Focal Shape Twin

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Active Nearfield Monitor

Tweeter with a low directivity for a flexible listening position
Closed design with 2 passive diaphragms for easy positioning anywhere near a wall
2.5-Way design for optimal control of the basses and lower midrange
Optimal integration via comprehensive settings
Flax sandwich diaphragm for a controlled and defined bass reproduction and natural and detailed lower and upper mids

Technical specifications:

Frequency response (+/- 3 dB): 40 Hz to 35 kHz
Max. sound pressure level (music): 110.5 dB SPL (sound pressure level) (peak @ 1m)
Electronics inputs/impedance type: XLR: balanced, 10 kOhm
RCA connectors: unbalanced, 10 kOhm with compensation of the input sensitivity
Power amp for the mid- and bass range: 2x 80W, Class AB
Power amp for the treble range: 50 W, Class AB
Automatic standby mode
Shutdown after about 30 minutes without an input signal
Exit standby mode: Via signal > 3 mV
Power supply voltage: 220 to 240 V (fuse: T2AL/250 V) or 100 to 120 V (fuse: T3.15AL/250 V)
Connections: IEC socket and separate power cable
High-pass filter: Variable, range 45/60/90 Hz
Bass level (0 - 250 Hz): Variable, +/- 6 dB
Mid/Bass (160 Hz, Q = 1): Variable, +/- 3 dB
Treble level (4.5 - 35 kHz): Variable, +/- 3 dB
Power on/off: ON/OFF switch on the back
Power consumption in standby mode: < 0.5 W
LED for power on/off and standby
Woofer: 2 x 5" (13 cm) flax cone woofer
Tweeter: 1" (25 mm) aluminium/magnesium with M-profile
Housing structure: 15 mm MDF
Finish: Vinyl, walnut veneer, black lacquer
Dimensions with 4 rubber feet (H x W x D): 478 x 211 x 279 mm
Weight: 11 kg

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Available since March 2018
Item number 432396
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Speaker size 2x 5", 1x 1"
Amplifier power per unit (RMS) 210 W
Magnetic Shielding No
Analogue XLR Input Yes
Analogue Input (Jack) No
Analogue Input (Mini Jack) No
Analogue Input (RCA) Yes
Digital input No
Manual frequency correction Yes
Frequency range min. 40 Hz
Frequency range max. 35000 Hz
Dimensions in mm 478 x 211 x 279
Speaker Housing - Woofer System Passive Men

799 €

All prices incl. VAT

163

Sales Rank

in Active Nearfield Monitors

2.5-way passive radiator nearfield monitor

The Focal Shape Twin is the flagship of the Shape series – a 2.5-way active nearfield monitor built around three Class AB amplifiers and Focal's proprietary driver technologies, designed for accurate monitoring in home, project, and post-production studios. Its two 5" flax sandwich cone woofers operate asymmetrically: The upper driver covers the full 40Hz–2.5kHz range before handing over to the tweeter, while the lower driver handles only 40–180Hz, providing dedicated bass reinforcement without compromising midrange clarity. A 1" M-profile aluminium-magnesium inverted dome tweeter completes the driver complement. Three Class AB amplifiers deliver 2×80W to the woofers and 50W to the tweeter – 210W combined – achieving a maximum SPL of 110.5dB. The frequency response extends from 40Hz to 35kHz at ±3dB. Two side-mounted 8" passive radiators extend low-frequency response without a port, avoiding turbulence and resonance for a tighter, cleaner bass character. The cabinet is 15mm MDF finished in real walnut veneer and matte black, with height-adjustable rubber feet allowing ±5° of vertical tilt for precise driver alignment.

Focal Shape Twin, Active Nearfield Monitor

A wide range of settings

The Shape Twin is fitted with balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs at 10kΩ impedance – there is no TRS jack input or variable input sensitivity control, worth confirming against the intended signal chain before purchase. Three EQ controls allow room correction: a ±6dB LF shelf below 250Hz, a ±3dB HF shelf above 4.5kHz, and a ±3dB bell filter centred at 160Hz with Q=1 for lower midrange correction – particularly useful for attenuating console or desk reflections. A switchable high-pass filter offers four settings – full range, 45Hz, 60Hz, or 90Hz – for subwoofer integration or room bass correction. Auto standby engages after approximately 30 minutes without signal and disables at signals above 3mV; it can be disengaged if preferred. Both TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) and NIC (Neutral Inductance Circuit) are present in the woofers, stabilising the surround and reducing distortion across the dynamic range.

For discerning studio users

The Shape Twin is aimed at producers and engineers who need the midrange clarity and imaging precision of a 2.5-way design in a compact nearfield format. The asymmetric woofer configuration – one driver handling the full midrange, the other dedicated to bass – gives the Shape Twin an unusually transparent and detailed midrange character that benefits complex mix work and vocal clarity. The 2.5-way design is intended for vertical (portrait) placement only – the side-mounted passive radiators work symmetrically in this orientation, and the feet on the base help to effectively adjust the speakers for a range of upright installations. The bass character, while well-extended, has a slightly relaxed transient quality inherent to passive radiator loading – less immediate than a closed-box design, though a preference more than a limitation. The passive radiator design also functions to make the Shape Twin very tolerant of near-wall placement, and quite room-agnostic in general.

About Focal

A French manufacturer based in Saint-Étienne, Focal has been active in the hi-fi sector since 1979. Alongside a core focus on speaker drivers and high-fidelity loudspeakers, the company's portfolio has also expanded since 2002 to include soundbars, car audio solutions, headphones, and monitor speakers that are specifically aimed at studios in terms of materials, design, and features. The company's research and development centres and the majority of its manufacturing facilities are located in France, and Focal's speakers are designed according to the philosophy of uniting functionality and unique aesthetics. To achieve this goal, Focal also works closely with renowned design agencies.

Placement and practicalities

The Focal Shape Twin performs best at its specified 1m listening distance, where the asymmetric vertical dispersion is engineered to project slightly downward toward the listening position; the height-adjustable feet help fine-tune the directionality here. Threaded inserts allow wall or ceiling mounting. Alternatively, as the largest monitor in the Shape range, the Twins require adequate shelf or stand depth – this is worth measuring before installation, and users should also note that there's no TRS input, no digital connectivity, and no variable input sensitivity. Focal recommend a running-in period of approximately 10 hours before critical listening.

In the spotlight

Passive radiators

Passive diaphragms are essentially woofer-like elements without a driver unit, used as an alternative to bass-reflex technology in speaker housings. In a bass-reflex system, the air mass inside the reflex port acts as a mass-spring system, whereas passive diaphragms resonate in phase with the active front-firing woofers, effectively supporting their output and extending low-frequency response. In a technical sense, they still function as bass-reflex resonators, although without an actual port opening. Unlike ported designs, they avoid issues such as airflow noise and port-related resonances, resulting in a cleaner low-end character. They also allow more precise tuning of the frequency response, while reducing the influence of cabinet resonances – and make the Shape monitors more tolerant of near-wall placement than typical ported designs. On the Shape Twin, the two 8" passive radiators – one per side, notably larger than those on the Shape 50 and 65 – work in opposition to cancel the cabinet vibrations that their larger excursion would otherwise introduce, keeping the low-end response tight and the cabinet inert at higher output levels.

This is what customers who viewed this product bought

48 Customer ratings

5 44 Customers 4 2 Customers 3 2 Customers 2 0 Customers 1 0 Customers

4.9 / 5

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34 Reviews

Amazing Monitors

HappyCustom 31.01.2020

I've had the Shape Twins for a month now, can finally give a fair review.

The build quality is excellent and the monitors look fantastic. There is a real attention to detail in the monitor design, as you would expect from Focal.

Sonically the monitors are fantastic, however, it is not a flat monitor - It has a specific character. The low-mids are forward and the high-mids to top end is very sweet if not slightly under-pronounced. Making the monitor very soft on the ear and you can work for long hours without fatigue. The stereo imaging is really amazing and you will be amazed when re-listening to your music library at how well you are able to pick out details in the music.

The passive radiator is my favorite thing about the monitor, producing well controlled solid low end without any artifacts and allowing you freedom to place the monitors closer to the back wall.

The only thing that could be improved is the low and high frequency control knobs. At first I though it would not be a problem but the fact it is not indented makes it hard to set both exactly the same and it can accidentally be adjusted when you switch on the monitor.

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Taken me to next level

Duke888 02.06.2018

You know when they say the most important part of your setup is the monitors? Well I understand it now.
Im coming from cheaper monitors. Since swapping to these the difference in my mix quality is night and day. They give great feedback. I find myself needing to reference on other systems a lot less now. If I mix on these, then I know it will translate well. It's saved me so much time in my productions.

The speakers are sensitive, show up all transients and details. If your interface is low quality these will really show it. So think about what you are pairing these with to get the best out of them and use good quality XLR cables.

I didn't want to drop the star on quality. The speakers are very handsome and functionally nothing wrong with them. Some people complain about the auto power feature but I had no issues, its very convenient.
But there are just a couple of niggles.
1. The EQ filter knobs have no click at all, not even for 0. It forces you to go around the back of the speaker to line up properly. Even a small adjustment does alter the sound so it would be nice to have a few notches.
2. The screw in feet are a bit of a fiddle. They are just screws with rubber on the end and the head is not fixed. The speakers are tall and heavy! So adjusting the feet is a bit of a pain and l I had one of them fall over.

Really I would say 4.5 for quality and I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again.

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Excellent Monitors for the Price

Bazoo27 16.06.2019

I bought these for my home studio as an upgrade from Yamaha HS50M as I needed a deeper bass response. Due to the passive radiators they manage to produce enough bass in a medium sized room from a usefully narrow cabinet with 5" drivers - in fact I've had to reduce the bass and lower mid response with the excellent rear controls. So a modest footprint but quite a big sound with clarity in the mid range and a very sweet treble. I also like the adjustable rubber feet which allow them to be solidly planted on the desktop.

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Focal quality

ULUmedia 13.03.2024

High quality studio monitors. With a splendid dynamic range. Focal has never failed us. Clear highs, robust mids and defined lows for studio listening. We recommend them.

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Focal Shape Twin

Active Nearfield Monitor