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.
 
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?
 
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..
 
wisnon said:
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..
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Naim and focal is an excellent pairing.


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Yes, they are the same company, so should be expected. No SAM though.
 
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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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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CPP said:
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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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 - 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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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?
 
akatora said:
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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Yes, yes and yes.
 
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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