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

JNC...................funny, I don't find the Triton References to be in your face in the least, not in the very least.  I have heard many Focals and I do not care for them at all.  That Berelium tweeter is like sticking an ice pick in my ears plus I don't care for their asthetics.  The cabinet on the Triton References is gorgeous.

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.

you can't get a better speaker for 8500.00

Yes you can. : )

One thing I can say knowing well about precision, parts quality 
And accuracy, and cross over parts .the Sopra is night and day better built  noticsbly better low level detail especially if you have top notch electronics.  On decent electronics probably npboth are very musical but different. Sopra I gave heard, the reference  uses Xover parts from China which in no way can compare to any top brand from The U.S or Europe.. it all depends how critical a listener 
You are.  Just like the Double impacts ,really good for the money 
Refinement is not their best suit ,Chinese drivers are in no way 
In the same class as the well know drivers from Denmark, or Norway.

contuzzi106 posts"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."


So true... I've demo'd all of his products... and... they do not possess the dynamics, transparency, or clarity of many other good speakers - not even close.  Certainly not the Focal Sopra's.  

And... if you want "price-competitive" speakers that sound much better there are:

Wavetouch Audio Antero's or Grand Tetons
Magnestand 1.6's
And... of course... the Linkwitz LX521's or used Orion's