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Sonus Faber: Amati Futura vs. Serafino Tradition

I have owned the Olympica 3 and now moving up to my destination speaker.  At the time I purchased the Olympica, I always loved the Futura but was out of my price range.  Now, years later, I'm ready to purchase my final speaker but now Sonus Faber has moved to a newer Tradition series, which comments on all fronts have been divisive.  Some feel they've moved away from their richer warmer sound and midrange focus, to a leaner, more dynamic and faster (leaner?) presentation.  

I've demoed the Futuras years ago and will have to go by memory and look for a used pair.  I demoed the Serafinos once and was only impressed with them on one setup (tube amp rather than solid state).  As we all know, much of the speaker performance (positive and negative) is dependent on the room and associated gear it is paired with.  Hard to make a decision on these two speakers, as I cannot a/b them side by side.   For those that are familiar with both models, what is your experience and take on both?  
djfst
mgrif104
344 posts
 
DJFST: I’m actually looking at similar speakers.  I’m considering the Olympica III because I think they’re good enough for the system I’m considering (a log cabin w/ a large room and difficult to sort out anomalies).  However, in my view, the Seraphina’s are better in every regard.  

I also think, contrary to many other posters, the new lines of SF are their best yet as the older models were too warm, being over-ripe in the upper bass.  

I had also heard the Futura’s when they first came out - with ARC gear.  However, I don’t think they were broken in yet because I was not impressed and I tend to like SF speakers quite a bit.  

There are a number of used Futura’s that show up on audiogon for about $16k.  And, there are dealers who are selling demo stock for about the same price.  They listed for $36k when new.  Interestingly, I think the $20k Seraphina is a better transducer overall (at least for me).  However, I would think you could find all models to audition.  I know LMC in Scottsdale/Tempe has all of them to listen to if you’re inclined to make a trip down.  
Best,
mgrif104
arcee72
6 posts
 
I have previously owned the Olympica III and when upgrading had exactly the same trade off to make, choosing between three options:

1. Used pair of Amati Futura’s
2. Serafino Tradition
3. Olympica Nova V

I have listened to all three of these speakers, and I can make you a recommendation based on my experience. Without doubt even. It is simple: go for the Amati Futura. The Futura’s are a completely different league than the Serafino and the Nova V.

The Nova V is a great speaker, but the midrange is just, meh… voices don’t come out by far as natural as with the Serafino and the Futura. For me it was clear in a few minutes already. Yes, the Nova V is an improvement over the Olympica III, but still is in the same performance range and I was looking for something substantially better.

Then comes the trade off between the Serafino and the Futura. For me, the Futura won quite convincingly. But I must admit, the Serafino wins in speed. The tweeters are just more agile and if you like that, you may consider the Serafino. But apart from the speed, the Futura is better than the Serafino in… everything else. And I mean everything. Better stage, better 3D presentation, and a bass fundament so good it blows the Serafino’s away.

But if you were to choose for the Futura, realize one thing. You need a powerful amp. And I mean powerful. I have a Mark Levinson 336 driving them, which really makes them sing. However, before the 336 I owned a 335 and the 335, which is also a great and powerful amp, does not do what the 336 does, the extra power of the 336 is not a luxury. Mark Levinson is a great match to the Futura’s, I’m using a 326s/336 combi.

After one and a half years enjoying the Futura’s every day, with everyday that wow feeling that normally fades away within weeks after an upgrade, I did consider an upgrade and went auditioning the Traditions. I have gone to several dealers and today come back from a dealer close to my house, with just minutes of biking between to have a fresh memory of the sound at the dealer versus the sound at home.
The Traditions bring the speed that the Serafino’s also bring, so at first it seems they may be the perfect speakers giving the stage, the 3D presentation, the bass fundament of the Futura’s combined with the speed of the Serafino’s. However, after today’s extensive listening session, I came to the conclusion that the Traditions don’t bring the magic that the Futura’s deliver in the mid range. So I am gradually coming to to the conclusion that the Futura’s are the best speakers I can afford, and that the Traditions are not worth the extra money.

I therefore think that my Futura’s will stay with me for a very long time. Too bad for my wife, who doesn’t like the violin red and the chrome tops in our living room. But other than that, I think the Futura’s are, anno 2021, still amongst the best speakers you can get in the $10k-$15k price range.


tablejockey
3,888 posts
 
These have been in the Amati Futura price range.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa991g-harbeth-m30-1-35-anniversary-edition-new-opened-only-for-...

Stunning to look at and  hear, I would have them on my radar if I were in the $15-20K range. I've seen them UNDER $20K.

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