Sonus Faber Alternatives That Offer Similar Sound and Performance, your expertise needed!


First of all, let me set the stage for this discussion. I have owned a pair of Sonus Faber Olympica III's for some time now, and love the sound of these speakers. And not only the sound, but the build quality, the appearance, everything about them. I only wish they could have been available in the classic, beautiful violin red color.

I made what was perhaps a mistake, in retrospect, in recently listening to both a pair of the Amati Futuras as well as it's recent successor, the Amati Tradition. The Futura's were in the home of a new friend, the Traditions were auditioned for myself, and a friend, while I accompanied him to the local premium audio seller. As I noted before, I am extremely happy with my Olympica III's. However, upon hearing both the Futura's and Traditions, they both exhibited everything I love about my Olympica's, but just more of all of it.   And, very importantly, I heard the Futuras in a setting that virtually duplicated the size of my own room (13x15x8) , and seating position distance, so I know they would work.

Unfortunately, the Amati Futuras sold at $36k a pair, and Traditions go for $30,000 a pair, and an average of $18.5k and $17.5k used, respectively . I now really desire to move up to either the Amati Futura or Tradition, for the duration of my listening life,  and, at the same time, get that wondrous red violin finish I've always dreamed of owning. Even give how much I am a dyed in the wool Sonus Faber fan, I simply have to  realize I will not ever have the necessary funding to allow me to make an upgrade to either of these, which are the next step up in the line. The maximum  I could manage to spend, is $11k, to upgrade. I realize this would buy me an older model from Sonus Faber, but their sound characteristics are quite different from that of the newer models that began with the Olympica line, the Futura's, etc.  

The truly frustrating thing is that, with other speaker brands, you do sometimes come across a real steal which allows you to upgrade more than substantially. Recently, I found a deal for a friend who is a Von Schweikert enthusiast that allowed him to move up three models in their line, at the cost of $8000.00 for a pair of speakers that originally sold at $29,000.00. Six months ago, another friend found a deal on a pair of $30k B&W speakers for $10k. Yes, these were older speakers, but none the less brilliant performers regardless.

So now we come to the real discussion point. It's clear I cannot, and will not be able to afford what I want from Sonus Faber, what other brands, and potentially older speakers, would provide a similar sound that could likely be found on a great deal, used, in the kind of price range I can afford? Perhaps the answer is nothing, but I at least have to ask. Your opinions, expertise and thoughts on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
nightfall
Try looking at Aerial Acoustics 7T.  It is somewhat of a very smooth and forgiving speaker like Sonus.  It may not be as that Sonus levers, but it’s definitely affordable.
sfseay, I'm not sure you completely understand. My issues is that the two Sonus Faber speakers that I "could" potentially upgrade to will not be available, used, at a price I can afford, for the foreseeable future. 

I'm asking for suggestions of other, high end, speakers suitable for a room my size, and similar in sound characteristics to Sonus Faber, which are, at times available at a great discount, such as the two my friends have purchased recently. 
Of the more "musical" speakers from other makes available now that might sub for the newer SF speakers near your price (roughly in price order):

- Joseph Audio Perspective (at Audio Asylum Trader)
- Acoustic Zen Crescendo Mkii (USAudiomart)
- Nola Metro Grand Reference
- Verity Parsifal Ovation
- Gershman Black Swan (huge discount, rare)
- Rockport Atria

Not available now but also very worth considering is Vandersteen 5a. Strongly agree with JA Pearl mentioned above but rarely available used. Best of luck.

Thanks, VERY much, aolmrd and soix for some valuable recommendations. Some of these are quite large speakers, though. Based on your experience and knowledge of them, do you feel they will work effectively in my moderately sized room, that I noted above ( 13x15x8) ?