Introduction

The Focal Sopra Surround BE is a high-performance surround sound system designed to elevate your home theater experience. With its compact size, elegant design, and advanced technologies, this speaker system delivers exceptional audio quality and immersive soundscapes. In this review, we will delve into the various features and specifications of the Focal Sopra Surround BE, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses, and providing insights into its overall performance.

Design and Build Quality

The Focal Sopra Surround BE features a unique Bi/Twin design with twin inputs, allowing for versatile usage in both 5.1 (Bipolar mode) and 7.1 (double mono mode) setups. This design ensures an even distribution of sound throughout the room, creating a more immersive and realistic audio experience. The compact size of the speakers makes them suitable for various room sizes, without compromising on performance. Focal has paid meticulous attention to detail in the design of the Sopra Surround BE. The speakers boast an elegant aesthetic that blends seamlessly with modern interiors. Additionally, a wide range of available finishes ensures that you can find the perfect match for your home decor.

Audio Performance

One of the standout features of the Focal Sopra Surround BE is its optimized acoustic performance. The speakers utilize Focal's proprietary NIC (Neutral Inductance Circuit) technology, which ensures precise audio reproduction with minimal distortion. This technology allows the speakers to deliver a faithful and accurate soundstage, bringing your favorite movies, TV shows, and music to life. To further enhance audio quality, the Sopra Surround BE incorporates Focal's Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) technology. This technology reduces unwanted vibrations and distortion, resulting in cleaner, more detailed sound reproduction. The speakers also feature the Infinite Horn Loading (IHL) system, which enhances the performance of the Pure Beryllium inverted dome tweeter, producing crystal-clear highs and improved dispersion. With a wide frequency response and excellent transient response, the Focal Sopra Surround BE delivers a dynamic and immersive audio experience. The system's compatibility with subwoofers allows for enhanced bass performance, providing a more impactful and engaging low-frequency response. However, it's worth noting that the bass output and extension may be limited without the addition of a subwoofer. While the overall audio performance of the Focal Sopra Surround BE is exceptional, there may be instances where dialogue in movies or TV shows is challenging to understand. This is due to the inherent design of the speakers and the way they disperse sound. In certain situations, dialogue clarity may be compromised, especially if the listener is not positioned in the optimal sweet spot.

Speaker Drivers and Cone/Tweeter Material

The Focal Sopra Surround BE boasts high-quality speaker drivers that are developed and manufactured in France. These drivers are meticulously engineered to deliver exceptional performance and accurate sound reproduction. The use of high-quality materials and precise manufacturing techniques ensures that the speakers produce a natural and detailed audio output. The Sopra Surround BE features Focal's 'W' composite sandwich cone, which combines a light and rigid structure for optimal pistonic behavior. This cone material enables the speakers to reproduce a wide range of frequencies with minimal distortion, resulting in a more realistic and immersive soundstage. The tweeter in the Focal Sopra Surround BE utilizes a Pure Beryllium inverted dome. Beryllium is an incredibly lightweight material known for its stiffness and excellent damping properties. This allows the tweeter to accurately reproduce high-frequency sounds with exceptional clarity and precision.

Additional Features and Considerations

In addition to its impressive audio performance, the Focal Sopra Surround BE offers several other notable features. The Bi/Twin design provides flexibility in configuration, allowing you to set up the speakers according to your specific needs, whether it be a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system. This adaptability ensures that the speakers can accommodate various room sizes and layouts. The cabinet design of the Sopra Surround BE incorporates non-parallel side panels and Helmholtz resonators. This design choice minimizes internal resonances and coloration, resulting in a more accurate and transparent sound reproduction. Another advantage of the Focal Sopra Surround BE is its resale value. Focal products are highly regarded in the audiophile community, and the Sopra Surround BE is considered a safe investment. This means that should you decide to upgrade or change your setup in the future, you can expect a reasonable return on your investment. However, it's worth noting that the Focal Sopra Surround BE is a premium product, and the price may be a consideration for some buyers. Additionally, the modern form factor of the speakers may not seamlessly blend into traditional interiors, potentially limiting their aesthetic appeal in certain settings. Furthermore, the unique Chameleon finish incurs an additional surcharge, which may be a deterrent for budget-conscious consumers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Focal Sopra Surround BE is a remarkable surround sound system that offers a compact size without compromising on performance. With its versatile usage options, optimized acoustic performance, and precise audio reproduction, the Sopra Surround BE delivers a truly immersive home theater experience. The high-quality speaker drivers, advanced technologies, and attention to detail further enhance its value. However, the limited bass output without a subwoofer and potential dialogue clarity challenges in certain situations should be considered. Ultimately, the Focal Sopra Surround BE is recommended for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts who prioritize exceptional sound quality and are willing to invest in a premium product.