Focal Sopra 1 Bookshelves (with subs) or Focal Kanta 2s towers instead?

Just a follow up... I ended up getting a good deal on the Focal Sopra 1s. They are really good! Love them. I plan on getting Sopra 2's in the future also. The Sopra 1s are so good I don't really need Sopra 2s. However, I am curious and  wonder about that full tower sound would be like also. 

Chiming in late but I have the Sopra 1 with stereo subs - Sunfire HRS10.  Very punchy and excellent bass.  I could actually hear the notes.   Anthem STR pre and a McIntosh 462 to warm things up.  The Sunfires are compact and do not take up a lot of space.

https://audiophilereview.com/reference-speakers/on-imaging-and-loudspeakers/

Not yet, coming next week. Here's an article about "imaging" that might be of interest. I listened to many speakers and as close to my amp as possible. One focus for me was origin of manufacture. Focal - 100% France. B&W - UK, but only the 800 Series. Want nothing to with China 700 level and below. Listened to Sopra 2s also, amazing, too big, beyond my price point, Harbeth, ProAcs, Spendor, Fyne...Considered the B&W 804, of course, but the styling oddly is dated to me. Kanta 2 fit the quality, style, size and sound. Good luck, you can't lose with either.

@georgeblue9 oh wow, have you already done this yet? If so, are you happier with the towers? Do you miss the superior imaging the bookshelves have over towers?

Am upgrading to towers, replacing B&W 805N with Kanta 2, using sub w/ MA 7900. integrated amp. Done!

W cone over flax any day… 1 vote - Sopra 1’s with subs!

@mfili35 Here is the Focal 2s from Sound Sommelier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYNFLI9vMiE

@jeffreyw @mfili35 I looked at the Kanta 3s and the Sopra 2s, but the Focal website gives room measurements and basically said my room was to small for them to operate at their fullest potential.

I don't like the idea of using the sub I like a full range speaker I would skip over the Kanta 2 and get the 3 because that is the best one.. I don't know where you heard warmth from The 2 as there are people on here complaining about the piercing high notes. I also saw a review on YouTube with pros that claimed they couldn't live with the sibilance from the Kanta 2. Check out "Sound Somalia" on YouTube with a good set of headphones. That'll keep you busy auditioning speakers.. he tests and sells lot of Focals, along with other premium speakers but hasn't demoed Kantas.. that should tell you something when you can't find tests on the speaker it's because it's not a good sounding speaker .same went for the 936 K2 there's only a few demos and none of them sound good..I have had my heart set on Sopra 3s but think some of the Sonus Fabers are even better 

I don't like the idea of using the sub I like a full range speaker I would skip over the Kanta 2 and get the 3 because that is the best one.. I don't know where you heard warmth from The 2 as there are people on here complaining about the piercing high notes. I also saw a review on YouTube with pros that claimed they couldn't live with the sibilance from the Kanta 2. Check out "Sound Somalia" on YouTube with a good set of headphones. That'll keep you busy auditioning speakers.. he tests and sells lot of Focals, along with other premium speakers but hasn't demoed Kantas.. that should tell you something when you can't find tests on the speaker it's because it's not a good sounding speaker .same went for the 936 K2 there's only a few demos and none of them sound good..I have had my heart set on Sopra 3s but think some of the Sonus Fabers are even better 

+1 @jeffreyw 

Lot of Focal threads lately. I have Focal Electra 1007 Be standmounts, and I am a huge fan of 2 way speakers which disappear and image like a mofo .The specs are virtually identical to the Sopra 1s, but the latter are undoubtedly better with a tilted baffle leading to better time alignment. Get the Sopra 1’s and subs. Yes, larger footprint — but will be so worth it. I am a huge fan of Focal — but not so much the Kanta collection. While I get they want to use a local and sustainable source for the Kanta drivers (flax), to my ears they sound sterile and thin and don’t produce the emotion of what the artist intended. 

I will definitely go with sopra 1 with subs

99.9 % of speakers out there will increasingly benefit from subwoofers 

To me kanta is too ugly speakers I really can’t believe focal made that thing 😉😉😉😉😌😂

Nice looking room, nice kit, but until you provide some attention to room acoustics, you'll never approach a small  fraction of what either setup is capable. Properly done and integrated into the room design, acoustical treatments aren't just ugly slabs hanging from the wall.

That said, I'd go with floorstanders because most stand mounts are voiced for near field listening in a small room, and that would be doubly problematic in your room both due to size and the very ... lively ... acoustics.

Why not the Kanta 2’s with a subwoofer?  My room is about 15’ X 20’ and I have one SVS SB2000 Pro. My tower speakers are 7’ in front of me and the sub is 7’ behind my listening position. It adds so much without being boomy or over powering.

All the Best.

Honestly towers with subs in the answer. They just blend the sound power better imo as a longtime sub user. 

OP, good on you for sharing a pic of your setup.  Having said that, if your listening position is outside of the two channel speaker pair, the equipment will never offer you it's real capability.  Maybe look for a surround solution that will fill the seating area with pleasing coverage.

Another vote for Sopra 1s.

The Kantas are very good speakers, but the Sopra offers soundstage and imaging that the Kanta line simply will not offer. The Sopra tweeter is very good, and the Sopra woofer is very well matched to it. The only thing missing is a teensy bit of midrange clarity and the very low bass response that subwoofers will provide.

Something else to consider: The Sopra 1 will sound better at moderate volume levels.

@dman777 

Speaker to speaker without subs, the Kantas might be more pleasing because of the bass response. However, the Sopra's will be more accurate. When you add dual subs, then the magic begins with the Sopras (assuming everything is dialed in). 

Since your likes are 90s pop, I would think that the subs would add some "pop" to the presentation. I'm not sure if you have auditioned a system with subs integrated properly, but it can be a jaw-dropping experience when the subs are turned off/on.

It also comes down to budget; the Kantas may be a better bargain because of the frequency response; however, in time, the upgrade bug might kick in for a little more accuracy (for jazz and classical), which the Sopras would provide from the start. 

Interestingly enough, I have a pair of KEF Reference 1 Metas powered by a pair of McIntosh MC611s. The bass response I get out of these little guys could fool someone that I have a sub. My prior amp was a Luxman 590AXII. The KEFs ate up that integrated because of their difficulty to drive. I had absolutely no bass whatsoever, and this was confirmed as a horrible match by a dealer of both. The McIntosh integrated with the Sopras will surprise you. That would be a good place to start, then add the subs!

@jeffreyw  Thanks! But what about those low mids that Kantas 2 have? Won't the Sopra 1s be missing them? 

@dman777 

Sopra 1s with dual REL subs will smoke a pair of Kantas. Focal's are bright, and the McIntosh would be a nice combo. Luxman is pretty neutral or a tad south of neutral. The presentation from both integrateds would be quite different. Class A will not give the bass response that the McIntosh would. Been there and done that!

Luxman and Focal is a pretty nice combo....I'd try that before pulling the trigger on the MA12000.  Not saying you won't enjoy it more, simply that I would do speakers then amp.  Good luck.  

Thanks... in general do you prefer towers or bookshelves? 

Luxman and Focal is a pretty nice combo....I'd try that before pulling the trigger on the MA12000.  Not saying you won't enjoy it more, simply that I would do speakers then amp.  Good luck.  

I'm a big fan of small speakers plus a sub generally speaking.  The issue IMHO is how well the mid-woofer handles the upper octaves.  Listen carefully to voices and horns and decide based on that.

I have 2 amps... Luxman 595 Class A and Yamaha 3200. I run them separately, never at the same time. I switch out the plugs on my Sonus Faber speakers and plug the amp I am in the mood for. 

Kanta if sticking with that room configuration and placement, Sopra if you're willing to move them next to the TV.  

Are you saying you run two amps today?  

Thanks! This is my living room (please see link below for photo). I will be replacing the speakers you see with the green arrows. I typically listen to the music on the couch where you see the X. I know it’s not the ideal position for a audiophile, but it suits me good. Because of the acoustics of the room, I can still get a good holographic image sitting there.

The focal speakers will be replacing the Sonus Faber Lumina II speakers.

I listen to all music types:
1) Jazz (Luxman class A amp)

2) Electronic dance music (Yamaha 3200 amp)

3) 90s pop and alternative (like Dinosaur JR which is guitar music) (Yamaha 3200 amp).

4) Colombian music (Luxman class A amp)

5) Classical music (Yamaha 3200 amp).

Electronic dance music and 90’s pop/alternative music is what I listen to the majority of the time.

Please let me know what you think. Also, just a reminder please it has to be between these 2 focal speakers sets. I am not looking at any other brands.

link to photo

^^^

Wow, great choices!  I think I might be able to help here but I have two questions.  1-Which is your front wall (behind the speakers) long or short wall? 2-What type of music will be your primary focus?

subs/sats will most likely sound better

But wouldn’t the low mids freq be missing with the subs/stats that the towers would offer?

From what I understand, subs play at a lower freq for slam and impact rather than filling those upper low freq that the towers offer?

it would seem you are prioritizing the look and cleanliness of the room over ultimate sound quality -- in this case just get the floorstanders, keep the look cleaner... subs/sats will most likely sound better but will no doubt add clutter