Dynaudio launches updated Focus XD at ISE

Danish hi-fi specialist Dynaudio is releasing a new version of its award-winning Focus XD active digital loudspeakers at this year’s ISE (Integrated Systems Europe) show in Amsterdam.

All Focus XD speakers are digital from the source to the driver – and all can handle full-fat 24-bit/192kHz hi-res files through their entire signal path for zero-compromise sound. Users can also tell them where they are in a room (free-standing or up against a back-wall), and the speakers will optimise their sound to suit.

The Focus XD active speakers use dedicated amplifiers for each individual driver – meaning Dynaudio’s engineers can precisely optimise them for the characteristics of the driver they’re powering.

Redesigned crossovers, position compensation and more

The 2017 range has had a ground-up revamp of its signal-processing flow (incorporating elements from Dynaudio’s professional LYD range of studio monitors) for substantial improvements in sound quality. Redesigned, re-tuned and more efficient crossovers behave more like digital versions of passive speakers. That simpler internal processing means an even more transparent, even more authentic sound.

The relationship between the digital amplifiers and the drivers has also been optimised, including the overload-limiters: redesigning the signal flow here has resulted in higher volume levels from the drivers without distortion or compression. It also improves signal-to-noise ratios and dynamics and, in the case of the Focus 60 XD, even lower bass.

Less need for complicated crossover filters means there’s more computing horsepower available for speaker-position compensation. That doesn’t mean simply altering the bass – it covers the whole frequency spectrum. The technology adjusts for variances that happen in frequency and phase when placing the speaker near a wall or in a corner. The 2017 Focus XD can now do this at a higher resolution for greater accuracy – and better sound even when speakers can’t be placed optimally in the room.

Also new is the ‘brightness’ control from Dynaudio’s LYD pro-studio range. It adjusts the whole frequency character of the speakers, rather than just the treble. users can set an overall brighter or darker sound to suit their room and preferences.

Roland Hoffmann, Senior Manager, Dynaudio Academy, says: “This is an awesome new tuning – a clear improvement that you’ll hear instantly. The bass is much better defined and more transparent without being lean; treble is smoother without being darker; and there’s a more effortless, airy sound overall. It’s simply on another level.”

The updated Focus XD also comes in five new finishes: satin white lacquer, high-gloss black lacquer, high-gloss rosewood veneer, high-gloss walnut veneer and high-gloss grey oak veneer. The grilles have a new, shorter design that shows more of the speaker’s finish, and their metal parts have also been given a makeover: the driver chassis, front plate and feet are now black instead of silver.

Owners of older Focus XDs can get the improvements, too

All the new speakers use the same hardware platform as the original Focus XD. So, because all the improvements have been made in software form, owners of existing Focus XD speakers will be able to upgrade their firmware through a free update expected to by available in  at www.dynaudio.com/support. The updated firmware for existing owners is expected to be released at the beginning of March.

There are three products in the 2017 Focus XD range…

Focus 20 XD (satin white, high-gloss black, high-gloss walnut: €5500/pair RRP; highgloss rosewood, high-gloss grey oak: €5700/pair RRP by special order)

Focus 30 XD (satin white, high-gloss black, high-gloss walnut: €8500/pair RRP; highgloss rosewood, high-gloss grey oak: €8800/pair RRP by special order)

Focus 60 XD (satin white, high-gloss black, high-gloss walnut: €11,000/pair RRP; highgloss rosewood, high-gloss grey oak: €11,500/pair RRP by special order)

… and five finishes:

• Satin white lacquer
• High-gloss black lacquer
• High-gloss rosewood veneer
• High-gloss walnut veneer
• High-gloss grey oak veneer

Technical specifications

Focus 20 XD
Power: 200W per driver
Drivers: 1x 14cm Esotec+ MSP mid/bass; 1x 28mm soft-dome tweeter
Frequency response (+/- 3dB): 39hZ – 24kHz
Construction: Bass reflex, rear-ported
Dimensions (H x W x D): 36 x 19.8 x 30.7cm
Weight: 8.65kg

Focus 30 XD
Power: 450W per driver
Drivers: 2x 14cm Esotec+ MSP mid/bass, 1x 28mm soft-dome tweeter
Frequency response (+/- 3dB): 29hZ – 24kHz
Construction: Bass reflex, rear-ported
Dimensions (H x W x D): 98 x 19.8 x 30.7cm
Weight: 18.5kg

Focus 60 XD
Power: 600W per driver
Drivers: 2x 18cm Esotec+ MSP woofers, 1x 14cm MSP mid/bass; 1x 28mm soft-dome tweeter
Frequency response (+/- 3dB): 20hZ – 24kHz
Construction: Bass reflex, rear-ported
Dimensions (H x W x D): 109.5 x 21.3 x 33.7cm
Weight: 27kg

About Dynaudio
Dynaudio, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, has been researching, refining, engineering and hand-building high-quality loudspeakers at its HQ in Skanderborg, Denmark, since 1977. It has decades of experience in extracting maximum performance from speakers of any price and position – including in the automotive world and in world famous recording studios.