Focal Shape Twin - active studio monitor, equipped with 2 x 5" speakers, designed to provide reliable monitoring accuracy for audio engineers, producers, and musicians in home, project, and commercial studios. It features a sleek finish with walnut veneer covering the top and front of the MDF cabinet, which houses a 1" 'M' shaped tweeter and two 5" woofers. The lower speaker operates in the frequency range of 40 to 180 Hz, while the upper speaker covers the frequency range from 40 Hz to 2.5 kHz. Each speaker is powered by class AB amplification.
The design with dual 8" passive radiators provides extended low-frequency performance while allowing the physical placement of the monitor close to a wall. The TMD suspension and Inductance Neutral circuit contribute to enhanced linearity and minimal distortion across the monitor's frequency response of 40 Hz to 35 kHz.
Inputs include a balanced 3-pin XLR connector and an unbalanced RCA coaxial connector located on the rear panel, which also offers a 3-band EQ with an adjustable high-pass filter.
The TMD suspension optimises harmonic absorption to ensure piston-like action across the entire audio spectrum. Two rings have been integrated into the suspension. The diameter and location of these rings are determined based on the flexibility of the suspension, its elongation, the resonance frequency, and the targeted frequency response curve of the active speaker driver. This technology provides a linear frequency response curve between 1 kHz and 2 kHz, significantly reducing distortion in that range. The mid-frequency range thus benefits from enhanced neutrality and contributes to the overall stereo imaging accuracy.
N.I.C. (Neutral Inductance Circuit) provides an extremely stable magnetic circuit. The solution consists of a Faraday ring whose dimensions, materials, and positioning have been optimised so that the magnetic field is no longer affected by the position of the voice coil, the amperage, or the frequency of the current passing through it. This increases the frequency response at the upper end of the spectrum, optimising the crossover with the tweeter while simultaneously reducing harmonic distortion and intermodulation.
Flax-Cone Speakers
The development of speaker cone technologies is part of Focal's core expertise. The sandwich-type cones used for woofers are composed of a layer of flax fibres sandwiched between two layers of glass fibres. Flax fibres are twice as light as glass fibres and have low elasticity. The 80% cellulose composition produces excellent damping properties. This technology has proven to be a considerable improvement over the polyglaas cone in terms of weight, rigidity, and damping.
M-Shaped Tweeter
Focal has further enhanced its famous aluminium/magnesium alloy inverted dome tweeter by introducing two significant innovations: the M-shaped dome and redesigned suspension. The M-shaped inverted dome offers two major advantages. Its directivity is even lower than that of a conventional inverted dome tweeter, allowing for greater flexibility in listening position. Mechanically, the M shape gives the dome much greater rigidity while also reducing distortion. Additionally, the Poron suspension provides a more linear frequency response curve below 6 kHz, improving the crossover with the woofer. The magnetic component has also been optimised due to a voice coil with a Kapton frame, which significantly reduces eddy current and, consequently, distortion. The horn-type enclosure in which the tweeter is designed provides equal horizontal and vertical directivity.
Dual Passive Radiator
The 8" dual passive radiator addresses a common challenge encountered in nearfield monitors: combining a compact design, extended low-frequency response, and comfortable positioning. When portable systems reach their limits in terms of integration, the ideal solution of a passive radiator is required; however, depending on frequency and volume, standing modes may occur. To compensate for this phenomenon, two U-shaped suspensions positioned opposite each other join the passive discs, ensuring perfect symmetry during excursion and retraction movements.
Amplification
Class AB amplification has been chosen to ensure optimal control over the dynamic range of the audio signal. Each 5" speaker is powered by a dedicated 80 W amplifier channel, ensuring tonal balance regardless of volume. Shape Twin features a comb filter for high and low frequencies (HF shelving: ± 3 dB at shelving of 4.5 kHz, LF shelving: ± 6 dB at a frequency of 250 Hz). An adjustable crossover with amplification at 160 Hz (± 3 dB) allows you to correct any parasitic reflections due to installation on a mixing console or near a reflective surface. An adjustable high-pass filter resolves all issues related to low frequencies in the usage environment, as well as the crossover when using a subwoofer.
The monitor is delivered with four decoupling spikes, which are height adjustable to address issues created by monitors that are not at the same height as the listener. The angle modifies the mounting height to best suit the sound engineer's height. A smart finishing touch of the spikes is the rubber layer, which improves the isolation of the speakers from their support. The monitor comes with three special protective grilles for the two speakers and tweeter. Special attention has been paid to efficiency, with a design that allows the grilles to be removed or assembled without tools. For wall or ceiling mounting, there are two threaded M6 holes on the back of the speaker.
Technical Specifications:
- Type: Active 2.5-way
- Speakers: 2 x 5"/ 130 mm
- Tweeter: 1 x 1"/ 25 mm, aluminium/magnesium M-shaped
- Radiator: 2 x 8"/ 210 mm passive discs
- Low-frequency amplifier: 80 W, Class-AB
- Mid-frequency amplifier: 80 W, Class-AB
- High-frequency amplifier: 50 W, Class AB
- Inputs:
- 1 x 3-pin XLR (balanced)
- 1 x RCA coaxial (unbalanced)
- Input impedance:
- XLR: 10 kOhm
- RCA: 10 kOhm with sensitivity compensation
- Frequency response: 40 Hz to 35 kHz (± 3 dB)
- Max SPL: 110.5 dB SPL (peak at 1 m)
- High-Pass Filter: Full-range, 45 Hz, 60 Hz or 90 Hz (Q = 0.707)
- Equalisation:
- Low frequencies: up to 6 dB boost/cut at 250 Hz (shelving)
- Mid-low frequencies: up to 3 dB boost/cut at 160 Hz (peak, Q = 1)
- High frequencies: up to 3 dB boost/cut at 4.5 kHz (shelving)
- Cabinet material: 0.6"/ 15 mm MDF
- Finish: vinyl, real walnut veneer, and black paint
- Auto power-off function: after approximately 30 minutes without signal
- Standby mode deactivation: signal detection greater than 3 mV
- Power supply: 220-240 VAC (T2AL / 250 V fuse)
- Power consumption: <0.5 W
- Mounting holes: 2 threaded M6 holes
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 478 x 211 x 279 mm
- Weight: 11 kg
