Floor Loudspeaker Reviews

Focal Sopra No.3 loudspeaker Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital Sources: Oppo Digital BDP-105 universal BD player, Baetis XR3 PC-based music server, exaSound e28 Mk.II DAC, QNAP TS569L NAS.
Preamplifiers: Audio Research MP1, Parasound Halo P 7.
Power Amplifiers: ATi AT543nc, Classé Sigma Mono monoblocks, Monoprice Monolith 3, Parasound Halo A 31.
Loudspeakers: Bowers & Wilkins 802 D3, JL Audio E110 subwoofer.
Cables: Analog Interconnect: AudioQuest Earth/DBS balanced. Digital Interconnect: AudioQuest Vodka (HDMI) & Carbon (USB). Speaker: AudioQuest Granite. AC: AudioQuest NRG-10, JPS Aluminata, Kubala-Sosna Emotion.
Accessories: Environmental Potentials EP-2450 power conditioner, CyberPower 850PFCLCD AC filter (supplied with Baetis server).
Listening Room: 24' L by 14' W by 8' H. Behind main listening position, rear of room extends to 10' by 7' foyer and 12' by 8' dining area. Front wall has large windows partly covered by fabric drapes and 4' by 2' by 3" OC 705 panels. Furnished with moderately sound-absorbing furniture, 2 MSR Acoustics Dimension4 SpringTraps in front corners, 2 Ready Acoustics Chameleon Super Sub Bass Traps at sides.—Kalman Rubinson

COMPANY INFO
Focal-JMlab
US distributor: Audio Plus Services
156 Lawrence Paquette Industrial Drive
Champlain, NY 12919
(800) 663-9352
www.audioplusservices.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Supperconductor's picture
Submitted by Supperconductor on March 24, 2017 - 5:18pm

The older I get the more I hear the room in most systems. I can't help but wonder if judicious use of room treatment/EQ/correction might be a topic you guys could give more attention as part of your speaker reviews.

Given all the time, expense, and attention paid to electronics, system matching, cables, tweaks, etc., it seems to me that digital processing should merit higher consideration.

Most of my listening is with Audirvana+ at my desktop workstation. Minor EQ bumps of just a few dB here and there can give bigger bang than a component upgrade IMHO. I'm in the process (AT LONG LAST) of setting up a dedicated listening/viewing room (a strictly 2.0 system). And I will certainly be experimenting with Dirac, room treatments, and the like.

The demos at audio shows of room correction have always struck me as the most impressive. I'm sure this review system is fantastic so why not take that last step at addressing the biggest component? THE ROOM!

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on March 25, 2017 - 6:56am

If you know me, you know that I agree with you entirely. In the past, I have mentioned that I think it is necessary to review speakers without applying any room correction because the vast majority of stereo listeners do not use EQ; in fact, they reject it. OTOH, one can justify a reviewer using EQ to attempt to minimize the bias introduced by the unique influence particular to his space.

I do both but I only mention the effect of the EQ if it is significant. In most cases, the effect is an improvement but rarely transforming. Such was the case here. The leopard didn't change his spots.

mrkaic's picture
Submitted by mrkaic on March 26, 2017 - 10:42am

I agree 100% with both of you and have a related question. I have a Micromega M-One without the room correction option. Does anyone have any experience with the Micromega room correction upgrade option? I am thinking about getting it, since my listening room is quite small and my speakers (Focal Aria 936) too big for the small room.

Grateful for any advice.

Best,

MM

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on March 26, 2017 - 10:50am

I am afraid that I have not heard of this device nor can I find any technical description of the room correction system on the Web (in English).

mrkaic's picture
Submitted by mrkaic on March 26, 2017 - 10:54am

Thank you anyway. I think that many readers would be grateful for a review of the M-One. I think it is a really nice machine: http://micromega.com/en/products/mone-range/

Best,

MM

Supperconductor's picture
Submitted by Supperconductor on March 26, 2017 - 2:12pm

Good to know that EQ was tried. Yeah, I used to be one of the EQ/DSP NIMBY's but lately the rooms I've found myself in, have issues.

The new house has a media room and I've got carte blanche (wife's idea). I'm picking the color scheme and light control (to serve an ISF calibrated front projector), speaker placements, acoustic treatments, seating, and also evaluating DSP options. On more than one occasion, I've witnessed absolute transformations with speaker placement, surface treatments & EQ/DSP.

HansRamon's picture
Submitted by HansRamon on March 25, 2017 - 12:35am

You don't like the french?

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on March 25, 2017 - 6:57am

Why would you think that?

HansRamon's picture
Submitted by HansRamon on March 26, 2017 - 7:07am

Dear Mr. Herb Reichert, i will mail you a couple of "GaueHippies" when available..........

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on March 26, 2017 - 9:22am

Who is Herb Reichert? ;-)

Dazgum's picture
Submitted by Dazgum on May 11, 2017 - 12:37am

Nice review! I'm surprised that you didn't do any comparison with your B&W 802 D3's as they are very similar in specification been 3 way 2 x 8inch woofers exoctic tweeters and fancy midrange drivers and price not to far apart. Would be very interesting to know what the main differences are.

Tsoomro's picture
Submitted by Tsoomro on July 14, 2022 - 12:25pm

Hi Prof,
Excellent review. You mentioned you ran out of space for wider placement of speakers. What was the distance between speakers?

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