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Focal Sopra 2's vs Titron GoldenEar Reference speakers

Hello there, After a long and drawn out process, I’m finally down to a couple of choices for my New Speakers. The two speakers are the Focal Sopra 2 and the Golden ear Triton Reference Speakers/ I’ll either buy the golden ears new or buy second hand sopra’s 2’s only used for 2 months. The price is the same either way. I have heard both speakers in perfectly attuned rooms that were tweaked out. The last set of speakers I purchased sounded very different in my NON dedicated listening room than they did in the store. After this speaker purchase " which is a big one for me at these prices" I don’t want to even think of buying new loud speakers for years. I’m not one to change his gear often. Though I do change my underwear everyday. That was a very poor attempt at humor. If any of you reading this have heard both of these speakers, I would love to hear your thoughts on them good, bad or indifferent. My non dedicated listening room DIMENSIONS are 8 FEET HIGH,20 FEET LONG and 14 FEET WIDE. I will be using Mcintosh solid state preamp and power amp for the new speakers. After the speaker purchase, future purchases and time spent reading about hi-fi will be dedicated to room improvements. I like to listen to music loud, very rarely do I listen at low volumes. I’m 50 percent split on the music of my youth, Metal and punk. The other 50 percent Diana Krall, Duke Ellington
and more audiophile like music. It seems to me at the 11 Canadian price point it’s hard to find a speaker that does it all well. I have to admit I’m a huge mark for the look of the sopra 2 loudspeaker. Of course the Golden ear reference come with built in woofers which is a plus. I’m not a big bass head though. If any of you fine people could offer me your opinions or some insight to either speaker, It would be greatly appreciated. I;m a bit antsy as this is a big purchases for me and I don’t want to mess it up. A huge thank you for taking the time to read this long winded post. Would love to hear some strong opinions. Enjoy the music.

Mikey

riverboat
papafrgog
101 posts
 
I’ve owned GE triton 1s. Paired w aesthetix eclipse amp & pre. I loved the smoothness of the muds and high end. Detailed but not harsh. The bass, being adjustable, helped keep the sound right for me. I replaced them with Burmester speakers bc I liked the ribbon tweeter sound but with more detail in the middle. I kept the GE and moved them to a home theater application where the bass really shines. I do agree that the GE product punches well above its weight class. Good luck. Get what you ears tell you to get
ejr1953
895 posts
 
I have had a pair of Sopra No2's since they first came into the U.S.  It's been mentioned by others the importance of matching an amp to this (and in my opinion) or any speaker for that matter.  I first auditioned the Sopra's with a Naim integrated amp (I believe it was around 80 wpc), and found them to sound "thin" and "lifeless".  I later heard them driven by a McIntosh MC452 and was absolutely smitten.  I find the smoothness of the McIntosh amps pairs well with the Sopra's.  I have mine driven by an MC452 with a McIntosh C2500 tube preamp, a very nice combination, so nice, I'm off the "upgrade train", probably for a long, long time!
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,248 posts
 
@ejr1953...........i have the GE Triton References with a McIntosh C2500 tube preamp and an MC302 power amp. Like you, I am off the upgrade train as well.
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,584 posts
 
EJR the Naim Uniti Nova is hardly a thin and lifeless sound with the Sopras, the issue is that many Naim dealers use Naim cables which are really okay sounding, because the amplifiers are designed to be used with a cable with a known inductance, and  many higher end cables are low inductance, with better speaker cables the Naim Nova sounds really good, however, with $14k speakers we do like to see more expensive electronics used as the speakers will sound far better. 

So we would agree with your choice of the better Macintosh gear, if you heard the Sopras with the higher end Naim separates you would have also been smitten 

As per the battle of these two great speakers you couldn't lose with either. we would agree with the Sopras having a bit clearer midrange and top end,  with the Golden Ears having a smoothness and deep bass that is better than the Sopras.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor Golden Ear dealers
demich
7 posts
 
Just sharing my experience as it relates to the OP - After an extensive search last year I purchased a pair of Focal Sopra 2's and never looked back. The other two contenders were Wilson and Revel but I was concerned they were too tough to drive. I'm pushing the Sopra's with a Prima Luna Dialogue Integrated (+/- 42 wpc/25 in triod) and power is never an issue in a 14x20 room with vaulted ceilings. The bass is full, deep, fast and sometimes even earth shaking. I am surprised when others say the Sopra's are bright. I've listened to them with numerous SS and tube amps and the tweeter is one of the high points.

I also hear the Sopra's at AZPONA this year but they were in a huge room without their own 'space' and definitely wasn't the best I've heard them. The Focal rep was apologetic that they weren't set up properly and also should be mated with the better Naim amps. He also share his opinion that the Sopra 2 was a significant step up from the Katana (for what that's worth). I also heard the Golden Ear for just a few minutes but to me and my brother it wasn't doing anything special so we moved on. (I wouldn't consider our brief experience with the GE any kind of review or opinion). I'm not a big fan of subs or powered speakers but that's just me. 

In general, I find the Sopra 2 very easy to live with - easy to drive, easy to place and are very musical regardless of the genre. It's always inviting, involving and thrilling. While no speaker does everything well, the Sopra 2 does a lot right. If your able to get a good deal on a pair I doubt you'd feel any buyers remorse. 

Good luck on your decision and happy listening!
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