Even exceptional bookshelf speakers such as the Focal Aria 906 have their own limitations and like most stand-mounters, when it comes to delivering very deep bass frequencies they do have some problems. This is why some listeners will integrate a subwoofer to solve this issue, Furthermore, you don’t really need to choose a Focal sub.
Getting a subwoofer made by the same company that designed your Focal Aria 906 speakers can be a good idea as it should integrate seamlessly due to their similar sound signatures. But when it comes to bass performance and value, focal subwoofers might not be able to compete with companies who specialize in making high-quality powered subs such as SVS, Rythmik Audio, and others. Before you commit to which subwoofer brand to go for, you might want to take some time to consider your potential subwoofer requirements.
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Your Subwoofer Requirements
We do know the Focal Aria 906 is only able to reach down to 55Hz bass extension (+/-3dB) and from here you might want to consider how much further downwards you need the subwoofer to go. This will depend on your sound system usage, for instance, if you are watching a lot of action movies, you will need a sub that could deliver LFEs down to 20Hz. The price point of the subwoofer should be quite closely matched with your Focal Aria 906 speakers too and this does give us a lot of options. By the way, subwoofers capable of delivering subterranean bass frequencies of 20Hz and below are usually bulky thus taking up space and you should have enough room space to accommodate one. Listeners who have limited space and still want a subwoofer that is both compact and powerful may need to increase their budget.
Having more than enough room space for your active sub will be great as you could find the most optimal position by using the subwoofer crawl method. Another way to optimize your subwoofer performance is to use an auto room optimization technology which a few subwoofer models do have. For bass fanatics or HT enthusiasts, sticking with ported cabinet subwoofer will be a better option. These are some of the potential subwoofer requirements you should consider and also do take some time to come out with more on your own.
Suitable Type of Subwoofer for Focal Aria 906
Due to the sonic performance of the Focal Aria 906, we do find a sealed cabinet or a studio-grade subwoofer more suitable to match them. The Aria 906 speakers’ low-end performance can come off a bit exaggerated and the accuracy of a sealed or studio sub would integrate nicely with these stand-mounters, These types of subwoofers can add more weight with precision and deliver tight deep bass frequencies without further exaggerating the low-end performance by much. Unless you really prefer bass quantity then a consumer-grade ported subwoofer will be a more ideal option for you.
Best Subwoofers for Focal Aria 906
There is no need to break a bank to get a high-performance subwoofer for your Focal Aria 906. The SVS SB-1000 Pro is an amazing entry-level sealed cabinet subwoofer that is powerful enough to go all the way down to a 20Hz bass extension. It has enough amplifier power to handle most music bass demands without breaking a sweat. The tight and agile lower frequencies delivery of the SB-1000 Pro will match the Focal Aria 906 bookshelf speakers. It is also considered quite compact for a subwoofer with a 12″ driver.
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This is another entry-level sealed cabinet subwoofer that will match nicely with the Focal Aria 906 speakers and comes with a modest price tag. The Rythmik Audio L12 uses the company Direct Servo technology to deliver powerful and yet articulate deep bass frequencies, keeping pace nicely with the Aria 906s and music. For just an entry-level sealed subwoofer, the Rythmik Audio L12 is capable of delivering LFEs at below 20Hz bass extension which is really incredible for an active sub at this price range.
The Focal SUB 600P is also a sealed cabinet subwoofer with a 12″ driver and it is designed to deliver accurate bass reproductions, ideal for listeners who focus on music playbacks as their main entertainment. Since the SUB 600P is made by the same company as the Focal Aria 906, we can expect similar sound signatures that allow them to blend in nicely together thus producing powerful and seamless sound reproductions. Focal SUB 600P has a 600 Watt Class D amplifier and a frequency response of 28Hz-270Hz (+/-3dB).
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If you are using your Focal Aria 906 speakers inside a medium-size listening room, you should use a more powerful sealed cabinet subwoofer like the SVS SB-2000 Pro. It has 550 Watts of RMS power and can reach up to 1500+ Watts peak level. The frequency response is 19Hz to 240Hz (+/-3dB) which is enough for most music and movie soundtracks. The SVS SB-2000 Pro is a musically refined sealed subwoofer and will be an excellent partner for your Focal Aria 906 speakers, improving your music listening experience by producing deeper LFEs.
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Rythmik Audio F12SE is an award-winning sealed cabinet subwoofer specially made for audiophiles and music lovers who prefer bass quality over quantity. This audiophile sealed subwoofer has a 12″ driver and is powered by a Class AB amplifier. Using the Direct Servo technology, the F12SE is able to deliver articulate and powerful subsonic bass frequencies of down to 14Hz. The agility and fast bass transients of Rythmik Audio F12SE will certainly match well with your Focal Aria 906 speakers. This is a sealed subwoofer that is worthy of your audition.
For bass fanatics, the SVS PB-2000 Pro would not disappoint as it is a powerful 12″ ported subwoofer with up 1500+ Watts of peak power. This dual ported subwoofer is able to produce subterranean LFEs of down to 16Hz. You can choose to use its “Sealed” mode while playing music which gives a tighter transient speed. The SVS PB-2000 Pro is no doubt a worthy subwoofer partner for your Focal Aria 906 and will provide HT enthusiasts with an exhilarating home cinematic experience with plenty of thunderous bass reproductions.
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To Sum It Up
As mentioned earlier, sealed cabinet subwoofers are more suitable for Focal Aria 906 speakers but your own requirements and preferences may make you want to go for a ported sub instead. The SVS PB-2000 Pro is an excellent ported subwoofer choice as you can switch between “Standard” and “Sealed” modes to suit your audio source or mood. We highly suggest you arrange an audition with the subwoofer first together with your Focal Aria 906 bookshelf speakers, this is to find out if you will like the sound quality they are producing together.
