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Even though the average owner won't need to get to them each day, an easier scheme to adjust the spikes would be welcome. For floor protection Fonel includes two differently shaped metal profiles.

  
Once the ear scanned the entire scenery top to bottom, roles switched. Bass drum kicks on Clair Obscur’s "Mercedi" and "Son & Lumière" gained in blackness, physical impact and particularly at elevated levels produced an energy very similar to the Audionet Thiel combo.


The latter however is particularly potent in this domain and somewhat more transparent and feathery on e-bass runs. While I’m still on bass and output potential, La Ronda is clearly very mature as her size and price should have you expect.

This extends to timing. While the treble lacks electrical charge and angularity, the Fonel clearly does not paint with a soft brush. Take Klinik’s percussive techno noise of "Slow Death" where not only Dirk Iven’s decidely non-classical voice impressed but also the overall macrodynamics. The reverb-laden midrange-centric beats exploded with proper brio and the heavier bass beats of the balladesque "Someone Somewhere" had flawless definition. On soundstaging La Ronda is very good and properly sorted without turning into a checker-board freak.

Known from the prog-rock Porcupine Tree formation but also as a wandering vocalist pursuing solo gigs, guitarist Steven Wilson’s 2009 Insurgentes sports a very dense wall-of-sound refrain on "Harmony Korine". It’s built up of percussion, bass, e-guitar, keyboard and vocals and even during casual rather than picky A/B listening, this came across unquestionably sorted and spacious. True, both Thiel and Sehring speakers had the even greater focus and sharper separation but it will be a matter of taste whether Thiel owners call La Ronda "less tacit" or others find her "more seamless and holistic". Often discussed, both perspectives can seem realistic.


I personally relate extremely precise and sharply localized imaging to feeling closer to the stage where the distribution of performers occurs at greater angles as seen from the seat. This supports high spatial differentiation. Less separation (without overlay) suggests a greater subjective distance from the action. It involves not only different angles but a shift in direct/ambient sound components to again soften the apparent separation.


Conclusion: Where Fonel’s electronics of Simplicité and Emotion models exited their respective reviews as musical all’rounders, La Ronda is more tailored to a specific listener not just because active speakers are still in the extreme minority. Listeners keen on ultimate treble resolution and microdynamics will look elsewhere.


Fanciers of deep tone colors however who want to fully enjoy even the more compromised recordings while insisting on fully developed bass, potent macrodynamics and particularly involving voices and who would consider acquiring a +/-€10.000 combo of power amps and passive speakers should give Fonel’s active boxes a try. Where there is no dealer, Fonel can arrange an in-house visit.


Practical advantages include low energy consumption, cable savings and built-in if coarse response correction (I favored leaving the 3-band EQ sliders at their center detents). La Ronda will want at least 25m² space and 2.5 meters distance from the ears. Steep toe-in aimed directly at the head produced best results for me.


Fonel’s La Ronda active speaker is characterized by…

  • An easily approachable uncomplicated sound that’s free of stress, distortion and effort.
  • Very pleasing seamless voices and a slightly warm midband.
  • A long-term friendly treble which, while not hooded, lacks ultimate resolution and attack speed.
  • A from-the-bottom-up sonic construct that’s on the fuller side of neutral.
  • Very good macrodynamic fortitude with a tendency for the smooth over an electrified angular microdynamically charged presentation.
  • A well-sorted unboxy soundstage whose image focus is down by a click or two.
  • Good build quality.

Facts:

  • Concept: Sealed fully active three-way floorstander
  • Dimensions & weight: 250 x 330 x 1050mm HxWxD, 36kg/ea.
  • Amplifier power: 2 x 280 watts
  • Power consumption each: <5watt standby, <50watt music
  • Trim: Black (review loaner), Walnut, Jacaranda, other veneers by request and surcharge
  • Other: RCA and XLR inputs, 3-band EQ, adjustable input sensitivity, auto on/off (no always on), scheduled auditions via home visit possible
  • Warranty: 3 years





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