Focal has a new owner – and I’m worried and excited in equal measure
In case you missed it, established audio brands Focal and Naim will be taken over by Belgian company Barco. Best known for its healthcare technology, as well as business and entertainment products, it seems on the face of it an odd plan, considering Barco’s lack of experience in the audio sector.
It is an area where the Belgian company is willing to expand, however, Barco aims to “evolve into integrated audio-visual solutions, offering high-end visual and audio solutions to consumers and professional customers.”
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That’s all well and good, and there’s no doubt that the new ownership has the ability to put some financial backing into their latest purchase. The official revenue of the company last year reached about € 963.8 million, a very good amount, which, possibly, went into audio and home entertainment.
A lot of money should be floating around, therefore, although we’ll have to wait and see how Focal plans to spend it, or the extent to which the new ownership will affect the way the company is run.
Often, when smaller brands are merged into larger ones, such as the integration of Arcam into the wider world of Harman (owned by the colossus that is Samsung), it often means more resources and access to established consumer networks. The rate at which disruption comes down from above, of course, varies widely.
What we hope for Focal, and for Naim, is that it’s mostly business as usual. Focal’s latest headphone lineup, whether wired or wireless, has been outstanding, with the Bathys, Clear Mg and Bathys Mg over-ears impressing us with five-star sound and killer looks. Figuratively speaking, of course.
New owners don’t tend to change sonic signatures, and we hope that’s the case with Barco and its new offerings. The current crop of Focal headphones are some of the best in their classes, so we’re not looking for a complete revolution sonically. If it’s not broken, and all that…
While deviating from that Focal’s sweet combination of detail, range and perfect musicality may not be the way to go, we would welcome a bit of expansion into the different ends of the market.
The brand’s cans tend to focus on the higher end of headphones – the Focal Azures tend to knock on the lower end of the scale, and will still set you back around £499 – so opening up to new, more affordable options wouldn’t be a bad thing. New ownership and other resources can unlock the opportunity to do just that.
Focal has carved out an impressive niche in the world of wired and wireless headphones, with very few products able to emulate the unique look and sound of its beauty and brilliance.
What we want is the best state of the world. New ways to expand can be exciting, but sonically, with a brand like Focal, sometimes things are better left the way they are.
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