The brand-new Dynaudio Focus series of fully active wireless stereo speakers was front and center in the demonstration room that the Danish company used in this edition of the Munich show. Emulating the success of other Scandinavian speaker designers who have proven the concept of fully integrated active speakers that are able to be used in simple stereo configurations or fill a living room with home theater levels, with all the convenience of wireless, Dynaudio created a complete development program for this speaker family.
Each model in the range features cutting-edge streaming abilities along with tried-and-tested Dynaudio driver technology. The company says that "It’s perhaps the most advanced system of its type on the market: studio-grade audio quality alongside incredible ease of use and versatility." It might be more the beginning of an important integration of amplification and network/streaming players that fit perfectly new use cases, in homes where hi-fidelity has probably remained a foreign concept.
The new Focus speakers replace the previous Focus XD range with a design that’s as modern on the inside as it is on the outside. It’s built for users who want a system to work straight away with no tweaking or additional equipment, and which fits into their living-room without dominating it.
Dynaudio offers three models for now. The compact Focus 10 two-way stand-mount speaker, the respectable Focus 30 two-and-a-half-way floor-stander, and the Focus 50 a three-way floor-stander for the full hi-fi experience. Among the many highlights of the series, the fact that these speakers are ready to work wirelessly with a TV by featuring WiSA connectivity, with no cables needed is certainly front and center. But the Dynaudio Focus designs are also ready to support Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, Qplay, UPnP, Netradio and Bluetooth. And it's a Roon Ready system too, allowing users to deal with all streaming options, including the highest quality ones. And the speakers will auto-switch inputs depending on the source selected, turning on automatically as soon as an input is detected. The system will even sense when the included magnetic Smart Grilles are applied – and adjust its EQ to compensate.
Dynaudio highlights the series class-leading versatility, for users that are starting from scratch after upgrading from a smaller system, or those building on existing setups. Its built-in high-end streaming platform takes care of everything online, while coaxial and optical digital inputs and analog connections mean a CD player and even a turntable can still sit front and centre alongside streaming services. There’s even a subwoofer output with trigger, Ethernet, and all speakers are Dirac Live -ready for power-user calibrators. And for those users who don’t want to use their smartphones to control system with the free Dynaudio set-up app, there’s even a Bluetooth remote control included in the box.
The whole Focus family was measured in Jupiter, Dynaudio’s world-class measuring facility, and tuned by the same ears behind some of its most prestigious loudspeakers. Inside each of the three Focus models, Dynaudio uses the same legendary driver technology — including the renowned Cerotar tweeter — and the same type of amplifiers the company uses in its professional studio reference monitors. All three are sealed-box designs which, thanks to some sophisticated digital signal processing, deliver even tighter, deeper, more controlled bass performance. Users can also compensate independently for each speaker’s position in their room from within the app – meaning no sonic surprises when setting them up.
The slim, Danish design cabinets are available in four contemporary finishes (White High Gloss, Black High Gloss, Walnut Wood and Blonde Wood), in order to blend in with real-life interiors or match any decor. Even the Dynaudio logo has been simplified, doubling as an integrated LED that tells users at a glance what the speaker is doing. The sturdy MDF cabinets, aluminum driver surrounds make it obvious that these are high-end products.
First Streaming Speaker with Dirac Live Room Correction
Dynaudio’s new Focus series of wireless speakers will also come “Dirac Ready” to run Dirac Live Room Correction. The three models — Focus 10, Focus 30 and Focus 50 — mark the first collaboration between the two audio innovators and the first time the Dirac technology is integrated directly into a streaming speaker.
"For more than a decade, Dirac Live has been the market’s leading room correction solution, used by luxury home theaters, professional studios, and commercial cinemas. Now, through our collaboration with Dynaudio, we’ve integrated Dirac Live into a streaming speaker to set a new standard in streamed sound. Though the launch of Focus is a milestone for both companies, it’s only the first step in what will no doubt become a long and fruitful collaboration,” says Erik Rudolphi, Dirac’s VP of Home & Pro Audio.
The interaction between a speaker system and the physical layout of a room has a significant impact on audio quality. Dirac Live digitally compensates for the room’s impact on speaker performance to enable a sound experience previously only possible in a professional studio. Dirac Live accomplishes this through a patented mixed-phase impulse response correction technology that corrects not just magnitude response, but also time domain — critical for accurate staging, clarity, and tight bass.
"Having Dirac Live support aboard our Focus series is crucial," said Jens Lynge Petersen, Dynaudio’s CTO. "We spent months refining, tuning and perfecting its performance in-house. But every room is different – and Dirac’s technology gives listeners the opportunity to perfectly tailor their speakers for their space. It’s that last few percent, and for the true power-users, it makes all the difference.”
WiSA HT Technology
At launch, the new Focus speakers received WiSA HT Interoperable Certified status from the Wireless Speaker and Audio Association (WiSA). This means that Focus speakers are designed to work well in busy Wi-Fi environments, delivering multichannel sound wirelessly for up to eight channels of audio. WiSA HT transmits and receives uncompressed 24-bit 48/96 kHz sound, supporting sound systems up to 7.1 and 5.1.2, over a dedicated wireless network it creates.
"Dynaudio excels in leading the consumer electronics industry with its sophisticated, innovative speakers that deliver amazing sound, and the Focus series is no exception. With its integration of WiSA HT, the speakers can seamlessly work with and wirelessly connect to other WiSA HT-certified components, no matter the brand. With the Focus range, users will experience lifelike spatial sound that can transform any entertainment space,” commented Tony Ostrom, WiSA President.
"It’s with great excitement that the launch of Dynaudio’s Focus Series coincides with the speakers having earned WiSA Interoperability Certification," says Henrik Sonne Daubjerg, Product Manager, Home at Dynaudio. "With amazing sound remaining our number-one priority, interoperability opens the door to endless possibilities when it comes to enjoying high-fidelity audio. Focus elevates the listening experience, getting even closer to the original performance, and working with WiSA brings that experience to a brand-new audience.”
Dynaudio was founded in 1977 in Skanderborg, Denmark. Today, it continues to be recognized as a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio systems, and one of the world’s most distinguished high-end audio companies. Dynaudio designs, engineers and manufactures dedicated systems for professional studios, as well as car audio and home hi-fi and consumer loudspeaker products, from its state-of-the-art facility in Denmark. The company is particularly recognized for its advanced driver technology designed, engineered, and continuously developed in-house, not to mention its furniture-grade, handcrafted Danish cabinetry.
The Dynaudio Focus family is available to buy now in selected stores in Europe, and will be available in the rest of the world later in 2022. Reference retail prices are:
Focus 10: €5,000 / USD $5,500
Focus 30: €7,500 / USD $8,250
Focus 50: €10,000 / USD $11,000
www.wisatechnologies.com | www.dirac.com
www.dynaudio.com
