Focal is the first manufacturer to establish the concept of the 5’’ (13cm) compact subwoofer to be placed in the front of the vehicle in order to reproduce superior quality bass in the 50 to 100Hz range. Considering that it is very difficult for a 2-way system to get optimal alignment at these frequencies where distortion and sound coloration usually occur, the idea is to create a true bass loudspeaker, perfectly controlled by the appropriate limited space load and compact enough to be installed in the front of a vehicle embedded in the doors or dashboard.

The 13 WS represents the ultimate development with increased ease of integration thanks to its new basket and to the powerful Neodymium magnet.

A .25cft (7 liters) sealed box is large enough to go down to 67Hz (+/-3dB). Thanks to its compact design and to the small volume it requires it will now be possible to bank several 13 WS together in the front of the vehicle to multiply acoustical power.

Besides true performance improvement, this concept also brings bass to the front of the vehicle, where the other drivers are located, so that all sounds can be perceived simultaneously, from the same perspective and without delay or phase alteration. To the contrary of what’s commonly accepted, low frequencies above 80Hz are directional. A subwoofer placed in a trunk would cause significant discomfort with bass coming from the back and altering the sonic image.

Some electronic equipment, through appropriate digital processing, allows to partially compensate for this type of phase shift, however, they cannot do anything to prevent some frequencies to be perceived from the back of the vehicle.

Our solution, 100% acoustical and intuitively more natural, is the right answer in order to reach a state-of-the-art realistic sound reproduction. Progress achieved in consistency and linearity will be as valued as the listening comfort provided.