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Focal Sopra 2 or Sopra 3?

This isn't going to be happening soon as I need to save more for them. (I will have to find a good used set)I have a VAC Renaissance 70/70 amp that I am getting updated by VAC in January to MK IIIS. I love this amp and i am not looking to change it. I may be interested in working toward a different speaker for it some day and these Focals may work. 91 db sensitivity which should work with my amp's 65 pure class A WPC.  My current speakers really match well with it, they are Goldenear Triton 1.r's and to me they sound very good. But someday I may want even better resolution, not sure. What issues may I find mating these to my amp in the future?  My Preamp is a VAC CLA1 Mk III, it was just serviced by VAC and completely updated to Mk III with new parts. So my pre/ Amp combo is tubes. I've read in reviews different opinions on how these sound, some say rather bright and forward and others do not, say they are really smooth in the midrange  so it's confusing. I may just take my amp to a dealer about 1.5 hours away and make an appointment to audition them. Are these a reasonable option? My room is a dedicated listening room with a great deal of treatments, especially with bass absorbers, diffusion etc. The room is 14 x 18 x 6.5 ceilings. The Tritons have a lot of bass so it seems to handle it well after a lot of experimentation in placements of speakers. They are 7 feet out from the front wall and over 3 feet from side walls and about 7.5 feet apart.

128x128fthompson251
christianb5s4
237 posts
 

I auditioned the Focal Kanta 2, 3, then the Sopra 2 and 3. Ended up taking home the Kanta 3s which weren't far off the Sopra 3 with bass output, but Sopras had a more pronounced mid-range. Stepping down to the 2s was a noticeable drop in bass output on both models.

 

My room is slightly larger than yours with vaulted ceilings, and the Kanta 3s easily overpower the room with bass without proper treatment. Basic room treatment is a must, but I personally do not feel the need to add subs with the larger 3s.

iasi
115 posts
 

i've used Gryphon Diablo 120 (clas A/B) and Gato DIA400s integrated amps with my Sopra 2's and the tweeter never sounded 'hot' or bothersome. Quite the opposite...The sopra's sound is full, with a lush midrange, and a very tuneful bass. I can feel the floor (concrete) of my apartment when i crank them up to about 90-92dB. I picked the 2's over the 3's. For a small/medium room, the Sopra 3's might be overwhelming. 

fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251 OP
480 posts
 

I have decided against the Focals. They are kinda overpriced IMHO, I am seriously looking into the Legacy Audio Focus XD's instead. I've made a deal with a local dealer, jst need to get in and audition them. 

ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,531 posts
 

I owned the Legacy Focus speakers (albeit an earlier version) about 6-7 speaker changes ago. Each progression through my speaker evolution improved greatly in sound quality.

Too bad you can’t hear both the Sopra and the Legacy in the same room.

Added:

I see that the Focus XD version is amplified, it seems you like that feature in a speaker. So enjoy!

ozzy

fthompson251's avatar
fthompson251 OP
480 posts
 

@ozzy Well I have settled on my amp, it would be far too expensive to replace it with something that would make me happier. So I need to find something that works with it. My previous Genesis V’s (speakers) had a powered bass amplifier. This allows the VAC amp to sing IMHO. So I am sticking with what works. (for me) The Goldenear Triton 1.r have very, very good bass, it became addictive to me. I think the Focus XD’s will continue down that path, yet be an upgrade to my GE’s at 2X their price. 3X or 4 X the price for the Focals just isn’t in the cards for me, and I am not sure they will really work exceptionally well with my amp. I have researched that they like current and power to be their best. I know I was looking into the Focals but after giving myself a reality check I have realized it would be financially unattainable.  I've been retired since 2018. 

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