If you asked us to make a list of possible products that Focal could conceptualize, research, develop and release next, the stone-colored, pebble-shaped outdoor speakers wouldn’t be anywhere on it – but that doesn’t mean we’re not involved.
French high-end audio specialist (see latest version Focal baths and Focal utopia – also some of the most beautiful headphones I have ever seen) has just released Littora – which we assume is a play on “coast”, meaning of or situated on the shore of a sea or lake.
You have a wide range of water and atmospheric speakers that look like garden stones and other natural objects.
As well as speakers suitable for sitting in gardens, swimming pools and outdoor entertaining areas, Focal also tells us that customers can consider this range as a yacht installation option. (When only we didn’t just redo the sound system on the guest yacht.)
All the speakers in the range have the innovation and performance you’ve come to expect from Focal, but the visual star of the show is the OD Stone 8 – an egg-shaped speaker available in textured limestone, basalt and sand finishes.
To me, it looks for all the world like Grand Baby, the wise, elderly rock troll who comes to dispense magic to Anna and Elsa in Frozen.
Want a mushroom from the troll house in the Valley of the Living with him? You remember, they all live in a little hole with a tangle of branches and mushrooms towering over them! Focal understands: the OD Sub 12 is a semi-recessed subwoofer that promises to add great bass to your outdoor sound.
Rounding off the OD range are the OD Sat 5 speakers: versatile designs that can be wall-mounted or even ‘planted’ into the ground to complete Arundelle’s otherworldly aesthetic (as well as the sound system).
Opinion: Focal offers Frozen fans audio bliss ahead of the holiday season – and I say go for it!
I’m a firm believer that audio should be fun also how sonically gifted (see vaguely terrible Wilson Audio stereo speakers, to cute bugs Gravastar Mars Prostunning McIntosh RS150 Bluetooth Speaker, pin sound structure and of course Bang & Olufsen’s sound panels imitating graceful sailing ships) and I’m here, I trust Focal’s proven commitment to doing the job right.
I’ve never met a product from Naim or Focal (the two companies merged in 2011) that didn’t sound exceptional.
Back to the products. All three Littora speakers use Focal’s proprietary IRIS IP drivers, designed by Focal for all-weather use without loss of sound quality.
The speakers also have UV protection and certified protection against dust and water: the OD Stone 8 and Sub 12 are IP45 certified; OD Sat 5 is IP55 certified.
And the Littora speakers have a power transformer that allows them to be connected together in a 100V system, which also provides individual volume control for each speaker in the system.
Prices? Of course. All products in the range will be available from January 2023.
The Focal Littora OD Sat 5 will cost $679 / £499 / CAD $799. My favorite OD Stone 8 has an MSRP of $799 / £599 / CAD $899, while the mushroomy OD Sub 12 will cost $1,999 / £1,599 / CAD $2,499 – and this speaker is very similar to those , that I’ve seen theme music released in Disney’s own theme parks, which only makes me want it even more.
There’s also a deal on the 4.1 pack! This includes four OD Sat 5 speakers and one OD Sub 12 for $3,999 / £2,999 / CAD $4,499. We’re waiting on Australian pricing, but that should mean prices start at around AU$1,270 for the Pabbie model.
I’m fighting the urge to buy a Stone 8 right now for the new year, but I should probably cut back on my spending. It’s probably one of the the best party speakers I’ll hear it someday, but as my favorite adorable Disney Rock Troll said in 2013, “hearts aren’t easy to change… but heads can be persuaded.”
https://www.techradar.com/news/focals-new-outdoor-speakers-look-like-the-rock-trolls-from-frozen-and-i-want-them/
