Short answer: the Q Acoustics 5040, if you are buying new. The Focal Chora 816 ranks higher than it (#15 vs #41 of 73 floorstanding speakers, 4.5/5 vs 4.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Q Acoustics 5040 is still sold new at $2,472.98.
Why pick the Focal Chora 816: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally even on-axis response with nice bass extension and high sensitivity. The tradeoff: Some messiness appears between 500Hz-2kHz on-axis, including a dip around 550Hz.
What the Q Acoustics 5040 does well: C3 (Continuous Curved Cone) driver profile technology provides smooth midrange integration, controlled cone breakup, and improved bass damping. The tradeoff: Free-field frequency response exhibits a noticeable mid-bass scoop around 200Hz (~6dB lower than mean SPL), causing an F3 of 70Hz (F10 of 39Hz) in open space and requiring boundary placement (11-22 inches from front wall) to reinforce upper bass output.
Buy the Q Acoustics 5040 new; the Focal Chora 816 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Chora 816 | Q Acoustics 5040 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $900 per pair used, Discontinued | $2,472.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #15 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #41 of 73 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 40.7”H x 11.8”W x 15.3”D (1033.8 x 299.7 x 388.6 mm) | 38.1”H x 11.5”W x 14.2”D (967 x 293 x 361 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.9 ohms minimum, measured, Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms nominal (3.0 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (16.5cm) Slatefiber woofer, 6.5” (16.5cm) Slatefiber midrange, 1” (25mm) TNF Al/Mg inverted dome tweeter | 0.88 in. decoupled dome tweeter, twin 5.0 in. C3 Continuous Curved Cone woofers |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 91.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 40.8 lbs (18.5 kg) each | 39.7 lbs (18.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.30 | 3.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 | 6.41 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Focal Chora 816:
- KEF Blade Two Meta vs Focal Chora 816
- Focal Chora 816 vs MoFi SourcePoint 888
- Revel F328Be vs Focal Chora 816
- KEF R5 Meta vs Focal Chora 816
- Revel F226Be vs Focal Chora 816
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Chora 816: $900 per pair used Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Focal Theva N°2. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we don’t have measurements to confirm that yet.
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a generally even on-axis response with nice bass extension and high sensitivity. Predicted in-room response is very good aside from a peak around 8kHz. Horizontal beamwidth of about ±60 degrees is typical and fairly controlled. Distortion is very low at 86dB SPL/1m and still usable at 96dB SPL/1m. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 91dB.
Cons: Some messiness appears between 500Hz-2kHz on-axis, including a dip around 550Hz. Vertical directivity narrows a little, so listening height matters more than with a coincident design. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) shows a fair bit of resonances lingering across the midrange. Distortion rises substantially in the 1-2kHz region at 96dB SPL/1m. Minimum impedance dips to about 3.9 ohms. Discontinued.
Full Focal Chora 816 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 40.7”H x 11.8”W x 15.3”D (1033.8 x 299.7 x 388.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” (16.5cm) Slatefiber woofer, 6.5” (16.5cm) Slatefiber midrange, 1” (25mm) TNF Al/Mg inverted dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.9 ohms minimum, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.30 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.37 |
| Weight | 40.8 lbs (18.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Q Acoustics 5040: $2,472.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: C3 (Continuous Curved Cone) driver profile technology provides smooth midrange integration, controlled cone breakup, and improved bass damping. High voltage sensitivity (91.5dB SPL at 2.83V/1m) allows loud listening with low-to-moderate amplifier wattage. Cabinet features Point-to-Point (P2P) internal bracing and Helmholtz Pressure Equalizer (HPE) tubes to suppress internal standing waves and panel vibrations. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 91.5dB.
Cons: Free-field frequency response exhibits a noticeable mid-bass scoop around 200Hz (~6dB lower than mean SPL), causing an F3 of 70Hz (F10 of 39Hz) in open space and requiring boundary placement (11-22 inches from front wall) to reinforce upper bass output. Measurements indicate an enclosure resonance near 300Hz visible in sound power data. Minimum impedance drops to 3.0 ohms, demanding a stable 4-ohm rated amplifier despite high sensitivity.
Full Q Acoustics 5040 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 38.1”H x 11.5”W x 14.2”D (967 x 293 x 361 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.88 in. decoupled dome tweeter, twin 5.0 in. C3 Continuous Curved Cone woofers |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.0 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 91.5dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.80 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.41 |
| Weight | 39.7 lbs (18.0 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Q Acoustics 5040 vs Infinity Primus 360
- Q Acoustics 5040 vs Klipsch Forte IV
- Q Acoustics 5040 vs KEF Q11 Meta
- Q Acoustics 5040 vs Polk Reserve R500
- Q Acoustics 5040 vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DF63
- Q Acoustics 5040 vs Klipsch RP-5000F II
- Q Acoustics 5040 vs Emotiva Airmotiv T2+
- Q Acoustics 5040 vs PSB Imagine T65
- See all 41 comparisons