands for optimum time alignment, creating a soundstage focused more directly on the listener. Optional stands are available for the N°1 bookshelf loudspeaker.
Theva Specifications
| N°1 | N°2 | N°3 | N°3-D | Center | Surround | |
| MSRP | $998/pair | $1798/pair | $2398/pair | $2998/pair | $649 each | $649 each |
| Description | Bookshelf | Floorstanding | Floorstanding | Floorstanding | Center | Surround Wall Mount |
| Speaker Type | 2-way Bass Reflex | 3-way Bass Reflex | 3-way Bass Reflex | 3-way Bass Reflex + 1-way closed for vertically firing angled driver | 2-way Closed Cabinet | 2-way Closed Cabinet |
| Woofer | 2 x 5″ (13cm) Slatefiber | 2 x 6-1/2″ (16.5cm) Slatefiber | 2 x 6-1/2″ (16.5cm) Slatefiber | |||
| Mid-Bass/Midrange | 6-1/2” (16.5cm) Slatefiber | 5″ (13cm) Slatefiber | 6-1/2″ (16.5cm) Slatefiber | 6-1/2″ (16.5cm) Slatefiber | 2x 6-1/2″ (16.5cm) Slatefiber | 6-1/2″ (16.5cm) Slatefiber |
| Tweeter | 1” (25mm) Inverted Dome TNF | 1″ (25mm) Inverted Dome TNF | 1″ (25mm) Inverted dome TNF | 1″ (25mm) Inverted dome TNF tweeter | 1″ (25mm) Inverted dome TNF tweeter | 1″ (25mm) Inverted dome TNF tweeter |
| Full-Range | 5″ (13cm) vertical firing angled driver | |||||
| Sensitivity (2.83V/1m) | 89bB | 90dB | 91dB | 91dB | 91dB | 89dB |
| Frequency Response (+/- 3dB) | 58Hz – 28kHz | 53 – 28kHz | 48Hz – 28kHz | 48Hz – 28kHz/100hz – 20kHz for vertical firing driver | 59Hz – 28kHz | 80Hz – 28kHz |
| Low-Frequency Cut-off | 49Hz | 44Hz | 39Hz | 39Hz/90Hz for vertically firing driver | 51Hz | 67Hz |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms | 8 ohms | 8 ohms/6 ohms for vertically firing driver | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Minimum Impedance | 4.6 ohms | 2.9 ohms | 2.9 ohms | 2.9 ohms | 3.8 ohms | 4.5 ohms |
| Recommended Amp Power | 25 – 100W | 40 – 200W | 40 – 250W | 40 – 250W | 40 – 200W | 25 – 100W |
| Crossover Frequency | 3,000Hz | 280Hz/2,900Hz | 270Hz/2,700Hz | 270Hz/2,700Hz | 2,100Hz | 3,000Hz |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 15-3/8″ x 8-3/8″ x 10-1/4″ (39.2 x 21.2 x 26cm) | 36-5/8″ x 7-1/2″ x 13-7/8″ (93.1 x 19.1 x 35.2cm) | 39″ x 8-3/8″ x 15-1/4″ (98.9 x 21.2 x 38.8cm) | 40-1/8″ x 8-3/8″ x 15-1/4″ (101.9 x 21.2 x 38.8cm) | 8-3/8″ x 20-7/8″ x 10-1/4″ (21.2 x 53 x 26cm) | 17-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ (44.3 x 31.6 x 10.7cm) |
| New Weight with Grill | 15.43lbs (7kg) | 37.48lbs (17kg) | 44.09lbs (20kg) | 48.5lbs (22kg) | 22.05lbs (10kg) | 12.13lbs (5.5kg) |
Pricing and Availability
Theva pricing is below with availability coming by the end of April 2023 at Focal Powered by Naim Store Locations and other Authorized Dealers such as Amazon and Crutchfield.
- Theva N°1 (bookshelf speaker) – $998/pair at Crutchfield
- Theva N°2 (floorstanding speaker) – $1798/pair at Crutchfield
- Theva N°3 (floorstanding speaker) – $2398/pair at Crutchfield
- Theva N°3-D (floorstanding speaker w/ built-in height module) – $2998/pair at Crutchfield
- Theva Center (center channel) – $649 each at Crutchfield
- Theva Surround (on-wall) – $649 each at Crutchfield
- Stands for Theva N°1 – $249/pair at Crutchfield
- Center Stand – $149 each at Crutchfield
Tip: A dedicated subwoofer carrying the Theva name is not offered but just like the Chora and Vestia lines, the Theva speakers can be combined with the SUB 600P subwoofer ($1,199 US) for deep and encompassing low end response.
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Guy
April 18, 2023 at 8:17 pm
And this differs from the Chora lineup… how? To me this looks like a rebrand, nothing more.