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Sonus Faber Minima versus Cremona Auditor?

Reviews of both of these famous speakers abound, but has anyone heard both and can offer some insights into how they compare?

I'm looking for a serious upgrade for my bookshelves in my office, and am on a waiting list for both of these, in case either shows-up used here in Japan, which is rare.

My current set-up is a sweet Luxman L-550 pure class A (50 W@8 Ohms, 1981 model) fed by iDecco as DAC from iMac or iPod. replacing Quad 12L passives, which sit on my computer desk, but could mount the speakers on stands behind me in a small office room, about 3 X 4 Meters.

I'm more interested in general views of the differences between these two than how people might understand or imagine them to sound with my own gear. I can change my amp, etc later to better drive the speakers, if necessary.
deaf_in_left_eye
deaf_in_left_eye OP
61 posts
 
Hello Jaybo - I was hoping you in particular might respond to this.

I have been waiting on a list at a shop for a long time for original Minimas, but none have come-up so far. In the meantime, Cremona Auditors sometimes do.

Have you (or anyone out there) heard the Auditors? Are they a serious step down from the Minimas?

Also, I could buy a new or used pair of Minima "vintage" here without much problem. Are they as good as the original?

I haven't heard the auditors, but I have listened to the Cremona floorstanders a few times with various equipment and like them a lot, and I imagine the auditors would have similar character, if I'm not mistaken.

Or I could spring for the beautiful Guarnieri Homages, but for me their stands would be visual overkill in my office, and their price would demand my serious flower-giving sweetness to my other half for a long time, in spite of their WAF power.
miner42
709 posts
 
I have the Auditor Ms - have had them for about 4 months now. I use in conunction with a REL B2 sub base system, but in my opinion the Auditor Ms dig prlenty deep in the right setup. My electronics are McIntosh pre and amp, rega P7 TT, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP. The Auditor Ms replaced some Dynaudio 52SE - a fine speaker intheir price range. I am very please with my current setup and do not forsee any upgrades coming.
deaf_in_left_eye OP
61 posts
 
It seems many people agree that the Minima (original or vintage) and Auditor (original or M) are both exceptional speakers, but what I'm hoping for are some opinions on the sonic similarities/differences between these.

The prices are in a similar ballpark. Are they at all in the same audio class, or is this an apples/oranges comparison for some reason?

It might be ages before I have a chance to hear original minimas, and I'm wondering whether they are better in a small office and worth the wait compared to Minima vintage or Auditors.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I own Minimas and Cremonas (floorstanders). The former have been doing yeoman's work in my home office since forever. The latter are in my living room system. IIRC, the Auditors shared more of the "modern" character found in the full range Cremonas, which means much more presence region energy (relative to the mid/upper bass) than found in the older SFs (including the Minima).

Bottom line: very different sounding. My inclination would be to recommend Auditors if you're planning on adding a sub and Minimas if you are not.

Caveat: Above based on imperfect recollection of Auditors auditioned at time of Cremona purchase several (4?) years back.

Marty
deaf_in_left_eye OP
61 posts
 
Marty - thanks for this unexpected opinion. I would have thought the Auditors would have more bass than the Minimas. Why would the Auditors need a sub more than the Minimas?

My Quad 12L's are currently on my computer desktop, and that would be the easiest place to put the Minimas or Auditors (possibly Guarnieri's, unless that would be a total waste of those) I plan to replace them with. There are some other placement options, though, and I would consider a sub, though I know little about them.
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