FOCAL SOPRA N3. 3-way Floorstanding Speakers

The high-fidelity Sopra speaker sets a new standard in the high-end speaker category. Sopra introduces an innovative perspective with unprecedented performance criteria: compact, modern, pure, and customized design. These aspects are crucial for achieving harmonious integration into any interior environment. It draws inspiration from the recent achievements of the "ultra high-end" Utopia III speaker line, currently considered the most exceptional speakers designed by Focal.

Equipped with Focal's most advanced midrange drivers and technologies like "NIC" and "TMD," the Sopra N°3 redefines the limits of sound transparency in a compact-sized speaker. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Sopra N°2, the Sopra N°3 delivers powerful bass with larger woofers (210 mm instead of 180 mm). This speaker, beloved by music enthusiasts, gracefully unfolds generous and controlled low tones.

Focal's designers and engineers have completely reconsidered the internal architecture of the Sopra N°3 to increase the volume dedicated to the two bass speakers. As a result, this speaker presents itself as dynamic and musical, with bass tones that stand out for their generosity and control.

At Focal, innovation goes beyond technology; the true obsession is the end result: harmonic richness, purity, and precision of sound in relation to the musical work. Therefore, constant attention is focused on the speaker, the fundamental foundation of Focal and the historical root of the company: sophisticated technology, mechanics, and materials.

In two decades, Utopia has become an indispensable global reference, recognized for its extraordinary musicality and technological innovation. The Sopra project naturally builds on this "technological heritage" to develop new innovations.

The application of state-of-the-art digital analysis tools has allowed revealing the most intimate aspects of speaker operation. Additionally, engineers have improved the magnetic circuit and peripheral suspension of the transducers to surpass limits in terms of purity, precision, and harmonic richness of reproduction. The Sopra midrange, with its new NIC magnetic circuit and TMD suspension, provides an incredibly realistic listening experience.

INNOVATIVE AND SOPHISTICATED DESIGN

In the pursuit of excellence in Utopia and all Focal speakers, the design of Sopra emerges from a close collaboration between designers and engineers. It is a passionate effort aimed at reconciling complex constraints, experiences, and innovative, sophisticated solutions. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve evidence, immediate simplicity that brings pleasure and the purity of unforgettable sounds.

The Sopra line is designed for sound enthusiasts. At this level of demand, the design must not only meet aesthetic and form criteria but must also be a true industrial design work that enhances performance and ensures the expected quality to harmoniously integrate into carefully decorated interiors.

The architecture of the Sopra speakers focuses on the central intermediate piece, which, in addition to bringing great personality to the range, becomes a structural element present in various technical solutions. Made of injected polyurethane, this piece allows tilting the high and low speakers for "Focus Time" (equidistance of sources in front of the listener for acoustic convergence of the channels).

The compact and harmonious dimensions of Sopra meet the highest demands.

Special attention has been paid to ensure a neat front appearance, especially around the speakers, eliminating any irregularities that could affect both acoustics and aesthetics. The fabric frames are flush, and lacquered finishes ensure that all surfaces of the speaker are uniform. A real challenge in manufacturing at the Bourbon-Lancy cabinetmaking plant.

The overall design of Sopra is deliberately streamlined but offers enthusiasts the joy of discovering numerous details. A dynamic lattice is chosen for the front to protect and give identity to the beryllium tweeter. This same motif is repeated on the curved back plate that closes the intermediate part. The terminal design, wing nuts, adjustable spikes, and deliberately visible screws have been exclusively designed for Sopra and crafted by master watchmakers.

NIC - NEUTRAL INDUCTANCE CIRCUIT - Magnetic field stabilization

Since its inception, Focal has shown constant interest in magnetic circuits, as they are an essential dimension of the speaker. The stability of the magnetic field is crucial for the accuracy and detail of a speaker's reproduction.

After pushing the limits with electromagnet devices (EM technology applied to Grande Utopia EM and Stella Utopia EM), Focal engineers realized that the magnetic field varies independently of intensity. This variation is unstable due to three factors: coil displacement (Lenz's law), current passing through it (Foucault current), and frequency.

NIC technology uses a Faraday ring whose dimensions, material, and position are optimized so that the magnetic field is insensitive to the coil's position, intensity, and frequency of the current passing through it. This solution allows control of the field to limit distortion effects and provide the sound with great definition and unparalleled dynamics.

TMD - TUNED MASS DAMPER

UADA - Midrange obsession

The midrange is undoubtedly the most complex to handle in an acoustic system.

Thanks to the power of finite element digital analysis, Focal engineers have identified resonances in the suspension that connects the membrane and the basket.

Known solutions to increase suspension damping involve increasing mass and, therefore, alter definition. However, this problem has been addressed using a technique employed in skyscraper seismic devices or race car suspensions: the "Tuned Mass Damper" technique. It involves an additional mass that oscillates in opposition to resonance to control it.

The harmonic damper is an optimization of the suspension profile that controls resonance to avoid cone deformations without penalizing dynamics. This solution allows a drastic reduction in distortions and an increase in definition.

This innovation is patented.

IHL - INFINITE HORN LOADING - Maximizing the beryllium tweeter

Focal's beryllium tweeter has an extremely light and rigid dome that produces transparent and dynamic sound, capable of covering more than 5 octaves. Its main limitation comes from air compression in the rear cavity, affecting definition. Ideally, to overcome this limitation, an almost infinite size would be needed. However, since the Sopra must be compact, the IHL system has been devised to make the most of the tweeter.

The back of the beryllium tweeter is loaded with a small cavity that communicates with the outside of the box through a pavilion filled with damping material. This gently absorbs the tweeter's rear wave. The acoustic impedance tends to zero, eliminating any resistance that alters dome movements. This reduces distortion by 30% and takes definition to its maximum level.

This device is patented.

MADE IN FRANCE

Cabinetmaking crafted in Burgundy

Sopra cabinets are manufactured in our cabinetmaking workshop in Bourbon-Lancy using the same processes followed for Utopia.

Speakers and tweeters made in Saint-Etienne

Sopra speakers are entirely manufactured in France to maintain optimal control of products and ensure a unique acoustic quality.

Assembly and quality control

The final assembly of all our hi-fi speakers is done in our facilities to ensure even greater quality control.

MASTERY IN CABINETS AND MATERIAL SELECTION

The front adopts the "Gamma Structure" principle, 69 mm thick, made with MDF panels. Due to its density, it provides the necessary inertia to offer an inert mechanical frame and thus achieve optimal definition.

The inside of the cabinet has no parallel side walls. Small Helmholtz resonators have been added at the bottom to correct vertical standing waves.

For the base of the speaker, glass has been retained as the material to offer, through spikes, a coupling to the floor with the highest possible propagation speed, thus eliminating any halo effect in the bass.

DENSE AND IMPRESSIVE BASS FOR A COMPACT VOLUME

The bass range based on two 8" (210 mm) woofers equipped with "NIC" magnetic circuits creates a large volume thanks to the "IHL" tweeter configuration, allowing us to exploit the box's capacity to the fullest. Indeed, unlike the naturally extravagant Utopia, for which size is not a problem, Sopra lives in a compact design to facilitate integration into realistically sized rooms.

Furthermore, the Gamma box with its 69 mm thick front brings significant inertia for this size. At 70 kg, Sopra N°3 has nothing to envy to its larger competitors… Compact mass and dimensions harmoniously come together to offer bass of impressive intensity and articulation.

This extraordinary bass control facilitates the integration of Sopra Nº3. The result is ideal in rooms under 30m², although it also adapts to spaces up to 70m².

DESIGN BEYOND AESTHETICS AND FORM

The Sopra line is designed for sound enthusiasts. Its design naturally favors performance while combining the expected quality in an object that will integrate into highly cared-for interiors and decorations. Lacquered finishes or satin woods combined with noble materials for a streamlined look. An additional effort has been made to make the front appear neat, especially around the speakers, eliminating any unnecessary roughness to highlight both acoustics and appearance.

The same architecture of Sopra Nº3 revolves around the intermediate piece. Made of injected polyurethane, this element allows tilting the high and low enclosures for "Focus Time," the acoustic convergence of the channels. It also offers the freedom to adjust the treble (decompression, isolation of the tweeter section, etc.). It contributes to the system's great rigidity and optimizes the space allowed for the midranges due to its compact size.

FROM PERFORMANCE TO AESTHETICS

The Pineau & Le Porcher design agency has designed Sopra adhering to a principle: no sacrifice of performance for aesthetics. Its sound naturally favors performance while combining lacquered or wood finishes (Light Oak and Black Oak) associated with noble materials, for a streamlined look.

Special attention has been paid to the front face and especially around the speakers: eliminating any unnecessary roughness to highlight acoustics and appearance. The architecture of Sopra N°3 revolves around the intermediate piece. Made of injected polyurethane, this element allows tilting the high and low enclosures for "Focus Time," the acoustic convergence of the channels.

DEMAND FOR DETAILS

The entire Sopra line is deliberately streamlined, offering enthusiasts the joy of discovering numerous details. A grille, with a dynamic lattice motif, protects and signs the beryllium tweeter. This same motif is taken up for the curved back plate that closes the intermediate piece. The specific design of its connection panel, as well as wing nuts and adjustable spikes. Deliberately visible screws have been designed exclusively for Sopra, manufactured by watchmaking specialists.

EXPERTISE IN CABINETS AND MATERIAL SELECTION

Sopra speakers are manufactured in France, in the workshops of our Bourbon-Lancy cabinetmaking, using the same methods as for Utopia. The front baffle adopts the "Gamma Structure" principle, 69 mm thick, worked in the mass of an assembly of MDF panels. Due to its density, it provides the necessary inertia to offer an inert mechanical reference, achieving optimal definition. The inside of the cabinet has no parallel side walls. Small Helmholtz resonators have been adjusted at the bottom to counteract vertical standing waves. For the base of the speaker, glass has been considered the ideal material: through spikes, a coupling to the floor with the highest possible propagation speed eliminates any halo effect in the bass.

All our products benefit from Focal's exclusive innovations and technologies, developed by our engineers in France.

Technical Specifications:

Type: 3-way floorstanding bass-reflex speaker

Transducers:

1 x 1/16" (27 mm) - Beryllium inverted dome tweeter "IHL"

1 x 6½" (165 mm) - Midrange woofer with "W" cone with TMD suspension and NIC motor

2 x 8" (210 mm) - Bass woofer with "W" cone

Frequency response (+/- 3 DB): 33 Hz - 40,000 Hz

Lower cutoff frequency (- 6 DB): 26 Hz

Sensitivity (2.83V / 1M): 91.5 dB

Nominal impedance: 8 ohms

Minimum impedance (@25°C): 3.1 ohms

Crossover frequency: 250 Hz / 2,200 Hz

Recommended amplification power: 40 - 400 W

Dimensions (height x width x depth): 1,264 x 402 x 595 mm

Net weight: 70 kg (each)