Can a boutique bookshelf loudspeaker stand up to the mighty Tannoy Arden, in any way?

A review of Canadian made Focus Audio, Signature Series, Model 68 bookshelf loudspeakers. 

By Scott Lylander, Sept. 10, 2021

I’ve been melon collie and listless with my Focus Audio Model 68s for months not having a purpose for them. That changes now because soon these are off to a new owner. What else is there to do but evaluate them in my reference system? Can they perform to the standard of Legacy Tannoy Arden loudspeakers? Find out below. 

About the brand:

Focus Audio is a long standing Canadian speaker manufacturer in Markham Ontario offering High End Audiophile Loudspeakers, checkout https://www.focusaudio.com/  Their website needs modernization, but let’s not judge the sound on that because there is more than meets the eye, both inside and out, of Focus Audio Model 68 loudspeakers. 

 The newest version of this speaker is the Signature68LE with a retail price of $2150/pair, shown below. The Model 68s in review is a close twin, the 5.5” driver uses a semi-spherical dust cone. Focus Audio’s drivers are custom made and the speakers hand built, resembling a ProAC maybe. The cabinet is very inert with Cardas binding posts, Litz internal wiring and performance cross over filters. The piano gloss is gorgeous. 

First Impressions: 

I’m awestruck that small speakers can magically disappear; the Model 68s are really doing it for me. What stands out most is radiance; the sense that the music is wrapping around the speaker. You don’t have to be in “the sweet spot.”  As I play Art Blakey Moanin’ in native DSD64, I look directly at the left then right channel and I’m not drawn into any singular pinpoint location. The 68s create a full soundstage making my room feel big. I hear instruments and sounds around my room when the recording presents it. Even when I stand behind the speakers, soundstage is there. 

The Paul McGowan debate: what is more important, speakers or amplifier? 

As B-room speakers, the Model 68s did not perform to my pleasure with either the Hegel H90 (60 watt/channel) or the NAD C368 (80 WPC) integrated amplifiers. However, when paired with reference gear including the 250 WPC NAD M22 power amp, Sonic Frontiers Line 1 tube preamp and exaSound e62 DAC the results are stupendously different! I claim that in today’s market, amplifiers and input sources are more important because on a dollar-for-dollar basis, your equivalent performing front end is going to cost more. There are some excellent speakers today that are not going to break the bank, like the Dali Oberon 5, or KLH Model 5, but great amps and DACs will cost more. This example proves to me that the front end is more important to make great speakers sound great. The front end is more important than speakers. 

Focus Audio Model 68 on Skylan stands paired with the NAD M22 power amp, Sonic Frontiers Line 1 tube preamp and exaSound e62 DAC

Design compromises

At 85 dB/W/m the Model 68s need power. Why are most high-end bookshelf loudspeakers inefficient? Unlike the massive 600W capacity of the Arden’s, I don’t want to overdrive the Model 68s, but I didn’t expect to create as much SPL as they do, comfortably. The Model 68s were lacking in Led Zeppelin’s Moby Dick, you simply cannot compete with the attack and power created from the Arden’s on huge drum solos. 

“So smooth it makes bad music sound good,” said one audiophile.

Poorly produced music sounds bad unless played in my car, or apple airpods, then it all sounds “fine”. With soft dome tweeters, the 68s are not at all harsh. Self-proclaimed as being “Musical” - yes, what does that mean? - the 68s are fun, small sized with large sound, non-fatiguing with a large soundstage and wrap around; they are very HiFi.  The Tannoy’s are pinpoint different, but I don’t regret making this swap; the Model 68s stack up.

Digging deeper; Focus Audio Model 68s, ELAC Carina BS243.4 and Dali Oberon 1

Saturday afternoon September 25 was spent at The Audio Room authenticating the Model 68s getting other perspectives. Differences became apparent; the 68s strength is width, depth, and left-right coupling; it’s as if the side walls are wider and the front wall is pushed back. The ELACs share this soundstage with their JET Folded air motion transformer tweeters. The Dali Oberon’s differ with their attack which makes the sound feel forward; like a Focal. In this comparison, I noticed high frequency roll off in the 68s and ELACs, the crashing of symbols is relaxed. Like ice cream, speakers come in many flavors, sometimes you want smooth and other times cotton candy, or tiger tail. 

Comparing the ELAC Carina BS243.4, Dali Oberon 1 and Focus Audio Model 68 at The Audio Room, Calgary AB, Canada

Music:

Here are some musical experiences I’ve had with the Model 68s:

Justice, Justice (2007)

I’m a virgin Justice fan drawn in by their graphic design and fun music. Justice is a French electronic duo. I have no issues with Model 68s and JLs filling the room with Justice sounds.

Netflix, The Last Dance & Pearl Jam, No Code:

The Model 68s are great for TV, check out the ten ep. series on MJ and the Chicago Bull’s double three-peat. Michael said, “You have to establish who YOU want to be in this life, don’t let them tell you who you will be.”  Episode X featured Pearl Jam’s Present Tense from No Code (1996); I got and get goosebumps from this production. The smoothness of Eddy’s voice, the distortion of McCready’s rhythm guitar and the radiance from the 68s; this music through the Model 68s is embracing. 

Lakou Mizik & Joseph Ray, Leave the Bones (2021)

Courtesy of Marcos at The Audio Room in Calgary AB, I got exposed to the song Ogou. To me it’s like an African rain forest celebration that brings happiness. Crank up Ogou on the Model 68s and your whole room feels like that rain forest.

In closing

I really enjoy the Focus Audio Model 68s in my reference system, so much that I don’t want to take them out, yet! Small speakers are fun.

 I didn’t expect to enjoy the Model 68s like I do, reasons for this were: 

(1) I didn’t think a small speaker could fill my room like the Tannoy Arden’s: Wrong. 

(2) I judged them based on their performance in my B system, but I’ve been hearing the limitations of that system more than of the speakers.  

(3) Bias: my audiophile friend said, “The Focus Audio Model 68s are smooth, so smooth they make even bad music sound good.” You may like this once you try it. 

 Front end equipment is most important. Big power is also very important for many bookshelf speakers, even the KEF LS50

Tannoy Arden: My Long and Winding Road to Audio Bliss

The road to Tannoy has been a journey into an audiophile lifestyle. I am not going to lose you with my life story, but rather take you on the journey that brought me to Tannoy speakers. My path is probably not unique to audiophiles but for me it was a roadmap to high fidelity.

Louder is More Audiophile, right?

My original audio setup in 2019 with Klipsch KLF-30 Loudspeakers, Yamaha RXV-800 and Rega P1 Turntable.

The journey started big and loud with the Klipsch KLF-30 loudspeakers. Louder is more audiophile, right? Teenagers seem to think so; at least mine do. My favorite track to play loudly on the Klipsch was the live version of Led Zeppelin’s “Moby Dick” from How the West Was Won. The KLFs gave it up. 

It took me 17 years to change my system which is a testament to the quality of Klipsch and my Yamaha RXV-800 AVR. I was oblivious to what better quality audio sounded like until my friend and co-owner of the Audio Room, Kurt Villanueva, helped me coordinate my first ever audio event. A scotch and audio session at the Chateau Lylander. 

With help from Kurt, Chris, and several IG audio friends; @audioloveyyc, @mistachen and @houseofbobber, we evaluated the NAD Master Series M10, Naim Uniti Atom and Hegel H90 integrated amplifiers with the Klipsch loudspeakers.

The NAD M10 had the lowest noise floor but was not as etched or pinpoint in its sound as the Naim network amplifier that makes you sit up and listen. The M10 allows you to relax and sink into the seat with its digital VU meters placing you under its spell. 

The Hegel H90 was not better than the M10 or Naim; it was different and worked well with the KLFs. Having experienced more audio components, I can now say the H90 adds some punch to the low end; and the KLFs liked that weight.

M10, Bluesound NODE and Hegel H90 in custom rack by AAEaudio.com

Hegel engineers claim that the H90 adds nothing to the music, and that each level of Hegel reveals more detail, resolution, and spatial information. The Hegel H90 was the most affordable of the 3 components with the most traditional form factor. I also liked the construction and simplicity of its operation. This was a huge step for me on my road to high fidelity and the Tannoy Arden. 

Better Sound Starts at the Source

With the new integrated amplifier came many other new changes; most notably the Bluesound Node 2i Network Streamer. I started with Tidal and an AudioQuest Cinnamon digital cable. 

Having lived with the Node 2i for some time, I recommend it highly or the brand new updated version which Bluesound are calling the NODE. There are used Node 2i for sale online and I think it offers so much value for the money.

I’ve met more than a few audiophiles online who swear by the Node 2i because of its sound quality, useability, and the availability of so many streaming platforms through its BluOS operating system.

The more time I spent listening to it – the more I realized how inferior lossy files sound and how Bluetooth is truly limited when it comes to lossless playback. 

Upgrading to Roon was a bit of a shock even when only using Tidal. Qobuz is not really available in Canada and I only wanted to support one of the audiophile streaming platforms which left me with Tidal and MQA. 

As much as I love the Node 2i, I knew that I was only hearing some of what’s possible with high-end digital playback and I upgraded to a USB Ranger with a fiber optic connection to better isolate my network player and I upgraded to an exaSound e62 DSD512 DAC which completely changed what I was hearing from both streaming and CDs. 

For better or worse, everything matters…

Audio systems are very sensitive; every component matters. The sound will reflect your weakest link – which explains why audiophiles are so prone to buying and dumping equipment and often overspending on tweaks based on questionable science. There’s nothing wrong with trying to extract the most from your system but there must be a roadmap; you need to focus on getting the guts right before going for the last 5% that you feel is eluding you. 

PS Audio CEO, Paul McGowan, has a very simple philosophy when it comes to system building that I think makes a lot of sense. 

Buy the best speakers that you can afford. 

It doesn’t matter if they are $250, $500, $5,000, or $25,000!

Before I made the decision to purchase the Tannoy Arden loudspeakers, I did something crazy that a lot of audiophiles do – I made an offer on a pair of Tannoy Canterbury GR which were not really within the budget. Had I purchased them, I would not have had the money to afford the rest of the equipment required to drive them properly and the source components.

Legacy Tannoy Arden (left) behind AAE Arden Stands vs. Tannoy Canterbury GR (right). Part of me wishes that deal went through; owning a set of GRs is a future goal.

Legacy Tannoy Arden (left) vs.Tannoy Canterbury GR (right). Part of me wishes that deal went through; owning a set of GRs is a future goal.

Audio is about finding the right balance. It’s not about spending the most money possible and praying for the best. 

Spending $20,000 on a pair of loudspeakers and driving them with a $2,000 integrated amplifier, $549 network player, and $700 turntable is not the way you want to go. Not ever. 

The Sound of Tannoy

I knew I wanted the Tannoy sound from the moment I heard the Ardens, Canterburys, Autograph Mini, and a pair of custom Tannoy HPDs.

Unless you grew up during World War II, you’re probably not aware that Tannoy PA systems were used in the United Kingdom to warn of German air attacks or as a way for the general population to listen to Sir Winston Churchill’s rousing speeches outdoors.

The brand was not in the loudspeaker business at launch but pivoted and introduced the Dual Concentric cone speaker after WW II and has never looked back.

Excellent transient response and top end purity are only two of the attributes that make Tannoy loudspeakers so special. When you add in their high resolution midrange and coherency — you have the basis for a very fine loudspeaker.

My desire for a pair of Tannoy became so intense that I would sneak into The Audio Room and walk around the demonstration room wondering how the Ardens would look in my own space. After some careful negotiations, the store allowed me to take their demo pair of Tannoy Arden home.

But as is often the case in high-end audio, it was not such smooth sailing at home initially.

The Cardas Rectangular Room speaker position recommendation. I was not a big fan; it was similar to being front row at a rock concert. Dan enjoyed it but did comment it can be personal preference. The Cardas Speaker Placement Guide

The room is the most important component in any stereo system and my initial results were frustrating. These are not set-and-forget loudspeakers; I spent countless hours moving these rather substantial loudspeakers into different locations hoping for some dramatic change in the sound quality.

At one point, I brought them almost into the center of the room and created a nearfield listening situation that was an improvement but not practical in a real-world scenario with family.

The Tannoy Ardens require break-in. They also need to be raised to achieve the proper height for the Tulip tweeter; not to mention the toe-in that needs to be really carefully set.

This led to the Audio Acoustic Engineering Arden Stand product development. I have found castors extremely valuable for placement adjustments; they also create great coupling to the floor. You can order the Arden Stands at AAEaudio.ca.

My business is Custom Audio Furniture including the Tannoy Arden Stands. Made from ¾” knotty alder with a solid wood core in Cappuccino finish. M8 and ¼-20 mounting screws for castors (recommended) or IsoAcoustics Gaia 1

Before I finally decided that the Tannoy Arden were the right speakers for me; in my specific listening space with the type of equipment that I wanted to use with them, I did experiment with a lot of loudspeakers from Focal, Dynaudio, ELAC, and B&W.

All of them did certain things really well. My time with all of them made me realize just how good the Tannoy speakers really are and that you’ll never really be truly satisfied if you don’t find the best pair of loudspeakers that you can afford (and like) and just stop.

I’ve learned to appreciate all of the little things that the Tannoy do so well. In the high-end context, they are not inexpensive but I’ve listened to far more expensive loudspeakers that I did not enjoy as much.

With the Tannoy Ardens, my system is balanced; $5,000 for the loudspeakers, $4,000 devoted to the preamp and power amps, $3,000 in the DAC, $2,000 on the streaming solution and power supply, and about $2,000 for the cables.

My system is a digital one although I still own a turntable. My dealer told me to never sell it because I’ll regret it for life. He’s probably right.

What’s Next?

I am done. Famous last words for most audiophiles.

I definitely need a new CD player but that’s going to have to wait while I work on two more important projects.

My next steps are some custom Tannoy Arden crossovers, and AAE room acoustic treatment products.

My journey with Tannoy has just begun.