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Am I the only one to opt-out on the Sopra 2's?

I home auditioned a pair of broken-in Sopra 2's for over a week (Clayton M 100's and Naim 272 pre).  I began by loving them but then gradually found them fatiguing.  Then I noticed that I'd been making excuses for them when high notes became painful and the sound stage seemed blurred.   So I tried Dynaudio C1's, also broken in,  and everything was suddenly better.  I ended up with C2's  and could tell a difference even when they were not broken in. All of these speakers were auditioned with a REL subwoofer.  In the end, I not only disliked the Sopra's, I disliked them a lot.  All the Sopra reviews seem to be generally favorable.  I know I'm probably in a minority, but in my system, the Sopra's were a failure.  Its been suggested that my reaction was because I was  used to the Dynaudio tweeters in my Merlin VSM's, but I think it was more than that.  Anyone else have a similar experience?
hinde

Showing 2 responses by stevizzy

stevizzy's avatar
stevizzy
117 posts
 
I've heard very expensive speakers totally fall apart in a bad room. 
Everything in audio seems to be co-dependent. 
stevizzy's avatar
stevizzy
117 posts
 
Before I purchased my Sopra no2's, I auditioned them at Overture in DE using a Hegal then a Macintosh Integrated amplifier.  They were in 2 different rooms, each well damped and setup properly.  I wasn't impressed with them in the smaller room using the Hegal.  Later I decided to give them another listen in a larger room with a big Macintosh Integrated.  There was no comparison.   I purchased a pair on the spot.  These speakers need room to breathe.  
I often see pictures of owners listening rooms with Sopra2's pushed up against the wall, next to a large TV.  UGH!  I guess the WAF won and the speakers lost.  
My setup also has a Plasma between my Sopra's but the speakers are around 5' from the wall behind the TV.  My room is 28' wide so sidewall reflections are pretty much not a factor.  That gives them room to bloom and couple to the room.  
They are also sensitive to crappy electronics.  I'm using a Simaudio 700i which is very smooth and powerful and  it's a great match.
Also, my speakers took forever to break-in.  I lost track of the hours but they are currently 1 year old and have finally settled in.
Nice speakers......I plan to hold on to mine for quite some time which I've never done with speakers before.  

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