I auditioned the 1038BE’s and the Sopra No2’s and selected the Sopra’s, have been enjoying them since Mid-September 2015.
My audition of the 1038BE’s was in a larger room (probably around 24x24) powered by a 450wpc amp. They knocked my socks off, how "big" they sounded, and the detail in the upper ranges.
My audition of the Sopra’s was in a smaller room (probably around 12x15, speakers on the short wall), powered by an 80wpc integrated. Though I think any of the Focal’s I’ve auditioned were well suited for a larger room, I felt that the detail in the midrange & highs was better with the Sopra’s, and I could locate individual instruments/voices in the sound stage better with the Sopra’s.
It took me a little bit to get the Sopra’s "dialed in" to my 24x26 "man cave", but minor changes in the positioning seemed to make significant changes to the soundstage and presentation of the midrange. Now that I have it "just right", the Sopra’s put a smile on my face.
I also auditioned the 1028BE’s, but the amp they used at that dealership made the tweeters sound grainy, and after just a few tracks, I was fatigued. I suspect this would have been the case with the Sopra’s as well.
My audition of the 1038BE’s was in a larger room (probably around 24x24) powered by a 450wpc amp. They knocked my socks off, how "big" they sounded, and the detail in the upper ranges.
My audition of the Sopra’s was in a smaller room (probably around 12x15, speakers on the short wall), powered by an 80wpc integrated. Though I think any of the Focal’s I’ve auditioned were well suited for a larger room, I felt that the detail in the midrange & highs was better with the Sopra’s, and I could locate individual instruments/voices in the sound stage better with the Sopra’s.
It took me a little bit to get the Sopra’s "dialed in" to my 24x26 "man cave", but minor changes in the positioning seemed to make significant changes to the soundstage and presentation of the midrange. Now that I have it "just right", the Sopra’s put a smile on my face.
I also auditioned the 1028BE’s, but the amp they used at that dealership made the tweeters sound grainy, and after just a few tracks, I was fatigued. I suspect this would have been the case with the Sopra’s as well.