Forums - Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers

NormD

Seasoned Member

Posts: 243

Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
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

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OPPO Sonica DAC
Technics SL-1200M3D Turntable
SoundSmith The Voice cartridge
JRMedia Center running on a MacMini
Panasonic DP-UB820
Marantz AV8802a Pre/Rotel RMB-1585 Surround
ZTPre & ZMA Stereo
Focal Sopra No. 2 speakers (91 db)
2 Hsu ULS-ULS-15 MK2 Subs

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Lin Ex Member	Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers Reply #1 - 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.
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HockessinKid Seasoned Member Posts: 1092	Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers Reply #2 - 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
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NormD Seasoned Member Posts: 243	Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers Reply #3 - 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?
Back to top	OPPO Sonica DAC Technics SL-1200M3D Turntable SoundSmith The Voice cartridge JRMedia Center running on a MacMini Panasonic DP-UB820 Marantz AV8802a Pre/Rotel RMB-1585 Surround ZTPre & ZMA Stereo Focal Sopra No. 2 speakers (91 db) 2 Hsu ULS-ULS-15 MK2 Subs IP Logged

NormD Seasoned Member Posts: 243	Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers Reply #4 - 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.
Back to top	OPPO Sonica DAC Technics SL-1200M3D Turntable SoundSmith The Voice cartridge JRMedia Center running on a MacMini Panasonic DP-UB820 Marantz AV8802a Pre/Rotel RMB-1585 Surround ZTPre & ZMA Stereo Focal Sopra No. 2 speakers (91 db) 2 Hsu ULS-ULS-15 MK2 Subs IP Logged

Lin Ex Member	Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers Reply #5 - 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.
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NormD

Seasoned Member

Posts: 243

Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Reply #6 - 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_b...

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

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?

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OPPO Sonica DAC
Technics SL-1200M3D Turntable
SoundSmith The Voice cartridge
JRMedia Center running on a MacMini
Panasonic DP-UB820
Marantz AV8802a Pre/Rotel RMB-1585 Surround
ZTPre & ZMA Stereo
Focal Sopra No. 2 speakers (91 db)
2 Hsu ULS-ULS-15 MK2 Subs

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Lin

Ex Member

Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Reply #7 - 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.

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NormD Seasoned Member Posts: 243	Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers Reply #8 - 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?
Back to top	OPPO Sonica DAC Technics SL-1200M3D Turntable SoundSmith The Voice cartridge JRMedia Center running on a MacMini Panasonic DP-UB820 Marantz AV8802a Pre/Rotel RMB-1585 Surround ZTPre & ZMA Stereo Focal Sopra No. 2 speakers (91 db) 2 Hsu ULS-ULS-15 MK2 Subs IP Logged

Lin Ex Member	Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers Reply #9 - 02/24/21 at 15:09:05 I wonder if you have a gain problem, what is your source?
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Archie Seasoned Member Posts: 2731	Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers Reply #10 - 02/24/21 at 17:03:16 FWIW, I bias my Tungsol 7027As at 68mA.
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Lin Ex Member	Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers Reply #11 - 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?
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NormD

Seasoned Member

Posts: 243

Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Reply #12 - 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.

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OPPO Sonica DAC
Technics SL-1200M3D Turntable
SoundSmith The Voice cartridge
JRMedia Center running on a MacMini
Panasonic DP-UB820
Marantz AV8802a Pre/Rotel RMB-1585 Surround
ZTPre & ZMA Stereo
Focal Sopra No. 2 speakers (91 db)
2 Hsu ULS-ULS-15 MK2 Subs

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Lin Ex Member	Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers Reply #13 - 02/27/21 at 20:58:14 Excellent, I'm sure you will enjoy the upgrade.
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NormD

Seasoned Member

Posts: 243

Re: Focal Sopra No. 2 Speakers
Reply #14 - 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.

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OPPO Sonica DAC
Technics SL-1200M3D Turntable
SoundSmith The Voice cartridge
JRMedia Center running on a MacMini
Panasonic DP-UB820
Marantz AV8802a Pre/Rotel RMB-1585 Surround
ZTPre & ZMA Stereo
Focal Sopra No. 2 speakers (91 db)
2 Hsu ULS-ULS-15 MK2 Subs

IP Logged