What You Need to Know
What Is the Focal SUB 600P?
A subwoofer is a speaker built to handle the lowest notes in music and movies—the deep bass that you feel as much as hear. Most bookshelf and floor-standing speakers can’t reach those really low frequencies on their own. A subwoofer fills in that bottom end, giving your system a fuller, more complete sound.
The Focal SUB 600P is a powered (active) subwoofer, which means it has its own built-in amplifier. You don’t need a separate amp to drive it—just connect it to your receiver or preamp, plug it in, and you’re set. It’s part of Focal’s 600 series, which brings technology from Focal’s higher-end speaker lines down to a more approachable price.
What Makes It Stand Out?
The SUB 600P uses a 12-inch (300mm) driver with Focal’s Polyglass cone. Polyglass is one of Focal’s signature technologies: a layer of fine glass microspheres is applied to a cellulose pulp cone. This adds stiffness and rigidity without making the cone heavy. The result is a driver that moves quickly and stays controlled, even during loud, demanding bass passages.
Powering that driver is a 350-watt Class D amplifier. Class D amplifiers are efficient and run cool, so Focal can pack serious power into the SUB 600P’s enclosure without generating excess heat. That 350 watts gives the subwoofer plenty of headroom for both music and home theater.
The front-firing bass reflex design means the driver and the port both face forward. This is helpful for placement—you can put the SUB 600P closer to a wall without worrying about a rear port getting blocked or creating boomy, muddy bass.
What Are Reviewers Saying?
Note: Professional reviews specific to the Focal SUB 600P are limited in our verified sources. The section below will be updated as recognized publication reviews become available. The Focal 600 series as a whole has been well received by the audio press for offering Focal’s signature sound quality at an accessible price point.
Who Is This Best For?
You have bookshelf or smaller floor-standing speakers and want to add deep, solid bass to your music system.
You’re building a home theater and need a subwoofer that handles both the rumble of movie explosions and the nuance of a bass guitar.
You already own Focal 600 series speakers (like the Chora or 600 line) and want a matching subwoofer from the same family.
You want a subwoofer with a front-firing design that gives you more flexibility in where you place it in your room.
You value Focal’s French engineering and Polyglass driver technology but don’t want to spend into the Aria or Utopia range.
How Does It Connect to Your System?
The SUB 600P connects to your system using standard RCA cables. On the back panel, you’ll find a dedicated LFE (Low Frequency Effects) input—this is the one you’ll use if your AV receiver or processor has a subwoofer output (most do). There are also stereo line-level RCA inputs for connecting to a two-channel stereo system that doesn’t have a dedicated sub output.
The rear panel also gives you control over the crossover frequency (adjustable from about 50 Hz to 150 Hz), which sets the point where the subwoofer starts to roll off and lets your main speakers take over. A phase switch (0° or 180°) helps you align the subwoofer’s output with your other speakers for the smoothest blend. There’s also a volume knob to match the sub’s level to your system, and an auto on/standby feature so the SUB 600P powers up when it senses a signal and goes to sleep when the music stops.
Keep in mind, you’ll need an RCA cable (sometimes called a subwoofer cable) to connect the SUB 600P to your receiver or preamp. If you need help choosing the right cable or figuring out the best way to connect, give us a call.
What’s in the Box
- Focal SUB 600P Powered Subwoofer
- Power cord
- User manual / quick-start guide
Pairs Well With
Building your system? Here are some great companions for the SUB 600P:
- Focal Speakers — The SUB 600P pairs naturally with Focal’s 600 series bookshelf and floor-standing speakers. Browse our Focal Speakers.
- AV Receivers — Any AV receiver with a subwoofer output will work. Check out our Receivers & Amplifiers.
- Subwoofer Cables — You’ll need an RCA subwoofer cable to connect. Browse our Subwoofer Cables.
- Stereo Amplifiers — Pairing with a two-channel setup? Many integrated amps have a sub output or pre-out. See our Integrated Amplifiers.
Features & Specifications—Benefit-Driven
Bass Performance
12-Inch Polyglass Driver — Focal’s Polyglass technology coats a cellulose pulp cone with a layer of fine glass microspheres. This makes the cone stiffer and faster without adding weight, so the driver responds quickly to bass transients and stays controlled during loud passages. The result is bass that sounds tight and musical, not boomy or sloppy.
350W Class D Amplifier — The built-in amplifier delivers 350 watts of power. Class D design keeps things efficient and cool-running, while providing plenty of headroom for deep movie rumble and dynamic music passages alike.
Front-Firing Bass Reflex Design — Both the driver and the bass reflex port face forward. This gives you more flexibility in placement—you can put the sub near a wall without worrying about a rear port creating muddy, boomy sound.
Controls & Flexibility
Adjustable Crossover — The low-pass crossover is adjustable from approximately 50 Hz to 150 Hz. This lets you set the exact point where the subwoofer hands off to your main speakers, so everything blends together smoothly.
Phase Switch — A 0°/180° phase switch helps align the sub’s output with your speakers. If the bass sounds thin or hollow when you first set up, try flipping the phase—one position will usually sound noticeably fuller.
Auto On/Standby — The SUB 600P detects when a signal is present and powers up automatically. When the music stops, it goes into low-power standby mode on its own.
Connectivity
LFE Input — A dedicated RCA input for the subwoofer/LFE output on your AV receiver or processor. This is the most common connection for home theater setups.
Stereo Line-Level Inputs — Standard RCA inputs for connecting to a two-channel stereo preamp or integrated amplifier that doesn’t have a dedicated sub output.
Design & Build
Black Vinyl Finish — A clean, understated black finish that blends into most rooms and matches Focal’s 600 series speakers.
Designed in France — Focal has been designing and building speakers in Saint-Étienne, France, since 1979. The SUB 600P carries that heritage of French acoustic engineering.
Quick-Reference Specifications
| Bass Performance | |
| Driver | 12″ (300mm) Polyglass cone |
| Amplifier Power | 350W Class D |
| Frequency Response | 28 Hz – 150 Hz (verify with manufacturer) |
| Enclosure Type | Front-firing bass reflex |
| Controls | |
| Low-Pass Crossover | Adjustable, approx. 50 Hz – 150 Hz |
| Phase | 0° / 180° switch |
| Volume | Continuously adjustable knob |
| Auto On/Standby | Yes (signal-sensing) |
| Connectivity | |
| LFE Input | 1× RCA |
| Stereo Line-Level Inputs | 1× RCA pair (L/R) |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | Verify with manufacturer |
| Weight | Verify with manufacturer |
| Finish | Black vinyl |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a subwoofer cable, and is one included?
You do need a subwoofer cable (a standard RCA cable) to connect the SUB 600P to your receiver or preamp, and one is typically not included in the box. Any quality RCA interconnect or dedicated subwoofer cable will work. We carry a range of options—give us a call if you need a recommendation.
Can I use the SUB 600P with a stereo system, or is it just for home theater?
It works great with both. For home theater, connect it to the LFE/subwoofer output on your AV receiver. For a two-channel stereo setup, use the stereo line-level RCA inputs on the back. The adjustable crossover lets you dial in the blend with your main speakers either way.
Where should I place the subwoofer in my room?
A common starting point is near the front of your room, close to one of your main speakers. Because the SUB 600P has a front-firing design, you can place it relatively close to a wall without the bass getting muddy. Every room is different, though—try a few spots and listen for the position that gives the smoothest, most even bass. The “subwoofer crawl” technique (place the sub at your listening seat, then crawl around the room listening for where the bass sounds best—that’s where to put the sub) is a tried-and-true approach.
How do I set the crossover frequency?
If you’re using the LFE input with an AV receiver, your receiver usually handles the crossover digitally. In that case, set the SUB 600P’s crossover knob to its maximum position so it doesn’t filter the signal twice. If you’re connecting via the stereo line-level inputs (for a two-channel system), start with the crossover around 80 Hz and adjust from there based on what sounds best with your speakers.
What does the phase switch do?
The phase switch adjusts the timing of the subwoofer’s output relative to your main speakers. If they’re slightly out of sync, the bass can sound weak or hollow. Try both positions (0° and 180°) and keep the one that gives you the fullest, most solid bass at your listening spot.
Is the SUB 600P loud enough for a large room?
With a 12-inch Polyglass driver and 350 watts of power, the SUB 600P has plenty of output for most living rooms and dedicated listening rooms. For very large spaces or if you want even more bass impact, some listeners add a second subwoofer. If you’re not sure, call us and we can help you figure out if one sub is enough for your room.
How does the SUB 600P compare to other Focal subwoofers?
The SUB 600P is part of Focal’s 600 series, which is designed to offer great performance at an accessible price. If you want to step up, Focal’s Sub Air or higher-end models in the Aria or Electra range offer wireless connectivity, additional power, or larger drivers. The SUB 600P hits a sweet spot of size, power, and Focal build quality for most listeners.
Does the subwoofer turn on and off by itself?
Yes. The SUB 600P has an auto on/standby feature. It powers up when it senses an audio signal and goes into low-power standby mode when the signal stops. You can also leave it on manually if you prefer.
What else do I need to complete my system?
At minimum, you’ll need a source (receiver, preamp, or integrated amplifier) and a subwoofer cable. If you’re building a full system, you’ll also want main speakers—the Focal 600 series bookshelf or floor-standing models are natural partners. Give us a call at 800-942-0220 and we’ll help you put together the right setup.
See It in Action
Note: Professional video reviews specific to the Focal SUB 600P are limited at this time. Check the Focal official YouTube channel for the latest product videos. This section will be updated when suitable review content becomes available.
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Learn More
Want to learn more about subwoofers and how to get the best bass in your room? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.
