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Sonus Faber Sonetto V’s Thoughts Requested

Hello. While I’ve never posted, I’ve been a very regular lurker here for the last couple of years. The wealth of knowledge here is truly remarkable and much of it is over my head. I really respect the opinion of @Soix , @ghdprentice , and @erik_squires as well as others not named. I also appreciate how they generally go about their posts and replies, while a few others can get petty and combative, which is unfortunate and unhelpful. Overall, it seems like a good bunch that genuinely loves their hobby and likes to help others, which is great. I know, nobody asked, but I thought some of you who have been here a while might find the thoughts of a first time poster, who has been reading this informative forum for a while, somewhat interesting. 

I definitely do not consider myself an audiophile, but I have always greatly appreciated good sound. I currently have an older model Arcam AVR-450, which is rated at 125 per channel in stereo mode, driving a pair of KEF Q750’s. I also have a KEF R2C center and a Revel B110 sub. I’m happy with the sound but have become a bit smitten with the Sonus Faber Sonetto V’s and I’m thinking that they will be a somewhat affordable upgrade in sound, and I find them very visually appealing, which I know shouldn’t matter, so call me shallow. I have not heard the Sonettos, but have heard the Amati’s, which of course is a large step up. I’m ridiculously rural, so finding a dealer for a demo is not much of an option. I do prefer a somewhat warmer sound as opposed to a brighter one. I’m not a bass junky believing that bass should enhance not overwhelm. Bass should be heard of course, but for me, there is more in the mids and highs than the lows that makes for good music to my ears. I generally listen to classic rock like Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, Elton John, Winwood, Heart, Doobies, Clapton, etc.

My questions to the group are: 1. Would the Sonetto’s V’s be a noticeable upgrade over my Q750’s in SQ? 2. Is my Arcam “good enough” to drive the Sonetto V’s satisfactorily, as an upgrade to the Arcam is not an option for me anytime soon? 3. Please feel free to answer any questions you think I should have asked. Like I said, I’m not an audiophile…

I thank you in advance for your posts! Hey, how about those cable threads and whatever happen to Kenjit?  😉

Doug

dbeckwith
soix
9,456 posts
 

I definitely do not consider myself an audiophile

Yeah you are, or you wouldn’t be here asking the good questions you ask. Thanks for the nice words BTW. I’ve already put some thought into this but could use a little more info — what’s your budget and are you looking new or used, and can you be any more specific about what improvements/sound characteristics you’re looking for other than just some more warmth? Just wanna make worthwhile/appropriate recommendations. Thanks for any further info.  I’m just gonna let the kenjit comment pass BTW.

grislybutter
2,997 posts
 

If bass is not that important to you, why not a bookshelf SF model?

dbeckwith OP
11 posts
 

@overthemoon - Thanks for your input. I was hoping to hear from someone who actually owned or spent some time with the Sonettos.

 

@ghdprentice - Thank you sir for your time and comments. I did know that you have and love your Amatis. I think i may m

not have been clear on my original post. I actually own KEF Q750 at the moment and was looking for input on if spending the money to move up to the Sonettos would be just that, a move up in SQ. It sounds like you think going to the SF house sound and their musicality would be a move in the right direction from my entry level KEFs, despite your bias. 🙂

 

@soix - Thanks for your time and input as well. Somehow I thought you might want more info than i might be able to coherently give. I do struggle with some audiophile vernacular. I was thinking of you when I put down the warmth etc. comment in my OP. Ha. I did like the SF sound that I heard with the Amatis, but they are quite a few steps above the sonettos. @ghdprentice mentioned the word musicality, so I think that works. I dont want speakers that are so accurate that mediocre recordings are somewhat difficult to listen to. As you know, most recordings are not considered great. 

I'm not really looking for other options in my 4 to 5k max budget, so much as I was looking for info regarding if the Sonettos in particular, which I seemed to be fixated on, is a real step up in SQ vs. My current Q750s. If it's not much of an upgrade I might stay put, despite loving the sonetto's great cabinets.

 

@grislybutter - Thanks for your reasonable question. These will be going in my main room which is fairly large, is open to the kitchen, and has 12' ceilings. While bookshelfs can be fine indeed, I never quite understood standmounted bookshelfs in a bigger room when they essentially take up the same footprint of a floor stander. As I mentioned, I find them quite attractive and while bigger is not always better, a beautiful cabinet  and a bigger sound seems to be my preference.

 

Thanks again, guys.

soix
9,456 posts
 

I'm not really looking for other options in my 4 to 5k max budget, so much as I was looking for info regarding if the Sonettos in particular, which I seemed to be fixated on, is a real step up in SQ vs. My current Q750s.

Well, I may just disappoint you here.  I had a not great experience with SF’s earlier entry-level Venere 2.5s so maybe I’m a little jaded and no doubt the Sonettos are a significant improvement, but 3-way speakers that weigh only 50 lbs. sends red flags my way that echo issues I had with the Venere speakers.  Despite the lute shape those cabinets resonated and were uncontrollable with their upper bass resonance in my room, and I’d be concerned about similar cabinet issues with the similarly lightweight Sonettos.

So, what would I recommend?  Hands down and given what you’re looking for I’d go with these Usher Dancer Mini Two speakers for several reasons.  

- For about the same price you’re getting custom drivers manufactured by Usher that include the same diamond tweeter as in their $40k flagship speakers — what???

- They go down to 28Hz vs  38Hz for the Sonettos

- They weigh a substantial 92 lbs. versus the Sonetto’s 50 lbs. indicating a much more substantial and inert cabinet

- They have gorgeous cabinetry that’s at least on par with the Sonettos

- Usher speakers fly way under the radar and are in my top 5 of best speakers I’ve heard, and they offer value that’s off the charts for the quality you get relative to most others — read the reviews.

- This seller offers a 30-day return period if I’m wrong

https://soundapproach.com/usher-dancer-mini-two-tower-speaker-pair.html

Sorry to go off the reservation here but couldn’t help it cause given what you’re looking for this is what I’d do so had no choice.  Best of luck in whatever you choose.

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
977 posts
 

I demoed the Sonetto III vs Focal 926 in my room at the same time.  Although the SF we better at vocal and strings the Focals won out overall. The thing I could not get over with the SF was the cheesy plastic base and how they mounted to the cabinet with wood screws.  The Focal base although not elegant was really solid/substantial for comparison. 

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