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Sonus Faber Amati Homage vs Thiel 7.2

I currently own the SF Amatis, and a pair of 7.2 have come up for sale. I know the Amatis are worth more retail than the 7.2s. But for me the retail value dosen't always reflect how much I like the sound. I understand the 7.2 are Thiel's top flagship speaker and the Amatis are SF's 2nd. I am unable to audition the 7.2's because there's not any retailers selling them, and I don't know anyone with a pair.
Has anyone compared these 2 speakers? I know it's hard, but can someone please describe the sound of the 7.2s to me.
After reading a Sterophile review of the Amatis back in 99, I knew I had to have a pair, and after getting them, I was pleased, but still think that speakers could sound better. My main problem with the Amatis is that although they're clear, very dynamic (can hear every sound), have exceptional imaging, and can be played very loud, I find the mids quite thin. Thin in that everyone's voices seem higher than they are. I guess I lik the dark rich Barry White sytle vocals.
Because of my percieved lack of mid range in the vocal abilities of the Amatis, I thought the 7.2s might do better in this category.
Your comments are appreciated.

Thanks
puunda
gregm
3,405 posts
 
Henry_chinaski: I set them up myself. I should've made it clear that I bought them used here in New Zealand. I have tried different positions, but hasn't helped.
Adjust speakers according to midbass energy (if you haven't already). Start by bringing them close together (~35% of room width, centre of woof-to-woof) until you hear bass energy, not muddiness.
Then start playing with toe-in carefully focusing on upper-midrange reproduction quality. (i.e. if the sound is "hard", spitting, hi-end ear-piercing, you're off.)
Normally, you should be able to get a reasonably seemles sound with some low-mid /upper bass prominence.
The spkrs go loud with low distortion -- but NOT very loud (distortion starts setting in + the required energy fm the amps is high).

The 7,2 are nice spkrs -- but I heard them on the fly, and certainly not in comparison to the SF. Can't say much. They weren't playing very loud either, I assume by owner's choice rather than ability... Cheers
jj2468
280 posts
 
Positioning, room treatments and other tweaks are not going to get you to what you have asked for. Why not just borrow a good tube amp, try it and report back? At least you would know whether you are giving up the type of sound you may be asking for in exchange for solid state. I've heard many solid state amps and although I'm sure a musical one exists, as a generalization IMHO what you are asking for is associated with tubes.
gundam91
506 posts
 
Could try one of the Pass X.5 or XA amps. The friend with the Amati will be coming to check out my X350.5 this week. He had contemplated about buying a X250.5. Will see what he has to say after he gets a chance to hear the X350.5.

FrankC
audiolui
295 posts
 
My Thiel 7.2 is not lean at all with great midrange and full body. It can sound very thick, depending on the gears you have. I suggest tube preamp and high power solid state with the Thiel 7.2. So have you tried anything yet to tweak out the Amati?
puunda OP
9 posts
 
My Thiel 7.2 is not lean at all with great midrange and full body. It can sound very thick, depending on the gears you have. I suggest tube preamp and high power solid state with the Thiel 7.2. So have you tried anything yet to tweak out the Amati?

At the moment I'm finding the midrange in the Amatis very thin and light. I'm not sure if they are meant to sound like that or not. Especailly at higher volumes. I recall my brother used to have a system with SF Extrema driven by Krell KSA300, Levinson pre, and Wadia cd, and the sound was exceptional. I'd had hoped the mid of the Amatis would be the same if not better.

My main point is if the Extrema can work so well with solid state, then I shouldn't have to move to tube with the Amatis. I know it's stubbon, but there are enough speakers out there that I'm sure I can find one which works the way I want with solid state gear.
However it sounds like neither the Amatis or the 7.2s match those.

I have tried positioning the speakers as others have suggested, but it made a difference to the imaging, but not really the tone. I think I also have a problem with the room.
At low or moderate volumes the Amatis actually sound alright. I just want to play it very loud, which I recall the Extremas were able to do.

I guess I'll keep looking. I quite enjoy the road to finding the ideal system.
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