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Thoughts and Advice regarding Sonus Faber speakers

I would like peoples thoughts on the Sonus Faber Sonetto V’s. I’m seriously considering  purchasing them to replace 20 year old Thiel 2.3’s.  I have had the coaxial driver (combo midrange and tweeter) replaced in the Thiel’s by Coherent Source service in Lexington and they did a great job…but to my ear they are still a little to analytical.  Not on all recordings…but some. I really like the mid range and vocal treatment of the Sonetto V’s.  Any thoughts? For $5000.00 would you consider them a high end audio product…or are they more of a home theater speaker  (as they are towers). How good is the company on service and standing behind their products? Some have suggested that since I am after a more relaxed presentation…I look at dynaaudio speakers. Perhaps Evoke 50.
There is a dealer about 3 hours away. Some of my audiophile friends think the Sonetto’s may be a lateral move…that a 5G speaker today is no better than a 3G speaker two decades ago.  They have suggested buying pre-owned Sonus Faber in the 6-7 G range…but that is really above my budget…and I’m not sure about the risk. One more thing….will the Sonetto’s be significantly easier to drive.  My Thiel’s are 87db@2.8 V-1m…impedance is 4 ohms….the Sonetto’s are also 4 ohms but 90db SPL - 2.83 V/1M. My current system  is an Audio Research 100.1 power amp -solid state 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms…200 into 4…Audio Research LS 16 pre-amp (hybrid)…Audio research CD-3, and VPI Scout Jr. Turntable. You can see my dilemma….any advice would be appreciated.
BTW…most dealers to not have the models in stock and the wait time after ordering is 3 months.

gsieg
ghdprentice
7,074 posts
 

After many years of planar speakers an my best friend having Thiels I switched to Sonus Faber: first Cremona, then Olympica 3, then Amati Traditional. I also have had some ARC equipment, now all is ARC.

 

I think your thinking is on point for what you have and want. I chose SF for their really natural sound. SF has made reproduced music closer to the real thing… beautiful as opposed to just accurate (think more analytically correct) and detailed. You have enough power… The real question is used or new. Unless there is some catastrophic event… not sure why service would ever be necessary… unless after thirty years.

‘’The performance of models when moving up the SF hierarchy goes up. So, the performance level if you could get maybe used Olympica 3 would be a good way to go. Depending on how fast you want to move, that might determine which course.

gsieg OP
6 posts
 

Thanks for your thoughts...much appreciated.  I like the idea of Olympica 3's...I'm just not sure even on the used market I can find them in my budget...but it's worth a try.  I'm still talking to my nearest dealer about the Sonettos...so I guess I'll see.  Kinda getting antsy to make a purchase.

craig
84 posts
 

I had the Olympia IIIs (version prior to current one).  They were good, but my room was somewhat large (approx 20x16) so I traded up to the Amati Traditions and am very impressed.  Every time I listen to other speakers (Wilson, Magico, B&W, Focal) I return to the SF.   Sonus Faber speakers have very accurate timbre and tonal qualities. They present a cohesive sound and in my system have excellent soundstage.  They definitely "improve" as your cables, amp and preamp and source improve (and definitely require a good jumper cable). BUT, I suspect that they are better at jazz and classical than rock or heavy metal. (I do not listen to rock, heavy metal or "pop".) They were designed to present "classical" instruments and voice.  

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