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  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    San Francisco
    Posts
    61

    I upgraded to Focal Sopra 2 for my main system

    Hi all,


    Today I was able to take delivery of both of my new Focal speakers. I got a pair of Focal Sopra 1s for my office and a pair of Focal Sopra 2s for my living room. My local dealer was great. Placed the order and within 11 days received both pairs! My dealer even delivered them to me and installed them. :banana: It was amazing not having to worry about when is the truck coming, then having to take time off work, and wait around. Dealer handled it all perfectly. When I got home from work, he was already at my house waiting for me. Full white glove service.


    I've recently invested a lot into my new McIntosh system, which has the following components:


    McIntosh MC601 amps
    McIntosh C1100 pre-amplifer
    McIntosh D1100 DAC
    McIntosh MCT450 SACD player
    Aurender N10





    I've now crowned the system with a brand new pair of Focal Sopra 2 speakers in walnut. I think they're absolutely gorgeous.





    I've been a huge fan of Focal since I've learned about their vertical integration business plan where they make every single component in-house, including the drivers. Once I was able to listen to the Focal Sopra 2 at my local dealer's place, I knew it was an amazing sounding speaker. A huge upgrade to my old McIntosh XR100 speakers. I would estimate a solid 20% increase in overall sound quality.


    The walnut finish is very beautiful and humble on the Focal Sopra 2.





    Overall the Focal Sopra 2 speakers really flow with my system. I'm very, very happy with the cosmetics and of course the sound quality.





    One of my favorite aspects of Focal is their beryllium tweeter which is so accurate and the life-like/meaty mid-range from their custom drivers.





    My dealer and I spend considerable time listening to my room and taking into account the overall acoustics and size when deciding between the Focal Sopra 2 vs. Focal Sopra 3. Given the dimensions of my room, the Focal Sopra 2 speakers made more sense.





    The Focal Sopra 3 speakers are a little larger and easily overpower smaller rooms. My room was the sweet spot for the Focal Sopra 2 and it sounds absolutely delightful. The bass is tight and no boom and it doesn't overpower the room at all. The bass drivers are beautiful.





    The attention to detail was outstanding with the Focal Sopra 2 speakers. The build quality is extremely high. The speakers weight 121lbs each. The wood grain is very beautiful. The top and base are made out of glass. The lines and angles of the speaker are beautiful.





    One of the first things the dealer and I did before listening to the speakers was to install the IsoAcoustics GAIA I isolators which are rated up to 220lbs.





    The IsoAcoustics GAIA I isolators have great packaging. Very nice box, nicely packed, with all included accessories and sizes to fit your specific speakers. IsoAcoustics is actually a large distributor for Focal, so these isolators and speakers go hand-in-hand.





    The IsoAcoustic GAIA I isolators punch way above their weight. I compared them directly to the Stillpoints Ultra SS and I could not hear a single difference between the two isolators. Do yourself a favorite and keep $1,000 savings in your pocket and go with IsoAcoustics GAIA I isolators.





    The build quality of the IsoAcoustics GAIA I isolators is top-shelf. Very heavy and solid in the hand. These are the largest isolators made by IsoAcoustics. I believe it looks absolutely stunning paired with the Focal Sopra 2 speakers.





    The Focal Sopra 2 speakers do not support bi-wiring and only have a pair of binding posts. I used my trusty BlueJeansCable Canare 4S11 speaker cable.





    I spent about four hours this evening listening to various albums on the Aurender N10. I was able to melt away in my chair and enjoy the music. My local dealer did a great job adjusting the speakers to get the best imaging and sound stage. I previously had a setup problem with my McIntosh XR100 speakers imaging 18" to the right and wasn't centered. My local dealer was able to successfully and quickly setup the Focal Sopra 2 speakers and have the imaging perfectly centered. :tresbon:





    The Focal Sopra 2 speakers run a little bright straight out of the box, but start to calm down even within the first few hours. The dealer said the same thing happened in his listening room with the Focal Sopra 2 speakers. He said after 10 hours they're pretty much broken in and after 100 hours they have reached their full potential.





    One thing that struck me is that how well the McIntosh MC601 amps pair with the large Focal Sopra 2 speakers. The McIntosh MC601s didn't have any issue driving these speakers and the sound was full of life and "ommpf" straight out of the box. I can't wait to see what they sound like a few days from now. :music:





    If you've been considering a speaker upgrade, I encourage you to take a look at Focal. It's a great company that works hard at research and development, and brings a lot of the innovation to life in the Focal Sopra series speakers. Focal makes all of their drivers in-house and is able to tune each driver to a specific product line to get the best performance. The design is absolutely beautiful and the sound is over the top good.


    I also highly recommend taking a look at IsoAcoustics GAIA isolators. I've owned both Stillpoints Ultra SS and IsoAcoustics GAIA, and I can objectively say I couldn't tell a difference between the two products. Get a better looking product for half the price. :yes:


    The Focal Sopra 2 and IsoAcoustics GAIA I combination is punching way above their weight. :music:
    Living room:
    - McIntosh D1100
    - McIntosh MC601 mono blocks
    - Focal Sopra 2
    - McIntosh MCT450
    - Aurender N10

    Office:
    - McIntosh D1100
    - McIntosh MC452
    - Focal Sopra 1 + Focal Utopia headphones
    - REL T9i subwoofer
    - Aurender N100C

  2. #2
    Audioshark
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    30,044

    I upgraded to Focal Sopra 2 for my main system

    You're on a roll! Congrats!

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    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/
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  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Hyderabad India
    Posts
    951

    Re: I upgraded to Focal Sopra 2 for my main system

    Congratulations on a great setup!

    Focal has done some very interesting things with the Sopra line and specially the No 2
    Have heard a lot of good things being said about them all over.

    Enjoy!
    2 Channel Stereo :
    Custom Win10 Transport | Mutec MC-3+ USB | Lampizator Amber | Acoustic Portrait Thiyaga | ATC SCM20PSL + JL Audio E-Sub e110

  4. #4
    Super Moderator
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    18,726

    Re: I upgraded to Focal Sopra 2 for my main system

    Wow!

    Congratulations!!!

    Beautiful system and setup. Thank you so much for taking the time to photograph and write up your and experiences.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Ormond Beach, Plantation Bay CC
    Posts
    5,172

    Re: I upgraded to Focal Sopra 2 for my main system

    Very nice
    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)

  6. #6

    I upgraded to Focal Sopra 2 for my main system

    Beatiful set, congrats!

    Please report about the Sopra 1 sound, I am still looking for my next speakers for the summer house.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Oregon Coast
    Posts
    3,424

    Re: I upgraded to Focal Sopra 2 for my main system

    Congrats!!!!!

    Very nice combo.
    Jock

    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters.

    ---------

    House: Naim ND555/2PS, Naim 552, Naim 500, Studer A80/Doshi V3, Magico M2s, 2 Magico Q-Sub 15s, Lumina IC/SC, Shunyata Everest and Omega PCs.

    Workshop: Naim ND555/2 PS, VAC Master Pre, VAC Sig 200iQ, Border Patrol pre/power, Avant Garde Duo Mezzo XD, 2 Magico Q-Sub 15s, Shunyata IC/SC, Shunyata Typhon QR/Triton V3/Sigma PCs.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Louisiana
    Posts
    163

    Re: I upgraded to Focal Sopra 2 for my main system

    Congrats, beautiful speakers


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

  9. #9
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    San Francisco
    Posts
    61

    Re: I upgraded to Focal Sopra 2 for my main system

    Quote Originally Posted by Kuoppis View Post
    Beatiful set, congrats!

    Please report about the Sopra 1 sound, I am still looking for my next speakers for the summer house.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    The Focal Sopra 1 speakers are OUTSTANDING. I spend most of my time listening to them actually.
    Living room:
    - McIntosh D1100
    - McIntosh MC601 mono blocks
    - Focal Sopra 2
    - McIntosh MCT450
    - Aurender N10

    Office:
    - McIntosh D1100
    - McIntosh MC452
    - Focal Sopra 1 + Focal Utopia headphones
    - REL T9i subwoofer
    - Aurender N100C

  10. #10

    Re: I upgraded to Focal Sopra 2 for my main system

    Quote Originally Posted by blueoak View Post
    The Focal Sopra 1 speakers are OUTSTANDING. I spend most of my time listening to them actually.
    Sounds like you are enjoying your system, so great choice.

    So how would you describe the sound of the 1’s?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

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I upgraded to Focal Sopra 2 for my main system

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