Focal was founded in 1979 in Saint-Étienne, France by Jacques Mahul, an engineer, hi-fi enthusiast, and technology journalist. Originally operating under Focal-JMlab (Focal produced drivers for other companies, JMlab produced finished loudspeakers), the company became simply 'Focal' in 2002. Headquartered in Saint-Étienne with a 187,292 sq ft facility housing production, R&D, and management, Focal employs around 300 people and generates €156 million annual turnover. The company is recognized as a Living Heritage Company by the French state (2014) and became a member of the prestigious Comité Colbert in 2024, joining luxury French brands like Chanel and Hermès. Focal specializes in loudspeakers, car audio drivers, headphones, and professional studio monitors.

Focal was founded in 1979 in Saint-Étienne, France by Jacques Mahul, an engineer, hi-fi enthusiast, and technology journalist. Originally operating under Focal-JMlab (Focal produced drivers for other companies, JMlab produced finished loudspeakers), the company became simply 'Focal' in 2002. Headquartered in Saint-Étienne with a 187,292 sq ft facility housing production, R&D, and management, Focal employs around 300 people and generates €156 million annual turnover. The company is recognized as a Living Heritage Company by the French state (2014) and became a member of the prestigious Comité Colbert in 2024, joining luxury French brands like Chanel and Hermès. Focal specializes in loudspeakers, car audio drivers, headphones, and professional studio monitors.