Short answer: the Focal Sopra N°1 on measured sound quality, the Dynaudio Contour 20i on price. The Focal Sopra N°1 ranks #88 of 214 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.0/5, at $12,998. The Dynaudio Contour 20i ranks #96, rated 3.9/5, at $5,750, $7,248 cheaper.
The case for the Focal Sopra N°1: A high-end two-way stand-mount with a 6.5” W sandwich cone woofer and a 1” beryllium inverted dome tweeter, with Focal’s TMD surround and NIC motor. The catch: Audioholics’ measurements stop at 200Hz, so it has no preference score; the rating is estimated from that data and the Focal Theva N°1.
What the Dynaudio Contour 20i does well: Two-way design with a 1.125” Esotar2i silk dome tweeter and a 7” magnesium silicate polymer woofer in a vented enclosure. The catch: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment.
Buy the Focal Sopra N°1 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Dynaudio Contour 20i if the price matters more than sound quality.
About the ratings: the Focal Sopra N°1’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.6 to 4.4, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Focal Sopra N°1 | Dynaudio Contour 20i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12,998 per pair | $5750 per pair |
| Ranked | #88 of 214 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #96 of 214 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” W sandwich cone woofer, 1” (25mm) beryllium inverted dome tweeter | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 82.5dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.9 ohms minimum) | 4 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-40kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Dimensions | 16.7”H x 11”W x 15.6”D (425 x 279 x 397 mm) | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Weight | 41.9 lbs (19 kg) each | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
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How Focal Sopra N°1 compares with other leading options:
- Arendal Sound 1528 Bookshelf 8 vs Focal Sopra N°1
- Paradigm Persona B vs Focal Sopra N°1
- Focal Sopra N°1 vs Yamaha NS-800A
- Paradigm Persona B vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs Dynaudio Contour 20i
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Focal Sopra N°1: $12,998 per pair Estimated Focal eBay
Same family: the Focal Sopra N°2 (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.1/5), the Focal Sopra N°3 (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.1/5) and the Focal Sopra Center (center, estimated 3.9/5).
Pros: A high-end two-way stand-mount with a 6.5” W sandwich cone woofer and a 1” beryllium inverted dome tweeter, with Focal’s TMD surround and NIC motor. Sensitivity is 89dB, and Focal rates the bass to 45Hz (±3dB).
Cons: Audioholics’ measurements stop at 200Hz, so it has no preference score; the rating is estimated from that data and the Focal Theva N°1. Impedance dips to 3.9 ohms.
Full Focal Sopra N°1 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.7”H x 11”W x 15.6”D (425 x 279 x 397 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” W sandwich cone woofer, 1” (25mm) beryllium inverted dome tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-40kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.9 ohms minimum) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 41.9 lbs (19 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Dynaudio Contour 20i: $5750 per pair Safe and Sound HQ eBay
Pros: Two-way design with a 1.125” Esotar2i silk dome tweeter and a 7” magnesium silicate polymer woofer in a vented enclosure. A shallow bass rolloff profile lets it sit closer to a wall (about 1-2 feet worked best in testing) without becoming boomy, and makes subwoofer integration comparatively easy. Very wide horizontal radiation (about ±70° through the midrange) gives an enveloping, spacious sound in a suitably sized room. On-axis response holds within about ±3dB overall and ±1.5dB through the midrange. Attractive build quality with a distinctive metal front baffle and gloss finish options. Long-term compression stays good up to 96dB, and short-term compression is within about 0.5dB at that same level. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment. A roughly 2dB lift in the lower treble combined with wide dispersion means more energy reflecting off sidewalls than some listeners will prefer. Relatively low sensitivity (about 82.5dB measured). Unusually sensitive to amplifier output impedance: high-output-impedance amps like tube or SET designs introduce up to a 2dB dip in the midrange, making the sound more mellow rather than “warmer,” the opposite of what many tube-amp buyers expect. Elevated harmonic and multitone distortion around 700Hz, which the reviewer attributes to typical cone-edge/surround behavior common across many driver brands, though it stands out on the measurement graphs. An upper-midrange dip around 2kHz can reduce attack and clarity on vocals and brass instruments. Vertical listening window is fairly narrow (roughly -20° to +30°): moving outside that range causes a noticeable tonal shift, unlike coaxial designs that tolerate more vertical movement.
Full Dynaudio Contour 20i review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Drivers | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 82.5dB |
| Weight | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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