focal sopra n2's

Posted by: wenger2015 on 23 November 2015

Just having a home demo of the focal sopra '2s, from the start they sound sublime, anyone else had a chance to demo yet? Does anyone know the break in period required?
Posted on: 23 November 2015 by davidf

I have never seen or heard Sopra`s but I have Electra 1038s which supposedly takes couple hundred hours.  Frankly I didn't think it took more that a couple of days of use.

What are you using for the rest of your system.?
david

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by J.N.
Good stuff Wenger. The Sopra 2's have hit the spot for me too when I've heard them at shows.

I reckon my new Kudos Titans took about nine months of normal use to fully blossom. If you're enjoyong the sound from the Sopras 'tight', job done.

Enjoy.

John.
Posted on: 23 November 2015 by J.N.
Enjoying! Doh.

Meant to add that 300 hours was quoted for run-in on my Titans. Nine months might sound daft but I'm talking about real time use averaging about one hour per day. So .......

John.
Posted on: 23 November 2015 by Tabby cat

I have had a demo with nap300 dr and they where fabulous.

I use quad 2805 electrostatics in my main system and very happy with them.But I have a 2nd system of vintage kit and have some Focal Profil 77's a 3 driver floorstander and they are superb.Love them.

Focal used to supply their drive units to Wilson who have a great reputation in the industry.

Another nice thing about Focal is they make everything in house which is quite rare for loudspeaker manufacturers.Great company in my opinion.

MDS on the forum has written a few threads about Focal and his expreiances with them.

The Aria 946 is a hell of a speaker for the money also worth auditioning.

Not sure about the break in period.

Go for it !

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by wenger2015
My system comprises of cdx2, supernait, with ultra black cables and graphite interconnects, present speakers focal electra 1028 be.......the sopra 2's have just taken it to another level, if it is 200 or 300 hrs break in time, then the sopras can only get better and better...
Posted on: 23 November 2015 by The Strat (Fender)
Heard them and the Sopra 1.  Both excellent speakers.
Posted on: 23 November 2015 by wenger2015

Originally had the Aria 926's but the bass seemed far to contrived, boomy, upgraded to electra's 1028BE, certainly a significant improvement, but these sopra's have just taken everything to another level, although you would expect that considering the hefty price tag

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by hungryhalibut

I'm sure they are very nice, but £9,600 does seem an awful lot to spend on speakers to go with a CDX2 and Supernait.

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by wenger2015

Upgrades for me tend to be one component at a time, hence the home demo but this is certainly looking like its going to be very difficult to send them back...

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by wenger2015
Originally Posted by J.N.:
Enjoying! Doh.

Meant to add that 300 hours was quoted for run-in on my Titans. Nine months might sound daft but I'm talking about real time use averaging about one hour per day. So .......

John.

 

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by wenger2015
Hi JN,      heard the Titan kudos are very very good, agree realistic break in time an hour a day, have you tried a system preparation cd? wondering if that quickens the process?Originally Posted by wenger2015:
Originally Posted by J.N.:
Enjoying! Doh.

Meant to add that 300 hours was quoted for run-in on my Titans. Nine months might sound daft but I'm talking about real time use averaging about one hour per day. So .......

John.

 

 

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by hungryhalibut

The best way to run in speakers is simply to use them to listen to music. One thing I've always done is to leave the radio playing during the day when everyone is at work. 

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by MDS

As Tabby cat suggests, I recently had an afternoon at Infidelity listening to Sopra 2s on the end of a Naim system almost the same as mine.  I was very impressed.  On the end of a 250.2 and 250DR I thought they were so I good I wanted a pair.  On the end of a 300DR they were simply stunning.

 

I know they are not cheap at £9.6k but having seen and heard them I was somewhat surprised at the price as I was expecting something around £15k.

 

Unfortunately for me, the Sopra 2s need more space behind them than would suit my listening room so I'll be sticking with my Electra 1028be but for those with the room to accommodate them I'd say give them a listen.  

 

Mike 

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by wenger2015
What's been suggested regarding space behind ? I don't have the biggest listening room, they are probably about 6..8 inches from back wall, but they sound sublime...
Posted on: 23 November 2015 by MDS
Originally Posted by wenger2015:
What's been suggested regarding space behind ? I don't have the biggest listening room, they are probably about 6..8 inches from back wall, but they sound sublime...

About 50cm or two feet, I think, but if you've got them closer and they sound sublime...well that's all that matters.

BTW what are you driving them with?

 

Mike 

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by The Strat (Fender)
Hungry Halibut - ordinarily you'd be right  not a balanced system with a Supernait but heard the pairing at the Audiobarn and it works really well!!
Posted on: 23 November 2015 by wenger2015
At the moment supernait, partnered with cdx2.
Posted on: 23 November 2015 by MDS

Sorry, yes, you said that earlier in the thread and I should have looked.  I haven't come across the Sopra 2s being driven by anything less than a 250 but if the Supernait drives them well enough, that's great.  And you can luxuriate in the knowledge that you've got a set of speakers that will show the benefit of any upgrades you make to your source and amp.  Enjoy. 

 

Mike

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by wenger2015
Mike, agree with you entirely, would like to improve on supernait , but it's a step at a time.....in the meantime the sopra's are making me smile
Posted on: 23 November 2015 by MDS
Originally Posted by wenger2015:
Mike, agree with you entirely, would like to improve on supernait , but it's a step at a time.....in the meantime the sopra's are making me smile

Yes, it's important to remember to enjoy what you have rather always having one eye on that 'next upgrade'.  

Mike 

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by T38.45

I run them with a Nait2 for fun:-) 

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by Eloise

Just as an aside and if anyone is interested...

 

HiFi Choice has a "beautiful system" review consisting of the Focal Sopra Nr2 with NAC272 and NAP250DR

Posted on: 23 November 2015 by wenger2015
Will search out and have a read