Dynaudio Focus 260 Review

Speaking of Dynaudio, I believe that most audio enthusiasts are familiar with this brand. Even if you haven’t tried Dynaudio’s products, you are familiar with this brand’s name. At the Munich Audio Fair, Dynaudio officially announced a comprehensive facelift of the Focus series, launching a new version of the Focus series. The new Focus series is still a completely innovative product line. Including Focus 160, 260, 340, 380, and the center speaker Focus 210c used to replace the original Focus 110, 140, 220, 360, and 200C and other products.

There are many Hi-End loudspeaker brands globally, but few manufacturers can produce all the drivers, crossovers, and cabinets on their own. After all, now is the era of globalization. As long as you can do an excellent job of quality control, find suitable components from all over the world, or even directly produce and assemble abroad, it is normal. However, Dynaudio, which has the strength of unit, crossover, and cabinet production, is more. It seems commendable.

This review is the Dynaudio Focus 260 floor standing loudspeaker, the smallest floor speaker in the Dynaudio Focus series. The height is less than 1 meter, only 99.5 cm. Judging from the product line on the Dynaudio website, Focus is equivalent to the middle or low-end level. For the top, there are Contour, Confidence, and Evidence. Even if it is not a high-end product, the Focus 260 is still manufactured in Denmark, one of Dynaudio’s fascinating features!

Design

Focus 260 inherits the elegant design of the previous generation. In appearance, the overall size of Focus 260 is small, only 202mm×992mm×294mm (W×H×D). Its overall height is less than 1 meter, and the cabinet is relatively slender and slim. Dynaudio In particular, the internal unit bracket and tweeter panel adopt an arc-shaped recessed design. The fastening screws of the speaker unit no longer use hexagonal screws but are changed to Torx screws.

Focus 260 has the balanced sound of the bookshelf speakers and the powerful energy of this floor-standing speaker. The sound diffusion that can be presented is excellent, and the ideal sound performance can be obtained even when listening to close distances. Dynaudio Focus 260 speaker has all the characteristics of Dynaudio-excellent transparency in the whole frequency range, sharp response to details, delicate and precise mid-to-high frequency, condensed low frequency but not rich in volume.

Focus 260 is limited in body size, so its aura cannot be compared with, for example, Focus 380 and Focus 340. But the open sound field, precise positioning, and vivid expressions of Dynaudio are still outstanding. Even if you listen blindfolded, a slightly experienced audiophile can easily recognize it.

Setup

The Focus 260 size is not too big, and the height is less than 1 meter, which is suitable for small spaces. The cabinet adopts a bass reflex port design. Compared with the sealed design, the bass reflex type has higher efficiency and more low-frequency volume. The reflection hole is located behind the speaker box. It is recommended to stay away from the back wall and not close to the wall when placing it. Besides, if you feel that the low-frequency volume is too much and the speed is not fast enough, you may try to use cylindrical foam to stuff it into the bass reflex hole to adjust the low-frequency volume.

Woofer and Tweeter

From the appearance of the new generation of Focus 260, it seems that it has not changed much. But in fact, they all have changed a lot, especially in terms of sound. The Dynaudio Focus 260 uses a newly developed speaker unit, which is obviously different from the previous Dynaudio units. The Focus 260 cabinet is equipped with two mid/woofer units. This unit is equipped with a new black Kapton voice coil bracket, which can further Improve power tolerance.

By using cast aluminum unit brackets, the rigidity can be further improved, and resonance can be reduced. Coupled with the MSP diaphragm developed by Dynaudio, it is specially installed in a relatively large box, making the low frequency strong and full of volume.

The mid-bass unit used in the new Focus series has been dramatically improved. Although the exclusive Magnesium Silicate Polymer (MSP) cone disk is still used, it adopts a new and improved magnetic circuit structure to provide a solid magnetic drive, eliminating the diaphragm’s vibration during long stroke or high-speed piston movement.

Besides, a layer of iron ions is plated on the MSP diaphragm’s surface, which makes the diaphragm extremely rigid. The performance is more comprehensive than other materials under the severe vibration of loud sound pressure. With the large-diameter lightweight aluminum wire voice coil and the unique bonding process, the high temperature generated can be quickly dissipated.

Compared with the traditional magnetic structure, the new design has higher sensitivity. The super large and lightweight aluminum wire voice coil is sleeved on the extremely light and rigid new version of the Kapton coil and is firmly connected with the integrated MSP diaphragm. The entire movable assembly is installed on a solid metal casting frame. , To ensure the linear performance and safety of the unit’s working characteristics.

For the tweeter, Dynaudio Focus 260 floor standing speaker is equipped with a 28mm soft dome tweeter. Dynaudio adopted a new coating technology on the soft dome tweeter, bringing real, natural, clean, and transparent high-frequency performance. Dynaudio especially applies a patented special coating to the diaphragm of the new soft dome tweeter, which is driven by a powerful “neodymium” magnetic circuit to control and absorb the backpressure energy of the diaphragm effectively.

The unit is sealed to eliminate the backpressure energy of other units on the treble diaphragm. In the installation position, this tweeter is installed on a solid aluminum block and then embedded in the speaker’s front baffle to minimize the influence of cabinet resonance on the tweeter, ensuring perfect sound radiation under significant dynamic conditions. Obtain a specific treble performance, bring smooth frequency extension, provide rich information details while taking good resolution.

In addition, Dynaudio Focus 260 also uses high-quality first-order crossovers to make the connection between frequencies smooth and natural. The new speaker unit, a new and improved crossover, is also used in the new Focus series speakers, with an upgraded internal speaker connection. This part includes new thin-film resistors, air-core coils, and high-quality capacitors to achieve more Real music details. The Focus 260 has the same excellent sound transmission speed as the Focus 160 and provides a wide sound field, real and natural musicality, and extremely high precision and tone balance.

Sound Performance

Play the DMP “TriCycle” album. Track 1, “TriCycle,” is testing the capabilities of the entire sound system. Only keyboard instruments were played at a very low volume, and then percussion instruments were suddenly added, the volume suddenly rose, and the dynamic contrast was quite large. If you are unfamiliar with this track, you will be shocked when percussion appears! The overall dynamic performance is outstanding, but the low frequency seems less aggressive and sounds softer.

Later, I tried to insert a foam plug in the bass reflex hole, and the result was that the low frequency was solid, and the music sounded more lively and vigorous! The entire system’s performance from beginning to end is very calm, without the feeling of being stretched. Just give the Focus 260 enough Drive. It can provide you with performance beyond expectations.

Listen to “Fanfare for the Common Man.” At the beginning of the repertoire, the beat of the bass drum was full of shock. The sound of the next trumpet is loud but not harsh. The whole orchestra’s performance became more and more powerful until finally the tension was pulled to the highest point, and the band suddenly stopped. The feeling of holding your breath at that moment is impressive.

A section of “Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D Minor” was played, and the scene brought a layered sound, the orchestra was presented in front of us, and the scale was quite large. You can feel the entire momentum of the symphony orchestra at the scene. Focus 260 can fully support the vast and courageous string group and show the power of music.

The texture of various musical instruments is perfect, and the image positioning is identifiable. The violin’s sound, which plays a leading role in the orchestra’s string group, is neither sweet nor dry and can appropriately convey the music’s connotation. Focus 260 is full of elasticity in the beautiful melody, showing the relaxed and pleasant music atmosphere that it should be.

Then listen to the vocal song “Stormy Weather.” Dynaudio Focus 260 shows a cohesive and substantial vocal body. The bass drum’s low frequency is laid out steadily behind, and the music becomes full and rich. For example, in Damien Rice’s “The Blower’s Daughter”, the singer’s hoarse voice in the Focus 260 delivers many details. It is significant and noticeable, the texture of the accompaniment string is delicate and thick, and the entire sound field is extended backward.

Then listen to the “Ode to Joy” played by the cello, the sound of the piano on the scene is restored to the real, and the player’s bowing, stringing, plucking, overtone, and other playing techniques are delicate and audible. They can be reproduced, showing that Focus has an excellent performance. The transient response.

Then change to “Jazz at the Pawnshop.” Before the band played this live recording album, the sound engineer started to pick up the sound. Many guests in the tavern made many subtle noises while the band performed. I can faintly hear people talking, cups and plates colliding. Through Focus 260, the situation of the recording scene was depicted. When the band started to perform, the saxophone and glockenspiel could be heard playing in the front. The sound was bright but not exciting. The jazz drums create a sense of space in the rear, and the double bass is vigorously plucked, which makes people unable to help but sway with the music. Don’t forget, at the same time. You can still hear the subtle sounds of the audience and listen as if you are also in the restaurant’s recording scene.

Conclusion

Dynaudio Focus 260 is indeed a speaker that pays attention to sound details, transient response speed, and dynamic performance. It does not deliberately emphasize a specific frequency band, and the overall performance is neutral. As Dynaudio’s popular and outstanding Focus series speakers, Focus 260 has a unique musical temperament. It has a balanced frequency response and presents abundant music power, allowing audiophiles to enjoy the fun of listening to music.

Dynaudio Focus 260 Specs

Sensitivity: 87 dB
IEC Power Handling: > 250 W
Impedance: 4 Ω
Frequency Response: 32 Hz – 23 kHz (± 3 dB)
Box Principle: Bass Reflex Rear Ported
Crossover: 2 way
Specification sheet for Focus part 1
Crossover Frequencies: 2000 Hz
Crossover Slope: Woofer 6 dB/Octave, Tweeter Phase Adjusted 12 dB/Octave
Woofer: 17 cm MSP
Tweeter: 28 mm soft dome
Weight: 19.1 kg / 42 lbs
Dimensions (W x H x D): 202 x 995 x 294 mm 7.9 x 39.1 x 11.6″