Focal SOPRA User manual
13
Connections
Sopra connectors provide reliable, multi-purpose contacts for stripped cables (up to 4mm diameter), fork terminals
or banana connectors. It is imperative to respect the connector polarity of both the loudspeaker and the amplifier. The
connector marked “+” must be connected to the positive output on the amplifier and the connector marked “-” must
be connected to the negative terminal (fig. A). Stereo image and bass perception would be seriously compromised if
these conditions are not respected. Choose good quality cables with a cross-section appropriate to their length: your
retailer will be able to advise you.
Positioning
These loudspeakers have been designed to deliver the most faithful reproduction of all kinds of music or home
cinema programmes. Nonetheless, we recommend following these simple rules to optimise their performance and
to guarantee good tonal balance and a realistic sound image.
The loudspeakers should be positioned symmetrically, facing the listening area, ideally forming an equilateral
triangle with it. However, these distances may be adjusted to find the ideal compromise according to the design of
your interior (fig. B).
The loudspeakers should be positioned at the same height, in the same horizontal plane. Ideally, the tweeter
should be positioned at the same height as the listener’s ears in the usual listening position (fig. C).
Do not position your loudspeakers too close to a corner of the room and do not place them too close to a wall. This
will induce some unwanted room resonance and artificially increase bass response. On the other hand, if the bass
level is considered to be insufficient, you could try moving the loudspeakers nearer a wall to re-balance the bass
level (fig. E).
Optimisation
For perfectionists, here is a formula for optimal positioning:
If A is the distance from the centre of the woofer to the nearest floor or wall, B is the distance to the next closest
floor or wall, and C is the greatest distance (A < B < C), the equation B2= AC defines the ideal loudspeaker position.
• Example:
If the centre of the woofer is 20” (50cm) away from the rear wall (A) and 24” (60cm) above the floor (B), then the side
wall will be ideally 28” (72cm) away [C = B2⁄ A = 28” (72cm)] (fig. D).
Our policy of continual product improvement means that Focal-JMlab reserves the right to modify the technical specifications of its products without notice.
Product may vary from images.
SOPRA™
User manual English
Please validate your Focal-JMlab warranty,
it is now possible to register your product online: www.focal.com/warranty
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14
Recommendations for use
The behaviour of the loudspeakers depends on the acoustics of the listening room, on the correct positioning of the
loudspeakers within the room, and on the position of the listener.
It is possible to tweak each of these parameters to obtain or improve a desired effect.
Stereo perception is imprecise and poorly centred: try moving the loudspeakers closer together and/or have them
facing the listening point:
The sound is harsh, aggressive: the acoustics of your listening room are probably too reverberant. Consider using
sound-absorbing materials (carpets, upholstered furniture, tapestries, curtains, etc.) and sound-reflecting materials
(furniture) to absorb or diffuse resonance.
The sound is “flat”, strangled: there are too many sound-absorbing materials in the room, the sound is soaked up, it
has no relief. Look for the best compromise between sound-absorbing and sound-reflecting materials in your room.
In general, aim to have a reflective wall behind the loudspeakers for the sound to develop correctly. The wall behind
the listening area, on the other hand, should ideally be sound-absorbing to avoid rear reflections “contaminating”
the stereo image.
Furniture can be strategically placed near the side walls of the room to diffuse sound waves and ensure certain
frequency ranges are not excited, particularly in the midrange (suppression of flutter echoes).
Spikes
Sopra floorstanding loudspeakers are equipped with decoupling spikes built into the glass base. These spikes give
the floorstanding loudspeakers very good stability, particularly on uneven floors. The height of the spikes supplied
can be adjusted to ensure the 4 spikes rest evenly on the floor to prevent any wobbling. Once the height of the spikes
has been adjusted correctly, lock them in place using the locking nuts (fig. F). Four spike pads are also supplied to
protect soft floors such as parquet, etc. (fig. G).
Fastening Sopra N°1 loudspeaker to the stand
We recommend fastening the Sopra N°1 loudspeaker to the stand using the four screws supplied with the stand
(fig. H).
Foam Bung for Bass Tuning (Sopra N°1)
This foam bung allows you to make some fine adjustments to the bass performance of your loudspeakers. The Sopra
N°1 loudspeaker has been designed to reproduce deep bass in an even manner for a "free space" position. If you
position your loudspeakers close to a wall, bass frequencies are further enhanced. Similarly, some rooms have an
acoustic that exaggerates low bass. The foam bung allows you to reduce the amount of energy from the port tube
to reduce bass levels and improve damping in such situations. It is advised that you use the foam bung for both
loudspeakers. To do so, insert the foam bung into the port tube as shown in Figure I.
SOPRA™
User manual
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15
Loudspeaker choice
Your loudspeakers have been developed to be used in Stereo and Home Theater configurations. If you already use
Sopra loudspeakers at the front and want to move forward to Home Theater, it is paramount to use the Sopra Center
unit and surround Be loudspeakers.
You can also use in-wall Electra IW 1002Be or Electra 1002-Be when environment limitations do not allow you to use
Surround Be loudspeakers.
The SW1000 Be subwoofer perfectly completes any Sopra multichannel configuration.
Sopra Center loudspeaker positioning
The Sopra Center loudspeaker must be placed within close range of the screen for realistic dialogue reproduction. If
a standard projection screen is used, the center unit must be placed right under the screen for optimal performance.
If a perforated, acoustically transparent screen is used, the center unit can be placed behind, at the lower half of the
screen. (Fig. J)
Surround Be loudspeakers installation
Securely fasten the fixation rails onto the wall using the provided plugs and then insert the Surround Be (Fig. K).
Surround Be positioning
As it is detrimental to perception, avoid placing the surround loudspeakers too far back in the listening area. The
best location can be obtained when Surround Be loudspeakers form a 120° to 160° angle with respect to the listener.
(Fig.L). Place Surround Be loudspeakers sufficiently high, (between 50cm and 90cm) above the listener’s ears.
Surround Be Bi/Twin Modes
This speaker features a double Bi/Twin operating system allowing it to be used either in standard bipolar mode (Bi)
or in double monopolar mode (Twin). Adequately defining parameters on the three positions mode selector and on
the double input connector, (providing one or two power amplifier connection capabilities for each speaker) enables
Surround Be to implement 5.1 or 7.1 configurations using only one pair of surround loudspeakers. (Fig. M)
This selector authorises the loudspeakers to work together or divided in two groups (and ), carrying different
information to both the front and rear of the listening area (Fig. N). The three position mode selector allows you to
choose between the "Bipolar mode" and two "Twin modes" (Front and Front ), according to the speaker direction
(Fig. O).
SOPRA™
User manual
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Safe pactice
The three position mode selector has been developed to suppress any short-circuit risk or connection error when
two amplifiers are simultaneously connected to Surround Be. In order to ensure the best performance under the
chosen configuration, we strongly recommend that you carefully follow the mode selector connection and setting
instructions.
Turn off any amplifiers connected Surround Be during each mode selector operation!
Bipolar mode (5.1)
Set the right and left surround loudspeakers back selector to Bipolar position. Always connect the amplifier to right
and left Surround Be Input (Fig. P).
Note: in "bipolar mode", the loudspeakers work together towards the front and rear of the listening area, in order to
cover it in a smooth and consistent manner.
Note: Input is always inoperative when the selector is set in the Bipolar position.
Twin mode (7.1)
Left loudspeaker: set the selector to Front position. Connect the surround side channel to input and the
surround back center channel to input (Fig. Q).
Right loudspeaker: set the selector to Front position. Connect the surround side channel to Input and the
surround back center channel to Input (Fig. Q).
Note: the side channel is always connected to input for both left end right loudspeakers and the center channel
always to input . This approach permits switching the selector from Bi mode to Twin mode without wiring
modification.
Note: Twin mode allows back and side surround information to be carried simultaneously to a single surround
loudspeaker, dividing it into two parts, beaming towards the front and rear of the listening area.
Note: surround side channel information will be carried to the front while center channel information will be carried
towards the rear of the listening area, courtesy of the two sets of separated connectors.
Bi/Twin mode (7.1)
Back center speaker: when a third back center loudspeaker is added to the system, Surround Be side channels are
to be set to "Bi mode" while the surround center channel is to be set to "Twin mode". Set the selector to Front
position. Connect the left back surround channel to input and the right back surround channel to input (Fig. R).
SOPRA™
User manual
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17
Break-in period
The speaker drivers used in Sopra loudspeakers are complex mechanical components which require a certain
time to adapt to operate at their best and to become acclimatised to the temperature and humidity of the listening
environment. This break-in period varies depending on the climate and may last a few weeks. To reduce the
break-in period, we recommend operating the loudspeakers for approximately twenty consecutive hours. Once the
loudspeakers’ characteristics have totally stabilised, you will be able to enjoy your Sopra loudspeakers’ performance
to the full.
Special precautions
The only maintenance required for the Sopra loudspeakers is dusting with a dry cloth. If your loudspeaker becomes
dirty, we recommend simply cleaning it with a damp cloth.
Never use solvents, detergents, alcohol-based or corrosive products, scrapers or scourers to clean the surface of
a loudspeaker.
Keep the loudspeakers away from sources of heat.
Choosing the right amplifier
It is not an excess of amplifier power that can damage your loudspeakers and speaker drivers but a lack of power.
Moreover, if the volume is turned up too high, the amplifier saturates and generates parasite signals that may
damage the tweeter. The dynamic capacity and definition of Sopra loudspeakers are sufficient to reveal the strengths
and weaknesses of whatever amplifier is connected. Your retailer will be able to help you choose the amplifier best
suited to your tastes and budget.
Conditions of guarantee
All Focal loudspeakers are covered by guarantee drawn up by the official Focal distributor in your country.
Your distributor can provide all details concerning the conditions of guarantee. Guarantee cover extends at least to
that granted by the legal guarantee in force in the country where the original purchase invoice was issued.
SOPRA™
User manual
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