ProAudio Review - September 2008 - (Page 29)

or Aluminum and the velocity of sound in a Beryllium dome is 3 times faster than a Titanium version and 2.5 times faster than an Aluminum version. The manufacturing of Beryllium is very difficult and today, its production is limited to just three countries: the United States, France and Russia. Beryllium’s unique characteristics make it extraordinarily expensive, much more than gold and nearly 100 times that of Titanium. Focal considers the expense worthwhile since the result is an outstandingly detailed loudspeaker with a frequency response that extends to nearly 40 kHz while maintaining a perfect impulse response. IN USE When the Twin6 Be’s arrived nearly a year ago, I couldn’t wait to put them to work. Focal recommends that they be placed at a distance between 1 and 3 meters from the listener pointing towards the monitoring position with the tweeters at the approximate height as the listener’s ears. I heeded their advice and had excellent results. The Focal literature explains that the speakers are intended to be placed in landscape orientation although they can be positioned verti- cally if necessary. I have listened extensively in both positions and have found that I always prefer the sound of the speakers when in landscape orientation. After using the Twin6 Be’s for nearly a year, I have found them to be extremely flat and natural sounding with the best imaging that I’ve ever encountered in a speaker in their price range. I have used the monitors in a wide variety of rooms, and — in nearly every instance — I have been pleased with the sound with them set flat. Needless to say, these have nearly all been professionally designed rooms but it is still nice to know that there is some sonic tailoring available within the box. The Twin6 Be is remarkably transparent and its low distortion makes it relatively non-fatiguing. I’ve noticed that after a 12hour mix session I don’t feel fried like I do when using some other monitors. The nonfatiguing aspect keeps me from constantly turning up as the day goes on as well which is nice and good for the ears too. They are capable of rocking out when necessary, however, so the bands are always pleased when they come into the control room for their larger than life playback. The bottom end is nice as well. There is plenty of defined low- frequency information making them accurate for tracking and mixing without a sub. Most importantly, the Twin6 Be translates extremely well. I’ve found them to be exceptionally accurate and I know once I get a mix sounding right on the Twin6 Be’s, it’s going to sound right everywhere. SUMMARY At the end of the day, these monitors are absolutely marvelous. I haven’t seen another pair of monitors for less than $4000/pair that can touch them. Of course, what’s right for one person isn’t necessarily right for another; if that was the case, there would only be one monitor company). However, if you are in the market for an uncompromised studio monitor, the Focal Twin6 Be should be given top consideration. Russ Long, a Nashville-based producer/engineer, owns The Carport recording studio. He is a regular contributer to Pro Audio Review. REVIEW SETUP: Apple Macintosh 2 GHz Dual Processor G5 w/2 GB RAM; Digidesign Pro Tools|HD 7.4; Apple Logic Pro; Lynx Aurora Converters www.proaudioreview.com September 2008 | ProAudio Review | 29 http://www.berlinerusa.com http://www.berlinerusa.com http://www.proaudioreview.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - September 2008

ProAudio Review - September 2008 Contents Publisher’s Page: It's A Hard Drive World Broadcast News and New Products Lawo mc256 Digital Production Console Studio News and New Products Earthworks PM40 Piano Mic System Onkyo Professional PR-SC885 HDMI 1.3a Surround Sound Processor Developments and Trends: Instrument Microphones Benchmark Media DAC1 Pre Focal Twin6 Be Studio Reference Monitors Cascade FAT HEAD II Blumlein Package Studio Projects CS5 Microphone M-Audio Pulsar II Small-Diaphragm Condenser Live News and New Products JBL MRX512M Live Monitor QSC: Behind The Scenes Contracting News and New Products Primacoustic Broadway Professional Acoustic Solutions Buyer's Guide: Contracting Amplifiers/Mixers Buyer's Guide: Contracting Speakers Single Slice: pc muñoz "Chatter & Buzz"

ProAudio Review - September 2008

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