Need Center and Surrounds to Match Focal Sopra 3


I have a dilemma. I overspent on Focal Sopra 3s which are awesome.  I was using them for 2 channel music and now I’m going to use them for my home theater (music and movies) and cannot afford the Sopra 3 center and surrounds. I regret spending so much now, but I’ll lose a ton selling them used, so I need to figure out an affordable alternative for a center and surrounds.  I don’t believe that I MUST buy a Sopra 3 center and Atmos set up for it to sound good, but still want to get something high quality. Can anyone please help? I’ve looked for used Sopra 2s and 3s and have found nothing. Thinking about high end paradigm center? Other than that not sure. Please help. Sopras have a berrilym dome tweeter, but a match is not a must as they sounded fine with my monitor audio silver center, which I’m now going to use in my living room. Thanks much!! 
jjsoll

Showing 2 responses by jjsoll

There are lower priced Focals, but I don’t know much about them, and whether a much lower priced center Focal is superior to a slighter more expensive other brand like Paradigm, MA, revel, wharfdale, etc, some of which might have berrilym tweeters (I have to check). There’s also the (hold your breath - Sandy Gross Golden Ear speakers - don’t know whether these are hype or legit audiophile).  Totally agree that the center is the most important but I don’t have almost $4k since I’m downsizing and building a home theater and need to also spend money on a new screen (my Stewart 2.35:1 doesn’t fit), wiring, stage, blah blah. 
Well, good question. I have a Marantz 8002 which I was going to use in my family room set up with my 5.1 monitor audio silvers and then use my older (but still excellent B&K AVR507 v.2 in my home theater. It’s a 7 channel 150w into 8Ohms. It has a huge toroidal amp which can sustain high watts of called for without straining. Rebel speakers use Berrilym tweeters also as do the lower end Focal centers at $2,100 new or something of the Monitor Audio centers with CCAM (ceramic coated aluminum magnesium) drivers which I believe have a similar timber.  I’m thinking any with dual 6” drivers would match well - in the $1,500 range rather than $4k for the Focal Sopra. Just thinking out loud. I really don’t want don’t want to go with a phantom center bc I’ll always find another use for money!