These days, home cinema is as much about style as it is about sound quality; there's no point producing the best-sounding speakers in the world if they look like something your dog threw up. The French fashionistas at Focal-JMlab have obviously figured this out, and while you can debate long and hard about personal taste and good looks, there's no denying this latest Sib&Co offering is distinctive.
Comprising five Sib XL satellites (there are other packs involving the smaller Sib or the larger floor-standing Sib XXL satellites) and the Cub2 subwoofer, the package is designed to complement a plasma screen-based system, and as such, the versatile speakers can be either wall-mounted or placed on the attractive Hop stands (£115 each).
Getting them all set up is a doddle, and the XLs prove themselves very room-friendly, while subtle tweaks to the sub produce a good, solid all-round sound, whether your taste lies in the latest action flicks or surround-sound classical music on SACD. The sound stage across the front three speakers is enveloping and forceful, while the rear speakers and subwoofer do a great job of dragging you into the action when called upon.
The improvement over the previous incarnation of Focal's Sib and Cub subsat system is twofold: first off, the XL speakers are considerably more capable than the basic Sibs, especially with music; and secondly, the rejuvenated Cub2 makes for an enhanced lower-end performance. This system now bangs and crashes on demand!
So, with its distinctive design and punchy, detailed performance, the Pack Cinema Pro represents an excellent investment for movie-lovers demanding top-notch surround sound in a visually striking, reasonably priced package. Well worth a look.
Home Theater
