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Focal Speakers The Spirit of Sound

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  #41  
Old 11-11-2015, 11:53 AM
blownaway blownaway is offline
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Originally Posted by saz View Post
The Olympica 3 is one of the speakers I auditioned carefully before ordering Sopra 2s. I have a couple more weeks before by Sopra 2s come in. I compared the Olympica 3 to the Sopra 1 on the same weekend. I can post my listening impressions if interested.

In Doug Schneider's review of the Sopra 2 for soundstage.com (linked previously) he does contrast the Sopra 2 with the Olympica 3.
Welcome saz, would love to hear your comments on how the Olympia III compared to the Sopa 1.
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  #42  
Old 11-11-2015, 11:28 PM
saz saz is offline
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Sorry in advance for the long post...

I don't think there is a substitute for an audition - its all rhetoric until you listen for yourself. I wrote up these notes for an interested friend after my auditioning. I'm taking out comparisons to several other speakers outside the price range. I ordered the Sopra 2 so I am obviously biased - in my opinion the Sopra 2 is simply a better class of speaker than the Olympica 3. We actually liked the Sopra 1 more than than the Olympica 3.


Sanus Faber Olympica 3 -
Audition system included an Ayre Amp ($8,000) and Pre-amp ($8,000), Berkeley DAC ($5,000), Cardas clear-beyond cables (speaker cable is $7,000). The room was well treated with a high ceiling and exceptionally quiet.

Wife instantly loved the Olympica 3. The Olympica 3 is more resolving than my Meadowlark Herron i's but equally laid back. On the Olympica 3 singers tend to sound over-sized and instruments are detailed but bigger than life. The Olympica 3 is a very nice musical and intimate speaker to listen to. To me it seemed like a better version of what I already have (and I am not sure how much of that is the electronics). The Olympica 3 is a very good speaker, but not what I'm currently looking for in a different speaker. I can see how someone might choose the Olympica 3 over the Sopra.


Focal Sopra N1 -
Audition system included a Simaudio Moon 700i integrated ($13,000), and Simaudio Moon 380d DAC ($4,350) with Nordost Tyr cables (speaker $5,400). Nice sounding treated room with a vaulted ceiling.

About 30 seconds into the first song, wife and I exchanged knowing looks. The Sopra 1 has tons of detail but is less forward in its presentation than some speakers we auditioned. Notice I did not say it is laid-back like the Olympica 3 and Meadowlark it simply is not forward like some speakers.

When listening for mid-range detail I listen for a quick brassy honk from a trumpet. On the Sopra 1 the brassy honk was there. Frankly getting that quick brassy honk right is a calling card of a true high-end speaker. I also listen to violins to hear if more than one is playing. The Sopra 1 ability to separate several violins all playing at once was in a different league than the Olympica 3. I can hear the placement of the individual violins (rather than just one extra large violin) without any unnatural exaggeration.

The Sopra 1 presentation seemed completely relaxed and as clear as some very high end systems I have heard. Wife would get the Sopra 1 over the Sopra 2 and pocket the difference.


Focal Sopra N2 -
A couple weeks later (mid-September) we auditioned the Sopra 2 on the same system and room as the Sopra 1. The mid-range was as good or better than the Sopra 1. The Sopra 2 bass is something special: FAST, tight, dynamic, and deep yet extremely well integrated with the rest of the spectrum. Simply some of the best bass I've heard. Order placed.


I think Doug Schneider heard it pretty much the same way. Except Doug says the Sopra 2 is a little tipped up but not edgy. If the Sopra is tipped up, I just don't hear it. Maybe he is projecting other focal products on it. Maybe I hear it as enhanced resolution or I'm deaf.

I am very sensitive to listener fatigue... I do not hear any brightness or forwardness with the Sopra and I can listen all afternoon without the slightest hint of listener fatigue. To me the Sopra sounds neutral and has a relaxed presentation. YMMV
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  #43  
Old 11-12-2015, 01:24 PM
Superfrg Superfrg is offline
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Great write up, and im sure you'll love them as I do!
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  #44  
Old 11-14-2015, 09:19 PM
blownaway blownaway is offline
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Thanks for your thoughts saz. I'm hoping to hear a pair of Sopras soon. What color did you get? Did your wife like how they look? Tight bass is what I crave.
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  #45  
Old 11-19-2015, 01:04 AM
saz saz is offline
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Blownaway - we got the Walnut. We both think the Walnut looks better in person than in pictures. Wife likes the look also.
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  #46  
Old 11-19-2015, 02:15 PM
FDPDK FDPDK is offline
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Great write up, and im sure you'll love them as I do!
Hi Superfrg.
Where did you listen to Sopra 2 ? as i actually would like to listen to them,

Flemming
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  #47  
Old 11-19-2015, 06:40 PM
Superfrg Superfrg is offline
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KT Radio on Frederiksberg
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  #48  
Old 11-20-2015, 02:24 PM
FDPDK FDPDK is offline
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Superfrg, thank you very much , then i guess i will need to make a trip from Odense to Copenhagen.....and then hopefully at the same time going to win in the lotto play
If you was to take a road, where you would need to make steps in between, would you then consider something like Sonus Faber Venere ? would ideally like to take steps that are smaller instead of one huge leap, from where i am now. Of course i also have to think economy.
Flemming
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  #49  
Old 11-21-2015, 01:03 PM
Superfrg Superfrg is offline
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I like the SF Veneres.
The store I mentioned is also a Sonus Faber dealer.

There is a new Venere S version which looks interesting.

Perhaps something second hand?
Then when you are ready to move on, you could get around the same price as you gave and not loose too much.
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  #50  
Old 11-21-2015, 05:18 PM
FDPDK FDPDK is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superfrg View Post
I like the SF Veneres.
The store I mentioned is also a Sonus Faber dealer.

There is a new Venere S version which looks interesting.

Perhaps something second hand?
Then when you are ready to move on, you could get around the same price as you gave and not loose too much.
Superfrg

Thank you very much for your opinion, appreciate it.

Flemming
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