Focal Kanta Speakers: The Perfect Balance of Performance and Style

Charming, Captivating, and Innovative

Kanta means desired, loved, pleasing, or lovely, among other adjectives. Honestly, I’m not sure which is most accurate, but the one that stood out to me as I wrote this was charming. They’ll win you over. You’ve seen them, maybe even experienced them. It’s time—you need a sure thing, especially with so many options out there. You want something that can tell you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about a record, short of reading the liner notes back to you, and look good doing it. I’m not sure there’s anything else in this price range that checks all the boxes quite like the Focal Kanta.

A Speaker That Blends Aesthetics and Performance

The Kanta speaker is many things: beautiful, colorful, loud when needed, or able to blend in seamlessly. But are we describing the aesthetics or the sound?

Rigidity and Design Excellence

Rigidity is the mantra as you explore the design of the Kanta, from the Flax cone driver and Beryllium tweeter to the cabinet and supporting feet. The choice of Beryllium for the tweeter shows Focal’s commitment to delivering excellence with the Kanta. Designers often treat the tweeter as an opportunity to cut corners, but Focal leaned into this area, creating a Beryllium tweeter design that challenges the rest of the industry to rethink their approach.

The Flax cone drivers may not make the same immediate impression, but they’re a Focal-exclusive design protected by patent. These ultra-rigid drivers are crafted from natural flax material sandwiched between two thin layers of fiberglass. Each driver is handmade and matched not only to other drivers but also to the appropriate cabinet.

Performance Differences Between Models

The No. 3 model features larger 8” woofers compared to the No. 2’s 6.5” woofers, offering deeper bass extension (26 Hz at -6 dB vs. 29 Hz).

This all combines with a meticulously designed cabinet and crossover to deliver a speaker that is musical, detailed, and deeply personal. The midrange confronts you in a rare way, blending with an informative tweeter and well-defined bass delivery to create an emotional and warm listening experience.

Disruptive Design with a Chameleon Quality

Focal describes Kanta’s appearance as a “truly disruptive aesthetic,” and I wholeheartedly agree. When the Kanta first launched, it was difficult to grasp their appearance from pictures—they were radically different from anything else, yet familiar enough to feel approachable. Many customers wanted to see these in other audiophiles’ homes to understand how they fit into real spaces. The Kanta has since become one of the best-selling floor standing speakers, proving its versatility. These speakers have a chameleon-like quality, disappearing in the right space but commanding attention if desired. They are stunning in person, with craftsmanship evident the moment you approach them, right up until you sit down to listen.

Focal’s Thoughtful and Innovative Design Philosophy

Many brands chase future-forward aesthetics, but few execute them as well as Focal. While Bowers & Wilkins speakers lean heavily on their signature top-mounted tweeter design, Focal integrates aesthetics into their thoughtfully engineered speaker designs. Driver placement has always been paramount for Focal, resulting in bold designs that may challenge American tastes but remain relevant and innovative.

A Meticulous Process Rooted in Passion

The Kanta embodies this forward-thinking approach. With a Beryllium tweeter surrounded by hand-crafted Flax cone drivers, all tested and matched to their cabinet, the Kanta represents a passion for perfection. What you hear in these speakers stems from this meticulous process, executed entirely in Focal’s factory in France.

Detail and Soundstage

Now, let’s get to the speaker that seems to do it all—and does it well. During my third listening session with a friend’s Kanta No. 3s, I was still searching for a reason not to love them. They deliver detail, energy, and bass control exactly where it’s needed.

What keeps drawing me back is the detail. Typically, speakers with this level of detail and soundstage can make lower-quality recordings unlistenable, but the Kantas breathe life into any recording. The soundstage is absolutely enormous. Forget the reviews that overuse the term—these truly deliver.

Bringing Recordings to Life

Listening to Led Zeppelin through the Kantas is an experience. Albums like Houses of the Holy and Led Zeppelin IV, recorded in unconventional spaces, are brought to life. You can hear the room’s ambiance, the raw creativity of the band, and the energy of John Bonham’s drumming. The Kantas convey all the emotion and texture with remarkable clarity.

Who the Kantas Are (and Aren’t) For

Who are the Kantas not for? They aren’t for someone seeking flat, purely analytical sound. These focal speakers will shock you with their liveliness and ability to uncover hidden details in recordings. For instance, they reveal nuances like Jimmy Page’s third guitar layer in a mix, making it sound as though it’s been supporting the song for decades, waiting to be noticed.

Pairing Electronics and Placement

The Kantas pair well with a range of electronics. McIntosh amplifiers are an excellent match, taming the high end and delivering firm bass. Pass Labs amplifiers are another strong option.

The Kantas are also forgiving in terms of placement. Whether in a small room, a large space, or even a challenging loft, they perform admirably. While a good room will always help, the Kantas excel even in less-than-ideal environments.

Fun, Vibrant, and Unique

I want speakers that bring recordings to life—vibrant, well-timed, and with a soundstage that reflects the recording’s intent. The Kantas deliver all of this and more. My wife, who is often skeptical of my choices, even likes their aesthetics (and trust me, I’ve brought home some ugly speakers).

The Kantas aren’t just about uncovering every detail—they make the experience fun. In a crowded market, they stand out as one of the few sure things.

Specifications

• Product Type: Bass-reflex 3-way column
• Woofer:
• No. 2: 2x 6.5” (16.5cm) Flax woofers w/ NIC motor
• No. 3: 2x 8” (21cm) Flax woofers w/ NIC motor
• Midrange Driver: 6.5” (16.5cm) Flax cone w/ TMD suspension and magnet
• Tweeter: 11/16” (27mm) ‘IAL3’ pure Beryllium inverted dome
• Response at -6 dB (Low Frequency Point):
• No. 2: 29 Hz
• No. 3: 26 Hz
• Frequency Response (+/- 3dB):
• No. 2: 35 Hz - 40 kHz
• No. 3: 33 Hz - 40 kHz
• Nominal Impedance: 8 Ω
• Recommended Amplifier Power: From 40W