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Focal Shape 65 6.5 inch Powered Studio Monitor

2-way Powered Studio Monitor with 6.5" Flax Cone Woofer, 1" M-profile Aluminum-magnesium Inverted-dome Tweeter, and 40Hz-35kHz Frequency Response (each)
$899.00 (each)

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Focal Shape 65 6.5 inch Powered Studio Monitor
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$899.00 (each)
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A Symphony of Speaker Innovation

Focal leads the way in affordable nearfield monitors by combining breakthrough designs with technologies they first developed for high-end models such as their successful SM series. This Shape 65 is the 6.5" model in the Shape series, which brings top-quality Focal reference monitoring to your studio, editing suite, songwriting workstation, or any other application where your space may be limited but your need for accurate monitoring isn't. A cutting-edge flax-sandwich cone, M-shaped inverted-dome driver, innovative acoustics, and ideal electronics all add up to a speaker that's extremely linear and free from distortion, offering clear midrange intelligibility and imaging. And thanks to its dual-passive-radiator design, you can comfortably place your Shape 65s near walls, while enjoying extended low end that's still tight, controlled, and accurate.

Raising the bar on glass speaker cones

Focal first introduced their glass-fiber speaker cones in their SM series, where the extraordinary definition provided by their lightweight rigidity made them an instant hit among professional mix engineers. Focal's Shape series takes this speaker design one step further by introducing a layer of flax fiber, which is significantly more rigid and twice as light as glass fiber. They sandwiched this flax layer between layers of glass fiber, resulting in a piston-like low-frequency action and increased dampening. You'll be astonished by the low-frequency accuracy and midrange clarity these speakers offer. You couldn't ask for better compact nearfield monitors when it comes to critical mixing applications.

Revolutionary M-shaped inverted-dome tweeter

The Shape series introduces another major design upgrade to Focal's nearfield monitor technology by reimagining their already impressive aluminum-magnesium dome tweeter. For starters, the M shape itself provides increased rigidity, which offers many of the same advantages as the increased rigidity of their flax fiber cones: greater definition with lower distortion.

The M-shaped dome works with its own dedicated TMD surround for an impressively linear response below 6kHz. This horn also comes outfitted with housing that provides equal horizontal and vertical directivity, and a less-directional profile overall. Finally, the magnetic component, which features a Kapton former in the voice coil, offers a lower high-frequency distortion than Focal has previously achieved in an affordable nearfield monitor.

TMD surround ensures total midrange neutrality

Beneath the elegant walnut veneer and meticulously calculated MDF enclosure, each Shape series studio monitor features a number of technologies that give them uniquely linear frequency responses. One of these is the TMD surround ringing either speaker. Strangely enough, this stabilization element comes from special architecture found at the top of skyscrapers such as Taipei 101. These suspended harmonic absorbers promote a more piston-like action that targets specific frequencies. In the Shape series, these surrounds produce a remarkably flat frequency response around 1kHz–2kHz, resulting in astonishing neutrality with virtually no measurable distortion.

Double passive-radiators ensure low-end stability

One of the technologies Focal popularized in their previous generation upper-end monitors was the use of passive radiators. Just as they did in the SM series, these passive radiators provide the Shape series reference monitors with an extended low-frequency response that goes far beyond what the seasoned studio engineers at Sweetwater expect from modest-sized nearfields.

By balancing low-frequency harmonics with the dual surrounds highlighted above, these passive radiators accomplish what ports simply can't, providing you with low-frequency tuning that extends bass clarity and allows you to position your monitors closer to walls, without compromising accuracy. This detail makes them an ideal choice for small studios and editing suites.

Next-generation amplification and electronics

It's impossible to overstate how important a role the amplifier plays in the function of precision reference monitors such as Focal's Shape series, both in terms of pairing the appropriate electronics with the acoustic elements and in providing you with the flexibility needed to tailor the sound to your control room. Regardless of other settings, Shape series studio monitors provide a stable tonal balance at any volume, a key element in creating mixes that translate well outside the studio. At the same time, you can easily adjust your Shape studio monitors to your room, thanks to the tunable shelving filters and a 160Hz crossover slope. There's also an adjustable highpass filter onboard, so you can cut out serious low-frequency problems or accommodate specific subwoofer setups.

Focal Shape 65 Active Nearfield Studio Monitor Features:

  • Innovative and affordable nearfield reference monitor with onboard amplification
  • Perfect for small studios, editing suites, music composition workstations, and mixing studios
  • Integrated TMD surrounds and dual passive radiators increase low-frequency response and harmonic stability
  • Radiators provide flexible low-frequency tuning and depth that hold up even when positioned near walls
  • 6.5" glass-/flax-/glass-fiber speaker cone delivers extreme mid- and low-frequency definition with minimal distortion
  • Innovative M-shaped aluminum-magnesium inverted dome tweeter offers amazing neutrality below 6kHz
  • Redefined speaker housing offers even horizontal and vertical dispersion with decreased directionality for broad sweet spot
  • Extremely stable Neutral Inductance Circuit (N.I.C.) offers an optimized crossover and reduced harmonic distortion/intermodulation between speakers
  • Precision amplification includes high- and low-frequency shelving and a 160Hz crossover slope
  • Includes dedicated highpass filter to accommodate specific subwoofer arrangements

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Tech Specs

  • Powered: Yes
  • Power Configuration: Bi-amped
  • Quantity: Single
  • LF Driver Size: 6.5" woofer
  • LF Driver Type: Flax Sandwich Cone
  • HF Driver Size: 1" tweeter
  • HF Driver Type: M profile aluminum-magnesium
  • LF Driver Power Amp: 80W
  • HF Driver Power Amp: 25W
  • Total Power: 105W Class AB
  • Frequency Response: 40Hz-35kHz (±3dB)
  • Crossover Frequency: Adjustable
  • Maximum Peak SPL: 109dB SPL @ 1m
  • Input Types: 1 x XLR, 1 x RCA
  • Features: 3-band EQ, High-pass filter, 6.5" passive side radiator
  • Enclosure Type: Passive radiator
  • Enclosure Material: MDF with natural walnut veneer
  • Height: 14"
  • Width: 8.6"
  • Depth: 11.2"
  • Weight: 28.2 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: FOASPFSH650N503

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Sound & Detail

Excellent sound quality. I am so glad after months of research and speaking with SW personal I was able to pin point what I truly needed in studio monitors.
Focal Shape65 had one of the best detail both in higher and lower range frequencies. Detail is amazing in these speakers. Music that I did not expect to has such details. Yes they are quiet pricy, but they are great investment. Don't think twice just buy these and I'll promise there won't be any regrets.
I play jazz & Classical keyboard and I used to have hard time on my old JBL LSR series to hear the sound and quality of music as I hear on these speakers.
One thing though I just wish the on & off switch was in front and there could have been a volume control on these units rather than mixer or sound card.
Overall I am very pleased with my decision and thank you SW for the time and patience for helping me.
Music background: Hobbits, classical, Jazz,Blues, New age Eastern
Rated 5/5

Nice midrange, excellent imaging

First off, thanks to Mike Arango and the entire Sweetwater team--from the folks who maintain their inventory, to the shipping department, the video team, on-air talent, leadership, etc. You all make the life of a musician/engineeer/producer better, and I'm grateful for that!

I had never heard of Focal until 11 or 12 years ago when I decided to have a nice sound system installed in my car. Now, the brand is ubiquitous and their success is no surprise. It's all about high quality sound. I was very reluctant to give up my Focal Alpha series studio monitors, but I thought an upgrade might be in order, so I purchased the Shape 65's. I run them with a Tannoy studio sub that I've had for many years. Its contribution is minimal but important for some projects, and while the 65's would work fine without a sub, personally, I would be itching to add one by now. Subs allow small, well-designed speakers to really strut their stuff, even if they are set up to be audibly inconspicuous.

In the case of the Shape 65's, that "stuff" is the elusive midrange that speakers in this price range often lack. While the overall sonic signature is similar to the Alpha's, it ups the ante in every frequency range and the result is more--more midrange detail, more extended top end, more woofer speed and more natural sounding bass (note: I have not heard the updated Alpha series). I use Izotope's Tonal Balance Control as a mixing tool, and while I don't trust it nearly as much as my ears, it provides some insight. I will often see a dip in my mixes between 800Hz and 1.5kHz. With the Focal Alphas, after adjusting the EQ, I'd think, "Hmmm. Doesn't sound much different..." With the Shape 65's, there's absolutely no doubt about what's happening with the EQ's and compressors in the mix.

The other thing that is important to me is the fact that they sound very sweet, so it's not a chore to listen to them for many hours on end. It's even fun to route my turntable through the Focal's from time to time. The imaging sweet spot is wider than the Alphas--I don't have to hunt for it--and it's very revealing. You will hear exactly what UA's Capitol Chambers, for example, is doing in terms of vocal placement or how it moves the piano behind the guitars in the sound field. Fairly impressive for the price. There are lots of online reviews (some right here) that will give you a good description of their sound if you're not familiar with Focal. I'm not very good at coming up with adjectives to describe tonal characteristics, but I do love the sound of these monitors.

One last comment--I got used to the auto off/on feature with the Alphas. These are actually less finicky about waking up than the Alpha's. I am using a UA Thunderbolt 8x as my main interface. They wake up easier once they are broken in, so be patient and you will develop a feel for firing them up after they've gone to sleep. But be aware that the woofers are fast and agile, so expect a jolt now and then if you let them snooze. My advice is to fire them up when you start working and then just keep them occupied all day long! If you love their sound as much as I do, you won't find it very hard to do.
Rated 5/5

Love these, make all the difference in my mix

We always took my FOH mix for our streaming audio as well as for our TV program. (ALFCRancho) Which there was always the compensation of the house ambient sound, live stage monitors as well as guitar amps and drums. Plus FOH is 108' for my main speakers. So with Covid we went to on-line only, so I switch to near filled monitors for our streaming mix was so much better. We went back to in-person service May 31 and I stayed with the near fields and just turn them done once in a while to make sure my live level are not to loud. I tried various near field monitor and decided on the Focal Shape 65's they are the best. I even bought a pair for my home studio, we were produce and write music for clients. These Focal's are well worth the investment. I highly recommend them. Some shoots during rehearsal.
Music background: Freelance FOH engineer for 20 years before started at ALFCRancho 6 years ago
Rated 5/5

Refreshing

I was upgrading from a budget pair of monitors where I could hear the built-in amps hiss from my listening position. And I was deeply moved by what I heard after getting the Focal Shapes. Still day 2 and running them in, but such detail, stereo imaging and balanced sound makes everything I listen to alive. And, though hiss is still there when I park my ears close to one of the monitors as the music's stopped, I can't hear any hiss in the nearfield listening position. I think the bass is also quite natural, and digs down deep into the sub regions. With piano, orchestral music and jazz vocals, there's plenty of fun listening sessions in store for me. Though they are still running in, what sounds out of the box is so refreshing to me and I love this so much!!!

Thanks my sales engineer, Tony, for this great recommendation!!!
Music background: Classical pianist, blind student, self-confssed HiFi music lover / audiophile
Rated 5/5

Game changers

First off: I can't say anything about these monitors without first giving props to my Sweetwater advisor, Stuart Niven. I wanted to change/upgrade my overachieving-but-limited Equator D5 near-nearfield monitors + sub configuration because it wasn't working in my small home studio (particularly how they translated the bottom end) and I asked Stuart to recommend monitors that I could track and mix without a sub, that could be positioned near a wall and that would work in a smaller space.

I mentioned to him some monitors I had been looking at (top of the list was the more affordable Focal Alpha 65s) and while he said they were very good for the money, the Shape 65s were the ones he recommended and his recommendation was spot on.

The Shapes instantly made everything easier and enabled me to work much quicker. They are honest, they sound fantastic, I can use them for hours on end without fatigue, and the sound I get from them translates very well when I listen to my mixes using other playback devices. Most importantly: I can TRUST them. I ended up spending roughly twice the amount of money I had initially budgeted for, but I have absolutely no regrets. I LOVE these monitors.
Music background: Performing & recording musician, home recordist
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