Focal Vestia N°4 Floorstanding Speaker Review

Focal stands out among speaker manufacturers for its diverse product range, spanning from entry-level to high-end offerings, catering to both stereo and multi-channel setups. Whether you’re seeking high-end audio, affordable options, or discreet in-wall speakers, Focal has you covered. What’s even more compelling is that unlike many manufacturers with such a broad range who often outsource entry-level production to Asia to cut costs, Focal maintains French manufacturing for even its most accessible lines.

Focal’s home speaker lineup comprises six series, broadly categorized into three groups. At the high end, the Utopia III EVO and Sopra share a sandwich-structured “W” cone and numerous design elements. The Kanta and Aria EVO X form another group, both utilizing Flax fiber cones, although the Kanta retains the Beryllium tweeter found in higher-end models, while the Aria EVO X employs an Aluminum/Magnesium tweeter, differentiating the two tiers. The most budget-friendly group consists of the Vestia and Theva, featuring Slatefiber cones for the mid-bass drivers and a slightly backward-tilted design achieved through their base.

The Vestia series includes five models: the Vestia N1 bookshelf speaker, three floorstanding models (Vestia N2, N3, and N4), and the Vestia Center channel speaker, allowing consumers to tailor their system to their specific space and needs.

The Vestia N°4, a three-way bass-reflex floorstanding speaker with four drivers, is priced reasonably at around 150,000 (presumably currency units). However, its sheer size upon delivery was a surprise. The large packaging (two boxes, actually, for the pair) is due to the substantial size of the speakers themselves.

The Vestia N°4 houses a 1-inch TAM Aluminum/Magnesium “M”-shaped tweeter, a 6.5-inch Slatefiber midrange driver, and two 8-inch Slatefiber woofers. Its larger stature compared to the slimmer Vestia N3 and N2, which feature 6.5-inch woofers, is a direct result of the dual 8-inch woofer configuration.

The TAM Aluminum/Magnesium “M”-shaped tweeter is a Focal in-house design. Unlike conventional convex dome tweeters, Focal has long favored inverted domes. This design increases the contact area between the voice coil and the diaphragm, enhancing control. Focal’s evolved inverted dome geometry optimizes high-frequency dispersion. A rear chamber absorbs back waves, minimizing distortion. A horizontal elliptical waveguide surrounding the tweeter controls vertical directivity, reducing reflections from the floor and ceiling.

The 6.5-inch midrange and 8-inch woofers are also manufactured in France, exclusively by Focal. The Slatefiber cone material used for these drivers is a common feature in Focal’s recent entry-level speakers. While “Slate” refers to the metamorphic rock, the cone isn’t made of it. The name derives from its distinctive grayish-blue color, reminiscent of slate. Focal uses recycled, non-woven carbon fiber and thermoplastic polymer. During production, the recycled carbon fibers are aligned in the same direction for increased cone rigidity. Focal states that Slatefiber is lightweight, rigid, and highly damped, making it an ideal cone material for home, studio monitoring, and car audio applications.

The Vestia N°4’s cabinet is constructed from MDF with a carefully engineered structure to enhance rigidity and minimize resonances. Focal’s acquisition of a furniture factory dedicated to speaker cabinet production underscores their commitment to quality. The Vestia speakers are available in three finishes: Black High Gloss, Dark Wood, and Ivory, determined by the side panels. The Dark Wood finish features dark wood veneer, Ivory uses white wood veneer, and Black High Gloss is a high-gloss lacquer. A leatherette covering nearly the entire speaker, excluding the side panels, adds to the Vestia series’ elegant aesthetic.

The bass-reflex ports are located at the bottom of the front baffle, one on each side. Magnetic grilles are included for those who prefer a cleaner look. The magnetic attachment eliminates visible mounting hardware on the baffle. Thoughtfully, Focal has added felt pads where the magnets contact the baffle to protect the leatherette finish. The speaker base is die-cast aluminum, providing a slight backward tilt when the N°4 is mounted, optimizing time alignment. Adjustable metal spikes are included for vibration isolation, with rubber feet provided as an alternative for delicate flooring.

Due to the Vestia N°4’s size and weight, unpacking required assistance. The box includes clear unpacking instructions. In the listening room, after a rough initial placement and some minor adjustments to toe-in and spacing, the initial impression was remarkably positive. The sound was balanced and smooth, with a slight emphasis in the upper bass providing a solid foundation. The sound possessed pleasing body, excellent midrange resolution, and a controlled character. The soundstage was expansive and open.

Using Ramirez’s “Misa Criolla,” specifically the “Kyrie” with José Carreras, the sense of depth and placement was immediately apparent. The soft drum at the rear, Carreras’s position at the front, and the choir in the background were clearly delineated. The drum, though subtle, conveyed texture and detail. The spatial cues from the drum and the choir created a convincing soundstage. Carreras’s vocals were clear and three-dimensional. The Focal Slatefiber drivers provide these more affordable speakers with impressive solidity, avoiding the thinness sometimes associated with budget-oriented designs.

Switching to Musica Temprana’s recording of the same piece, the closer drum placement and the musicians’ linear arrangement emphasized width rather than depth. The modern recording style, with its focus on clarity and dynamic range, revealed every detail in the drums, male vocals, and choral sections. The Vestia N°4 conveyed the distinct character of each recording.

With orchestral music, the Vestia N°4 delivered not only a wide soundstage but also clear musical structure thanks to its rich bass and transparent midrange. Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, conducted by Herbert Blomstedt, served as an example. The opening of the first movement, with its murmuring low strings followed by the strings and woodwinds presenting the first theme, was rendered with clarity and depth. The Vestia N°4 revealed the music’s inherent beauty with distinct low-string lines and expressive high frequencies. The orchestral swells were surprisingly powerful, demonstrating the speaker’s dynamic capabilities and balanced nature.

Despite the metal tweeter, Focal’s current tweeter designs offer sweetness and brilliance without harshness. Detail retrieval is plentiful without any unwanted sibilance. Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott’s “Songs of Comfort and Hope,” particularly “Shenandoah,” showcased the speaker’s ability to reproduce texture and detail while maintaining a rounded and full sound. The strings were smooth and natural, and the piano had a warm brilliance.

The fone recording of “The Pink Panther” allowed for exploration of various musical styles. The Vestia N°4 conveyed the distinct character of each track, from the standard jazz trio version to the vocal rendition and guitar performance. The double bass solo track demonstrated the speaker’s ample and well-controlled bass response. While the specifications suggest a low-frequency extension to 40Hz, with a cutoff at 34Hz, the Vestia N°4 delivered a rich, full, and elastic bass, even if the very lowest frequencies were slightly lacking. Considering its price point, this is entirely acceptable.

As the flagship of the Vestia series, the N°4 truly lives up to its role. Its sound is balanced and natural, with no obvious bias. It resolves musical details effectively, providing both body and a touch of sweetness from the Aluminum/Magnesium “M”-shaped tweeter. While larger than its siblings, the dual 8-inch woofers contribute to a more stable and substantial sound. The Vestia N°4 is a powerful statement in its class.