We tested the Focal Trio11 Be Red Burr Ash studio monitor!

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We Tested the Focal Trio11 Be Red Burr Ash Studio Monitor!

Focal, a renowned manufacturer of audio and hi-fi equipment, has built a reputation for excellence over its 40-year history. We’ve had the opportunity to test several of their speakers in the past—and now, we’re turning our attention to one of their most impressive studio monitors yet:

The Focal Trio11 Be Red Burr Ash.

The Focal Trio11 Be Red, the largest model in the Trio series, is an active reference studio monitor weighing 37.3 kg and measuring 635 × 345 × 405 mm. It features a sleek, elegant design with deep red side panels and a robust MDF enclosure. The cabinet is reinforced and internally damped with foam to effectively reduce vibration.

As expected from Focal, the build quality is outstanding, with only premium-grade materials and components used in the construction of this high-performance monitor.

There are 2 two-colour LEDs on the front panel, one green when the monitor is active, and red when in standby mode, and the other one is green when the Focus mode is on, and is red when the thermal protection is active.

On the rear panel of the Focal Trio11 Be Red, you’ll find a balanced XLR input with selectable input sensitivity (+4 dBu or -10 dBV), as well as a balanced 1/4″ jack connection. A main power switch and a standby mode toggle are also located on the back; when activated, this feature automatically puts the speaker into sleep mode if no signal is detected, and wakes it when signal returns. Additionally, the back panel includes room EQ controls and a pedal input for activating the unique Focus function.

The speaker features a 360-degree rotating baffle housing an inverted dome beryllium tweeter, protected by a metal grille. (The “Be” in the model name refers to beryllium, the material used in the tweeter.) This Class A/B tweeter delivers 100 watts of power. The rotatable design allows the monitor to be placed either vertically or horizontally, with the woofer and bass reflex port positioned underneath.

Complementing the tweeter are a 300-watt Class G subwoofer and a 150-watt Class G midrange driver, ensuring powerful, precise sound reproduction.

Focal W Composite Technology

The subwoofers feature the distinctive Focal W composite sandwich cone, constructed with two layers of woven fiberglass surrounding a central foam core. This configuration creates a structure that is rigid, balanced, and responsive. The cone is driven by a compact neodymium magnet that ensures high performance in a compact form factor. The system also incorporates Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) technology, which promotes even frequency transmission and reduces unwanted resonance.

2-in-1 Monitoring Flexibility

The Trio11 Be Red is a three-way reference monitor with a maximum SPL of 118 dB and a frequency response ranging from 37 Hz to 40 kHz. However, when used in two-way mode via the Focus function, the monitor operates with a frequency range of 90 Hz to 20 kHz and a maximum SPL of 105 dB. The Focus feature, activated using a foot pedal and a ¼” TRS cable, engages a separate crossover that transforms the speaker from three-way to two-way mode—an excellent tool for mix referencing and precise bass control.

Enhanced Vibration Damping & Port Design

A large rectangular bass reflex port, located beside the 10-inch subwoofer, maintains tonal balance at high volumes and helps minimize compression loss, preserving overall dynamics. To combat unwanted vibration, the central drive is decoupled from the rotatable front module using a rubber retaining ring. Additionally, specially developed silent blocks isolate mounting bolts from the chassis, further reducing mechanical resonances.

The centre drives are made with Neutral Inductance Concept, or NIC technology, which reduces the vortices generated by the frequency-dependent current flowing through the voice coil.

The inverted, dome beryllium tweeter produces a perfect linear frequency response and detailed treble, which is best achieved through optimal energy input between the dome and the pendulum coil.

The TMD suspension and Faraday ring are responsible for reducing distortion below 1 kHz and ensuring high linearity even in the 1 -3 kHz range, as well as improving the high frequency response and reducing resonance. TMD is a technology that is set to reduce or stabilise the level of vibration within a structure. (this technology is also used in cars and skyscrapers)

The subwoofer, paired with a concentric Faraday ring, helps to optimize the magnetic field within the speaker. According to the manufacturer, this design reduces subwoofer distortion by up to 70%. Both of the Class G amplifiers integrated into the Trio11 utilize BASH amplifier technology, which differs from traditional systems by employing a dynamically changing supply voltage instead of multiple fixed power rails. This high-speed Class D power supply adjusts the voltage in real time to meet the needs of the amplifier.

Rather than maintaining a constant voltage, the Trio11’s intelligent power supply dynamically responds to the input signal—dropping to zero volts in the absence of a signal, and increasing or decreasing voltage based on the signal’s intensity. This results in more efficient power usage and lower distortion.

Thanks to the hybrid design combining Class G and Class D technologies, heat dissipation is significantly reduced, eliminating the need for bulky heatsinks. Only the metallic rear panel of the speaker acts as a radiator, and even after extended use at high SPLs, the panel remained cool to the touch.

The Trio11 Be Red studio monitor was tested in a relatively large studio of approximately 32 square meters. The acoustics of the studio were adequate, with acoustic panels placed on the walls and ceiling providing adequate sound absorption and diffusion. In the case of sound recording or sound mixing studios, it is even more important that the room has perfect acoustics, as the quality of the sound recording is significantly degraded if the studio resonates. Subsequent digital settings are nowhere near as perfect as a sound recording recorded in a flawless-sounding studio.

The manufacturer recommends that you operate the speakers for approximately 20 hours during initial setup, and shall be tested at medium volume and preferably at as low frequency as possible.

We first started testing the speakers playing jazz music. We listened to Nora Jones ’song Nearness of You. The Focal Trio11 controlled the sound it reproduced with great focus and beauty. We experienced accurate, dynamic, extremely detailed sound. Clarity, dynamism and fine detail remained at all volumes. This was followed by a current hit, 24k Gold-Mood. The studio monitor produced an extended sound image, the vocals and instrumental details were recognisable, clear and understandable. The mid-range sounded right, the bass was extremely intense and powerful.

Conclusion

With its exceptionally impressive performance and elegant, refined design, the Focal Trio11 stands out as a market leader among studio monitors in its class. We recommend it for medium to large studios, as its substantial size demands generous space, and its weight requires sturdy, reliable stands or racks.

Although the price is on the high end—even by studio monitor standards—you’re effectively getting two monitors in one, thanks to the Focus function, which allows the unit to operate in both three-way and two-way modes. We had no criticisms regarding the sound quality, which may also be attributed to the excellent acoustics of the test studio—allowing this remarkable speaker to perform at its absolute best.

If you’re looking for a professional-grade studio monitor that combines versatility, premium build quality, and exceptional audio fidelity, we highly recommend the Focal Trio11.