I had a few drinks and bought some speakers, I've now sobered up
Ok, so I purchased some Sopra 2's two weeks back and was throughly excited to own them. They came in a few days ago and look just beautiful. The problem is, I don't feel like sonically they are that much "better" than my 1028's. Visually I'd take the Sopra's any day. Sonically they sound good but:
Sopra 2's sound (too) laid back compared to the 1028. I'm honestly perfering the 1028's as they have snap and feel a little more in your face. The higher mid bass frequencies feel better blended with the upper frequencies.
The upper frequencies did feel harsh at first but settle down and some placement helped satisfy that. But it still it doesn't feel blended. The top frequencies are more clear and the mid bass is more pronounced and clear, but not as blended.
I'm listening to punk, classic rock and experiential music and feel the 1028 is the better performer. I feel wrong for saying it, but it's true. Any help or advice or are these to be put up for sale as I'm expecting?
(Gear: PL Dialogue Premium pre/power, Clearaudio Concept Wood, Hana EH, Musical Surroundings Nova III, nice cables. 13x9 small bedroom with first reflection treatment)
I hope you are still reading these responses. So,.. the $3,000 speakers sound almost as good as the $10,000 speakers (replace speakers with amps or turn table...etc,) so then I always feel as if I want my money back in my pocket and I'll be happy with the lesser costs. Truth is that often the new stuff is better but everything down stream is the same so No, it's not gonna reflect the differences which are subtle ones and subjective. Ughhhhh! Been here and then sold but later learned just how good things get down stream after years go by and then, "wow I wish I had that product now,.. or I bet it'd sound really great if only I still had that THING now that I've upgraded frigging everything else. We are all in the same boat at times. Advice- keep the Sopra and work to find the right cables, pre, DAC,.... and give yourself time. You'll be happy you did in the long haul. They're fantastic speakers. Good luck n good listening. It's not an overnight thing. The journey is longer than we think it should be.
j-wall, if/when you can get MBV's Loveless to not sound shouty at reasonable (90-95 dB) levels, please let me know how you did it! This is on my audio bucket list. And I agree with recommendation to let them settle in for hundreds of hours before obsessing over the A/B better/worse comparison with your old speakers.
I've always thought my speakers (Thiel CS2.3) were a bit shouty at higher frequencies esp w poorer recordings, and ever improving room treatments have made a big difference, but a change in DAC (from PS Audio PW to bel canto 3.7) made a surprisingly significant difference, lending credence to the idea that a tweak or change upstream could make a difference.
Finally, your experience has reinforced something that will be a huge pain, when I buy the next pair of serious keep for year speakers, I audition them at home first, hopefully for several days. This kinda sucks from a logistics and cost perspective but will help avoid the risk of buyer's remorse. So thanks for sharing!
Loveless might be a great way to break in those speakers! Not hifi (I believe Kevin Shields had the band perform inside a Hoover to get the right sound) but what a great record. If you are still on the fence after 500 hours, consider really working on speaker placement. The Sumiko Masters method is one way to do it that can be relevatory and importantly is based on your own ears. Good luck and let us know if you make an amplifier change.
Vin Schweikert once told me to break them in by placing them side by side, turning them toward each other very close, reversing the connections to be out of phase, covering them with a quilt or blanket, and blasting a loud CD (or radio) for a few days. I did (was going out of town for I think a long weekend) and damn if it didn't work great. I wasn't in an apartment so it was easier and I'm sure just playing them normally would have worked as well, but it worked. Either way the others are correct: put away the old ones, put the new ones in the same place for comparison (don't mess with the room yet, right now break in is key), turn them on at whatever volume you can for a few days or more, and then come back. Break in is real and your old ones are broken in so give the new ones the same chance.
If you like diy...GR-Research has crossover upgrade options but not sure how hard it is to open them up and get to the network.
I bought Zu-Audio Dirty Omen Weekend for price and frequency range and had same issue. Zu is made in the US and I bought the tweeter upgrade kit and love 💕 them now.
@karl_desch have you heard the analog mastering pressing? It's pretty damn hifi if you ask me!
I upgraded to Audioquest Robin Hood Zero so we'll see how they do when they get here. I've been experimenting with less whiskey and toe in and I think I'm happy with where they are headed. I will say these have less to do with break in and more to do with settling in as they werent brand brand new.
Yeah that's what sucks about drinking at home alone.But at least you bought new Speakers. You could of been in a bar listening to music or at a concert. God for bid, driven home drunk and wiped out your car or your life.
I have the AAA vinyl of Loveless and it is wonderful. Using familiar recordings is a great way to gauge changes in your systems sound. I think I was trying to subtly advocate for recordings that might be a better way to hear the improvements in your new (used) Sopras. My bias is to use recordings of unamplified music as well as old favorites.
The AQ Robin Hood's are fantastic, an excellent choice.
@karl_desch I definitely know what you meant. I for once got to call alternative music high fidelity so I just wanted to capitalize on the situation! I should probably try familiar music from here on out.
I have Rocket 88 on loan right now and the Robin Hood's on order. There isn't much info on the Robin Hood in the forum, Rocket 88 and William Tell have decent info on them, but the WT were too expensive so I'm taking a leap of faith with the RH.
And I'm happy that there are audionerds like you and me that listen to interesting music, not just the typical hifi demo discs.
They are similar speaker cables. I use William Tells and have listened to the Robin Hoods too. Both are probably better than AQ's older and more expensive speaker cables!
I have never actually heard a "typical" hifi demo disc. I've been to a dealer out here that asked really odd/off-putting questions about what I'm looking for. So I've decided to go on my journey on my own without the local dealer. Would rather do this myself without the turtleneck type.
And good to know about the Rocket. I should have them in a week and I'll definitely be giving my (amateur) thoughts to help the forum.
I wouldn't jump to conclusions until you have done your due diligence with spkr placement. Although there are similarities with the 1028/38, I would bet placement may be different from previous spkrs. Placement is absolutely critical if you want to get the best out of a spkr.
They may end up not to be to your liking, which is totally fine and or these may not play well in your room (which is probably the one of the most significant influences in the entire rig). Have a few more drinks and find something else :)
Hope my original post-
." To my ears, not a groundbreaking upgrade, but certainly a move up. Sopra huge upgrade in aesthetics. Great looking speaker." wasn't an influence!
I believe once yours ears adjust to the "Focal sound" it now is a preference of original Ginsu knife I or Ginsu knife II.
I hear the Focals laser precise, but still convincingly entertaining with Nordost cable. Yeah- the ol speaker cable as tone control tweak.
@tablejockey definitely very true and honest. Very strong upgrade, but not groundbreaking. Can it honestly be groundbreaking from each of those levels though?
There was definitely some sharpness at first, but the Sopra's did settle down. Detail is definitely a step up. Focus is tamed with some treatment readjusting and placement. But, I think what actually tamed everything was going from kt120's to kt120's. Extension needed to be calmed in my small room and kt120's solved it. Wish I could say it was my idea (thanks Kat!)
In conclusion, Sopra's are staying. And to all you newbies like me, chill out, calm down, and let things marinade before you up and sell.
LoL, great thread. I don’t think purchases should be made in the evening, or after drinking. I’ve made mistakes doing that. Luckily for you, I dont think you made a mistake.
Welcome to the speaker game. Since speakers are a huge investment I would want to hear them first before purchasing unless the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. I would be more inclined to have a few drinks after a negative purchase.
Kat at Upscale gave me the idea and it was definitely a move forward for my 10x14 small room. I'll definitely be trying kt88's. El34's have me very curious as well, but I'm not sure how well the Sopra's will respond to them being lower output.
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