2-way high-end bookshelf loudspeaker
Compact and powerful, Sopra N°1 is a concentration of technological innovation. It features 'NIC' magnetic circuit, 'TMD' surrounds for the midrange woofer and Infinite Horn Loading (IHL) of the tweeter. It is a true 'demonstrator', corroborating the contribution of the new technologies implemented on Sopra. First, the very low distortion gives it incredible clarity and very high definition combined with the spectacular spatialisation typical of bookshelf loudspeakers...
Beyond this attractive first impression, what's astonishing is the texture and smoothness of its sound. It provides a solid, 'fleshy' sound with full and articulated bass. Precious is by no means artificial, nor is the limited to the treble. The overall coherence and harmonic richness gives the listener a surprising understanding of the music.
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.
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 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
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.
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 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 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.
I bought the Sopra 1 speakers to work with my Sopra 3 speakers in a home cinema set up. I also have the Sopra Centre on order (won't arrive until July) and the build quality alone screams class. I love the design and when I'm watching movies the added weight they bring to the sound stage blows my mind.
LOVE SOUND OF THIS SPEAKER,VERY DETAILED , GREAT SOUNDSTAGE AND IS A JOY TO LISTEN TOO!!
Absolutely wonderful
Excellent sound - perfect speaker
A big thank you for the Focal team!
This Sopra is extremely fast, neutral and detailed. Never fatiguing, never harsh.
And what an amazing soundstage!
And so realistic!
Sax, guitar, piano, drums... you name it. It sounds like it should. The stiff light beryllium tweeter with horn loading design does an amazing job.
And on top of all that... it looks great too with the glass top. It makes all the other brands look ugly.
What can I say :
Focal well done and thank you !!!
After 30 years of being out of touch with hifi products I wanted again to hear glorious music as I enter my golden years, ( Im 70 in March 22)...classical, acoustic, Swing, folk, rock, electronic Et Al. It would be difficult for any system within my price range to cover all these genres.
In March 21 I bought the Naim Uniti Atom and Aria 906's.To assist with bass registers I added an SVS SB 2000 Pro sub.
I was so impressed I upgraded in October 21 to a Naim Uniti Star and after listening to some Kanta's and Sopra's, decided on the Sopra No 1's with the Focal stands.
I am overwhelmed and over the moon with my music. Thank-you, Thank-you Thank-you Focal & Naim ❤️. Ill leave it to the professional reviewers for descriptive superlatives ☺️
Amazing
Day one just had the Sopra installed with a new Naim Unit Nova, loving the sound already and can only get better from here. A most excellent combination and they look fantastic.
Have just setup sopra no 1 speaker's and stands with tellurium q black 11 speaker cable (naim nova amp),first sound quality great will burn in both for 500 hrs making adjustments as required,sound will then be fantastic.
Putting together of sopra speaker's and stands was easy, levelling was more awkward but worth the the time to ensure stable and level stands.
Stunning speakers , beautifully made ,
Super,Super, und noch mal Super.
Great sound
Quite heavy but Wonderful sound.
Sturdy and stable with stand.
Recommended.
N1 in my Lani room are so rich full of tight bass and mids they are morning coffee with ramsey lewis smooth as the other side of the pillow
Our home has never been so full of such amazing sounds thanks to our new friends. Thank you
Sehr schöne Lausprecher mit einem tollen Klang.
Very happy with my choice.
Transparency, accuracy, and detailed. A precision instrument.
good
sopra 1
I consider these speakers as marking my passage to a total system sound ex
perience that could be considered High End. The balance and harmonics achieved by the special woofer, beryllium tweeter, and custom cabinet bring
my other system components up to the level that they can perform their best
together with the speakers. Check out the sound of a resonator acoustic guitar through the spore's in the hands of a Piedmont bluesman.
Superb, excellent, wonderful! I’m selling my Wilson Audio Sophia 2 Speakers and not looking back. Magnififet!
What a beauty! And what a sound. Magnificent.
Beautiful speakers well packed struggling a little finding right speaker cable to work with my lovely speakers...thank you focal
Great speaker
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