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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.
izjjzi
fittebd
101 posts
 
I have Sopra 2 and for the size they do indeed don’t go as low as you would think they could. I have 200hz suck as well as a dip in 80, as well as 40. Very common. I did as someone else’s suggested.  I use Roon and it’s DSP and merged in my sub. Ultra 13 from SVS with the upgraded amp. Together they mesh very well and sub disappears with the DSP. MiniDSP is another sub too but I don’t have any experience with it. Love my set up now. 
izjjzi's avatar
izjjzi OP
104 posts
 
4 hours later...

  • Tapping the 4, followed by 2 omh destroyed fidelity. It was progressively like cutting the volume, stage, everything in half with each step. 8 omh it is, but did I do something wrong?
  • Confirmed, the best I get is 96 kHz from my Node via optical to the Mc DAC.
  • Speaker placement. Did not make a difference, save for the suggested 1’ from the back wall, and this was the only placement with some improvement. Not sure I like it and it still did not get me "there". Of note is that I did hear the desired result if I stood on center, about 3’ from the front line. In fact, this was true with every placement. The end result is that no position resulted in a material difference. I could not get what I wanted unless I was positioned close to the front of them.
  • This room is not a converted garage. It’s a first floor, cement, berber rug, and 3/4" rubber matted floor. It doubles as a workout room. Ashamed to say this, but it’s what I have to work with at the moment. Other rooms are smaller, but I may end up moving the system.
  • @audiorusty I have to bump the 25 3/4th turn from neutral and the 50, 1/4 turn. I leave all other dials as-is.
  • My VTI rack does not fit my MA9000. Not happy. It’s on me. I needed 10" or better and the rack has a 9" clearance. Down on myself for making this mistake!
Next steps:
  1. Purchase an area rug ASAP!
  2. Wall and ceiling treatments - just have no clue where to diffuse vs adsorb.
  3. In short, remove the echo, reflections and establish a new baseline.
  4. Research subs. There is a terrific, active post on this site regarding musical subs. It leaves me nervous on what to pursue.
  5. I have a old, Boston Acoustics sub (PV800) in my living room. I’m going to bring it down and see what happens.
I will wait for the room to be treated and revisit. Targeting the end of this week. There is nothing else I can do at this time.

Side note: The 4 hours I just spent was still amazing in terms of the best sound I’ve owned to-date. I love this system! I just know it can be a bit fuller and have reach the heights I know are possible.

Addendum: My wife agreed to move the gym, rubber flooring, etc. to a another room and turn this room into a lounge! Progress!

mammothguy54's avatar
mammothguy54
956 posts
 
@izjjzi  It seems that you have a wonderful opportunity to develop a dedicated room for high fidelity, with your wife's approval, maybe even her suggestion.  What an awesome and ideal situation you have.  From here, if I may suggest, put some good attention to this and you will reap fantastic rewards of audio satisfaction.  Seek all of the information that you possibly can, getting educated and making good choices through the process.

You are a lucky man.  You have some great product.  Enjoy it in good health. 
james633
1,052 posts
 
The right tap is the one you like best. The impedance curve of the Sopra is pretty wild (but most modern speakers are) so no tap is 100% the best.  
You can gleam some insight into the Sopra 2 by looking at the impedance curve vs frequency (link blow)
Each lower tap is a different contact point in the auto transformer output and as you go lower you cut voltage and bring up the current. It is best to match the load but when the load swings like crazy it can’t really be matched. 

the short version is if you run the 2 ohm tap you get more power where the impedance is low but less power where it is high. With the Sopra being all over the place I am not sure it matters what you choose. 
But really don’t over think it. If it sounded more open on the 8 ohm tap just use it. The Mac has enough power to plow through it anyway. 
On a side note I think crazy impedance curves are why large powerful amplifiers sound better. Not because you need the power (again only using 4-5 watts) but the big amps just freight train right through these impedance curves. Where lower powered amps can really get tripped up over them and get hot and compress. 
https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1445:nrc-meas...
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,185 posts
 
Check phase on your new speaker wires…
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