3-way high-end loudspeaker – 2 woofers 8¼” (21cm)
The longest standing loudspeaker of the line, Sopra N°3 perfectly combines dynamics, space optimisation and harmonic richness.
With its two 8¼" (21cm) woofers, this loudspeaker offers solid, rich and perfectly defined bass for music lovers looking for optimum performance. Despite its reasonable size, it will reveal its full potential in rooms measuring up to 860 ft2 (80 m2).
Sopra clearly inaugurates a new era for the “Premium High End” by taking into account new performance criteria. Compact, modern, a pure design, character... all these are essential factors to ensure perfect integration into your interior.
Equipped with best midrange drivers ever developed by Focal, with the NIC and TMD technologies, Sopra pushes back the limits of sound reproduction in terms of transparency in a very compact enclosure. Indeed, unlike Utopia, which is extravagant by essence and where size is by no means a constraint, Sopra aims for maximal compactness to ensure easy integration into reasonably sized rooms.
Our Beryllium tweeter features an incredibly light and extremely rigid dome, that deliver a transparent and dynamic sound. Its main limitation comes from the compression of air in the cavity behind it. But the requirement for Sopra to be compact meant that as much of the cabinet as possible had to be used for the bass. We had to explore other options for loading the tweeter, which led us to come up with the IHL system. The "IHL" system enables to load the Beryllium tweeter respecting the compactness demand of the speaker. The rear wave of the tweeter is delicately and gradually absorbed to avoid any distortion. The treble definition is pushed to the maximum
Since the beginning, we have always had a great interest in the magnetic circuit, an essential aspect of a speaker drive unit. The precision and detail of audio reproduction depends on the stability of the magnetic field. NIC technology (Neutral Inductance Circuit) permits to control the magnetic field and finally enables to master it in order to limit distortion. It decreases the effects of distortion and give the sound a very high-definition and an unprecedented dynamic.
Our teams have revealed resonances which alter definition in the suspension which connects the cone to the basket. The solutions already known for increasing the damping properties of the suspension all result in an increase of the mass which consequently alters definition. The answer came from a technology used in earthquake-resistant skyscrapers and which is also used for the suspension on racing cars. "TMD" technology consists of optimising the suspension profile which controls the resonance in order to drastically reduce distortion and increase the definition of bass and midrange.
The sleek design of the line naturally favours its performance, whilst the combination of high-end materials with an array of finishes provides real character and sophistication:
The architecture of Sopra N°3 hinges around the central section. Made by polyurethane injection, this makes it possible to angle the top and bottom subs to achieve ‘Focus Time’, where the two channels acoustically converge.
The main theme of Sopra is deliberately uncluttered, though it still offers connoisseurs the opportunity to enjoy all the small details. The grille with an incremental meshing motif protects the Beryllium tweeter and gives it a strong identity. This motif is repeated for sealing the curved back panel of the middle section. The terminal board, the thumb nuts and the adjustable spikes have all been specially designed for Sopra, as have the few visible screws, all of which were manufactured by watchmaking experts.
Made in France Sopra’s cabinet was designed in our cabinet-making facility in Bourbon-Lancy (Burgundy, France) using the same manufacturing process as for Utopia The 69mm sandwich-machined front panel uses the same principle as ‘Gamma Structure’ to provide inertia and damping. Its density gives it the inertia necessary to provide a stable mechanical reference for optimal definition. The inside of the cabinet has no parallel side panels, and small Helmholtz resonators have been added to the lower section to prevent vertical standing waves. We chose glass as the material for the base of the loudspeaker to provide floor coupling, using spikes, which enabled the fastest propagation time possible, thus eliminating all halo effects in the bass.
The Sopra 3 is the biggest and most powerful speaker in the range
Astonishing, sounds sublime and only another 188hrs to complete the breaking in - can only imagine the end results given how good they already sound!
The craftsmanship, finish and sound signature, fast bass, detailed authentic vocals, huge sound stage (in this case using Musical Fidelity Power Amp) is astonishing. Macassar Ebony is THE finish imo.
Boxe de top, sunet incredibil, finisaje superbe. Felicitari Focal
After a 40-50 hour break-in, the speakers have improved 100 percent. Very crisp mid range and high end with a great tight bass sound. The imaging and sound stage are just amazing. In two channel stereo mode, I had to check twice that my center channel speaker was off! These speakers were on my list for the last couple of years and I am so happy with their sound reproduction.
This was my 1st adventure in true audiophile speakers. I have no regrets, they sound amazing wether I am playing blues, jazz, or rock, they just perform. The louder they play honestly the better they sound, they crave volume and power. While they sound amazing at low volumes, the louder you play them they just wake up.
Additionally they are just stunning and beautiful, the shape and finishes are like adding art inside your home. Just beautiful.........
I highly recommend while they are not cheap in any sense they are art and sound amazing..........
I've wanted a pair of Sopra 3 speakers for many years and when I was made redundant, I used my pay off to invest in something I wanted and knew would make me happy. The Sopra 3 speakers have far exceeded how I thought they would sound. My wife (prior to placing the order) said I must be mad, but was brought to tears when she listened to M83 'Wait' for the first time. These speakers are work s of art and my money was well spent.
I'm home now, believe me. There will never be a speaker replacement again.
JUST BEAST. Best seakers I ever had.
Excellent Sound and build.
Easy unpacking for first placing
I really like the speakers and enjoy them every moment
I love this sopra 3 beautiful deep sound
I have been an enthusiast for good music and in particular good 2 channel systems. Needed to pair my McIntosh MC 462/ C50 with a good set of high-end speakers. My aging MartinLogan Ascent-i electrostats were fine but I needed Dynamic cone speakers. During my trip to US had a listen to Wilson Yvette and Sabrina X, Magico A5, Marten Django, B&W 803 D3 and few others from top brands. Could never justify spending so much on any of those.
Recently a local friend recommended Sopra 3. Bought a black pair. They look and sound fantastic compared to all I have listened to before. Focal’s pure Beryllium tweeter is clean and crisp without harshness , even at high volumes, Midrange is realistic and pure. Bass is exceptionally powerful and very deep.
They sound full and dynamic at both low and high volumes filling my 19x26’ room.. In short they are one the most stunning in looks and sound alike.
I feel they deserved Class A rating in Stereophile magazine and higher recommendation by The Absolute sound magazine and all the other audio press.
after a few months …… I listen to Focal sopra3 5 months after the purchase and I hear…. a wall of sound where the columns cannot be distinguished. They are blended into the scene. the musicians set up in my living room… I realized I was offering them drinks. sorry i lost myself in the music
Sądzę , że w tym przedziale cenowym nie znajdziecie lepszej kolumny. Dynamika , miękkość , dociążenie instrumentów są na niespotykanym poziomie. To inny poziom grania. Dobra robota FOCAL!
Fantasic sound!!
Amazing
Amazing sound
Sensationell natürliche und homogene Box, die Spielfreude und Gelassenheit genial vereint. Der kräftige Bass verlangt nach Liebe bei der Aufstellung, aber dann klingt's genial.
I upgraded to the No3s from a pair of Martin Logan Ascent is which had been in my system for 10+ years. The Sopra No3s improved on my listening experience in every way possible. They offer a deeper soundstage, greater transparency (yes greater transparency than electrostats), eliminate crossover effects and provide deep, articulate base. They simply give you that "you are there" sensation unlike I have ever heard in my system.
Highly recommended!
Amazing!
Simply the most amazing loud speaker I have heard and that you can buy under $50,000 USD.
Almost too good to be true; Amazing soundstage and imaging, accuracy, detail, clarity, depth, and a sense of air at all volume levels while NEVER being too harsh or fatiguing. The tweeter and midrange are so good with what seems to be a seamless integration that they simply make me smile.
My search for speakers is now over... these are just so good and fun to listen too.
They are pretty easy to drive but definitely like power if you have it on tap. Very revealing of your source and electronics, pair these with quality and they will simply blow you away.
Compared these against B&W 802 D3, Revel Salon 2s, Sonus Faber Amatis, mBls, KEF, DynAudio, etc are all amazing in their own right, but they all left me wanting something different, something more.
Amazing speakers! Experience real life performance listening to vocal jazz and for the matter all music I listen to. Am very happy with Sopra 3 and a big round of applause for the speaker designers, manufacturing and quality team!!!
Had demonstrations of a lot of other high end speakers including KEF Reference and B&W 800 and to me the Focal Sopra No’3’s sounded much better, superb in fact. Would highly recommend these speakers plus they look fantastic.
Best speaker I have ever owned !!!!!
Simply fantastic!!!
First time spending this kind of money on speakers. I sold my Martin Logan Vantages and purchased these and LOVE them. They are ncredible. Great high, mids and lows which is hard to find in speakers. I lsten to an extremely wide range of music from Rush, jazz, classical, and bluegrass and these do not disappoint. Although expensive, I am very happy I pulled the trigger and purchased these speakers.
Outstanding quality, craftsmanship and sound, finest speakers I every owned- highly recommended.
Perfekter Klang und soooo gut aussehend
In Verbindung mit meinem Octave (V80SE) Verstärker fantastisch, perfekt. Ich spiele alle Musikrichtungen auf Vinyl und bin begeistert von diesen Lautsprechern.
I am so very satiesfied with my new sopra no 3. When I both and change to Parasounds reference JC 1+JC 2 BP it became sounds really really god. Ìs there any Hifi heaven I`m there!! THX focal for a great speaker
Wonderfully natural sound especially with vocals, jazz, and other acoustic music, but also able to amaze with a wide range of genres.
SIMPLY AMAZING SOUND
Chapeau, fantastic!
Unbelievable speakers. Refined yet authoritative. Deep punchy bass. Precise soundstage. Every time I sit to listen to them I am overwhelmed with emotion.
The build quality and surface finish of the speakers are superb. The speakers are not yet broken in, and I will rate their sound quality after they are. For now, my rating is for their appearance and quality of construction only. That said, I expect their sound quality will also be superb, given my listening experience thus far.
Outstanding
Enjoying them immensely
The Sopra 3s are phenominal sounding, but the (left) speaker, serial A1BCO000353 has a finish defect.
The speaker in gloss black had a manual touch up (one can see the spot of paint) when painted at the factory and was then was sprayed over with the clear lacquer. The outside surface of the speaker is perfect and smooth, but when looking at and into the finish one can see the touched up spot underneath. It is probably 6-8mm wide. When a meter away and at an angle the defect can't be seen.
As a customer, I am very disappointed to spend this much and find a defect down underneath after a few weeks of ownership. These speakers were extremely heavy and difficult to install in my home. Removing or replacing will be very difficult. I want your quality control team to know that this should have been repaired better in the factory before shipping. Again this is for speaker A1BCO000353, speaker A1BCO000354 appears to be perfect.
Regards,
Kevin Neptune
1224 Little Gull Drive
Forney TX 75126