Short answer: the Focal Chora 816. It ranks #14 of 71 floorstanding speakers by sound quality at $900; the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle ranks #49 and costs $2499.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Focal Chora 816 offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle offers: Flagship three-way tower with a diamond-coated tweeter, dual midranges and four force-balanced 8-inch woofers. Erin measured exceptional 27Hz extension, broad roughly +/-75-degree horizontal coverage, an 88.1dB sensitivity and a 4.03 preference score even without a subwoofer. Watch for: The 5.25-to-8-inch transitions and complex array do not produce class-leading smoothness: 0.184 on-axis, 0.226 predicted in-room and 3.64 directivity-index consistency. At 96.7 pounds each, these are difficult to position, and their Q of 1.25 indicates some bass emphasis.
Buy the Focal Chora 816. It ranks higher for sound quality than the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Chora 816 | SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $900 used, Discontinued | $2,499.99 each |
| Ranked | #14 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers | #49 of 71 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Dimensions | 40.7"H x 11.8"W x 15.3"D (1033.8 x 299.7 x 388.6 mm) | 50.2H x 11.8W x 18.1D in |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.9 ohms minimum, measured, Audio Science Review) | 6 ohms nominal |
| Drivers | 6.5" (16.5cm) Slatefiber woofer, 6.5" (16.5cm) Slatefiber midrange, 1" (25mm) TNF Al/Mg inverted dome tweeter | 1" diamond-coated tweeter, dual 5.25" midranges, quad 8" woofers |
| Sensitivity | 91dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 88dB |
| Weight | 40.8 lbs / 18.5 kg each | 96.7 lbs each |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | - |
| Enclosure | - | 3-way passive, dual rear ports |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Chora 816: $900 used, Discontinued eBay
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.
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) |
| Dimensions | 40.7"H x 11.8"W x 15.3"D (1033.8 x 299.7 x 388.6 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| 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) |
| Weight | 40.8 lbs / 18.5 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle: $2,499.99 each SVS eBay
Pros: Flagship three-way tower with a diamond-coated tweeter, dual midranges and four force-balanced 8-inch woofers. Erin measured exceptional 27Hz extension, broad roughly +/-75-degree horizontal coverage, an 88.1dB sensitivity and a 4.03 preference score even without a subwoofer.
Cons: The 5.25-to-8-inch transitions and complex array do not produce class-leading smoothness: 0.184 on-axis, 0.226 predicted in-room and 3.64 directivity-index consistency. At 96.7 pounds each, these are difficult to position, and their Q of 1.25 indicates some bass emphasis.
Full SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle review and specifications →
| Dimensions | 50.2H x 11.8W x 18.1D in |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 1" diamond-coated tweeter, dual 5.25" midranges, quad 8" woofers |
| Enclosure | 3-way passive, dual rear ports |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 88dB |
| Weight | 96.7 lbs each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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