And here's my evaluation, after using the monitors both for listening to music and with the Axe-Fx.
What impressed me the most. The cleanliness and detail in all sound ranges. While the HS7s lacked a bit in the low end and the A7Xs made up for that, the S65s (Shape 65) are more balanced. Here the low frequencies are more detailed, defined. I can hear the notes of bass lines better on Neo Soul or R&B tracks where the A7Xs became more muddled. Let's be clear, "more definition" doesn't mean the bass is any less present, in fact, it's more immediate. It means they are more accurate, more defined, more precise, in short it's like comparing an HD TV with a 4K TV if you allow me the trivial comparison. The S65 is 4K. Maybe because the A7X have the Sub in class-D while the F65 in class-A/B? I don't know.
Listening experience. The A7Xs sound great with rock, metal and related music. Maybe that's why they are used a lot also by the users of this forum. The problem is that when you move on to different genres that use different frequency ranges, the A7X start not to satisfy 100%. For Neo Soul, POP, R&B, but also classical the definition was lost a bit, I was never, how to say "wow". The S65 proved to be tremendously versatile and even less "attentive" ears (wife and daughter) immediately noticed the difference. I could hear well, they wouldn't let me turn off the music, and we kept it on while listening to different genres together for an entire afternoon. And that made me happy too
Additional versatility. The controls on the back of the S65s are much better than those on the A7Xs. First of all, they are easier to use. On the A7X I needed a screwdriver, while on the F65 there are just regular knobs. Second, they are more comprehensive, allowing you to operate the midrange frequencies as well. Surely Adam noticed this lack and in fact the new A series, from what I see, will have midrange controls, but not with knobs, it looks like a 3 position selector switch, and that's not a good premise for versatility. Plus, the "desk", that is a midrange, seems Only to go -Xdb, while the S65 can go +/-3db. But this is just speculation...
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Also, the listening position with the S65s is wider. Whereas with the A7X's I had to be in a certain area to hear well, the S65's have a wider listening position...in fact, we used them, as I wrote, in the family to listen to music as well and it really felt great.
In use with the Axe-Fx. Here the differences are less obvious, in the frequency range of the guitar and my presets on the Axe-Fx the two speakers are equivalent. The differences can be heard, however, on the effects. Reverbs and all room effects sound, shall we say, more 3D on the S65. They sound more natural, spacious, enveloping, while the A7Xs sound flatter, straight in your face. With the exception of this the two are equivalent.
Design. What can I say, on the design front there is no comparison. The S65's are gorgeous, with their wooden case, in comparison the A7X's look like an old toy of the futuristic-vintage type. The S65s have a classic, more elegant, timeless design. They look good in the studio, but would also look good in the living room. Of course, less important aspect, but at this price even design must have its part.
Investment. Here in EU the A7X cost 500€, while the S65 cost 600€ with 100€ difference I must say that there is nothing to think about. The S65 are the monitors to buy especially if: you listen/play many different music genres and if you have complex acoustic spaces, for shapes or dimensions. They are, FOR ME, the most versatile and the best performing.
Final thoughts: marketing strategies? While the HS7s are the most widely used, certainly in part due to their price point and the notoriety of their predecessors, the Adam A7Xs have had a significant marketing push. Lots of people have reviewed them on YouTube, lots of artists have promoted them online, lots of sites have given them awards, but then...after a few years, how many still use them (only Pete Thorn, maybe)? Another dilemma, the A7X were withdrawn from the market because the components were missing, now, if the components that made these A7X "special" are missing, with what components will they make the new A series? Will they be less good, but still supported by a fierce marketing? I don't know, but if I also think about the fact that Adam is part of Focusrite, surely the funds for all this will not lack and we will hear a lot about them...and maybe I will take them to try them out!
What I can say right now is that they are a bit over-hyped honestly.
Until then, I'm a new and happy owner of the Focal Shape 65s.
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