Focal Diablo EVO vs Prior Gen(s)

@mtbiker29 @simplystereo 

I actually have had both Sopra 1 (and 2 and 3) and Diablo EVO.  

I had Sopra 1 right before Diablo in the same room and system. 

PrimaLuna Evo 400 separates

Nordost Heimdal 2 xlr and speaker

Lumin A1. 

I found the Sopra 1 to have a bit 'more' bass, but not as controlled or defined as Diablo EVO.  The Sopra 1 was overall - and everywhere else - less refined than Diablo EVO, and the Sopra 1 had a zingy mid/treble region that I had heard in Sopra 2 (more below)

In a different home/room and gear, I had Sopra 2 and 3.  Room was 14x21x10 and I could not get Sopra 2 to stop beaming its tweeter.  I had the same issues with Sopra 1 in another house/room (above).  There is something with the Sopra series - to my ears - that are overly zingy and attention grabbing in the upper-mid/lower treble region that no matter what, I can't NOT hear.  In half or more of what I played (Rock, Singer Songwriter, Folk, AltCountry, Jazz, Pop/Electronic), I couldn't get past that zing.  In the Sopra 3, however, it seemed much more balanced, and might have broken in and gone away... 

Take most of this with a HUUUUGE grain of salt. Why? Because, I never let any of the Sopras break in.  I couldn't take the sound.  BUT, and it's a big BUT, Diablo EVO never sounded that way even from the first minute - sweet, airy, and extended, w/o the grabby zing. 

E.g. whey I'm wanting to go back to Diablo, but it is hard to tell what they changed, and I've never heard the previous generations... hence this OP. 

Hope that helps!  

@mtbiker29 Yes indeed. Although in my original reply, I did mention Sopra 2, when I meant Sopra 1.

The Sopra 1 definitely has more bass than the Diablos, but the Diablos do 90% of things better within their range. If comparing Diablo to Sopra 2, it’s a lot harder, as the Sopra 2 is just a dramatically more full range speaker. It all depends on your use case, if you have subs, how loud you play, etc

If comparing Sopra 1 vs Diablo on their own, I feel like a lot of people would feel more "satisfied" with the Sopra 1 because of their bass in comparison.  

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save and Troy

audio intellect NJ

@simplystereo to be clear are you saying Diablo Utopia stand mount sounds better than Sopra 2? I’ve been weighing this exact comparison in my mind and have been meaning to ask to the general forum. In my case largely rock, with some acoustic/folk styles mixed in. Thanks for insights.  

P.S.  good to see you on here. 

@simplystereo thats good news.  I’ve had EVO and loved them.  
Im hoping to go with Sopra new or used Diablo in previous Gen. 
Thank you. 

They are exactly the same aside from cosmetics.  That's why they're specifically called "Colour Evo."  They do not sound "way better."  

In almost all aspects, we find them to be an improvement over the Sopra 2, but definitely less bass.

We would always configure either of them with sub woofer(s).  Hope that helps!

Audiotroy, I’ve seen you post often in other threads.  I would appreciate it if you would share further on what makes you say the EVOs are much better?  Also, I’ve had Sopra 1, and felt the tweeter to sound overly excited and very “look at me” sounding.  It was something I couldn’t stop hearing and got in the way of my enjoyment of music. Have you noticed the same?

 Thanks 

Oh Focal dealer now huh? Take anything this guy says with a grain of salt. 

Thank you for the reply, Audiotroy

we are a focal dealer the evos sound way better