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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
contuzzi
413 posts
 
Ignorance is bliss.  Truly.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,407 posts
 
I think it comes down to personal preference. I got a chance to listen to Goldenear (not sure about the model) at Audio Concepts in 2014, and it left me unimpressed. Surprised by @jnc's comment that they were "in your face" when he listened to them. On the contrary, they sounded muffled and the upper frequencies seemed missing. Now the Focal 1000 series and Sopra series sounded pretty nice when I got to demo them. The Focal 1000 series has a slight hot treble. But the Sopras sounded balanced in a system that had Simaudio/Moon amplification and CDP.
contuzzi
413 posts
 
FWIW I think golden ear speakers are great. I respect them a lot. I just don’t think they’re giant killers, or necessarily punch substantially above their weight (price) at all (very few speakers actually do).
Post removed 
clearthink
1,421 posts
 
kosst_amojan " Mr. Focal schill chiming in... "

Translation is kosst doesn’t understand the advise, can’t explain the advise, or never heard the product under discussion therefore the opinion freely offered to which he responds must be from a shill, an idiot, a liar, or a purveyor of snake oil. He is so predictable by the way kosst I am not afraid of you so you're threats and attacks will have no effect on me.
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