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From B&W 804 D3 to Focal Sopra 2?

I posted this on Reddit as well so apologies in advance to those who may have seen it.

 I have the Anthem STR Pre and Power amp. A dealer is selling a pair of Sopra 2s and he said my Anthem stack is very capable of running the Sopras.

I then read an ad from another seller and he said a lot of power is needed - dual mono (?) or better yet, mono blocks. I also watched a youTube short with that combination. Two people said the Anthem was “bottlenecking” the speakers - i.e. the potential of the Sopra 2 is constrained by the abilities of the Anthem.

Focal puts recommended power at 300 and my Anthem has 400 a side.
So I thought I’d ask thoughts are out there in internetland.

Currently, I’m running B&W 804 D3. I was running them with a 200 wpc integrated and I bought this Anthem set because it was sold to me for a really good price. I’m just not cranking up the volume.  I’ve owned several B&Ws and have found them to be weak in bass.  Improvement has been marginal over succeeding series.

Thanks in advance!

US; odd living/dining combo approx 13 x 30 ft; vaulted ceiling - 8 ft on low end; 15 higher end.; Classical, pop, EDM, folk/C&W.

128x128tobaccoleafpie
jeffreyw's avatar
jeffreyw
237 posts
 

I don't know what B&W models you auditioned, but I have never heard them described as weak in the bass! I am speaking solely of the Diamond series, though. 

james633
899 posts
 

He is using the 804d3, measurements of the 804d4 below (note newer model so could be different). They measure pretty lean and sounded that way to me with lots of sibilance (strong “S” sound probably due to that 5k peak). I find the entire B&W line light in the bass with the exception of the 802 which was ok and the 800 was enough…. But I put a very high priority on bass and honestly can only be happy with subs these days so YMMV. 
 

Eric makes a good point that flat speakers like Revel might sound a little dull to you at first so demo stuff for sure. But after a few days/weeks flat will probably sound fine once you adjust. However If you like the 804 and just want more bass, subs are the answer. 
 

There are lots of good speakers in this price range so I would read up and then demo. 
 

 

bimmerman2's avatar
bimmerman2
80 posts
 

Not necessarily high watts, but need a 2 ohm stable amp to handle the impedance dip.

arnold_h
93 posts
 

I have heard the Sopra 2 and 3 and I would have to say when set up properly they were some of best sounding speakers I’ve ever heard.  As far as the Anthem amp, 400 wpc should be more than enough.  

papyneau
30 posts
 

Hi,

My Sopra 2 are paired with a 120w integrated (Luxman L-509X) and my friends also have Sopra 2 with a 100w integrated (Yamaha A-S3200) in an even bigger room and both setups have plenty of power (volume cannot humanly pass 50% as it became way too loud). I don't power should be a strong criteria in your selection.

The bass is very clean and precise. These are not "loud" speakers and they do not "invent' bass when there is none. At this price point, no speakers are bad and it's more a matter of personal taste, but I agree with another member saying these are, for me, the best speaker I heard (minus the Grand Utopia at the audio show, but it cost the price of a house!) 

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