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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
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Message started by NormD on 02/23/21 at 21:47:58

Title: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by NormD on 02/23/21 at 21:47:58

I am running an updated ZMA with a pair of Focal 1038 BE speakers. I am very happy, but I have a case of the "what if's". I'm toying with the idea of upgrading to the Focal Sopra No.2 speakers. Anyone running them or hear them with Decware? I'm wondering if my ZMA will be enough to fill my 16 x 18' room with the No 2's. The Sensitivity (2.83V / 1m) of he Supra No 2's is 91db while my current speakers are 93db. The ZMA is more than enough for my 1038's but I do see the meters start to move slightly at higher volumes with an orchestra. I am using KT-66's. The ZMA is at full volume and my ZTPre is running at 2 o'clock (3/4 volume).

Suggestions? Ideas?

Norm

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by Lin on 02/23/21 at 22:11:09

There is basically no difference in sensitivity, yours are 4 ohms nominal and the No2s are 8 ohms.

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by HockessinKid on 02/23/21 at 23:39:45

Don't think you'll have any problem. I suggest you throw a quad of TungSol 7027a tubes in the ZMA. You'll be very pleased with the difference over the KT-66 tubes.

HK

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by NormD on 02/24/21 at 00:50:14

Reply to Lin: From the spec sheets I am seeing, Both show 8 ohms nominal and ~4 ohms minimal impedance. What am I missing?

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by NormD on 02/24/21 at 00:52:08

I can go back to the 7027a's but I found the KT66's to have more "punch". I love (t)rolling tubes. I'll give them another try.

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by Lin on 02/24/21 at 02:59:28

Sorry Norm, I looked at Music Direct's website for info on the 1038s. :-[
Focal does spec them at 8 ohms nominal.

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by NormD on 02/24/21 at 03:20:46

Lin:

You are absolutely correct. The 1038's also 8 ohms nominal
https://www.focal.com/sites/www.focal.fr/files/shared/catalog/document/fp_1038_be_gb_0.pdf

But so so the Sopra No 2's
https://www.focal.com/sites/www.focal.fr/files/shared/catalog/document/sopra_n2-specification_sheet_1.pdf

My apologies for not understanding. If both specs show 8 ohms nominal, then should they not have similar response to my ZMA except for the Sensitivity and implied higher power requirement??

If indeed the difference in sensitivity is not significant, then am I justified in assuming my ZMA can power the Sopra No 2's adequately?

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by Lin on 02/24/21 at 04:32:11

This spl calculator shows 105 dB vs 103 dB max at 10 ft with 40 watts.
I don't know about you, but I never listen that loud.

https://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

The reason I said it was not significant before was with the wrong nominal impedance, Focal uses voltage for spl which means 4 ohms is 2 watts vs 1 watt for 8 ohms. If your speakers were actually 4 ohms nominal they would be slightly less sensitive than the No2s.

A 3 dB difference means half or double the power for the same output, so the 2 dB difference (from the same manufacturer) can be significant in some situations.

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by NormD on 02/24/21 at 14:54:32

Lin:

Thanks for the explanation and the worksheet. It would be nice if a standard for sensitivity was used.

I agree that I could never listen that loud, but I am running 75% currently, thus my query.

HockessinKid: What are you biasing your 7027's?

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by Lin on 02/24/21 at 15:09:05

I wonder if you have a gain problem, what is your source?

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by Archie on 02/24/21 at 17:03:16

FWIW, I bias my Tungsol 7027As at 68mA.

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by Lin on 02/26/21 at 21:58:09

With any normal source output level you should be at very loud spls with the ZTpre 3/4 and the ZMA at full volume.
The ZTpre has output level controls on the back?, where are these set?
Do you use just one source in this system or do they all require such high volume settings?

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by NormD on 02/27/21 at 15:50:28

Thanks for your continued interest. I have my ZMA attenuator fully clockwise (no attenuation). Same for the pots on the back of the ZTPre. I have tried three different inputs (DAC, ZP3 and another phono amp)) with approximately the same results. I can turn my ZTpre to 12 o'clock and run the input sources at full for acceptable volumes. If I move the ZTPre to 3 o'clock it is far too loud. When I use my DAC as the input I typically run the ZTPre at 2' o'Clock for appreciable volumes. I went ahead and ordered the Sopra 2's. Should have them in a week or two.

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by Lin on 02/27/21 at 20:58:14

Excellent, I'm sure you will enjoy the upgrade. :)

Title: Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Post by NormD on 03/09/21 at 23:16:41

Thank you everyone! I received my Sopra 2’s today and love them. More detailed and resolution than my 1038’s and the sound stage is awesome. Great balanced sound and openness. Awesome bass. And I have yet to break them in. No problem pushing them to appreciable volume levels and beyond with my Decware ZMA amp. Very pleased. Will be selling my 1938’s, which were pretty amazing as well.