Focal Sopra 2


I just posted a review of the Focal Sopra 2 and my speaker journey.

A little sample.

"First listen and I was smiling. The same beautiful sound that I heard in the large showroom was present in my home! And I only had to turn the preamp volume half as high as I had to with the Bob Carver Amazing Line Source speakers. The sound quality was there from the lowest bass to the upper treble. Nothing stood out, or faltered, the sound just blended together as one cohesive sound that is so easy to listen to for hours and hours. Also, I think the speaker style is cool and the speakers finish is impeccable."

Full review below is in the Audiogon Member Review section.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/my-speaker-journey-and-focal-sopra-2

ozzy
128x128ozzy
@ozzy ... Done. I jumped in.. Order placed for a set of Cerious Matrix Speaker Cables....
i guess it's going to take a while to get them delivered as they seem super busy. 
Will update you after I have enjoyed them for a while.
(by the way how long is the typical "burn-in" from your experience?)
audiosgp1,
I know it took a while for my last order too.

The cables break in fairly quick but give them a week anyway. 
In addition, when you move the cables it takes a while to resettle. (Up to 24 hours)
Hope you enjoy them.

ozzy
Just a quick update. Received my Graphene Matrix Speaker cables about 2 months ago. The minute they were connected i knew that was the right decision. Superb. 

Hello folks,
i just returned my recently purchased Focal Aria 936s and went straight to the Sopra 2s in the dogato walnut finish. Up until a few weeks ago, I had dismissed the Sopras as unobtainium. And here we are and it’s a little bit unreal. The sopras are hooked up to a PrimaLuna EVO 400 integrated with Triode Wire Lab American speaker cables. My local dealer Houston Audio (awesome by the way) reckons they have around 20 hours on them. I’ve read about the long break-in process but wanted to find out if we are talking several hundreds of hours here.
I bought mine used so I don’t know how long it takes to break in.
But a couple hundred hours sounds right to me.
ozzy
Thank you Ozzy. Fantastic read on your speaker journey leading up to the Sopras. I am considering the Iso Gaia 1s for the Sopras on my hardwood flooring.
wig,

Thanks.
Looking at your systems page, it looks like you have a fine system there.
And your a tweaker like me!

ozzy
@ ozzy

Thanks and I have been on a journey as well over the past 10 years; 6 speaker changes, over 7 amps/pre, several Dacs and a boat load of cables...

Love tweaking as well 👍

Wig
Thank you @Ozzy. With Focal/Naim distributing the IA products in NA, and with IA using the Sopras in their marketing literature, they might as well offer a package incentive. Even the black decorative covers/caps are designed to be used with the Sopra/Kanta series.
  Would the Sopra 2's work 2 1/2 feet from the side wall. I have 5 feet from the wall behind the speaker in a 12 x20 room. I saw a pair in orange yesterday while picking up a Simaudio W8 at a dealer.

  What a beautiful speaker. Pictures don't do these any justice.
I think so, 30" from the side walls would seem to be ok. My room is 17 x 25 and I have mine about 40" from the sides and about 8 feet out into the room. You may have to play around with the toe in a bit. But not a big deal. Perhaps you could also try them on the long wall? I prefer the short wall.
Don't forget the Iso-acoustics Gaia 1 footers.

ozzy
Hello 

I had my Sopra 2 for about three months and after several attempts in placement I am finally able to snap everything in focus with great imaging and tonal balance.   They are 3.5 ft from rear wall and toe in to cross over approx 3-4 feet behind the listening area.  I am using Gryphon Diablo 300 with Voodoo Definition spk cable.  I am very happy with the result however as you all know the height of the tweeter is measure at approx 35 inches from the floor, with my listening distance at 11 feet away they are not exactly ear level. 

**Any of you tilt the speaker upward a bit to compensate for this issue?  

Leaving them as it is I am more than happy but just thinking if a little fine tuning will further improve the already great sound.

BTW anyone commented that the Sopra being bright or harsh it is very likely because of the placement, they are quite sensitive in this aspect but once it is in place the soundstage will open up and speakers will disappear.  

Winsome
winesome993,
I have my Focal Sopra 2's about 8 feet out into the room. I totally agree that you must move them around to find the best spot in your room. All rooms are different as are all speaker's.

ozzy
I recently added the IsoAcoustics Gaia ll to my Electra 1038s and cannot believe the improvement! Game changer on this speaker....
Guys not to hijack your thread but how would you describe the sound of the Sopra 2? From what I am reading and hearing the Focals can be very "detailed" and extremely sensitive to upstream electronics. 
winsome993,
I have not tried tilting the speaker upward but, with the Iso Acoustic Gaii 1 footers they do raise the speaker a little higher than the included footers.

samzx12,
Perhaps the lower or older model Focal’s could be considered brighter sounding, but I would definitely not describe the Sopra 2’s that way, and I am using pure solid silver speaker wire.

ozzy

Needs help 
I bought focal sopra n2 speakers 
And need amplifier 
Please let me know who’s one is best

1 Accuphase E-650 Integrated Amplifier 
2 Luxman L-590AX Pure Class-A Preamplifier 
3McIntosh MA8900 Stereo Integrated 
4 McIntosh ma352 hybrid 
5 Anthem STR Integrated Amplifier
6 hegel h390 
7 McIntosh MAC6700

I just traded in my long loved Sopra 2's I hope I don't regret it.

Anyway, I was using tube amps. But I think they will sound good on just about any amp.

ozzy

@ozzy For?? Still using tube amplification? 

I just traded in my long loved Sopra 2's I hope I don't regret it.

Yes, I am still using tube amps.

I don’t know about the speakers I am getting; they must be jinxed. The reviewer I am getting them from is shipping them from California, they are on a truck at the terminal in Fontana. At this moment, there is an 85-year storm event going on at about the same location where the shipping terminal is located.

So, I am reluctant to say what brand it is.

But, if I turn on the news and I see an image of the flooding in California and I see some speakers floating...

ozzy

@ozzy good luck and as is case quite often this may be a bit overblown (Hillary). Could be worse they could be stuck in a Yellow Freight Terminal (YRC). 

Hoping for the best.

Hurricane, earthquakes, flooding, mud slides, and now rattlesnakes getting into the flooding!  Never a storm like this in 84 years in this area! 

Just because I ordered new speakers?

 I do hope everyone stays safe.

ozzy