Focal Sib Evo 5.1

Focal Sib Evo 5.1

The Focal Sib Evo 5.1 is a home cinema speaker package built around five identical compact satellite loudspeakers and the Cub Evo powered subwoofer. It is designed for rooms where full-size speakers would dominate, but where dialogue clarity, surround envelopment and real low-frequency support are still expected. Each satellite can sit on furniture, mount on a wall or stand upright or horizontally depending on its role in the system.

Key features

• Five Sib Evo satellites: matched speakers for front, centre and surround positions.
• Polyflex woofer: 5-inch Polyflex cone in each satellite for midrange and upper bass.
• Soft dome tweeter: 3/4-inch tweeter for high-frequency detail and dialogue intelligibility.
• Cub Evo subwoofer: 8.25-inch Polyflex woofer powered by a 200 W Class D amplifier.
• Flexible placement: satellites can be positioned vertically or horizontally, with two wall mounts included in the pack.
• 90 dB sensitivity: satellites are easy to drive with typical AV receivers.

Satellite design

Each Sib Evo is a two-way bass-reflex design. Focal rates its frequency response at 70 Hz to 25 kHz within 3 dB, with a low-frequency point of 66 Hz at -6 dB. Nominal impedance is 6 ohms, crossover frequency is 3.5 kHz and recommended amplifier power is 25 to 200 W. The satellites measure 252 x 162 x 162 mm and weigh 1.8 kg each. The Focal logo rotates, a small but practical detail that keeps branding upright when a satellite is laid horizontally as a centre speaker beneath a television.

Cub Evo subwoofer

Low frequencies in a 5.1 system carry film effects and much of the sense of scale, and the Cub Evo is sized accordingly. Its down-firing 8.25-inch Polyflex woofer works in a bass-reflex enclosure with a 200 W Class D amplifier. Frequency response is rated at 35 Hz to 150 Hz within 3 dB, with a -6 dB point at 30 Hz. Connections are through RCA inputs for right, left and LFE signals, and controls include a variable low-pass filter, a 0/180-degree phase switch and an auto power mode that wakes the subwoofer on signal and sleeps when idle. The Cub Evo measures about 305 x 282 x 299 mm and weighs 8 kg.

Setup guidance

Focal’s manual recommends configuring the satellites as small speakers in the AV receiver and crossing bass over at around 80 Hz, leaving the Cub Evo to handle the lowest octaves. The satellites use a push-button double connector system for speaker cable, and the adjustable base allows a small degree of tilt so the sound can be aimed at the listening area. Two wall-mount systems are included; matching Hip Evo stands are an optional extra for positions where furniture placement is not practical.

Room suitability

Focal positions the 5.1 pack for rooms from about 10 to 50 square metres. Within that range the system covers most living rooms and dedicated smaller media rooms, providing a matched sound field in which effects move between channels without changes in character.

Compact cabinets, matched voicing across all five positions and a properly powered subwoofer make the Sib Evo 5.1 a complete surround package from a single manufacturer.