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Sonus Faber Stradivari

I would like to hear from those who have owned (or at least heard) the Sonus Faber Stradivari and Revel Salon 2's (my current speakers). I know they are completely different speakers, but I have an opportunity to buy a nice used pair of Strads, but I continually see people selling them for various reasons (I understand the upgrade bug better than anyone!), but I'm wondering if there is something about the Strads I don't know (i.e. people grow tired of the Strad sound, they can't play loud, they don't do X....whatever?).

Associated equipment: I have two sets of monoblocks - McIntosh 2301's and 1.2kws.

Do I sell the Salon 2's and grab the Strads or hold on to the Salon 2's? I'm curious because I see those who flip speakers a lot, end up searching for uncolored/neutral speakers (which I now have). That's why I wonder if some become tired of the Strad sound and would I?
mbovaird
doug99
288 posts
 
Cant answer about the Revel Salons.
But you can read what 2 posters said about the comparisons they heard when hearing the Stradivari to the Sonus Faber Amati Homage and Wilson Alexandra II. Just scroll down to the posts at 4 26 12

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1284891448&openfrom&38&4#38
mbovaird OP
140 posts
 
Thanks - just read it. Seems like there is a lot of love for the Strads.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,636 posts
 
If possible, you could buy the Strads before selling the Revels, compare them to the Revels and keep the speakers you liked best. No lingering doubts that way.
doug99
288 posts
 
I'd say first hear the Strads and see how you like them.
larryi
4,330 posts
 
A friend has a pair. I have listened mostly to jazz on his setup (he is both and avid jazz listener and a jazz guitar player). This speaker sound very, very good--very natural and realistic tonal balance, rich and saturated harmonics, and lack of artificial "edge" to the initial attack of notes. This is certainly one of the better conventional dynamic systems I've heard.

The main downside is that it does not have the kind of speed and dynamics and lively sound of really great horn system, but, then again, NO conventional dynamic systems do either.

In the Sonus lineup, this is an "old school" sound--rich and musical (sacrificing some clarity), while something like the Futura is more modern sounding--a touch leaner, more edge to the attack of notes, more detailed sounding.

I have only heard the Salon 2s briefly. I liked what I heard--open and airy on top, but not overly strident. At this kind of level of performance, one really has to hear the speaker because it is a matter of personal preference--there is no obvious superiority of one vs. the other.
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