The Focal Kanta N°1 features some impressive technology from Focal’s flagship speakers, it gives you incredible sound at a more affordable price point. The Kanta series is one of Focal’s most popular series, focusing more on drivers and cabinet design. It has some beautiful finishes, Mat fronts (Black, Ivory, White) combined with Black High Gloss, Walnut High Gloss, or White High Gloss bodies.
Specs
| Dimensions(inches) | 9.29 x 16.61 x 15.39 |
| Frequency response (+/- 3dB) | 46 Hz – 40 kHz |
| Minimum Impedance | 3.9 Ω |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 88 dB |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 25 – 150 W |
| Response at – 6dB (Low-frequency point) | 42 Hz |
Review
The Focal Kanta N°1 is a large bookshelf speaker weighing around 30 pounds. It features an 11/16 inch Beryllium tweeter and a 6 ½ inch flax cone woofer. Flax is a plant that has a texture similar to paper, it has excellent sound properties and Focal has been using Flax cones since 2013. Focal used glass fibers with these Flax cones, giving them unmatched sound dampening. These speakers also have Tuned Mass Dumping and a Neutral Inductance Circuit, which stabilize the magnetic field for a more detailed sound and controlled bass.
The two drivers along with the backport give a frequency response of 46Hz to 40kHz. Most of the time you won’t need that much power for this speaker, but for some movies, you might need an amplifier to deliver the best results. The speaker is rear ported, it gives off a lot of energy out the back, producing a more bass-heavy sound. Because of the rear port, the speakers sound better when placed at a distance from walls, however, you can place them closer to your walls if you put on the rear port bung, which comes in the box.
The material for the front baffle is different than the cabinet, and there is less chance of resonance transfer between these materials which makes the performance better.
You can get a stand with the Focal Kanta N°1, which is highly recommended as it gives the speaker a good look. Also, if you’re using these speakers as rear speakers, and the Kanta N°2 or N°3 as a front speaker, the stand makes these speakers have the same look. The Kanta N°1 also makes for a good surround speaker in a multi-channel speaker system.
The good quality drivers produce some clean sound. If you’re listening to music, every instrument will be accurately rendered and placed at a specific place in the sound. The Beryllium tweeter works fast and pushes the sound out, making you feel the bass and sound.
Verdict
The Focal Kanta N°1 is a standout bookshelf speaker that delivers high-quality sound and has a sleek design. With a Beryllium tweeter and flax cone woofer, it produces clear, detailed audio, and features like Tuned Mass Dumping enhance bass response. The rear-ported design requires careful placement, but the option of rear port bungs provides flexibility. It is a good, affordable option, and it is also a good rear speaker for multi-channel systems. A good amplifier choice for this speaker would be the Marantz Model M1.