Focal and Morel are two prominent brands in the audio industry that have gained a reputation for producing high-quality and innovative audio equipment. These companies specialize in the production of speakers, headphones, and other audio devices that offer exceptional sound quality and a rich listening experience.
In this guide, we’ll explore both brands’ features, strengths, and weaknesses and compare their products to help you make an informed decision when choosing your next audio equipment.
Pros And Cons
Focal
Pros
- Focal has a reputation for using high-quality materials and advanced speaker technology to create products that deliver exceptional sound quality.
- Their products are designed to reproduce sound with accuracy and detail, which is essential for critical listening in music production or home theater applications.
- Focal offers a wide range of products that cater to different needs, from entry-level speakers and headphones to high-end models that offer premium features and performance.
Cons
- Focal products can be expensive, with some of their high-end models costing several thousand dollars.
Morel
Pros
- Morel is well-regarded for their high-quality car audio products, which have received numerous awards and positive reviews from experts and customers alike.
- Morel has a reputation for providing excellent customer service and support, with helpful resources like product manuals, technical support, and installation guides available on their website.
Cons
- Some potential limitations of Morel include a less prominent profile in the home audio market, higher prices for some products, a more limited product range, and the potential need for professional installation or tuning.
History
Focal
Focal is a French company that was founded in 1979 by Jacques Mahul, who was passionate about high-fidelity sound reproduction. The company started as a small workshop in Saint-Etienne, France, where they specialized in designing and manufacturing loudspeakers for professional studios and audiophiles.
In the early years, Focal developed several innovative speaker technologies, including their signature inverted dome tweeter and Polyglass cone drivers. These technologies helped establish Focal as a leader in the high-end audio market, and their products quickly gained a reputation for their exceptional sound quality and build quality.
Morel
Morel is an Israeli audio brand that was founded in 1975 by Meir Mordechai and Shmulik Kraus. The brand started in a small workshop in Tel Aviv, where they focused on developing high-quality speakers for home and professional use.
Morel quickly gained a reputation for their innovative designs and exceptional sound quality, before introducing their first car audio speaker in 1986. This product proved to be a game-changer in the automotive industry and helped establish Morel as a leading brand in car audio.
Today, Morel offers a diverse range of audio products for both home and car use, including speakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers. The brand’s products are highly regarded by music enthusiasts and audiophiles for their exceptional sound quality and advanced technologies, such as their Uniflow aluminum voice coil and Hexatech voice coil.
Sound Quality
Focal
Focal is known for producing speakers and headphones with exceptional sound quality, and the brand has gained a reputation for accuracy and detail in its audio reproduction. Focal’s products are designed to provide a balanced and natural sound, with a focus on clarity and transparency.
One of the key technologies that help Focal achieve its exceptional sound quality is the company’s signature inverted dome tweeter, which uses a lightweight and rigid aluminum/magnesium alloy to provide precise and detailed high-frequency reproduction. Focal also uses advanced cone drivers made of materials like Flax or Kevlar, which offer excellent rigidity and damping for improved midrange and bass response.
Morel
Morel’s products are designed to provide a balanced and natural sound, with a focus on clarity and accuracy. They also use advanced cone drivers made of materials like aluminum, magnesium, and carbon fiber, which offer excellent rigidity and damping for improved midrange and bass response.
Morel’s products are designed to reproduce music with a natural and lifelike sound, with a focus on detail and dynamics. Morel’s speakers are often praised for their ability to handle complex music passages with ease and provide a wide soundstage.
Some listeners may find Morel’s sound to be warmer and more musical than other brands, which can make them a good choice for those who prioritize musicality over analytical precision. In addition to car audio, Morel also offers a range of home audio products that are known for their exceptional sound quality and innovative designs.
Features
Focal
- Accurate and Natural Sound Output
- Reliable Construction Material
- Bass Reflex Design (Front-firing Port)
- Aluminum/Magnesium Inverted Dome Tweeter
- Slatefiber Midrange
- Innovative Technology
- Bi-amp System
- Multiple Input and Output Ports
- Magnetic Grille for Woofers
- Bluetooth, HEOS, Wi-Fi, and AirPlay 2 Streaming Support
- Sensitivity 92.5 dB
- High Power Handling
- Low Distortion
- Lean-back Design Ensures Precise Sound at the Listening Position
- Up to 5 Years Warranty on their Product
Morel
- Front-Mounted Control Buttons
- Mini Jack Auxiliary Input
- Built-in Bluetooth for Wireless Music Streaming
- Front-Firing Bass Port
- USB Type-A Charging Port
- Wooden Cabinet with Removable Magnetic Grille
Build Quality
Focal
Focal is known for producing high-quality audio products with the exceptional build quality. The brand uses premium materials and manufacturing processes to ensure that its products are durable, reliable, and long-lasting.
One of the key materials that Focal uses in its products is high-density polymer, which offers excellent rigidity and damping properties. This material is used in the construction of the speaker cabinets, helping to reduce unwanted resonance and vibration that can negatively impact sound quality.
In addition to using high-quality materials, Focal also employs advanced manufacturing techniques, such as computer-aided design and precision machining, to ensure that their products are built to exact specifications.
Focal’s products undergo rigorous testing and quality control procedures before they are released to the market, ensuring that they meet the brand’s high standards for performance and reliability.
Morel
Morel products are renowned for their superior construction and use of waterproof materials, which enhance their durability even when subjected to water exposure. Moreover, select Morel products utilize a meshed aluminum wire voice coil that is located outside the magnet, which enhances both energy and space efficiency.
As a result, more power is directed toward producing high-quality sound, leading to an exceptional auditory experience for the user. Overall, Morel products are engineered to deliver exceptional performance and longevity, making them a trustworthy option for individuals seeking high-end audio equipment.
Ease of Use
Focal
Focal strives to create products that are intuitive and straightforward to use, even for those who may not be audio experts. They prioritize user experience and design their products with features that make them easy to set up and operate.
For example, many of Focal’s speakers come with built-in amplifiers, so users don’t have to worry about purchasing and connecting a separate amplifier. They also offer products with wireless connectivity options, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi [1], which can make it easier to connect devices and stream music.
Overall, Focal places a strong emphasis on ease of use in its products, ensuring that customers can enjoy high-quality audio without having to be audio experts themselves.
Morel
Morel is known for making products that are straightforward to use, especially for customers who might not have a great deal of previous experience working with various types of audio gear.
The majority of their devices come equipped with user-friendly features, such as a connection that is ready to use after being plugged in, controls that are easy to understand, and installation guidelines that are clear and concise.
In addition, their customer service is known for being friendly and quick to respond, which can make it much simpler to solve any problems that may emerge.
Value
Focal
The cost of Focal products can vary depending on the specific product line, the features offered, and other factors. Generally speaking, Focal products tend to be priced in the mid to high range of the market. However, they are known for delivering exceptional sound quality and build quality, which can make them a worthwhile investment for those who are serious about their audio setup.
Below are approximate price ranges for various Focal devices:
- Car speakers: $100 to $500
- Home speakers: $150 to $1500
- Subwoofers: $150 to $2000
- Headphones: $50 to $300
Morel
It is generally considered that Morel offers reasonably priced and affordable products across different categories. Here are approximate price ranges for various Morel products:
- Home speakers: $300 to $3000
- Tweeters: $100 to $500
- Subwoofers: $200 to $1000
- Car speakers: $200 to $1000
These prices are subject to change and may vary depending on the specific model and features of the product. It’s always a good idea to research and compare prices before making a purchase to ensure you get the best value for your money.
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Space Requirements
Focal
In addition to considering the size and portability of Focal Audio products, it’s also important to consider their ventilation requirements to avoid overheating and sudden shutdowns.
When installing Focal Audio devices in a confined space, it’s important to leave enough free space around the device for proper ventilation. This can help dissipate heat and prevent the device from overheating.
The amount of space required may vary depending on the specific product, so it’s important to consult the manufacturer’s guidelines or user manual for specific instructions.
Morel
Morel devices are generally designed to be compact and portable, making them easy to transport and install in a variety of settings. Many of their products are also designed for use in cars, where space can be at a premium, and so are designed to fit seamlessly into the available space without taking up too much room.
Remote Controls
Focal
This brand offers a range of products that are designed to be user-friendly and provide easy access to device controls, including remote control options. For example, the FSP-8 remote control is specifically designed to enhance the user experience of the FSP-8 digital signal processor. This remote control features an LCD screen that displays real-time information and allows users to adjust the settings of the FSP-8 with ease.
Morel
Morel may not offer remote controls for their devices. While some of their products, such as car audio systems, may be integrated into the vehicle’s existing controls or offer smartphone app control, others may not include remote control options.
Power Range
Focal
An entry-level Focal receiver may have a power range of around 120 watts for one channel and 60 watts for two channels. This means that the device can deliver up to 120 watts of power to a single speaker, or 60 watts of power to two speakers connected in stereo mode.
Morel
Morel products generally have lower power consumption compared to other high-end audio devices. This can be beneficial for users who are looking for energy-efficient and eco-friendly products. Morel car speakers, such as the Tempo Ultra Integra 572, may have higher peak power ratings of up to 220 watts.
Frequency Response
Focal
Focal’s devices have different frequency response ranges to suit their intended use, such as the wide frequency response of the Chora 826-D loudspeaker and the narrow range of the Sopra SW 1000 BE Subwoofer. To evaluate performance, it’s important to consider additional factors such as power handling, sensitivity, and distortion levels.
Morel
Morel devices typically have a frequency response range between 50Hz and 20KHz, with some products having more specific ranges. For example, the Morel CCWR254 at 30 Hz-19 Khz, while the Morel Tempo Ultra Integra 602 MKII at 50 Hz-22 KHz.
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Conclusion
When choosing between Focal and Morel, it’s important to consider factors that are mentioned. Nonetheless, both brands offer high-quality audio products, so the decision ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs. Listening to products in person or consulting with a professional audio expert can also be helpful in making a decision.
