The idea was that you played the same size on each sax.
I've experimented a lot. I found that matching reed strengths to tip openings allowed me to blow most tips from a 3 up. For sop I was able to try the PPT in 5, 6, 7, 8. Couldn't make my mind up between 7 & 8. Bought both and eventually settled on the 7. Although I have others, I'm on 8* for tenor and 7 for the rest.
Remember also that not all mouthpiece numbers are the same, but most use sizes that match the link charts. And that the facing curve really affects playability/how well it works for you as much as or more than tip opening.
Don't let stories of sop difficulties put you off. Spend plenty of time with a tuner working out where the mouthpiece should be to play in tune across the whole range of the sax. It needs to be adjusted to about half a millimeter accuracy. For tone really concentrate on opening your throat. And fine tune reed strength to get easy low notes without losing tone or range at the high end. Funny thing is that when you start getting a good sound on sop, you'll find your tenor sound improves a lot - automatically.
Switching between the two is hard at first, but you'll get used to switching embouchure. Going to tenor from sop can be a relief, both for ears and lips.
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