Focal Sopra

[rjryan]

I Was lucky enough to help install a set of black Sopra No. 2 down at my local shop on Monday (Fargo, ND)

To preface: I've never been really excited about the beryllium tweeter. They have seemed pretty strident to me, depending on amp choice. The Sopras, however, are stunning. Quite easily the most open sounding speaker I've ever heard straight from the crate. The new mid range drivers are also something special. They maintain the good qualities of the Electra Be, but add the openness of some of the Utopia systems I've heard.

If you get a chance, check them out. For reference - MSB DAC front end through both McIntosh 2301 and Plineus Sa 103. Tube to solid state didn't adversely affect the tweeters in the least.

[scirica]

Great first report of the Sopras in the wild. Thanks for posting!

[rjryan]

Originally Posted by scirica

Great first report of the Sopras in the wild. Thanks for posting!

My pleasure! If you're interested, they will be breaking in over the next few weeks and I can update. My sense is that they will just continue to move to a more fluid, musical state.

In comparison to a well broken in pair of the Scala V2's in the same location, on the same amps, it's really hard to pick a favorite. For me, however, the new open baffle they are using on the tweeters make the Sopra a bit more fluid on the top end and a bit more forgiving of the amp choice. The Plinius definitely wakes up the high end on the Scalas, while the Sopra retains its civility a bit more to my ear. I've always been more of a silk dome guy...these retain much of the silky quality while maintaining the famed Focal detail. You know you're listening to a Focal speaker, but somehow the new mid integration and tweeter configuration really tame them and widen the soundstage. Vocals in general were really lifelike. In the end, it's all personal preference.

[Formerly YB-2]

Thanks for the info. I would be interested in an update when you have an opportunity. Would also be interested in a pic or two, if the opportunity presents itself.

[rjryan]

sorry for the double post...messed up the pics.

[rjryan]

Glenn:

Here are some quick pics taken by my local dealer. I'll try to grab more next week.
FWIW, some local audiophile club members and I played them today with the addition of the REL G1's to fill in the low end. Pretty darn nice. If one was inclined, I'd wager a set of these with some S3's or S5's would do nicely, also. Still impressed.

[joey_v]

So it's open baffle tweeter? Interesting...

I wonder if the utopia v4 will go in that direction

[Formerly YB-2]

Thank you. Is unfortunate that brick & mortar dealers (of most everything) are so distant.

[Audio 1]

Originally Posted by rjryan

My pleasure! If you're interested, they will be breaking in over the next few weeks and I can update. My sense is that they will just continue to move to a more fluid, musical state.

In comparison to a well broken in pair of the Scala V2's in the same location, on the same amps, it's really hard to pick a favorite. For me, however, the new open baffle they are using on the tweeters make the Sopra a bit more fluid on the top end and a bit more forgiving of the amp choice. The Plinius definitely wakes up the high end on the Scalas, while the Sopra retains its civility a bit more to my ear. I've always been more of a silk dome guy...these retain much of the silky quality while maintaining the famed Focal detail. You know you're listening to a Focal speaker, but somehow the new mid integration and tweeter configuration really tame them and widen the soundstage. Vocals in general were really lifelike. In the end, it's all personal preference.

How did the low frequencies on these compare to the Scala V2's?

[rjryan]

Originally Posted by joey_v

So it's open baffle tweeter? Interesting... I wonder if the utopia v4 will go in that direction

I believe they call it an infinite baffle. Not completely open, but damped without a closed chamber.