Focal XS Satellite Speakers with Dock for iPod and MP3 Players

by Focal

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.5 x 14.5 inches ; 23 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 32 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001RQ4IA4
• Item model number: JMLXS2.1
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description Focal XS is a dynamic and powerful multimedia speaker system for your iPod, computer, and more. Three amplifiers are integrated inside the subwoofer--70W RMS for the bass, and 2 x 30W RMS for the speakers. Place the satellites on your desk, and set up the subwoofer beneath. Dial in the bass level to adapt to the room acoustics and proportions, and forget about it. Enjoy glorious sound, iPod charging, and plenty of style in jet black and anodized aluminum.

A dynamic and powerful multimedia speaker system for your iPod, computer, and more. Click to enlarge.

Listen to Your Computer Audio
Connect Focal XS to your Mac or PC through the USB mode. Switch on XS. Listen to your favorite music from iTunes with the realism of a professional monitoring sound: definition, tonal richness, specialization, and power. And all this with extreme simplicity--no set-up, thanks to Focal's USB digital-to-analog converter.

Listen to and Charge Your iPod
Choose the adapter corresponding to your iPod and put it on dock. No cable necessary; your iPod will now recharge, and you can control it with the remote control. Switch on the synchro mode at the back of the dock; your iPod automatically opens in iTunes, and the synchronization begins. Very simple.

Quality Monitoring
The XS provides a great monitoring system for multimedia applications, great for "professional amateurs," sound and video lovers who work with audio software (Garage Band, Logic Studio, etc.), or solutions for video editing (iMovie, Final Cut, etc.). Definition, specialization, and low latency mean solid sound for your applications.

Charge your iPod while you enjoy your tunes. Click to enlarge.

Two 30W satellite speakers with separate mid-range drivers and tweeters. Click to enlarge.

70W subwoofer for rich low frequencies. Click to enlarge.

The Focal XS Story
Two years ago, Gerard Chretien, managing director at Focal, brought a pair of Solo6 Be Professional Studio Monitors at home ($2,500/pair). He connected them to his Mac in his office and quickly realized that there was nothing on the market that could rival this listening experience. He quickly set Focal's R&D on a seemingly impossible mission: to design a 2.1 system that would sound as close as possible to the Solo6 Be … and cost no more than $600. On January 8, 2008, the final prototype was finally unveiled to the press, and the XS made its first loud footstep.

2-way Satellite Design with 2.5-Inch Mid-Range Driver
Most computer systems use a single driver to reproduce both mid-range and high frequencies. The result is unrealistic-sounding vocals and loss of detail and clarity in the higher frequencies. XS remedies that by including both--a paper cone driver for the mids as well as a mylar tweeter for the sizzle.

VSC Visual Sound Coincidence Concept
By elevating the satellite off the surface it sits on, early sound reflections are greatly diminished. The result is a massive improvement in clarity. Instead of bouncing back off the desk, the sound is directly going to the listener's ears.

High-End Digital-to-Analog Converter through USB Connection
Most modern audio signals are stored in digital form (e.g., MP3s and CDs) andm in order to be heard through speakers, they must be converted into an analog signal. The Focal XS bypasses the computer's soundcard completely and applies its own high-end conversion with a Burr-Brown digital-to-analog converter. This brings out every little musical detail buried in the digital code.

Auxiliary Input
Focal XS has an additional analog input (1/8-inch minijack at the back of the right satellite) to connect additional sources like your TV, game console, CD player, Apple TV, etc. In fact, many people use Focal XS as the main sound system in their living room.

Two-Year Warranty
Focal XS is covered by a 2-year parts and labor warranty--peace of mind to accompany your great sound.

What's in the Box
Focal XS Subwoofer, Focal XS Satellite Speakers, 6-foot power cable, 5-foot USB cable, 6-foot 1/8-inch mini-jack cable, magnetic remote control, user manual, iPod dock adapters

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just bought my second set..., August 18, 2009

By 

M. Oros - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Focal XS Satellite Speakers with Dock for iPod and MP3 Players (Electronics)

The first set was for the music room computer. We needed great sound for listening to our performance recordings and playing with accompaniment software. Wow, fits the bill perfectly. We also connected an Airport Express with Airtunes to add music to that section of the house. There is nothing like wireless and powered speakers for getting an one hundred and fifty year old house rocking.

I was so impressed with the sound from the Focal XS that I replaced the Harman Kardon speakers on the computer in my office. It sounds like I am listening to my music for the very first time. Many speaker manufactures publish specifications; very few deliver them with clarity and presence, like Focal XS.

I would highly recommend the Focal XS to any one looking for great sound on their computer or connect it to an Airport Express and put music in any room of your house.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing achievement @ $600.00 and w/ given sources, June 18, 2009

By 

A. Oon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Focal XS Satellite Speakers with Dock for iPod and MP3 Players (Electronics)

There's not a lot more to say. This system is simply excellent; there is one caveat though: make sure you put enough real estate between the 2 monitors -- they need room to breathe. Soundstage width and depth are excellent if they're given enough room. When you hear it, try to remember this is a $600.00 2.1 system; it will be difficult. BTW: my main system consists of a Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista (tube) DAC, VTL Tiny Triodes, Monitor Audio Silver Series towers, Transparent and Cardas speaker and power cabling, etc. I've wasted a lot of money on systems and this definitely ranks as one of the best values in my collection (the Monitor Audios top the list).

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar sound for a 2.1 Desktop System, March 18, 2011

By 

MulsanneN138 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Focal XS Satellite Speakers with Dock for iPod and MP3 Players (Electronics)

I am a bit of an audiophile. And I have an excellent system of components that I have assembled over the years for my core listening pleasure. However, like many people, I spend more time working at my computer than I do relaxing in my leather chair in the living room. So, it is at least as important for me to have a good sound system where I work. To find such a system, I did a lot of research, and I have a bit of a history of trying products as well.

I have at various times used Altec Lansing, Bose, and Bowers speakers on my computer desktop. This time, I wanted more. My close friend has the Utopia Grandes in his home system, and he said that his experience with Focal has been nothing short of fantastic. So, I decided to give their many times removed little cousin, the XS a try (I know, this is like Apples and Oranges, but I figured: "how far can the Apple (or Orange) fall from the tree?".

Not far it would appear: The sound is phenomenal. Let me be clear, these are in an entirely different realm than the Utopia Grande's, but there is also no question that Focal really put some thought and care to creating the XS system.

The speakers took a bit of time to break in, but I now have trouble leaving my desk -- the sound is that good. These are better than a lot of monitors that I have heard. And they are very compact and nice to look at. A lot of tech packed in as well. Built in DAC. 2-way satellites. They are not cheap, but they are worth every penny. As a 2.1 system, the are not going to produce the midrange of a pair of good towers, but the sound is very, very good.

The only "weak" spot in my opinion is the iPod dock. It works with some, but not all iPod versions, and syncs in some, but not all circumstances. This is not really a criticism of Focal, though, since Apple is always changing and updating their hardware and software, and it seem impossible to find any device in the market that can keep up with all of them. Nevertheless, I would not recommend purchasing this system if you plan to only use it as a docking sound system.

Summary: If you are looking for incredible sound from a relatively compact 2.1 system, and you will connect primarily to your computer, this is the best option in the market.