Focal SOPRA 3 tower speakers

The interplanetary success of the UTOPIA range has enabled the Focal brand to develop a new range of high-end speakers at a more affordable price.

The Focal Sopra 3 speaker is currently the most advanced model.

FOCAL SOPRA 3: DESIGN

Visually, it offers an aesthetic very similar to the Utopia speakers. Indeed, it features the manufacturer’s characteristic curve.

The finish, regardless of the color, is superb. It is available in lacquered finishes in white, red, black, and orange. It is also possible to obtain it with a wood finish.

The top of the Focal Sopra 3 speaker features a black-tinted silica plate, which is very attractive.

The baffle that houses the drivers is 69 mm thick!

The entire speaker rests on a base carved from a 19 mm thick block of silica, equipped with four height-adjustable stainless steel spikes.

Stainless steel counter-spikes and elastomer pads are also provided as standard. This relatively wide base ensures perfect stability for the Focal SOPRA 3 floor-standing speaker and enhances the precision and clarity of the overall sound message.

FOCAL SOPRA 3: DRIVERS

In the Focal Sopra 3, we find the driver arrangement dear to the manufacturer.

The high-frequency block is nestled between the bass drivers and the midrange driver, which is positioned at the top of the speaker. It is a true three-way system with four drivers.

The bass is handled by two magnificent 21 cm “W” cone drivers. They are loaded in a bass/reflex configuration with a laminar port opening on the front face at the base of the SOPRA 3 speaker.

The motor is equipped with NIC technology. This involves the use of a Faraday ring whose dimensions, material, and positioning have been optimized to make the magnetic field insensitive to the position of the coil, the current intensity, and the frequency passing through it.

This solution finally allows control of the magnetic field to minimize distortion effects and provide the sound with very high definition and remarkable dynamics.

Above this is the closed "cabinet" housing the midrange driver. This driver has a 16.5 cm W cone, with specific TMD suspension and an NIC motor. Focal proudly claims that this driver is probably the best they have developed to date!

The crossover uses the best available inductors and capacitors.

The particularly meticulous internal wiring is provided by a well-known and recognized European high-end speaker cable manufacturer.

FOCAL SOPRA 3: TWEETER

Above the "bass cabinet" is the module housing the tweeter.

It is made from a black matte monobloc polyurethane that is extremely hard and inert. It houses the now-famous 27 mm pure beryllium inverted dome tweeter. In this enclosure, it functions somewhat like a planar baffle.

Its rear wave is dampened by an IHL horn that opens at the rear of the Focal SOPRA 3 speaker through a beautiful variable geometry stainless steel grille.

This part is acoustically completely independent from the rest of the speaker.

FOCAL SOPRA 3: TERMINAL

The terminal only accepts single wiring, which is simpler and often more effective!

Naturally, it is of excellent quality, and its oval shape allows for optimal tightening of bare cables, spades, or banana plugs.

FOCAL SOPRA 3: UNBOXING

During unboxing, it is immediately clear that Focal spared no expense. It is a large floor-standing speaker!

Its dimensions are already impressive, nearly 1.30 m tall with a weight of 70 kg per unit! This gives an idea of the quality of construction and attention to detail in the cabinetry.

FOCAL SOPRA 3: SETUP

The setup of the Focal Sopra 3 speaker is relatively simple and does not require special precautions.

While it is designed for spaces of at least 35 m², it can be used in smaller spaces if the electronics are capable and can control the drivers.

Large rooms do not intimidate it. It can perform impressively in very large spaces over 80 m²!

Depending on the room size and the construction of the wall behind the speaker, we recommend positioning it at least 60 cm away from the wall.

Its neutrality and efficiency make it quite versatile in terms of amplification. It requires good electronics with at least 45W for tube amplifiers and 100W for transistor amplifiers.

FOCAL SOPRA 3: TEST AND LISTENING

We listened to them seriously after 50 hours of break-in.

From the first notes, as with the lower models in the Sopra range (Focal Sopra 1 and Focal Sopra 2 speakers), we were surprised by the openness of the soundstage and the placement of the instruments!

If care is taken to position and power them correctly, the Focal Sopra 3 offers remarkable holographic reproduction. The instruments extend far beyond the speaker’s frame. The depth is also surprising. The placement of voices is remarkable. All of this demonstrates the quality of the pairing of the Focal SOPRA 3 speakers and the consistency of the manufacturing process.

The bass is much more ample than on the Focal Sopra 2 speaker. It also goes significantly lower. But it remains remarkably controlled and articulated. The impact of bass drums is strikingly realistic! It feels like listening to a large 38 cm driver! The double bass slaps do not distort at all. They are fast, they "snap" while allowing complete readability of the instrument's resonance.

The quality of the cabinetry allows for a very neutral low end without parasitic coloration. It is also worth noting the quality and precision of the crossover, which makes it difficult to tell if you are listening to a 2-way or 3-way speaker. The coherence of the ranges is remarkable.

As with the other models in the Sopra range, the midrange/treble is splendid in its openness, presence, and neutrality. It is detailed, clear, and very refined without ever being harsh or aggressive.

These Sopra 3 floor-standing speakers also enjoy a timbre quality and harmonic richness that we believe has rarely been achieved by Focal! They allow total immersion in the music with emotion, making you forget the electronics.

It is also noteworthy that the sound level that can be achieved without distortion with these speakers is very high! They can reproduce orchestral masses, Blues, Rock, or electronic music with a striking level and realism.

This Focal SOPRA 3 column is a great success both musically and aesthetically. It is part of the first range offered by the manufacturer from Saint-Etienne since acquiring the Anglo-Saxon brand Naim Audio. One can think and affirm that the association of these two "know-hows" has been totally beneficial.

The Sopra range is high-end, entirely manufactured in France (the only ones?!...). They do not pale in comparison to American productions.

The reference in this range! And also a point of French pride!

Highly recommended +++

AWARDS:

EAR *****
STEREO ****