dynaudio focus 160
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Dynaudio Focus 160 Review


Dynaudio has many levels and complete product lines. There are so many series and models that people are dazzled and challenging to choose. What are the suitable options for getting started with Dynaudio? I think the Focus 160 Bookshelf Speaker is a good start.

about the focus

Because the Focus series is at the middle level of Dynaudio, it is strongly represented. The Dynaudio Focus 160 uses a 6.5-inch bass driver, which is moderate in size, not too small and suitable for rooms below medium and small. And its low-frequency extension can reach 44Hz, which meets the needs of most users.

Attention to Detail

First, look at the Focus 160 from the appearance, which is also an important reason I think it is suitable for most users. Focus 160 is simple and generous in appearance. The Focus 160 is available in four real-wood veneer finishes: Maple, Walnut, Rosewood, and Black Ash, as well as in White piano and Black piano gloss lacquer finishes. With different color choices, Focus 160 can be instantly integrated into various styles of space.

dynaudio focus 160 appearance

Focus 160 is also manufactured and assembled independently by Dynaudio. That is the principle that Dynaudio has always adhered to, so the appearance and quality are excellent, and the delicate handwork is felt everywhere. It is worthy of the production of a famous big factory.

The Focus 160 tweeter is a silk dome diaphragm that Dynaudio has always used. This tweeter diaphragm is processed by Precision Coating to make its performance more sophisticated. What is Precision Coating is the optimization of the coating process. Because the soft dome is too soft, it must be shaped by coating. Precision Coating improves the coating method so that the coating process is precise so that the shape of the dome is perfect. The result is smoother high frequencies and better diffusivity. The tweeter’s voice coil is made of aluminum wire, making it lighter and has a better power carrying capacity.

dynaudio focus 160 tweeter

The bass unit has made more improvements. The diaphragm part is still Dynaudio’s MSP material. But the voice coil adopts a new design, and the winding uses aluminum wire instead of the traditional copper wire. Its advantage is that the aluminum wire is lighter in weight so that the coil diameter can be larger, but still maintain lightness. What are the benefits of a large coil diameter? The utilization rate of the magnetic circuit system is better, so the efficiency is higher.

Besides, the Focus 160 voice coil tube uses Kapton material. Kapton is light in weight, durable in strength, heat-resistant and not magnetically sensitive, and has excellent resistance to power. The Focus 160’s bass unit frame is also different. The new cast aluminum frame is used with high strength, so it can be made thinner. What are the benefits? Thinner and lighter help reduce low-frequency resonance and minimize interference to the driver as a whole.

dynaudio focus 160

Do the Right Thing

Focus 160 adopts the first-order crossover. After phase optimization, the amplitude of impedance change is reduced, which further reduces the amplifier’s performance requirements. The cabinet structure has been improved and strengthened, which can reduce the resonance of the low-frequency band, which is beneficial to the purity of the sound.

dynaudio focus 160 front

The improvement of the above design surface seems to be nothing. There is neither exclusive technology nor complex and difficult proper terms. Dynaudio’s pursuit of speakers is continuously striving for excellence in these fundamental and structural small places. Dynaudio does the right thing the best. It is worthy of a big factory style.

dynaudio focus 160 back

Sound Performance

Using a “formal” audition to describe it seems very serious as if it is an exam. But listening to Focus 160 is not the case. It does have precise ingredients, but it also takes into account the relaxed and pleasant music expression, making audition a fun and comfortable job.

Take the audiophile record company Turtle’s “Jungle Boldie” SACD album as an example, which is composed of a jazz trio of saxophone, double bass, and drums, which makes the Focus 160 fully demonstrate its precision. I heard a clear audio-visual profile for every frequency band. The left and right positioning and the front and back levels can be clearly explained, showing the superb recording skills. Through the simple compilation of this album, I can feel the outstanding sound quality density and audio-visual entity of Focus 160. For example, the bass cello has a convergent and compact shape, and the resonance is rich, thick, and not muddy. It can be seen that Focus 160 is also very good at portraying mid and low frequencies.

Jungle Boldi

If you want an excellent high frequency in the balance, Focus 160 can also meet your expectations. Take Liza Ferschtman playing an unaccompanied violin as an example. The changes in bowing, as well as the severity of the string-strength force, are discernible. The lines are meticulous, and there is no uncomfortable frizz. The most important thing is that the string sound of Focus 160 will not be too thin, but maintain a good ratio between changes in different frequency bands and show a thick body and resonance. So even listening to the soaring high-pitched passages still has its focus. Besides, the background of Focus 160 is quite clean, which makes me feel like a beautiful feeling of washing my soul.

Liza Ferschtman

Then came the test of large-scale music. I chose the Bolivar Youth Orchestra as usual and played Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 “Hero.” In the grand, solemn, and inspiring atmosphere of music, Focus 160 is also not confused when playing complex music. And I would like to continue to turn up the volume, listen to it, and enjoy Beethoven’s symphony’s positive power. It can be seen that although the appearance of the Focus 160 looks ordinary, it is not much different from the general speakers, but the built-in strength can not be ignored. Prove that its driver and cabinet design are unique.

beethoven 3 hero 1

Conclusion

In summary, I think the Focus 160 is everything. And with deep musicality and a sense of life, it is the right partner for listening to music. Perhaps it is not cheap. There are many floor-standing speakers available at this price, but the Focus 160 represents the orthodox practice of a traditional big factory, not sensational, but expresses itself with real strength.

dynaudio focus 160

Dynaudio Focus 160 Specs

  • Specification sheet for Focus part 2
  • Sensitivity: 85 dB
  • IEC Power Handling: > 200 W
  • Impedance: 4 Ω
  • Frequency Response: 44 Hz – 21 kHz (± 3 dB)
  • Box Principle: Bass Reflex Rear Ported
  • Crossover: 2 way
  • Crossover Frequencies: 1800 Hz
  • Crossover Slope: 6 dB/Octave
  • Woofer: 17 cm MSP
  • Tweeter: 28 mm soft dome
  • Weight: 7.6 kg / 17 lbs
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 202 x 350 x 294 mm 7.9 x 13.8 x 11.6″