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Sopra 2 Bass

New member, first post, and newbie in terms of diving into the world of nice things. This world is insane! I've already been spiraling for a few months researching what to buy, AB'ing countless speakers and amps. I now own a McIntosh MA9000 that's driving my new Focal Sopra N2s via Kimber 12VS. My "dilemma" is with the lack of BASS. I demoed the N2s, so I know it's possible, but absent in my home. I have to use the tone controls (this is where you tear me apart) to bump the low end. I do not know if it's my room, lack of bass traps, or equipment, but I'm failing to get down a little lower without tone adjustments. I stream Tidal Masters to my wired Bluesound NODE 2i (optical to the MA9000 dac). My room is 11'x20.5' with a low, 7.5' ceiling. I have tried as many speaker positions as possible with little change. I already know I need to eliminate room echo in the center of the room and have been researching various acoustic treatments. I feel like I'm off to a good start, but now stuck, not totally satisfied. Yes, it's the best I've ever owned and mind-blowing amazing, emotional, etc, but just short of perfect for me. In tracks where I expect a punch, I get an unmoving transition... Can I get "there" with different wire? Should I consider a sub? Why do folks on this site use two subs? Do I need to hire someone to properly sound-treat the room? Is my room a lost cause for what I own? Reaching out because I'm stuck, afraid to waste money chasing dead ends. My budget is thin after the McIntosh and Focals. Any help would be so appreciated! I hope to learn, grow and pay it forward some day. Thank you.
128x128izjjzi
winsome993
7 posts
 
I am using Gryphon Diablo 300 to drive the Sopra 2, tons of bass and dynamic.  But a little reminder is that the Sopra needs a lot of time to run in.  Low frequency will increase over time.  You need to be patience.  I used double bass music at moderate volume to run in the speakers.....they really require a longgggg period of time to sound great.....

As for the streamer I am currently using Lumin X1, if you dont want to go to the extreme I highly recommend Lumin D2 great sound and value.
izjjzi's avatar
izjjzi OP
103 posts
 
Update: My finger is on the purchase button for a REL Carbon Special. It will be $4,248.94 shipped. Everything is sounding great, but I know I will never get what a sub or array of subs will deliver. Even after hours of enjoyable listening, I head upstairs to the TV room and my 20yr old BA powered sub paired with Energy towers (cheap home theater setup) makes me smile, simply due to the emotional lows and punch I just cannot get from the Sopra 2s alone. For example, I listen to many tracks where low piano chords break the silence, my McIntosh / Sopra 2 combo is unemotional, uneventful. The same break in silence on my cheap home theater setup makes me hate the lack of lows on my system costing exponentially more. However, I know a sub will bridge this gap. I used REL's speaker pairing utility, which chose the S/812, but I've decided to take it a notch higher to the Carbon Special. This is not a conclusion, but another ask before I purchase to see if anyone can convince me to take a different route. I am hoping, asking for responses based on experience with REL, and better yet, with speakers in the Sopra 2 tier, etc. Side note: I have decided to avoid JL for the endless posts regarding reliability, so no matter what anyone says, I will not entertain JL options at this time. This includes seeing several JL subs for sale in the pre-owned section of the stores I've been in. This is NOT a JL bash, just stating facts from two months of reading, shopping and trying to avoid responses to go JL over REL. Thank you! 
james633
1,047 posts
 
I would buy two subs even if you have to step down to a lower model due to cost. For music you will really not need that large or powerful of a sub. I would also use the highpass function of your McIntosh and 60hz is a good place to start… and probably end basses on the Sopra’s measurements. 
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,531 posts
 
The OP comments about the Sopra 2’s bass amazes me. I own now for a few years the Sopra 2’s and I am very satisfied with them. Yes, I have 4 subwoofers (JL F-113) that come in around 40hz. but even without the subs the Sopra’s have very tuneful bass.

I would say the biggest impact on speakers bass performance is the speaker to amp relationship and of course speaker placement.

BTW, what type of floor is under your Sopra’s? Concrete?
And what type of flooring is under your home theater equipment? Wood?

And for what it is worth, I have found that the Townshend #3 platforms increased the bass tonality on the Sopra 2's


ozzy
james633
1,047 posts
 
The lack of bass does not surprise me. The speaker’s bass drops like a rock after 50hz and steps down pretty hard even after 100hz (link below). Room gain will be very room dependent. Some rooms might even make it worse not better. 

I think izjjzi should measure the room at the listening chair. Does not have to be anything fancy. Even a DB phone app and a streamed test tone album would give you a good idea of the room. 

https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1445:nrc-meas...
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