Sonus Faber Amati Futura

How do the Futura's compare to the Stradivari?
I know the Stradivari's are much wider so your gonna need a big room for them.

I have had my Futura for 13 months now.. I recently switch from Mc601's & C500 c/t to Bryston 28B SST2+ Aesthtix Calypso pre, I would have to say do yourself a favor if you own Futura at least give the Bryston 28B SST2 a try you'll thank me.

Doug,

My listening room is only 4mx4m so dont think the Strad's will fit in there. I however have heard nothing but good things about the Strads and will surely try to get my hands on them, sometime in my lifetime....

I have heard the Futura and the Strads, but, in completely different systems and rooms so I cannot make any sort of comparison. The room/system with the Strad that I am most familiar with is an all out assault on top quality sound. The Strads sound VERY good. They have a beautiful, and natural tonal balance. They worked well with a 30 watt output transformerless tube amp (custom built, one off design). The Futura I heard was in a room that was too small for the speaker, so I really don't know how well it can perform.

A US Sumiko representative has said that the large baffle design of the Strad actually makes it sound very good in small rooms; it can be placed fairly close to the side walls without a major problem. Aside from decorating/space utilization concerns, the Stad should not necessarily be ruled out of use in a small rooms.

Agree, Larryi, on the placement of Strads. I used to own them, and the distributor/dealer has found the same not just in my room but also in several others. I have also read that about Strads in general relative to side rooms due to the wide baffle design.

They sound very good with medium powered tubes...but if you get great SS Class A amplification, i think you can preserve much of the midrange magic that makes SF so great...plus the bass comes alive in a way that is quite surprising. There is a natural roll-off that works well with midpowered tubes, and it is still there with powerful Class A (Gryphon for me)...but there is a taut power in the bass that appears which is a lot of fun too.

Great speaker.