Thread: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review
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November 20, 2015, 08:02 PM #1
Focal Sopra No. 2 Review
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/the-fo...peaker-review/
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkMy Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
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November 20, 2015, 08:43 PM #2
Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review
Nice review of a great pair of speakers. Sopras are winners IMO.
Allen
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November 20, 2015, 10:04 PM #3
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.
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December 5, 2015, 12:42 PM #4
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.
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December 5, 2015, 02:45 PM #5
Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review
Sopras are samed since 3 month
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December 5, 2015, 04:56 PM #6
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.
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December 5, 2015, 05:40 PM #7
Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review
My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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December 5, 2015, 07:00 PM #8
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.
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January 10, 2016, 11:47 AM #9
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.
2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)
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January 10, 2016, 02:56 PM #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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January 11, 2016, 10:20 AM #11
Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review
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
Kharma DB9 Signature
Pass Labs XP32......incoming
Pass Labs X350.8
Esoteric N-05XD
VPI Avenger with Magnetic Drive
Manley Chinook Phono Pre
Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge
Kharma Elegance speaker cables
Kharma Elegance interconnects
REL Subs
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January 11, 2016, 10:38 AM #12
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.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkMy Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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January 11, 2016, 12:55 PM #13
- Join Date
- Jan 2014
- Posts
- 16
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?
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January 11, 2016, 12:57 PM #14My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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January 11, 2016, 01:01 PM #15
- Join Date
- Jan 2014
- Posts
- 16
Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Review
Mike to the rescue ;D
Thanks
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January 11, 2016, 04:51 PM #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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