A few weeks ago I told you that Focal had added another, larger floorstanding model (the No.3 – read the blog by clicking here) to their high-end Sopra range, which up until that point had consisted of the Sopra No.1 (a bookshelf) and the No.2 (a smaller floorstander). In the same blog, I very unsubtley alluded to Focal’s plans to release the models necessary to turn them into a 5.1 system.
Well, guess what? They’re here. Three new models which match the current Sopra setup, giving you the makings of a beautifully high end (and beautiful sounding) Sopra 5.1 surround set up. Up until now there hasn’t been much to rival KEF’s flagship the Reference 5.1 system, but this new line up may well be its newest competitor!
Let’s take a closer look at the new arrivals to the suped up Sopra system.
Focal Sopra SW1000 Be Subwoofer
The redesigned version of the acclaimed Electra Be sub, tweaked to ensure compatibility with the other models in the Sopra line. It’s big, it’s heavy and it’s beautiful, with a 13″ (33cm) “W” cone speaker low distortion driver, a high-power 600 W RMS BASH® amplifier and a front laminar port.
Focal Sopra Centre Speaker
It wouldn’t be a balanced system if the the front speakers weren’t integrated with a perfectly matching centre – and as you guys know its vital to have a centre that is “voiced” the same as the front speakers. Such a thing is tricky to articulate, but if you have any experience with AV, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Well, this is a centre that does exactly that, with precision.
Focal Sopra Surround Be Dipole Speakers
The finishing touch. The paired speakers feature a unique and exclusive “Bi/Twin” design (with twin inputs) enabling the loudspeaker to be used both in 5.1 bipolar mode or 7.1 double mono mode.
So you’re probably wondering… how does it sound? Well. it’s about what you’d expect! Each model has the same level performance as Sopra 1 and Sopra 2 that we’re already familiar with but only now can we integrate it all together for a geometric effect. And it’s a pretty good effect. Sopra’s design trickles down from the flagship Focal Utopia range (… incredibly expensive) but are much more impressive than the established range of Focal Electra speakers. Indeed the Sopra range is now much more popular, and looks set to be a real high-end contender in the market place, fitting snugly between the Electra and the Utopia.
Better than KEF? Well, we’ll let you decide. Get in touch and we’ll book you in for a demo, ready for when they land!