Dynaudio Focus 110A review

If discretion is your thing, you could do a lot worse than investigate the Dynaudio Focus 110As.

At just 17cm wide, they're narrower than most – when viewed face on (which we've got to assume is the way you'll see them when listening to them) there's a fair bit less bulk apparent than with many other alternatives.

And what is visible of the Focus 110As will be in one of four real-wood veneers or the inevitable glossy black or glossy white, which can only be a good thing.

In specification terms, the 110As are similarly understated while being well up to scratch. Each active speaker incorporates 50 watts of amplification for each of its two drivers, and each has a single RCA input for receipt of incoming signal, and that's pretty much it.

Impressive levels of detail
Any source would benefit from a volume control, but otherwise the Dynaudios are adequately equipped.

The Focus 110As scored the full five First Test stars just about a year ago and, in the main, the reasons for that occurring still apply – a listen to The Who's A Quick One, While He's Away confirms it.

Impressive levels of detail, cast-iron dynamic control and natural, unforced timing all go towards making a strong case, and the Dynaudios have no problem differentiating between instruments and individual notes even when music's at its most complex.

They're particularly adept at the bottom of the frequency range, where detail levels approach the torrential.

Rich and smooth tonality
We observed in July 2009 that the 110As' tonality was on the rich and smooth side, and that impression has only deepened over time.

Rapidity is not what they Dynaudios are about, and that lack of vigour, coupled with the overriding richness of the sound, can make music sound a little cloying when it should be fleet of foot.

Of course, some listeners will be rubbing their hands together at the prospect of lush, smooth speakers – if that's you, you need to hear some of these, pronto.

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