Focal Sopra n1 - mids are a bit recessed compared to Lumina IIs

@dman777 , You are not going to get away from that Focal house sound you experienced on the Sopras (which you didn’t like) with the Kantas either. But, if the Kanta, 11k/pair is in your budget, you should take a serious look at the Wharfedale Elysian 4 floorstander @ 10k/pair, give it a listen. Essentially, it is the British mid-centric type of house sound (with non-abrasive easy highs) pushed into "high end" with Schweikert/Wilson like bass impact, dynamics, etc. Sonically, it is very much a "high-end" speaker all freaking day long without the high-end pricing and should give you a signature that’s more up your alley. Thank Mr. Peter Comeau for all his hard work if it ends up becoming your "end game". Audit before you buy, of course.

P.S

The Brits got your back on this one....The French are gonna let you down here 😁

OP I'm with you, I also hear that recessed mids plus I'm not a fan of the slight brightness Focals have, at least that is what I always hear every time I've heard them. Yes you most likely got a "good deal" but if you don't like the sound well then it's not the deal you really thought! 

@rsf507  @deep_333 when I heard the the Sopra 1s (and Kanta 2s) at the hifi store on a MacIntosh 12000, I did not detect recessed mids at all. In fact, I feel in love with the sound! The MacIntosh 12000 has a EQ, is that why? I can’t remember but I think I also heard it with the EQ off and did not detect a recessed mid sound.

Also, as a side note... on my home system I don’t think the highs are very strong on the Sopra 1s. I think the Lumina IIs had more strong/boosted highs. But yet the mids where not recessed on the Lumina IIs so doesn’t make sense.

I've listened to prior generations of the same speaker and found a similar issue.  Interestingly enough, the problems goes away with the larger versions.  For instance, the Focal Profile 2-way vs. the 2.5 way (2 vs. 3 drivers).  I think it's a deliberate balance, the 2-ways seem to be better suited for low-mid volume listening.

I have had a few listing sessions with the Sopra's and kanta 2-3's over the last few weeks, in a well treated room. I agree the Sopra's midrange is recessed and the top end is tipped up. the Kanta's are not nearly as bad and are a bit wormer presentation IMO. Amps were the new Naim mono blocks and the new Chord Integrated (very nice amp but lacking in options).