Focal Aria 905 vs Pioneer SP-FS52: A Comprehensive Comparison
With years of experience in the HiFi realm and countless hours spent testing various speakers, I am well-acquainted with the nuances that differentiate great speakers from the average ones. Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing two compelling products: the Focal Aria 905 Bookshelf Speakers and the Pioneer SP-FS52 Floor-standing Speakers. Both bring unique strengths to the table, and deciding which one suits you better could hinge on a variety of personal preferences and specific audio needs. Let’s embark on this comparative journey.
Design and Aesthetics
Design is often the first thing that catches one’s eye, and in this respect, the Focal Aria 905 and the Pioneer SP-FS52 have taken substantially different paths. The Focal Aria 905 is a compact bookshelf speaker renowned for its sleek, French craftsmanship. With its superior fit and finish, it effortlessly becomes a statement piece in any room. Wall-mountable and versatile in positioning, its elegant aesthetic compliments its top-tier build quality.
Conversely, the Pioneer SP-FS52, a floor-standing model designed by Andrew Jones, adorns a minimalist yet effective design. Tall and subtly framed, their simplicity and height allow them to fit seamlessly in various room layouts. While the build quality is decent, it might not exhibit the same level of finesse as the Focal Aria 905. However, the design has practical considerations like outriggers that improve stability.
Setup and Compatibility
Setting up both these units is straightforward, though they cater to slightly different use cases. I experienced almost no hurdles while setting up the Focal Aria 905, benefiting from its lightweight and compact size. Its performance scales remarkably well with quality equipment – imagine coupling it with an Onkyo preamp and an SVS subwoofer to usher in an audio marvel.
In contrast, the Pioneer SP-FS52 is equally uncomplicated in terms of setup but is more cumbersome to move around due to its towering structure. Nonetheless, it boasts an easy configuration, supporting banana clips and raw wire connections, which eases integration into existing setups. Despite their reliance on breaking in, the Pioneers adapt well, especially when connected to a robust receiver.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is where these speakers tell their stories. The mids and highs from the Focal Aria 905 are notably crisp and clear, showing immense precision in midrange clarity. Jazz, classical, and vocal-heavy music come alive in detail, creating vibrant and intricate listening experiences. However, they may initially sound a bit bright, needing a few hours to ‘warm up’ and mellow out.
The Pioneer SP-FS52 provides a comparably neutral tone, smoothing out after a consistent break-in period. This balance offers detailed midranges and decent highs, capable of delivering justice across various musical genres. While the bass is present, it doesn’t quite achieve the depth and punch found in dedicated subwoofers, but the overall balance remains commendable for floor-standing speakers at their price point.
Bass Performance
When discussing bass, both speakers need a comparison to be fair. Focal Aria 905’s bass is balanced but requires a subwoofer for complete low-end justice. A decent subwoofer opens up the depth and renders a fulfilling sound.
The Pioneer SP-FS52, while featuring a respectable bass for a floor-standing model, benefits immensely from a subwoofer. Alone, the bass might not suffice for EDM or orchestral aficionados who crave deeper, more impactful low frequencies.
Value for Money
Affordability plays a crucial role in evaluating these products. Despite being at different price points, both speakers offer great value in their respective categories. The Focal Aria 905, though slightly pricier, provides superior craftsmanship and outstanding sound quality, making it a worthwhile investment for audiophiles seeking a moderately priced bookshelf speaker.
The Pioneer SP-FS52 shines brightly in its affordability. It’s one of the most worthy floor-standing speakers within its price bracket, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t wish to compromise sound performance significantly.
Final Thoughts
While both speakers present distinct opportunities and slight limitations, they excel as per their design objectives. The Focal Aria 905 stands out in its pristine build and detailed audio delivery, making it a cherished possession for connoisseurs of HiFi bookshelf speakers. On the other hand, the Pioneer SP-FS52, with its neutral balance and affordability, offers an attractive gateway for those looking to upgrade their sound system without stretching their budgets.
Ultimately, your choice will hinge on specific needs—whether you prioritize relatable aesthetics and superior audio fidelity or a more budget-friendly, reliable day-to-day performer.
Comparing Aspects
User-Based Scores & Our Experts Analysis
Pioneer SP-FS52
Focal Aria 905
The Focal Aria 905 offers balanced bass that may not extend to the lowest frequencies but shines with decent reproduction. Especially when paired with a good subwoofer, its bass response is a treat. The Pioneer SP-FS52, on the other hand, delivers relatively good bass for its build but lacks the punch required for an immersive experience with bass-heavy genres. A subwoofer can elevate its performance significantly.
While both are impressive considering their designs, the Focal Aria 905 requires a subwoofer to uncover its complete potential, and likewise, the Pioneer SP-FS52 demands auxiliary support to cover its low-end gaps.
Aspect Verdict: For standalone applications, the Focal Aria 905 provides a more balanced low-end, while the Pioneer SP-FS52 significantly benefits from subwoofer integration for optimal bass performance.The treble detail from the Focal Aria 905 is astoundingly clear after a break-in period, offering intricate high-frequency performance. Initially bright, it eventually presents a warm and pleasant tone. Conversely, the Pioneer SP-FS52, while managing to smooth out with use, can still struggle to balance certain high frequencies, particularly with specific vocals. Though its high-end frequencies can provide detail, they’re not as consistently polished as the Focal Aria 905.
Aspect Verdict: Overall, the Focal Aria 905 delivers a more consistently smooth and detailed high-end performance than the Pioneer SP-FS52.Midrange clarity is where the Focal Aria 905 truly shines. It produces precise and clear mids that enhance vocals, instruments, and more, making every element crystal-clear. This level of performance far exceeds what one might expect from a compact bookshelf speaker.
The Pioneer SP-FS52 handles the midrange admirably well for its type, with a balanced and coherent sound. It excels with rock and pop genres but may occasionally require optimal placement or minor tweaks to reach its full potential.
Aspect Verdict: Focal Aria 905 comfortably wins in midrange clarity, offering a substantially extraordinary performance compared to the very capable yet slightly less refined Pioneer SP-FS52.Design-wise, the Focal Aria 905 takes the high road with its sleek, French craftsmanship. Its compact and visually appealing form allows versatile placement, even wall-mounted. The sheer attention to detail in its build exudes class.
In comparison, the Pioneer SP-FS52’s design is minimalist yet functional. Standing tall and stable, they merge well into various room settings. While the build quality doesn’t match the finesse of the Focal Aria 905, they still offer durability and a modestly elegant look.
Aspect Verdict: The Focal Aria 905 swoops the design segment effortlessly with its meticulous craftsmanship and premium aesthetic, though the functional simplicity of the Pioneer SP-FS52 shouldn’t be discounted.The Focal Aria 905 impresses with its superior sound quality, presenting crisp mids, and highs with balanced lows, especially when paired with quality equipment. Its soundstage is broad and intricate, giving a joyful listening experience across genres.
Pioneer SP-FS52, after breaking-in, unveils a neutral and balanced sound character. It delivers decent performance for its price, though it might lack the overall refinement and depth exhibited by the Focal Aria. Regardless, it’s a strong contender within its price point.
Aspect Verdict: For pure sound quality, the Focal Aria 905 takes the crown with its exceptional clarity and detailed reproduction. The Pioneer SP-FS52 still offers remarkable performance for its price but stands a notch lower in sonic richness and finesse.The Focal Aria 905, though a bit upscale in price, offers fantastic value for money with its superior audio performance, high-quality build, and elegant design – components that usually feature in higher price brackets.
The Pioneer SP-FS52, however, is a shining star in the value-for-money department within its price range. Offering a versatile sound experience and robust build without breaking the bank, they stand out as cost-effective champions.
Aspect Verdict: In terms of value for money, both speakers excel within their respective price categories, but the Pioneer SP-FS52 scrapes ahead, maximizing affordability and performance admirably.Final Verdict
Between the Focal Aria 905 and the Pioneer SP-FS52, we find a blend of unique strengths. While the Focal Aria 905 features superior midrange clarity, intricate treble, and premium design, making it an exceptional bookshelf option, the Pioneer SP-FS52 offers commendable value for money and a neutrally balanced sound after an initial break-in period. The Focal speakers will impress those seeking premium, nuanced audio, whereas the Pioneer speakers cater more towards budget-conscious individuals seeking solid performance with room for upgrades like adding a subwoofer. Each will cater to different tastes and budgets, providing substantial merits whichever way you lean.
Comparison and Difference Between
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Brand and Model Specifications
Information about the brand, model release date.
| Manufacturer | Focal Aria 905 | Pioneer |
| Model | Aria 905 | SP-FS52 |
| Photo |  |
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| Release Date | 2016 | 2012 |
| HifiSpecs Rating | ||
| Amazon Rating | ||
| Price |
Technical Specs
Technical characteristics of the speakers.
| Amplification Type | Passive | Passive |
| Crossover Type | 2-Way | 3-Way |
| Enclosure type | Bass Reflex | Bass Reflex |
| Frequency Range (+/-3 dB)[Hz] | 60 - 28000 | 40 - 20000 |
| Frequency Range (-6dB)[Hz] | - | - |
| Maximum SPL [dB] | - | - |
| Sensitivity (2,83 V/1 m)[dB] | 89 | 87 |
| Nominal Impedance (Ohms) | 8 | 6 |
| THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) | - | - |
| Recommended Amplifier Power [W] | 25-100 | - |
| Crossover Frequency [Hz] | 2500 | 3000 |
| Bass Reflex Tuning Frequency [Hz] | - | - |
| Driver Units | Tweeter: 1″ (25mm) Al/Mg TNF inverted dome tweeter |
Tweeter: 25mm Soft-dome Tweeter |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Inputs | Single Wire | Single Wire |
| Outputs | - | - |
| Magnetic Shielding | No | No |
Placements and Distances
Where and how to put them.
| Form Factor | Shelf, Stand | Floor |
| Distance from Wall [cm] | 15 | 15 |
Dimensions and Weight
Physical characteristics of the speakers (without stands).
| Length | ~8.34 in ~211.84 mm ~21.18 cm |
~8.26 in ~209.8 mm ~20.98 cm |
| Width | ~9.64 in ~244.86 mm ~24.49 cm |
~10.23 in ~259.84 mm ~25.98 cm |
| Height | ~13.14 in ~333.76 mm ~33.38 cm |
~35.03 in ~889.76 mm ~88.98 cm |
| Weight (Single Speaker) | ~13 lb ~5896.7 g ~5.9 kg |
~24.47 lb ~11099.41 g ~11.1 kg |
| Shipping Weight | ~31.7 lb ~14378.88 g ~14.38 kg |
~28.2 lb ~12791.3 g ~12.79 kg |
Colors and Accessories
List of available colors and optional accessories.
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| Accessories | – |
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| Detachable Grilles | No | No |
Price and Warranty
Satisfaction is (not) guaranteed.
| Warranty | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Amazon Price |
Review Comparison
Hifispecs' professional customer-reviews can help make up your mind.
| Available Reviews |
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