Focal Solo6 Be (6.5" Monitor) Reviews

4.9/5.0 based on 20 customer reviews

Sweetwater Advice

Chris McCown

Do you want to hear your speakers, or your music? If it's the latter, then you're looking at the right product. Unbelievable detail and no harsh tweeter sound, thanks to the inverted beryllium tweeter. Aside from sounding like they belong in your studio, they look gorgeous too! Power, beauty, and accuracy. You want these.

Carson McClain

From minimal jazz and classical to complex electronic or rock, Focal Solo6 Bes are THE go-to speakers if you know what you want out of your mixes. They don't fatigue your ears, and sound excellent at any volume level. Combine these with a Dangerous Monitor ST control system and you'll be set!

Josh Estock

The depth and stereo image of the Focal Solo6 Be monitors allow you to truly hear what's going on in your mix. The Berylium tweeters provde an extremely detailed high-end, while the 6.5" driver gives you an accurate and tight low- and mid-range. After listening to these a few times I couldn't resist - they now reside in my studio and my mixes have never been better!

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Customer Reviews

Ryan Kelley
from West Orange, NJ USA
May 4, 2013Music Background:
Songwriter, Singer, Producer, Recording Engineer

Best Monitors Known To Man

Amazed at the precision of every frequency. At first I thought they were a little too pricey for me, after hearing them...I probably would've paid more. Great investment for anyone serious about creating music.

Ron
from San Diego County
April 30, 2013Music Background:
Hobbyist, songwriter - guitar, bass, vocals, keys

Amazed & Astonished!

I'm stunned at the sound that comes form these speakers; I hear things I never heard before on my old JBL Studio 4408s... the bass is all there, clarity, & stereo imaging is impeccable... perfect for suited for my 11'x 14' apt. studio... I'm totally in heaven, as I mix in front of them.

Graham Tolbert
from Asheville, NC
February 3, 2013Music Background:
Producer, Musician, Student

Serious

You hear everything. These are extremely transparent, and they translate very well to pretty much every system. I've gone back and completely cleaned up tons of my music already, and my tracks are cleaner and clearer than ever. These are what you're looking for if you're serious about sound. These make the speakers in my school's Moog Studio sound like doodoo.

Pete Lyall
from Denver, CO
October 2, 2012Music Background:
Hobbyist

Focal Solo6 BE

Smoking good. I went on a long search for monitors, and kept coming away with SOMETHING that didn't cut it. These monitors have incredible bass response - don't worry about the 6.5" woofer. These also have a very articulate midrange and high end, and both are non-fatiguing. In all, I couldn't be happier. Are they pricey? Sure, at least for me, but they were so much better that they were simply worth it. I have actually started to enjoy listening to music with a flat response.

bryan swanson
from waterford ct
June 16, 2012Music Background:
home studio, hobbyist

worth every penney

these have a 25 hr breakin period to reach maximum potential. im about 12 hrs in, and i cant imagine them sounding any better. with these monitors, a few more acoustic panels, and a couple bass traps, my control room is rite where i wanted it to be. you can definately hear the quality of these while a/b ing with another monitor. i have a pair of mackie mr5mkII's, i actually find that these two pairs of monitors sound excellent when played together also. simply the best monitors ive herd yet.

David Vignola
from CT
May 11, 2012Music Background:
recording engineer, musician

What a Wonderful Monitor

I had been using the Mackie HR824's monitors for about 6 years and always had trouble achieving mixes that translated well outside my control room. Up to that point I had never tried any other monitors so I was always thinking it was more the room itself and/or my mixing abilities that were causing my mixes to sound a bit amateur-ish. I also had what I thought was a "null" at my mixing position and getting an accurate low end was nearly impossible, even after having acoustically treating the room.

I was speaking to my sales rep (AJ Petterson) and I was telling him about this issue. He really tried hard to work with me to solve the problem with out spending money, in other words he just didn't try to sell me some monitors. This is what I love about Sweetwater. They are not just some sales people trying to push products onto you, they really are educated about recording and they try to help you find real solutions. There have been times where AJ would spend an hour on the phone with me discussing an issue with me trying to help and giving me advice. Sorry, I digress here....LOL

Anyway, after working with me to ensure I had proper sound treatment and speaker placement, he suggested to possibly try a different set of monitors. I was unsure about spending a lot of money to find out that the monitors was not the issue. AJ said that I could return them with in the 30 day period if they were not the solution and/or if I didn't like
the monitors.

He suggested that I should give the focal's a try as he thought these were and amazing and transparent monitor. He actually tried to save me some money by suggesting the CMS series as these were more in line with the price of my Mackies. I asked him about the Solo 6's and he said that these were a major step up above the Mackies, but they are twice the price. He never put pressure on me to spend that extra $$$.

Anyway, after searching all over the internet for reviews on the Solo 6's and doing my homework before spending this much money, I decided that if I was going to make a change, I was was going to step as much of a step up as I can afford. BTW - Try finding a bad or even mediocre review on Focal monitors, you wont find a single one. They have an amazing reputation and people seem to love them! So I went ahead and ordered these baby's up!

When they came in, I put these up side by side with the Mackies and toggled back and fourth between the monitors to hear the difference. What I can say is that I instantly heard a major difference in the over clarity in the Focal's. The Solo 6's had a much more "open" sound to them and made the Mackies sound "dark" and sort of "muddy" if that makes and sense?

The Mackies had a touch more bass in them as they are an 8' woofer compared to the Focal 6.5', but it was so minimal that it was not an issue for me one bit. was really surprised on how much clearer and sweet sounding the Focals were and these were straight out of the box. No break in period. There really isn't a comparison between the two brands in my opinion. The Solo 6's are a far better monitor in sound quality and you can hear details in the music that I was not able to hear as clearly using the Mackies.

And my "bass null" issue? Well for some reason and I am not sure how it's possible, that issue is almost non-exsistant when listing to mixes using the Solo 6's. I know, that does not make sense to me either because nothing else was changed, just the monitors. But now, no matter where I am sitting or standing in the control room the low end sounds almost exactly the same. That dynamic of the low end being much more "heavy" two feet behind the mix position is gone. And yes, the mix translates almost perfectly outside the control room.

I would highly recommend trying out the Solo 6's if you are looking for an upgrade to a professional monitoring system. You will be blown away on how accurate and clear these things sound.

Brandon S.
from Austin, TX
April 23, 2012Music Background:
Producer/Engineer

Best in class

The Focal Solo 6's are hard to describe in a review. You're better off listening to a pair for yourself to understand their brilliance. But what I can say is that they're crystal clear, balanced, uncolored and very accurate for their size. More importantly they can achieve all of these qualities at very low SPL's, translating to more hours at the console and less fatigue on the ears. Of course they play loud and I can say from experience they will definitely impress you and your clients. I even have friends who come over that want to listen to a new record they've bought just because they'll get to do so on my Focal's. The Solo's remove the typical "blinders" that most studio monitors impose and open the entire bandwidth of sound to your ears (well from 40-40kHz). Reverb tails slowly disappear into another dimension and vocal's sound pristine and alive. Given a single driver is reproducing both mid's and lows, they're articulate and clean without ever becoming muddy or boomy (my room is treated). Again, even low frequencies aren't lost at low volume. Impressive is an understatement. Overall, for the price class they live in, they are a five-star product. Their construction is exceptional and each monitor feels rock solid at 24 lbs. On a side note, the Solo 6's have been used by a very well known ME to master a project for a famous multi platinum selling artist. Adding mastering capabilities to their list of accomplishments speaks volumes about what these little wonders are capable of.

Nathan Hamiel
from Florida
April 20, 2012Music Background:
Artist / Producer / Engineer

Absolutely Love These

It's nice to sit down in front of a set of monitors and hear everyone else's mixing mistakes. That's what these things give you access to. A lot has already been said about these but you have to hear them to believe them. Everyone who has sat down at my desk as been absolutely blown away by how detailed as well as musical they are. For me it's really important that while mixing I feel inspired to be creative. You can hear also things in the top end that you never realized was there before. A very nice tool to have when you are mixing or mastering.

When I recently decided to make a monitoring switch, I agonized for quite a while before pulling the trigger on these. I am glad I did. I did ended up getting the Sub6 to go along with these, but honestly I found them more than adequate in the bass category without the sub. Check them out, you won't be disappointed.

Peter Makena
from San Francisco
September 21, 2011Music Background:
Pro Musician and recording Artist

...how sweet the sound

These monitors sound enchanting and deliver all the fine details
of frequencies in the mix! Great near- to mid-field monitors!

from Provo, UT
August 19, 2011Music Background:
Recording, Mixing, Mastering Engineer, Restoration Engineer

Best Monitor in it's Price Range, HANDS DOWN.

I had these monitors for over 3 months, but then had to sell them because I needed some money to pay bills. I replaced them with some cheaper, but respected monitors that are still half the price, and I must say at first I didn't really notice much difference. It's only after you've been listening awhile that you notice that the soundstage is GONE. Sure, it's an even sound still, all the freq's seem easily translatable, and the stereo image is ok, but where's the deep, clear, open soundstage I'm used to? It went away with my Focal's!

I WILL be purchasing these again in the near future when I get finances under control and I can save up for them again! I wish I didn't have to part with them... I really didn't think it would be THIS big of a difference! I MISS MY SOLO6's!!!!!!!

Joe Bommarito
from Maui HI
August 10, 2011Music Background:
Recording Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, Pro Musician

Solo 6 Be Great

I purchased these monitors based on reviews and advice from my sales engineer, Paul rowan. When I first tried them out, I was literally blown away. Even before break in , these monitors exhibited the best stereo imaging I have heard on any monitor, fantastic highs and strong ultra clean lows. They make my old monitors sound a bit anemic. I knew they would be better, bit I really hadn't expected that much improvement.

I now have about 20 hours of break in time on them and the highs are smoothing out nicely (weren't really that harsh out of the box though) and the low end response is improving. I am not sure how many hours it takes to really break them in because there are many numbers floating around.

I would highly recommend these monitors .They are well worth the money.

Peter Barona
from Hollywood Ca
September 26, 2010Music Background:
Producer/ Engineer / Remixer

THE BEST MONITOR AND BEST STUDIO GEAR YOU WILL OWN.

I have been producing and remixing for over 14 years and I have never heard anything like the Focal Solo6 Be. While the cabinet looks somewhat un impressive but beautiful these monitors don't just play audio they reveal every single flaw in your mix. Having tried many many many other brands in my career anything from dance/house and hip hop I must say when I first got my pair of Focal I was at first reluctant because the sound did not seem to be as pounding as most of previews monitors I've tried. While arranging one day going thru various samples and loops I listened closer and I thought no this can't be how can there be noise there because there just did not seem to exist even in the wav in front of my arrange page. I listened further and sure enough it was there. These monitors are amazing !! they will reveal everything and your mixes will be cleaner and fuller . They thus will give you the best sound in your final mix. I recommend them wholeheartedly and wish I had gotten them sooner.

Jordan Hack
from Provo, UT USA
May 23, 2010Music Background:
Mixing/Mastering Engineer

AMAZING CLARITY! How music is SUPPOSED to be HEARD!

I am more than blown away by these babies. I've had them not even a week and I can't keep my ears away from them! Beware, these will have you listening to music for hours on end... you will find yourself searching for your favorite music and playing it ALL!

Amazingly accurate and stunningly beautiful. I was a little skeptical of the price, thinking there might be something cheaper of the same quality, but I've heard and mixed on other monitors namely JBL, Genelec, but these are phenomenal. I have found myself re-mixing a lot of my old stuff with fantastic results! These translate amazingly... truly in a league of their own. The next step up would be more power with Mains. Period. Nothing better for the price.

e apachito
from New Mexico (USA)
April 9, 2010Music Background:
Recording engineer, musician

studio owner, engineer and producer

Hey, THANKS To sales rep. ALLEN ext. (1339) for his advice and expertise. These monitars are Very accurate (superb). I was gonna purchashed jbl 4300 series, but these focal can easly out any monitars in the market. It took me several month to make my disicion and i'm totally satisfied with these monitars and my mixing is way better than ever. These monitars will make you work harder and you will accually hear the music and not the monitars. If your're REALLY seriuos about your music, your mixing and ur studio, I promise you will never regret once you gat a pair of these monitars. A+ for Allen ext. (1339) GOOD ADVICE DUDE!!!!

David Barnave
from San Francisco Bay, California
February 3, 2010Music Background:
Producer, Pro Musician, Recording Engineer, Vocalist/Songwriter

Amazing Monitors. But...

...you have to work on the mix to get things sounding great because what you hear is what you get! Amazing translation to all types of sound systems large to small.

YOUR PREVIOUS MIXES WILL SOUND LIKE CRAP ON THESE...BE CAREFUL. This is not a speaker that sounds great...its just very accurate and helps you achieve mixes that translate well. ISN'T THAT THE POINT...?

Full sound range is crystal clear. I roll-off everything very hard below 30-40hz depending on the song, so i don't need the sub they sell (though i'm sure it serves as a great reference for mixing accurate lows below 40hz to 25hz). Amazing stereo field when set up at the proper angle, 1-3 meters away, with tweeters ear level. Use recoils or mopads with recoils being the greater.

My mixes have gone from FAIR/GOOD to INDUSTRY STANDARD SOUND. If you're an experienced engineer, a few weeks with these and you'll say the same also.

Don't spend your money on plug-ins, and a bunch of software you don't need. Get yourself a good set of standard plug-ins that you like and call it a day!

IF YOU CAN'T HEAR WHAT ALL YOUR EXPENSIVE PLUG-INS ARE DOING? YOU'RE MAKING BAD JUDGEMENT CALLS WHEN YOU'RE MIXING!!!

Spend your cash on a fast and large computer, a great daw with great sounding converters, good cables (yes!), good pre-amps and mics, some acoustic treatment and best of all AN AMAZING PAIR OF MONITORS. Now you go and make yourself music that might have a chance of sounding professional.

Good luck to all of those that pursuit this music we call...LIFE!!!

Elswee Vazquez
from Ponce, Puerto Rico
January 15, 2010Music Background:
G-Son's Studio, in my way to become Producer.....

Focal Solo 6 "AMAZING"

This little friends called Focal Solo 6 Be, they are just amazing....sound is so pure and clarity of voices incredible....bass for its size exactly what you need to hear and feel.... just buy them you will not regret it......Thanks for my friend Andrew that he was the one who recommend me this buy!!!!!!!

Chris Dinsmore
from Tacoma Washington
October 4, 2009Music Background:
Audiophile

Outstanding Refinement

I bought these for an audiophile computer desktop system and am not involved in the recording or music industry. The Solo6 Be exceeded my expectations in every way. The level of information these pass is outstanding. You'll be able to hear every nuance of a recording from textures to harmonic overtones. Very smooth response with no harshness. Another aspect very important to me is imaging and the Solos have it in spades. Bass response is quite good too, especially considering their size. I could happily live without a subwoofer. If these are a bit out of your price range I would advise you to stretch your budget. You won't be dissapointed.

Steven
from Smiths, AL
April 12, 2012Music Background:
Recording/mix engineer

Very nice

In my experience, these things definitely needed the 20 hours+ of breaking in. I mean, out of the box they gave me a scare. Did they sound good? Yes. Did they sound as good as I thought? Not at all. After about 25 hours of use they finally settled in and they. are. ROCKIN'! This is how music is supposed to sound. Highlights everything wrong in the mix, but shines when everything sits just right. Great response. Best speakers I've ever used? No (Barefoot mm27s). Best I've ever used in this price range? Definitely. I'd even go as far to say they rank higher than some Genelecs and Dynaudios ABOVE this price range.

Peter Goldstein
from NY NY
May 24, 2011

Focal Solo6 Be Amazing Monitors

If you are in search of clarity and true sound with no coloration then these monitors are an excellent choice. These monitors were highly recommended to me by the sales team at sweet water and I must say they are on of the best sounding and true sounding monitors I have worked on. After I purchased these monitors I went back to some of my older projects I had worked on to check the mixes. I was really impressed as I had heard some minor things in some of these old mixes that I had not heard previously. I would only recommend that you make sure these have enough power if you are in somewhat of a larger room. I have a 12 x 16ft room and they were not enough power for me. however I do tend to work loud. If you plan on using these more for programming and mixing at normal levels than these monitors are amazing. I was able to work for long periods of time with no fatigue what so ever.

David Schmidt
from Boston MA USA
December 10, 2010Music Background:
Recording Engineer

Pretty sounding speakers

First impressions: They sound quite glossy. Raw recorded tracks sounded like it's "mixed." It also sounds pretty balanced throughout the frequency ranges, although I found it to be slightly forward sounding. Transients and dynamics felt that they were slightly held back whilst playing David Foster & Friends CD.

I would conclude that these are magnificent speakers for casual listening or impressing your clients during playback, and not for recording/mixing applications. Don't get me wrong, these are NOT bad sounding speakers, far from it actually.

However, for me, they're aren't the right tools for the job. They might be right for you, so go try it out.