3 Experts, 3 Perspectives: Focal Sopra Series Roundtable ep.2

오늘은 Focal Sopra 시리즈에 대한 세 명의 오디오 전문가의 대화를 통해 새로운 시각을 살펴보는 시간을 마련했습니다. 이 자리에서는 Focal 브랜드가 세계 최고의 스피커 브랜드로 자리 잡기까지의 이야기와 함께, 그 과정에서 오디오 애호가들 사이에서 형성된 이미지에 대해 깊이 있는 논의가 이루어졌습니다. Sopra 시리즈는 출시된 지 어느 정도 시간이 지났지만, 여전히 많은 관심을 받고 있으며, 이들 전문가의 대화를 통해 그에 대한 다양한 인사이트를 나누고자 합니다. 이제 구체적인 방법을 아래에서 확인해보도록 하겠습니다.

Three audio experts (Joo Gi-pyo, Cha Ho-young, Oh Seung-young) gathered at Full Range to discuss the Focal Sopra series. During their conversation, they were able to share a variety of impressions about the Focal Sopra series, which soon gave all three of them a new perspective on it. They discussed how the Focal brand has established itself as the world’s best speaker brand, how its image has been formed among audiophiles over time, and what aspects of the Sopra series, which has been out for quite some time, might need more attention. Through this extensive discussion, all three gained a deeper understanding of Focal and the Sopra series. The following content contains analyses of the Focal Sopra series. Let’s take a look at the new impressions gained by the three audio experts after their discussion.

Focal Sopra Series

Performance and Design That Stand Out in the Similar High-End Speaker Market

As times change and market trends evolve, the style of high-end speakers is also shifting. When I first encountered the Sopra series speakers, what I felt was that Focal has indeed created a high-end all-round speaker with excellent sound quality and design after a decade.

In fact, the model that seems to attract the most attention is likely the mid-range Sopra 2. However, in my opinion, when considering the actual selling price, the competitiveness of the Sopra 1 and Sopra 3 becomes more appealing. The Sopra 2 has powerful bass, but the Sopra 3 reproduces bass more broadly and naturally. Of course, if desired, it can also reproduce deep and grand sounds. Visually, it is difficult to distinguish between the Sopra 2 and Sopra 3. Since the design and proportions are the same, it is hard to tell them apart just by looking at photos. However, surprisingly, the Sopra 3 has an 8.25-inch woofer while the Sopra 2 has a 7-inch configuration. Whether the woofer unit exceeds 8 inches can make a significant difference, and the Sopra 3 is indeed larger than most 8-inch double configuration speakers.

While bigger isn’t always better, the cabinet itself is considerably larger than it appears in photos, and the 8.25-inch woofer makes it easier to reproduce deeper bass. The feeling of that bass is more natural, flatter, and more refined. Because of these characteristics, the bass tends to be less congested, allowing the midrange to be reproduced more comfortably and beautifully. It may sound like a common expression, but there is little need to worry about the liveliness or transparency of the sound. The newly developed beryllium tweeter and new design methods have been applied after ten years. Compared to past Focal speakers, it reproduces a more neutral and wider range of sound more vividly.

It may seem somewhat childish, but to speak truthfully and candidly, the Sopra 3 is quite large in size, yet due to its excellent design, it doesn’t appear excessively large or feel burdensome. However, the presence of such a sturdy large speaker with its elegant and sophisticated design is incredibly attractive and beautiful.

Is There Really a Bookshelf Speaker Under 10 Million Won That Can Compete?

This is not to say that the Sopra 2 is lacking. However, in most households, the balance of the Sopra 1 may feel better. The bass of the Sopra 2 is surprisingly powerful. Therefore, even in a 30-pyeong apartment living room, it may not be easy to control. Conversely, the bass of the Sopra 3 is deep and natural rather than powerful. While the bass of the Sopra 2 hits the space, the bass of the Sopra 3 is rich and deep without excessively hitting the space. Thus, in a not-so-large space, even the Sopra 1 provides sufficient bass presence. When playing bass-heavy tracks with an amp that isn’t particularly impressive, the firmness, density, and weight of the bass feel better than most tall speakers under 10 million won. However, since the quantity of bass is well-controlled, it doesn’t produce loose or boomy bass, making it a good speaker for general home use while maintaining the high-end luxurious presence of the mid and high frequencies along with the firmness and impact of the bass.

The Sopra 1 weighs a whopping 38.5KG when including the dedicated stand, making it a more substantial and impressive setup than any high-end bookshelf speaker so far. The more powerful the amp matched with it, the more its presence and strength shine, leading one to wonder if there is a bookshelf speaker under 10 million won that can compete with it. Bookshelf speakers are better suited for those seeking the highest quality compared to tall speakers that do not control bass well. I saw various colors of the Sopra 1 on-site, and it feels like seeing the excellent sound quality up close, akin to the colors and finishes of an elegant sports car.

There are many well-regarded bookshelf speakers, but the most significant difference is the solid sound reproduction of low mid-bass that is hard to find in other bookshelf speakers, thanks to the quality of the dedicated stand and its connection. It provides a sense of scale and serious depth in the reproduction across the entire range. The midrange, with clearly defined core and imaging, does not produce the harsh sound that past Focal speakers had; instead, it delivers a more distinct and neutral sound without being light or noisy.

“I am looking forward to how refined the sound will be when a more upscale amp is connected to the Sopra 3.”

“Although it is a large speaker, its outstanding design makes its size feel manageable.”

“With wider and deeper bass and a broad sound, it feels like driving a car with over 300 horsepower at high speed, delivering an extraordinary sound without any unwanted vibrations or shakiness.”

Overall, I believe this speaker series is a product that fits very well with the trends of the times. The Sopra series delivers a high level of sound quality across a wide range that is different from past Focal speakers. During the listening test, I used a similarly priced integrated amp, but I am excited to see how much more refined the sound of the Sopra 3 will be when matched with a higher-grade separate amp. This is akin to the difference between driving a vehicle weighing under 2 tons, around 1.7 tons, and then driving a vehicle weighing about 2.2 tons with over 300 horsepower. A heavy car may start slowly from a standstill, but once it accelerates at high speed, it provides a more stable ride without any shakiness or noise, similar to how handling becomes more natural without any self-vibration or unwanted noise.

Unlike models from ten years ago, the Sopra series shows traces of efforts to create a more balanced high-end sound quality by effectively controlling the vibrations of the speaker edges and the unstable standing waves from the rear of the diaphragm. The rich, deep, and impressive resonance from the massive body of the Sopra 3 was quite remarkable even when paired with an integrated amp. The overseas launch prices are $9,000 for the Sopra 1 and $20,000 for the Sopra 3, which are quite expensive speakers, but considering the actual purchase prices, they are fashionable and popular speakers in the high-end market. A critic from Stereophile magazine in the U.S. recommended it as the speaker of the year, indicating that its presence is certainly noteworthy.

The Focal Sopra Series That Opens Hearts with Sound

French High-End with Added Elegance

If we were to summarize Focal’s two major pillars, it would be their sensory design that embodies Parisian aesthetics and a segmented portfolio that innovates price compromises. Recently, one of their most shining achievements was the launch of the Sopra series, positioned between the Utopia and Electra lineups. Particularly, the sound characteristics of the Utopia, which recently entered version 3 with the Evo series, seem to reflect the somewhat relaxed sound style that emerged during the development of Sopra, indicating that Sopra presents a new direction for Focal. The methods first attempted in Sopra were fresh and effective. The adoption of TMD (Tuned Mass Damper) suspension with high rigidity and lightweight damping, along with the IHL (Infinite Horn Loading) method that applies universal standards to the upper frequency range where strong energy circulates, added patches to Focal’s optimized platform – based on Helmholtz resonance structure, 70mm thick sandwich panels, and ‘W’ sandwich cone mid-bass filled with foam between fiber optic panels.

Focal Sopra No. 1

The Sopra No. 1 brings out the strengths of a bookshelf speaker with easy and clear sound. The open feel and clarity of string instruments deliver a refreshing and airy sound quality. It feels as if the sound components are instantly expelled without lingering inside the cabinet, creating a realistic imaging.

The taut balance between the upper and lower frequencies in ‘Waltz for Ruth’ easily captivates one to this speaker. It is clear, powerful, and specific yet not stimulating, condensing the best performance that can be achieved in a not-so-large space, which is the unique characteristic of the only stand-mounted model in the lineup. Even with fast beats, it maintains a luxurious feel and delivers a quick yet deep sound.

Focal Sopra No. 2

The scene naturally filling the midrange seems to consciously show a clear distance from the Sopra 1. Naturally, compared to the Sopra 1, the bass quantity and range have increased, but it does not feel dull and remains speedy. Although the bass has expanded, the natural diffusion prevents any sense of stuffiness. In the resonant parts, there is a fun element in delivering subtle vibrations based on tight density changes. In Gregory Porter’s tracks, the vocal image slightly expands, showing clear imaging. While the precise finish of the sound may appear sharper in the Sopra 1, the nuanced expression of the Sopra 2 is richer, showcasing the clear superiority of the higher model.

Focal Sopra No. 3

The Sopra 3 has not had many opportunities for listening compared to model 2, and the differences in specs are not significant, leading to a somewhat ambiguous flagship image of Sopra. However, upon encountering it in person, there are considerable differences in both appearance and sound. Of course, this is to be expected.

While comparing the same tracks between the two models, I couldn’t help but think that the Sopra was originally designed to expand downwards from model 3. The scale is what catches your attention almost immediately after starting to play a track that was previously listened to on the Sopra 2. In fact, the two speakers sound almost like different speakers, going beyond just a simple expansion of sound. The most significant reason seems to be that the ratio of expansion across frequency ranges is different.

The bass from Charlie Haden, which felt sufficient even in the Sopra 2, now has slightly more elasticity and significantly increased power handling. The reason for this size is becoming clear. I believe the Sopra 3 has been restructured with damping and weight capable of stably controlling the increased dynamics. It is a series flagship that blurs the boundaries with the higher Utopia models.

Listening to the three Sopra products feels like a refreshing experience of the overall Focal sound recently. My recent experience listening to two Utopia models has solidified this thought even more clearly. While it could serve as a preliminary step to the Utopia depending on the space, it seemed sufficient to be Focal’s main lineup even if it were to stop there.