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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
 
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.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Deaf,

It's not that the Minimas have more bass than the Auditors, they almost certainly have less. They do, however, have a mid-bass hump and less presence region energy than I recall hearing from the Auditors. The net effect is that the Minimas sound classically "warm", while the Auditors sound more neutral.

IMHO, a monitor that is neural over its (somewhat) limited range (all but deep bass) benefits when that range is extended by a subwoofer. Maybe just a personal preference.

Marty
deaf_in_left_eye OP
61 posts
 
Hello Marty - That sounds reasonable, though I haven't tried a subwoofer yet. My main floor speakers are at full volume still down to about 37 Hz before sharply dropping off, and that seems *almost* sufficient for me, maybe because I haven't experienced that last lower octave at home yet.

The idea of warm small speakers (Minimas) is appealing. I got a friend a pair of Rogers LS3/5a and have since felt I should have had a pair of those in my office. Those are very pleasant speakers. I've read that the Minimas are even nicer: more clarity but with that sort of involving, comfortable musical quality.

As for the Auditors, are they more like monitors? My mains are monitors. I love the clarity, but would like to counter with something really comfy.
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