Focal’s Astral 16 amplifier is a £20k AV powerhouse

Focal’s Astral 16 AV amplifier is a £20k home cinema powerhouse

There are home cinema amplifiers, and there are home cinema amplifiers like the new Focal Astral 16.

At £20k (and 20kg), this AV behemoth is aimed squarely at ultra-high-end installations and is Focal's first ever 16-channel multi-room AV processor and amplifier. It has been designed in collaboration with Immersive Audio Technologies, a specialist in high-end electronics.

Out of those 16 channels, 12 are amplified so you can hook them straight up to a surround sound package. All the main object-based surround formats are covered including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D. And with power rated at 200 watts per channel, you shouldn’t be short of muscle even when faced with the most testing of movie scenes.

The remaining four channels are pre-amplified (with balanced XLR outputs) so they can be used to help create additional multi-room stereo systems. They’re dedicated entirely to audio, with their own filtering, equalisation and bass management.

Focal’s Astral 16 AV amplifier is a £20k home cinema powerhouse

Room calibration is done through the Focal’s built-in Dirac Live software. The amp is equipped with seven HDMI inputs and two 4K outputs, all supporting 4K Ultra HD content, plus HDR 10, HLG and Dolby Vision HDR.

The Astral 16 is completely customisable and comes with its own dedicated app for the Apple iPad which allows complete control, the ability to access technical support, and carry out equipment diagnostics.

Aimed at the custom install market, Focal has also included full compatibility with Crestron, Control4, Savant and RTI home installation systems.

The Focal Astral 16 goes on sale this month for £20,000/€20,000.

MORE:

Best AV receivers 2019: Brilliant home cinema amplifiers

Best Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray players 2019

11 of the best film scenes to test surround sound

TOPICS
Andy Madden

Andy is Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and a consumer electronics journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing news, reviews and features. Over the years he's also contributed to a number of other outlets, including The Sunday Times, the BBC, Stuff, and BA High Life Magazine. Premium wireless earbuds are his passion but he's also keen on car tech and in-car audio systems and can often be found cruising the countryside testing the latest set-ups. In his spare time Andy is a keen golfer and gamer.

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