Multitest speakers - Focal Sopra No1 - Paradigm persona B - Kudos 505

Multitest bookshelf speakers - Focal Sopra No1 - Paradigm persona B - Kudos 505. Including music samples, measurements and more!

[@marko.guitarko]

Give Me Your Number: 23:42 46:17 1:27:48 Walking On Air: 19:34 56:14 1:30:22 Tennis court: 17:50 59:24 1:37:21 Perfect Life: 37:09 ? 1:39:14

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks man!

[@cristianchocobar8652]

De que planeta son las focal??

[@pgjayashankar]

Thanks Was going to ask for the timings of the tracks.. Then Saw your post :)

[@audiolife5038]

I have owned both the Sopra and have had the Kudos Titan 505 on loan for an extended period. Lovely speakers both, but the emotional connection I got with the Kudos just blew me away. They made me laugh and cry and I sat up way to late every night. Just one more track. They also made me want to listen to those old pior recordings. Forgiving and musical yes.. Still amazing sparkle on top.. Those Seas tweeters are actually the best I have ever heard! It was like it was raining diamonds in my room. A pair of Kudos have now been ordered! Great video guys!!

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Welcome!

[@feloniousmonk5261]

Fantastic demo and technical discussion, thank you! Really, your recording setup is the best I've heard on KZbin and, unlike most, is genuinely useful for getting a good idea of a speaker's capabilities.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thank you!

[@stavrosvenizelos610]

Very good review. Please do more. I particularly liked the paradigm personas. Very engaging and fresh sound

[@jackd4758]

Your tests are excellent please do as many of them as you can please, Thanks for your hard work👍❤️

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks! They are a lot of work though... If you like them, you can support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/alphaaudio

[@00bikeboy]

This is exactly what we need ! Great job.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Good!

[@003590510]

This is so valuable to be able to hear each speaker like this. I would have never expected the Sopra to sound like it did. Wow. There are so many speakers I wish I could a/b test like this. One comparo is the Tekton Ulfberht, Wilson Audio Sasha/WP8, ATC SCM100, PMC MB2SE. There is just no way I can get any of these in the same room for a test. I would love to hear these through a Meridian 818 v.3 or similiar / Mark Levinson or CH Precision. It is hard to pick based on reviews and only being able to demo one set at a time. I am a music producer and need a reference system to critically examine tracks that is nice to listen to as well.

[@Spierdalajyoutube]

I just bought a Focal and it's amazing 😊

[@jrushen4235]

Those Focals are something else....

[@cole147]

The Focal looks best and sounds best.

[@stephenfletcher6801]

The Paradigm is a far more detailed and musical presentation than the Focal, to my ears. Loved both, but Paradigm REALLY impresses.

[@chasehatton3691]

What Hi Fi magazine was indeed correct : The Focal lacks punch and attack or in other words dynamic thrust. It does everything well , yet almost speeds through the performance without very much change at all in pace rhythm and timing. Linearity in most every way. Yet, there is a energy, sparkle and tightness across the spectrum which elevates it over the others. The Focal will keep your attention fixed on the music. just wonder if it's predictable style would become tiresome quickly enough ?

[@777santyago]

1 Paradigm 2 Focal 3 Kudos

[@Chahtawarrior31]

Kudos is the winner for me!

[@johnvalatos4073]

Love you guys, please do more demos together you two work well together.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

We will! Thanks for the compliment.

[@robertwang7825]

Great demos, serious set up. I like the Focals. Very fast , super tight bass. Will get the Focals cuz they are now much cheaper now.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks man! Enjoy the focals!

[@janspaan6122]

Weer bedankt heren voor deze leuke test ! En ook Anette Askvik was een openbaring voor mij, hele mooie muziek !!!

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Dank!

[@shirshendu2009]

This is really very cool demo and discussion. I would really appreciate if you could include Dali Epicon in these demos

[@SVH20101]

It’s funny because here in Canada the Focal Sopra 1 goes sells at dealers for $15,599.99 where the Paradigm Persona B sells for $8499.99. Now that’s a huge price difference. I understand the Focals are marked up in North America because they come from France however the Focals are nowhere near $7000 better than the Paradigms. Not even close

[@TheAlphaAudio]

That is a no-brainer

[@richardtrussell8220]

Focal all the way

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

When you played Steven Wilson as a reference song I became a subscriber!

[@Chahtawarrior31]

The focals was brighter and The Paradigms was a lot warmer similiar to my Car Audio Frogs Sound!

[@sari-noltupo5931]

興味深い動画有り難うございます。 FOCALとParadigmは会社の成り立ちやスピーカーの 構成もよく似ていて信頼できそうです。 どちらのスピーカーも所有したいです。

[@gottrekk5798]

All great speakers but I would go with Sopra.

[@morespinach9832]

My favorite format of all the various reviewers here. Would love to see HEDD Type 7 compared with some of the more commercial ones like Dynaudio Xeo 20, or LS50, or Dali Rubicon etc.

[@РуфатШиралиев-л8л]

Today Focal made marketers.. Paradigm Persona much better, one of the technology speakers in the world! Amazing speakers Paradigm Persona! 👍

[@mr.victor7886]

Вам довелось послушать персоны ?

[@РуфатШиралиев-л8л]

@@mr.victor7886 Да, потрясающие колонки! С абсолютно уникальными динамиками! 👍

[@РуфатШиралиев-л8л]

@@mr.victor7886 Кстати, эти динамики для серии Paradigm Persona изобрёл русский Мужик - Олег Богданов. Он главный инженер в Paradigm. А вот Focal сегодня 100% продукт маркетинга. Представьте себе, что даже в топовой Утопии, корзины динамиков их штамповки, магниты просто смешной силы для АС такого класса, кроссоверы и кабели тоже вшивые. Что уж говорить об остальных линейках. Фокалы разваливаются, кроме дизайнерского облика у них нет ничего.. Chora 826 начала разваливаться во многих странах Европы. Focal русским всё продали.В России тоже начали разваливаться, но в России аудиосалоны молчат. Потому что Focal вместе со своим покровителем Naim. С потрохами купили, кого можно в России. И Вы не думайте, что только Chora разваливается.. Все Focal долго не живут. И Ария, и Канта и т.д.

[@mr.victor7886]

@@РуфатШиралиев-л8л А можно поподробнее о Персоне . Скажите пожалуйста , в площадь 16кв. будет ли достаточно полочников или лучше будет 3f? Как у них строится сцена , у меня студио 100v.5 звук , однозначно нравиться , но вот глубина на них не большая , я бы сказал даже все инструменты играют "в ряд" , как с этим дела на Персоне , и ещё интересна серия фаундер , что-то можете сказать про них ?

[@РуфатШиралиев-л8л]

@@mr.victor7886 Здравствуйте Виктор. Сейчас не дома Я. Буду дома напишу Вам.

[@michstaszek6563]

Very nice comparisons, fantastic job , best regards 🏆😝

[@amigoz3201]

Bro today took i my place Kudos super 10A after listening in dealer room Sopra No1, man those Kudos are so much musical and better, i will give a try even for Kudos 505! Man those Kudos are great, my room is very heavy for equipment nothing soundend so efortless and good as Kudos super 10a, amp was used Fortino 6550 maybe too polite or sometimes not for them, thanks for videos, i’m sure not focal guy anymore even was thinking that from tourube focals sounded better, no way for me :) also for those who read sopea no1 was running naim Nova! Not for me... btw my Martin Logan ESL are great but room too small, and not so much soul touching speaker, but.. they are also wonderfull, i will be happy to answer to wuestions, as this channel made me tey Kudos! Oh man , my testing kudos super 10a, why so not much info about them!!!???? For size even not size they are amazing, harbeth c7es3 are smoking in the corner! It is my preference of sound we are all different :)

[@SirMountainpass]

Focal Sopra 1 - even better in combo with the Sopra (active) SW 1000 😃

[@gzubeck3]

The Focal just spanks the hell out of the other two speakers. The paradigms should sound the best but they screwed up the crossover someplace to make some kind of original voicing that just doesn't work for 50% of the recordings out there. The Kudos must need a 600+ watt per channel Mac amp to sound the best as it sounds slow and muddied. To me the Focals sound like a coherent sound field regardless of distortion levels. The point of speakers is to have them disappear when you close your eyes and you forget that they even exist!

[@TheAlphaAudio]

The Focal did perform remarkably well. Indeed. But the other two are no punishment to listen to as well!

[@Movieboy70]

For the next live session i would like a loudspeakercable multitest. With for example Audio Quest Robin Hood or the Pure Cable MSTR serie .

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@@Movieboy70 noted!

[@pgjayashankar]

Great Comparo

[@onylroque]

Very very very good video

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks!

[@labalo5]

Hi guys..thanks for the vid. Really like the graphs and technical findings. Most peeps talk without the data. Any chance you could get some TAD ME1s to review? Also is there more info on speaker placement and asymmetrical positioning you were referring to?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks! TAD is hard to get in Holland. But we will do our best! We will write an article about the placement soon. Just follow alpha-audio.net to get an update.

[@stephenfletcher6801]

Please share the artist and song title of the disco song you used. It has “walking on air, don’t bring me down.

[@nickadams8952]

Nice to hear some Steven Wilson. You guys have taste!

[@armanddimeo6575]

I would choose the Kudos by far, since it is smoother than the Paradigm and has a fuller midrange than the Focal. The Kudos just has a more natural and organic sound than the other two speakers. My rating would be Kudos number 1, Focal number 2, and Paradigm dead last.

[@KeenAesthetic1]

People like their food seasoned differently, I don't want to hear music as the artist intended, rather their music presented in the fashion that I prefer the most. I have ruler flat Kef 201/2 but my Diapason Adamantes hold pride of place.

[@pdxway]

Excellent video! Curious, you mentioned 180mm is sitting position. It seems you sat further than 6 ft away. Oh, I like Lorde too! : )

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Cool... ;-) I measured at 180cm as a listening position reference. To see what they do in terms of energy loss. In the video we sit at 2,5 - 3 meters.

[@henriksrensen3220]

Audiovector R1 arrete should be there. It's one of the best standmount speakers under 10000 euro

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Audiovector doesn't do anything in The Netherlands unfortunately.

[@yvanglav4344]

Need to modify or add upon your musical choices. Need some real instruments in there not only electronic ones. Piano, strings, winds,...something that vibrates and has presence.

[@hansformat]

Great video - really interesting

[@snoomad]

Would have been nice to have the same track selection on each speaker

[@cesarg9354]

1. Focal 2. Kudos 3.persona

[@ЄвгенДомашець]

Kudos is best - almost vinyl like sound!

[@rafalbroncel5792]

How you can compare speakers with different music every time?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

What do you mean? We also play similar tracks.

[@neobar9421]

@@TheAlphaAudio Более бестолкового сравнения я не видел...- СРАВНИВАЙТЕ НА ОДИНАКОВЫХ ТРЕКАХ И СРАЗУ МЕНЯЯ КАДРЫ С РАЗНЫМИ КОЛОНКАМИ....!

[@CanadianPonchman]

Lol. You know a country is advanced when they switch from their second language to their own native language in the middle of a video to accommodate the rest of the singular speaking population in the world. Amazing 🤷🏾‍♂️ Back to the point. Focal Sopras are my favourite but I'll educate myself with the rest of the other brands. And I'm Canadian. Sorry paradigm 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Haha... Thanks man.

[@hawaiiguykailua6928]

The Kudos were lifeless and boring on Gimme your number. Liked that song through the Paradigms which surprised me as I did t think they'd have more separation and depth than the focals but they really had a presentation that stood out. You make it really tough making us skip around to try and hear A B C differences. Maybe edit the songs in the center of you "show" and cut the entire thing down to under 30 minutes? Would be a much more presentable presentation imo.

[@Jassethi03]

Good stuff! I would love to see what you guys think of something like the Harbeth SHL5+ 40th Anniversary or similar to your reference set up and how it measures in your room. Any plans of including Harbeth’s in future reviews?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

We tested some Harbeth in the past. Good speakers. We will check them out in future tests.

[@Jassethi03]

Great, thanks. It would be good to know what you feel about them in comparison to the Kudos. Similar sound I would think.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@@Jassethi03 Kudos is a bit warmer and more punchy I think.

[@Jassethi03]

Oh that’s good to know. Thank you 🙏

[@Granyala]

You said the distortion is "below 0.1%" yet, if I read the graph correctly, you measured THD between -30dB (40Hz) and -60dB (3KHz) with most of it being an eyeballed average -55dB between 200Hz and 10KHz. -30dB = 3% -40dB = 1% -50dB = 0.3% -55dB = 0.18% -60dB = 0.1% Any Input on that one? Also, I assume you measured @ 90dB SPL?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

You are 100% right. Sorry. I meant that the absolute low is 0,1%. And yes: that is at 3 kHz. We measure at 90 dB / 1 meter with all speakers.

[@backrack01]

Do you get CODA products there? Curious how CODA amplifiers would match with the Focal Sopra 1s.

[@deansandidge7522]

Supreme sound out of those focal speakers

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Yes... Great speakers.

[@onylroque]

Love Paradimg Persona

[@milanmihajlovic8569]

Hi TheAlphaAudio What do you think of Focal Sopra No1 and can I pair sets with a tube amp. Tube amplifier is Manley Stingray. Thanks so much

[@TheAlphaAudio]

We have loads and loads of video's with the Sopra. Also samples in the database on alpha-audio.net. Just login and check the amp you want to hear on the Sopra. But... Tube amps dont work great on the Sopra.

[@deepakjoshi6860]

Hello sir. Have you heard the Raidho XT-1 speakers? If yes, then how do they compare to the kudos Titan 505? Thanks

[@TheAlphaAudio]

I have heard the X1. It is much more analytic en less full bodied than the Kudos.

[@deepakjoshi6860]

TheAlphaAudio ohk. Thanks sir

[@mr.victor7886]

Hello! Tell me, which of the three acoustics is better suited to the Accuphase e-470 amplifier for rhythmic styles, and with more detail?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Well... we do these kind of tests, so you can decide. It's your system and your taste that counts. Also: we cannot advise online without knowing everything. From acoustics to sources, etc. Please contact your dealer for a demo at home.

[@mr.victor7886]

@@TheAlphaAudio Thank you !

[@connorduke4619]

Who sings the "Walking On Air" disco song?

[@leonmeguira]

Hi, great video. will the Sopra-1 perform well on a near field listening? (1-1.2m from center)

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Thanks. I don't think that will work to be honest... You Will need near field monitors.

[@joaoveiga3382]

and at a distance of 2-2.5 meters, in a small room?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@@joaoveiga3382 Yes, that can definately work.

[@zach2954]

Can the Cambridge Audio 851w drive the Sopra no.1 sufficiently? If not what are some other good pairings?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Of course it will drive them. With 200 watt in 8 Ohms it can definately handle the Sopra's. BUT: you won't hear the full potential of the Sopra's. Even our Pass Labs XP-12 and Bryston 4B SST3 can't get the max out of them.

[@marklobban5354]

You are incorrect about Kudos Titan 505 having 2nd passive woofer in isobaric configuration. The 2nd woofer inside is active.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

You are right. I am sorry.

[@khoi83]

,,Don,t fry it at home,,... Hahaha That,s what she cooked ... XD

[@raminfarassat2537]

Are the Focal stands on IsoAcoustics GAIA isolation feet? I have the same speakers and stands and want to add GAIA but not sure they would work?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Yes they are. And YES... they work.

[@LQ-gaming]

When Focal Diablo Utopia bookshelf test? wink wink!! ;) ;)

[@TheAlphaAudio]

I am trying to get a pair... but they are not in stock... :-(

[@Derbystar74]

For a 15qm room playing all genres, would you recommend sopra or persona?

[@TheAlphaAudio]

It's a completely different speaker. Both very detailed and capable. I like the Sopra No1 more because it's tuned more neutral. Maybe the Revel Performa is more of a 'do it all' speaker.

[@elderinmoi1571]

I guess you would have a lot of fun with the TAD ME1. Only slightly more expensive and best of all worlds ;) should also be a good fit for the system you have. You should definitely try these if you can.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

Will do!

[@ianstyring9602]

Ok, so all I have to comment is....play some METAL! So much more dynamic than the music you've used. The music you've used is too safe.

[@davidristic3800]

There is no music with a more consistently shit recording than metal.

[@gg0297]

10k would buy you a pair of Tad ME-1, which is an end game type of standmount loudspeaker.

[@TheAlphaAudio]

We could not get Them for this review. I know they are great.

[@gg0297]

@@TheAlphaAudio Great video, nonetheless. 👌

[@TheAlphaAudio]

@@gg0297 thanks!

[@andrewlucan9017]

I wish it was 10k. In Australia Tad ME-1 costs $18,500