2. speakers
  3. 164390-156447

Would you Upgrade?

Hi everyone, i'd like to get everyone's opinion on upgrading my set of loudspeakers.

I would be going from a pair of B&W 802D (the first of the diamond models, around 2010) to a pair of Focal Sopra 3's.

Is there much of an upgrade making this change?

I heard the Sopra's at an upscale dealer with a close to perfect setup: speakers about 15 feet from the front wall and about 10 feet from the side walls. Electronics were all Esoteric, including their $44,000 Grandiosa M1 monoblocks, preamp, cd player, power regenerator and $3,800 Cardas clear stereo speaker cables.

I'm not sure if these speakers would sound much different from my current 802D and my humble Classe CAM 100 monoblocks.

Also, how many years do speakers last before they degrade (speaker, crossovers, etc...)

thanks to everyone in advance.
onehorsepony
Ag insider logo xs@2x
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Also, how many years do speakers last before they degrade (speaker, crossovers, etc...)

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Round drivers 15+ years. With BR surrounds 25-50 years.

Ribbons, forever

Planar, until they delaminate, maybe forever.

Crossover from B&W. Everyone I've seen uses long lasting polys, not the best sounding (but good) last forever. They use good inductors, resistors and coils, again, not the best but good. 25 + years.

50 year old speakers are everywhere.. I have one pair 75 years old. They will last another 75.  As long as the paper and fabric surrounds last.

Regards
onehorsepony OP
30 posts
 
Overall, I thought after 11 years with the same speakers it be nice to change things up a bit.

Trouble is, about 15 years ago I changed things up by purchasing a pair of Thiel 3.7’s and they never worked out for me.

If I were to ask myself what I don’t like about my current 802D’s I would say issues with the soundstage and imaging. Vocals tend to wander from center to left to right within the same recording. Soundstage does not seem spacious and as open as I’d like.
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
Soundstage is entirely dependent upon the recording! Most recordings are flawed. The better the system the more obvious the flaws!
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
Tekton Double Impacts ($3K including shipping) are a good recommendation! Why spend more?
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,463 posts
 
From a tonal perspective, I don't think there is any question that the Classe and Focals will work together.  They also have enough power to drive the Focals without issue.  

You described the demo room, but not your room that I can see.  What does your room look like?  Where will they be placed?  Can you put in treatments if need be?  The Sopra 3s are amazing speakers but aren't going to work in every space.  

It is very possible that upgrading your equipment will make a difference longer term but you should make sure these are the right speakers for your space first.  

More to discover