Our verdict
The size definitely matters. Focal’s outdoor speaker plays tougher than most outdoor speakers, and is both waterproof and solidly built.
The speaker, which is available in black or white polypropylene with Focals Polyglass elements, can be mounted on a wall or ceiling, and comes with an aluminum bracket that can be clamped to the speaker.
They are relatively easy to set up and can be rotated 180 degrees. The logo can also be rotated, depending on whether you place the speakers horizontally or vertically. The cables can be threaded through the bracket if desired, and the terminal terminals are hidden in the cabinet, which is waterproof with IP66 certification and UV-resistant.
There is a smaller Focal 100 OD6 if you think OD8 is too big, but in our opinion this is the one to have. The speakers have an 8-inch bass with Focal’s inverted aluminum tweeter, and it works beyond expectations.
The sound of Focal 100 OD 8
The large Focal speakers sound like they look. The sound is rich, the soundscape large and there is more than enough bass in them. The treble may feel a little relaxed and withdrawn, but the midrange sounds warm and clearly focused. The party factor is definitely present, if you want to play higher.
The size gives more bass and volume, and the Focal speakers are among those in this test, which can really get your hips swinging in the garden. However, we miss a bit of sophistication, because when we switch from Billie Eilish to Vivaldi, there is a lack of air and resolution that makes the strings sound a bit coarse-grained. But look at music such as. Ariana Grande, and the sound immediately becomes more vivid and appealing from the Focal speakers.
Conclusion
Focal 100 OD8 is an obvious choice for those who want a party factor in the garden or on the terrace. They play loud with conviction, and there is plenty of bass here. They are also easy to set up, but the height of just under 40 cm can make them too large. As mentioned, there is a smaller OD6 with 6.5-inch bass, but we would choose this because it simply makes it swing some innmari.
