Goldenear Reference Vs. Focal Sopra #2.....pocket the $5k difference and don't look back?


I've listened to both, and each has its pluses and minuses. Unfortunately, I can't listen to them side by side as they are at different dealers.  :-( 
I listen to a lot of classic rock and I'm not sure the Focals are up for the challenge. The Refs sound a bit fuller (to my ears) and I think adapt better to rock music....especially with the built in subs. 
Obviosly the Focal are GORGEOUS and sound incredible...but for $5k ish more?

Im looking to buy one or the other in the next 30 days. Any advise or input would be helpful.

Thx

jnc

Showing 16 responses by gdhal

Triton Reference does everything well. Nothing (IMO) in its price category can best it for bass. As to physical appearance, personally I prefer the Reference over the Focals. I can’t get past the "bent" look.

EDIT:

Also worth mentioning as its relatively recent news, the Golden Ear Triton Reference has won Secrets Speaker of the Year Award. 

https://hometheaterhifi.com/features/best-of-awards/secrets-best-awards-2017/
gdhal: that means nothing. Sandy Gross is the ultimate wine & dine and marketing master when it comes to reviewers. They’re not bad speakers, but if you’re ever going to be skeptical, be skeptical about anything he touches, review wise.

@contuzzi, I get the gist of what you're saying, and to an extent I agree with you. However, the marketing wine and dine routine could be said about many audio manufacturers who wind up getting "awards", and the Golden Ears have many. That said, Sandy does know a thing or two about about measurements and reviews, and in fact pointed out an error to John Atkinson regarding his (John's) Stereophile review measurement technique, which I understand John subsequently went back and remeasured using a different technique which showed that Sandy was/is correct. John is supposed to include a comment on this when he posts the review online.
To all the Golden Ear naysayers about the the parts quality, China, Sandy and what have you I’ve personally listened to an in home audition of a $200K of Alta Statement towers and I’m rather content in knowing how much of a better value (price/sound/quality ratio) my Golden Ears are. And when I check into some of the speakers mentioned on this site throughout the years, I find it interesting how much of the "best" qualities of those other speakers are actually found in the Golden Ears. These qualities include high efficiency, large voice coil, ability of voice coil to handle high temperature (play loud), d’appolito driver array, built in sub woofer amp, anechoic chamber used in its design/voicing, fully balanced crossover, high-velocity folded ribbon tweeter, mix of lamb’s wool and Dacron for effective internal damping, 3/32˝-thick steel plate for stability, the list goes on.

It doesn’t matter (to me) whatever you write to disparage them or compare them to in a negative light because it will not change the enjoyment I receive on a daily basis as I listen to them. And I’ve heard a handful (20?) of rather high end systems and don’t believe I’m missing anything.
All in-house designed and hand built in France vs. subwoofers and drivers slapped in a box and made in China.

You realize of course your statement means the premise is that something touched by a humans hand is necessarily preferable or otherwise comes out right. 

Comes a time when the blind man takes your hand, says don't you see?
Focal Sopra 2’s and a nice sub to get down to to where the 2's can't reach is the way I’d go.

The OPs post is specific to the Triton Reference, not the T2. The T Refs get down to 12Hz on their own and without the need for an external sub. The Focal 2 only goes down to 28Hz so I suppose a sub would be needed to achieve the same bass response. I guess the real cost difference is even greater than $5K.
@contuzzi

The only number I "threw around" is the fact that the GE T Refs go down to 12Hz and the Focals 28. That isn’t fiction, it’s fact and manufacturer specifications in the public domain.

It was then *you* who felt the need to "rebut" that fact by posting "12hz..... at 12db". Also you who felt the need to post that ignorance is bliss. It appears it is you who is wanting to defend something.
...Real music digs that deep so rarely I don't much care what a speaker does below 30...

You'd care if you listened to live Grateful Dead recordings.

Not only do I listen to live Dead, I've seen them live too. They play big Meyer Sound rigs that don't go below 30Hz so I don't know what you're talking about.
@kosst_amojan

I have to think you took your bathroom break during the drums and space portion of the show (usually middle of second set). Even then you should have heard and felt it.

https://www.mickeyhart.net/news/all-about-the-beam-baby-5211
The GE references are overrated by paid magazines and overpriced. I owned the ones and loved them for what they cost me new ($4500)  I heard the reference extensively and did not find them much better to warrant nearly double the price. At that price point, you can do much better. They still use cheap Chinese parts (look and touch the plastic base) and make such a big deal about the “massive steel support 3/32 inch thick” that part is at home deport for a few bucks !! look at that size on a ruler, not a big deal.
Don’t get me wrong, they sound phenomenal, (like the ones) just not worth $8500. buy a pair of used ones for $3500. or if you like imaging, my Spatial M3 triodes beat both in every single category except the lowest bass, IMHO.
Happy listening !!!


@winefix

I've already discredited the abundance of misinformation you disseminate here:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/goldenear-triton-reference-vs-one-review/post?highlight=3%2F3...
Happy Holidays to everyone, especially to those with less than 5 posts on Audiogon.  :)

@eternalcamper  you may find more answers and genuine love here https://www.goldenear.com/forum/index
I listened to Goldenear Reference speakers at my local dealer a couple of months ago. Not to hear the speakers but to hear a Chord Blu MkII. I just don't like the way they sound. Of course just my opinion:)

@ricred1 

That is a very fair assessment on your part. And of course, you certainly are entitled to your opinion.  As I too am entitled to mine.
I mostly use the GoldenEars in a 5.1 movie setup, and I love them, but when I want to do serious listening it’s with the Focals.
@jra_samba

That is a very fair assessment on your part. And of course, you certainly are entitled to listen in whatever manner you choose. I too listen seriously.
I just love when first time posters on the forum are able to offer such insightful information, irrespective of whether or not the information is accurate or inaccurate.
what qualifies someone as a purveyor of accuracy in something as subjective as loudspeaker evaluation. I gave my subjective opinion ..I am an un-jaded first time poster who hasnt been influenced by reviewers or flavor of the month hype.
Fair enough. Welcome to the forum. FWIW, I’m also influenced by my own two ears and measurement data, especially when (in the case of speakers) the measurements are performed in an anechoic chamber (and in which case are objective).

@contuzzi - nothing funny per se, but if you care to post the source of your measurement claims I’ll see what I can find out off board.

@kosst_amojan - I surmise your post was directed at me, not tuxedocat. Apologies if I'm mistaken.  :)

contuzzi/kosst, by all means feel free to berate this video. A worthwhile listen in its entirety and its only 2:20. This is all I was referring to in my most previous post herein this thread. Of course you can choose to "Believe It or Not" (I’m referring to a Hunter/Garcia ballad recorded for Built To Last but not released on the album. It was played live by the Grateful Dead only six times in 1988 and once in 1990).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHx3EnnG8lw