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  1. #1
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    Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/the-fo...peaker-review/


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  2. #2

    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Nice review of a great pair of speakers. Sopras are winners IMO.


    Allen



  3. #3
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    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    This review just proves to me how subjective high end audio really is. I auditioned the Sopra 2 speakers and found them initially extremely impressive in dynamics and clarity, but found them tiring to listen to for an extended period. In the same setup I then heard the Sonus faber Guarneri Evolution monitors and found them to be significantly more musical and engaging, with the type of sound that just drew me into the performance and made me want to listen endlessly. In the review above Steve Huff found the Sopra 2 speakers to significantly outperform his previous Sonus faber Amati Futura speakers. Different strokes for different folks - to each their own! I've read comments from several other listeners who agreed with my assessment, while there are also many singing the praises of the Sopra speakers. I guess that's why we're fortunate that there are so many different speakers available to choose from.

  4. #4
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    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Just heard the Sopra 2 at the local dealers shop. Sopra 1 not available till Jan.

    Very clean highs.

    Naim electronics. I didnt realize that Focal bought Naim 3 years ago!

    Has Devialet SAMmed Sopras yet?
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

  5. #5

    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Sopras are samed since 3 month


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  6. #6
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    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Funny, the dealer carries Devialet and Naim, but was showing with Naim, the subsidiary company...

    Perhaps Devialet as the SAM partner should get a shake too..
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

  7. #7
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    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Quote Originally Posted by wisnon View Post
    Funny, the dealer cariies Devialet and Naim, but was showing with Naim, the subsidiary company...

    Perhaps Devialet as the SAM partner should get a shake too..
    Naim and focal is an excellent pairing.


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  8. #8
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    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Yes, they are the same company, so should be expected. No SAM though.
    NORMAN
    Custom PC with Memory Player Software Suite/ Modded Denon CD transport>Lampi GG1 (and sometimes PACIFIC) DHT tube Dac> Rowen 850W Isolating Transformer/ Rowen SS Preamp and PA1 monoblocs/Lampi Silk power cond. with Phase flipper> Heil AMT KITHARA & Syrinx in parallel hookup. Swiss cables (Reference line) for PC/interconnects and speaker cables. Goldmund Sweetcord PC. FTA Callisto unpowered USB cable. Basic analog: vintage Lenco L78 TT with Rowen mat, Denon MM cart, iFi iPhono2 with 15v Hynes SR3 LPSU. Synology 12 TB NAS. 2nd system:KenWin Bluetooth speaker 3rd system TBI Millemnium amp with Aulos speakers and SB Duo hookup.

  9. #9
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    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    I got to hear the Sopra 2 and 1 at my dealer yesterday. The speakers were powered by the Cary SLI-80 tube integrated running in Triode mode (40watts) .I was never a Focal person (except the out of my league Utopia line but these are special. The stand mounted and floor mount speakers demonstrated tight and defining bass not boomy. A pleasant midrange and the top end is not harsh like those focal speakers I had heard in the past. I asked and the speakers have about 200 hours on them. To sum up my experience, rich, clean and transparent . The 1's play a lot bigger than they are.
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  10. #10

    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Focal speaker sounds almost good with tube amps. I heard both Sopras 1 + 2 with Devialet 400 against Gauder Akustik Cassiano MK II. The Cassianos with DEV 400 are much more natural and more detailed, better soundstage with a tighter bass than the Sopra No. 2.


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  11. #11
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    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Quote Originally Posted by CPP View Post
    I got to hear the Sopra 2 and 1 at my dealer yesterday. The speakers were powered by the Cary SLI-80 tube integrated running in Triode mode (40watts) .I was never a Focal person (except the out of my league Utopia line but these are special. The stand mounted and floor mount speakers demonstrated tight and defining bass not boomy. A pleasant midrange and the top end is not harsh like those focal speakers I had heard in the past. I asked and the speakers have about 200 hours on them. To sum up my experience, rich, clean and transparent . The 1's play a lot bigger than they are.
    Chris, I heard the Sopra 1's at RMAF multiple times,with Naim electronics, they were simply amazing!! I could have stayed in that room all day. So musical, and my foot was tapping the whole time.
    These little Focals are a speaker that I could easily live with for a long time, they're so much fun!!
    Mark


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  12. #12
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    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Mark - good post. There seems to be a mental block towards great standmount speakers. I've had a pair of Sopra 1's for months, but everyone wants the 2's (or to wait for the 3's - which will be summer at the earliest). The 1's are magical and musical.


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  13. #13

    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    I have to ask; are these equipped with totally different drivers from lets say the Grande EM Utopia? If yes, that must mean that the will upgrade their flagship speaker soon or? Could these be matched with some good subs?

  14. #14
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    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Quote Originally Posted by akatora View Post
    I have to ask; are these equipped with totally different drivers from lets say the Grande EM Utopia? If yes, that must mean that the will upgrade their flagship speaker soon or? Could these be matched with some good subs?
    Yes, yes and yes.
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  15. #15

    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Mike to the rescue ;D

    Thanks

  16. #16

    Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review

    Sopra 1 + 2 sounds in european buildings amazing with a lot of tube amps yes. Have heard them with Naim SU, SN with HDX and NAC 272 / XPS with NAP 200 sounds good yes but not realy magical.


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