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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.
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andrewkelley
275 posts
 
A. Give it time
B. Use the 2ohm tap 
C. Buy a pair of REL s/812 and rock the foundation 

Also, and im not sure about this… i dont think you can get tidal masters (mqa) from an external dac with a bluesound. Maybe buy a streamer(no dac) with usb out so you can go usb into the ma9000 and take full advantage of its dac. Also, cancel tidal and get qobuz. It has actually uncompressed music (no mqa) and in my opinion sounds better. 
j-wall's avatar
j-wall
369 posts
 
You're getting a lot of good info here. If they haven't broken in yet, it will take some time to develop. My Sopra 2's have finally locked in. Positioning is important too and I find myself repositioning them every so often to check myself as well as make sure I'm optimizing them. 
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,712 posts
 
Something to think about. You said you demoed the Sopra’s.  What’s different with your setup  and the setup where you demoed them?  Placement? isolation feet, did the use the spikes that came with the speakers or someone’s else’s?  Where was all the furniture in the room?  What music did they play and what streamer did they use.  

All the best.

JD
sandthemall
544 posts
 
There's probably a place in your room where the bass will be fall into line. Exploit the room.

I've had similar problems. A rough formula for me was the 1/5th rule. If you start there, you can make adjustments over time and start to lock the speaker location.

With regard to speaker position, consider this to be the vertical centerline of the tweeter at the front baffle. Divide the room in 5ths. Place speakers 1/5th from backwall and side walls.

Also eliminate any hard and glossy elements in the room. If you have framed pictures with glazing move those to another room. If you have hardwood floors, thick Persian rugs with requisite thick felt under pad really helps. A large rug under the speakers really helps.

Work on first reflections first...this is what creates the smear that kills focus and sharpness of the sonic image.





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