Sonus Faber Sonetto V’s Thoughts Requested

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.

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. 

I didn’t mention it in my prior post, but as @jbuhl found with the Sonettos I found the build quality of the Veneres to also be cheap and subpar.  Sounds like that’s still an issue.

I literally just shipped my III’s on Monday for a trade up to the V’s. They should be here next week. I bought the III’s unheard and can tell you @ghdprentice nailed it with his “natural house sound” comment. I completely agree! I also agree with @soix as their lack of heft surprised me. I have Revel Be’s in my main system and they’re beasts and solid as a rock. But I too had those same thoughts about Sonetto’s lack of weight. I can tell you I loved the III’s and can’t wait for my V’s. So whilst I can’t speak yet about the V’s with what I heard from the III’s I know I can’t not love the V’s. 
 

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with loving the looks of your gear. I started a thread about this very thing a while back here. I will sometimes just sit and stare at my system and just admire the looks (without anything playing even). And though I love my Revel’s and find them to best the SF’s sound wise , I give the nod in the looks department to Sonetto’s😂. For me looks are a huge factor. I even said in my thread that even if I loved the sound of a particular piece of gear (mostly applies to speakers), if they don’t pass the visual test I won’t buy them. That’s why Revel and SF fit perfectly for me😊!

Best of luck I’ll post my thoughts on the V’s when they arrive…