You are not a true audiophile unless you are unhappy with your system or lets say, not entirely happy.
@mijostyn Ha!!! Well said and funny because it’s got a lotta truth to it. God help us.
Sonus Faber Sonetto V’s Thoughts Requested
Hello. While I’ve never posted, I’ve been a very regular lurker here for the last couple of years. The wealth of knowledge here is truly remarkable and much of it is over my head. I really respect the opinion of @Soix , @ghdprentice , and @erik_squires as well as others not named. I also appreciate how they generally go about their posts and replies, while a few others can get petty and combative, which is unfortunate and unhelpful. Overall, it seems like a good bunch that genuinely loves their hobby and likes to help others, which is great. I know, nobody asked, but I thought some of you who have been here a while might find the thoughts of a first time poster, who has been reading this informative forum for a while, somewhat interesting.
I definitely do not consider myself an audiophile, but I have always greatly appreciated good sound. I currently have an older model Arcam AVR-450, which is rated at 125 per channel in stereo mode, driving a pair of KEF Q750’s. I also have a KEF R2C center and a Revel B110 sub. I’m happy with the sound but have become a bit smitten with the Sonus Faber Sonetto V’s and I’m thinking that they will be a somewhat affordable upgrade in sound, and I find them very visually appealing, which I know shouldn’t matter, so call me shallow. I have not heard the Sonettos, but have heard the Amati’s, which of course is a large step up. I’m ridiculously rural, so finding a dealer for a demo is not much of an option. I do prefer a somewhat warmer sound as opposed to a brighter one. I’m not a bass junky believing that bass should enhance not overwhelm. Bass should be heard of course, but for me, there is more in the mids and highs than the lows that makes for good music to my ears. I generally listen to classic rock like Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Elton John, Winwood, Heart, Doobies, Clapton, etc.
My questions to the group are: 1. Would the Sonetto’s V’s be a noticeable upgrade over my Q750’s in SQ? 2. Is my Arcam “good enough” to drive the Sonetto V’s satisfactorily, as an upgrade to the Arcam is not an option for me anytime soon? 3. Please feel free to answer any questions you think I should have asked. Like I said, I’m not an audiophile…
I thank you in advance for your posts! Hey, how about those cable threads and whatever happen to Kenjit? 😉
Doug
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@skads_187- we are a manufacturer of tube audio components so we are using our Class A 40wpc mono blocks, we use our own 6SN7 preamp but currently have an older Trone preamp which is full of black gate capacitors. We use many different model speakers, for example we have Vandersteen Sevens, 5As, Horning, Vivid, etc., and manufacturers send them to us to listen and demonstrate in our listening room in Northern New Jersey. The current Sonus are the older model Stradivari although we are considering the new versions. Happy Listening. |
@stereo5 - YW on the Brit Floyd suggestion. I would be surprised if you were disappointed should you catch a show. They do so many shows each year that they are extremely well practiced and proficient. Their laser show is well done too. Their founder and musical director was originally with the Aussie group, but left more than a decade ago believing he could do the tribute better and it seems he was right. If you get the chance go to YouTube and watch their version of dogs, a very hard song to do live.They tour the US every year, usually during the first 6 months or so. You can go to their site for dates and places. @grislybutter - Thanks for your comment and for answering my question regarding your Lumina not so good experience. @mijostyn - Bass is good to be sure, but too much of that good thing... not so much. Live music in a good venue is great to be sure and more visceral as you mentioned. Thanks for the sub info. I just may get to the dual sub level someday and will keep your tip in mind. @jbuhl - Thank you for the clarification. I've never had the opportunity to listen to Focals. Like SF, they do have their following. Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond to this discussion. @ghdprentice , sorry about my original misread of your first post. When I read it the next day, it became clear as day. This discussion leaves food for thought in all directions. It seems like most topics audio, things are subjective with opposing views on many if not most topics. Doug |
I wouldn’t say my experience with the Venere 2.5s was poor, it’s just that they were compromised in build quality and cabinet resonances. While build quality may have improved, I’m still very skeptical that the Sonetto’s cabinets don’t resonate and affect the sound as they’re of a similar size/weight to the 2.5s I had in my system. Back then the contention was that the unique lute shape counteracted the lack of inert mass. Well, not in my experience and I’d bet it’s still an issue with the Sonettos because physics is physics. SF makes some of the best speakers on the market, but they’ve clearly struggled trying to build good “entry-level” speakers and I personally wouldn’t gamble that they’ve fully figured it out this time either. To me, the Usher Mini Twos I mentioned earlier are more established, are built much better, offer a tweeter the Sonettos can’t touch and can actually produce bass while looking beautiful doing it at about the same price. No brainer to me, but if you’re smitten with the Sonettos then go for it. |
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