Focal TRIO6

The Trio6 is a three-way active studio monitor from Focal, designed for demanding mixing and mastering environments. It houses an 8-inch subwoofer, a 5-inch woofer and an inverted-dome Beryllium tweeter, each driver being paired with its own internal amplification.

Its distinguishing feature is the dual Focus Mode, which allows switching between three listening configurations without changing speakers: a 3-way mode (35 Hz - 40 kHz), a 2-way mode using the midrange and tweeter (80 Hz - 40 kHz), and a full-range 1-way mode on the midrange driver alone (100 Hz - 15 kHz). This switching offers three listening perspectives to validate a mix across different types of playback.

The amplification is split between class AB for the treble (50 W) and class G for the bass and midrange (100 W each), with a balanced XLR input of 10 kOhms. The monitor also features a variable high-pass filter, a parametric filter at 160 Hz designed to correct reflections caused by mixing consoles, as well as a defeatable automatic standby mode, all adjustable from the front panel.

This type of monitor is aimed at recording, mixing or mastering studios, as well as advanced home studios seeking reference-quality listening and configuration versatility rather than a simple conventional stereo speaker pair.

When buying used, it is worth checking that the switches and adjustment controls (sensitivity, HPF, LF Shelv, LMF EQ, HF Shelv, Focus Mode) work properly, as these are frequently used on this type of active speaker. The condition of the Beryllium tweeter, which is particularly sensitive to impact, deserves special attention, as does the proper functioning of the internal class G amplification and the automatic standby mode, electronic elements specific to active monitors.