Kanta N1

The Focal Kanta N1 2-way bookshelf loudspeaker is designed for rooms under 270 ft² (25 m²), and can be placed on a unit or stand. The Kanta N°1 combines a next-generation IAL3 Beryllium tweeter with Flax midrange and bass drivers, following 3 years of research by Focal. Its design focuses on acoustic performance, with a precise and detailed presentation alongside warmth and musicality.

For its size, the Kanta N1 provides an extended bass response. When placed in an enclosed space or close to a wall, the supplied piece of foam can be inserted into the port to optimise the bass response further.

Cabinet-work

The baffle and shell use materials selected for density, stiffness and damping, with softened angles and double vents contributing to the cabinet design. The 1-piece baffle is moulded from high-density polymer, which is 70% denser than MDF, 15% stiffer and provides 25% more damping. Its construction is intended to eliminate sound diffraction. Focal’s Power Flow technology uses vents on the front and rear faces to limit bass compression.

Marriage of materials

The Kanta N1 is the first Focal speaker to combine a Flax sandwich cone with a Beryllium tweeter. The Flax cone addresses the relationship between low mass, rigidity and damping, supporting clarity and precision. The patented Flax membrane is made in France and has also been used in Focal home and in-car speakers.

The midrange driver uses TMD (Tuned Mass Damping) suspension. Each Kanta speaker also has an NIC (Neutral Inductance Circuit) driver, which stabilises the magnetic field for defined sound and controlled bass.

New tweeter

The pure Beryllium tweeter is designed to reduce distortion in the treble register. Focal’s IAL3 design combines the principles of IAL (Infinite Acoustic Loading) and IHL (Infinite Horn Loading), using wave absorption to lower the tweeter frequency.

Style

Focal’s engineers have revisited the ‘Focus Time’ alignment, positioning the drivers so that they are the same distance from the listener’s ear. The rear shell is made from 1-piece integrally moulded wood, while the Zamac base provides stability from a small footprint. Spikes and cups are included with the base.

The top is covered with glass, and the grille uses magnetic fixings. Removing the grille exposes the Flax cones. The Kanta N1 is available with 8 front-panel finishes in gloss or matt, allowing different combinations of shell and baffle colours.