Focal Sopra No.3 loudspeaker Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Three-way bass-reflex floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1.125" (27mm) pure beryllium inverted-dome tweeter, 6.5" (165mm) W-cone midrange driver, two 8.25" (210mm) W-cone woofers. Crossover frequencies: 250Hz, 2.2kHz. Frequency response: 33Hz–40kHz, ±3dB. Sensitivity: 91.5dB/2.83V/m. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms. Minimum impedance: 3.1 ohms. Recommended amplification: 40–400W.
Dimensions: 49.8" (1264mm) H by 15.8" (402mm) W by 23.4" (595mm) D. Weight: 154.3 lbs (70kg).
Finishes: Carrara White, Black Lacquer, Imperial Red, Electric Orange, Nogaro Blue, Dogato Walnut.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: A1BCOF000325/326.
Price: $19,999/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 82.
Manufacturer: Focal-JMlab, 108 rue de l'Avenir, BP 374, 42353 La Talaudière Cedex, France. Tel: (33) 477-435-700. Web: www.focal.com. US distributor: Audio Plus Services, 156 Lawrence Paquette Industrial Drive, Champlain, NY 12919. Tel: (800) 663-9352. Fax: (866) 656-0686. Web: www.audioplusservices.com.

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

COMMENTS
Supperconductor's picture

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

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

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

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

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

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

You don't like the french?

Kal Rubinson's picture

Why would you think that?

HansRamon's picture

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

Kal Rubinson's picture

Who is Herb Reichert? ;-)

Dazgum's picture

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

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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