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Need Center and Surrounds to Match Focal Sopra 3

I have a dilemma. I overspent on Focal Sopra 3s which are awesome.  I was using them for 2 channel music and now I’m going to use them for my home theater (music and movies) and cannot afford the Sopra 3 center and surrounds. I regret spending so much now, but I’ll lose a ton selling them used, so I need to figure out an affordable alternative for a center and surrounds.  I don’t believe that I MUST buy a Sopra 3 center and Atmos set up for it to sound good, but still want to get something high quality. Can anyone please help? I’ve looked for used Sopra 2s and 3s and have found nothing. Thinking about high end paradigm center? Other than that not sure. Please help. Sopras have a berrilym dome tweeter, but a match is not a must as they sounded fine with my monitor audio silver center, which I’m now going to use in my living room. Thanks much!! 
jjsoll
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ja_kub_sz's avatar
ja_kub_sz
273 posts
 

I've ordered my Sopra 3's and am starting the construction of a listening room, I was toying around with a 7.4.2 Atmos set up since I have the Sopra's and sub's and have open studs with nothing really stopping me. Honestly 3D music is probably my prime motivator. I was just thinking of using all Focal in wall/ceiling speakers. I'm still kinda torn on the idea.

I listen to music every day, I watch movies every other month.

Really don't see the value, but I'm building a room and have a blank canvas with bare stud's, so I tell myself "if ever there was a time it's now"

Sounds like I should exercise some self control.

I don't have a theatre now and love my stereo system, I guess I don't need a theatre then?

Wish you luck @jjsoll 

macct
55 posts
 
Funny, in an odd way, you mentioned Paradigm.  My main speakers are Sopra 2s.  I use a Paradigm Prestige 55c as a center channel.  I don't see any need to change it.  It works perfectly for my needs and the lack of matching (which I doubt I would ever perceive if I tried) just isn't material for me.  TV and movie viewing just isn't a high priority compared to music.  

I tried phantom in the past and I found I was constantly changing the volume to hear the dialogue better.  I now run a Marantz SR7013 for HT, and have an integrated with HT bypass for music listening.  The Sopra's are a beautiful speaker and I assume you have an integrated for 2-channel.  IMO, they are overkill for just HT use.   
hubbman's avatar
hubbman
25 posts
 
Go with the Aria center channel until you can afford the Sopra.  Fake it til you make it.
adsell's avatar
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adsell
74 posts
 
Sounds like you need some self control, keep the money that is burning a hole in your pocket. Phantom center on a good processor is actually pretty good, I can turn my center off and go phantom and you would hard pressed to know I did. Its just using stereo imaging to give dialog the appearance of coming from the screen. :)
jjsoll OP
5 posts
 
Well, good question. I have a Marantz 8002 which I was going to use in my family room set up with my 5.1 monitor audio silvers and then use my older (but still excellent B&K AVR507 v.2 in my home theater. It’s a 7 channel 150w into 8Ohms. It has a huge toroidal amp which can sustain high watts of called for without straining. Rebel speakers use Berrilym tweeters also as do the lower end Focal centers at $2,100 new or something of the Monitor Audio centers with CCAM (ceramic coated aluminum magnesium) drivers which I believe have a similar timber.  I’m thinking any with dual 6” drivers would match well - in the $1,500 range rather than $4k for the Focal Sopra. Just thinking out loud. I really don’t want don’t want to go with a phantom center bc I’ll always find another use for money! 
ghdprentice
6,967 posts
 
@adsell Good thought.
adsell's avatar
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adsell
74 posts
 
You can run a phantom center and save up $$ to eventually get the right speaker for your mains. What are you running for processor?
ghdprentice
6,967 posts
 
I have had many home theater systems and many audio systems. Both have been upgraded over the years. But I’ve always kept them separate.
.

my observation though is that the most important step in home theater is having five channels. Those channels don’t need to be as good as two channel stereo. It is so distracting to watch a movie that the sound quality is far less important.
.

What about just getting a five channel system with less expensive speakers for home theater. The spousal acceptance factor can be pretty low n having an extra left and righr. But you can upgrade the home theater system over time. Then you don’t face all these compromises.

.
Just a thought.
ghdprentice
6,967 posts
 
It is all about compatible voicing. It’ going to be really hard with another company. 85% of content in home theater comes from the center channel. Focal makes their own drivers... increasing the difficulty in matching. I recommend saving up or buying used.

+1 @adsell 👍👍👍👍👍
jjsoll OP
5 posts
 
There are lower priced Focals, but I don’t know much about them, and whether a much lower priced center Focal is superior to a slighter more expensive other brand like Paradigm, MA, revel, wharfdale, etc, some of which might have berrilym tweeters (I have to check). There’s also the (hold your breath - Sandy Gross Golden Ear speakers - don’t know whether these are hype or legit audiophile).  Totally agree that the center is the most important but I don’t have almost $4k since I’m downsizing and building a home theater and need to also spend money on a new screen (my Stewart 2.35:1 doesn’t fit), wiring, stage, blah blah. 
maxwave's avatar
maxwave
978 posts
 
Inwall Focal speaker ? 2700$
https://www.audiovisualsolutionsgroup.com/1000-iwlcr6-in-wall-speaker.html

Focal cc1008be  , if you can find one.
adsell's avatar
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adsell
74 posts
 
:Your center channel is the most important speaker in a HT setup, don't skimp. I have Wilsons and understand your pain. I use a Wilson Watch Center V3. but the seamlessness of it makes it all worth it. I also added Watch Surrounds, again a great decision. You'll get over the money eventually.
erik_squires
16,058 posts
 
The biggest issue matching is the particular resonance of those tweets. Your best bet is a Focal Al inverted dome set up. 

Ignore the dedicated surrounds too. :)
ghdprentice
6,967 posts
 
Is there a lower prices Focal you can afford... same company probably similar voicing.
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