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.
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
- ...
- 49 posts total
| Post removed |
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… |
While they do weight only 50 lb. each, Sonus is very clever about their construction. They use the smallest horizontal dimensions possible and break up the wide sides by curving them. While they are not the heavy weights their upper lines are they still perform very well except in the low bass. Your amp will drive the Sonetto Vs fine. However, Speakers like these demand the use of subwoofers. I know you said you do not care about bass, but bass itself is not the problem. It is what it does to the midrange. The crossover point between the woofers and midrange is 235 Hz. The slope is not specified. 256 Hz is middle C and the woofers are still quite audible at least up to 500 Hz which is one octave. Low bass requires small woofers to move long distances, a centimeter is not unusual at modest volumes. This causes Doppler distortion of everything else the woofer carries like the human voice. You are familiar with Doppler Effect. That is when a car passes you honking it's horn the horn changes tone right as it passes you, one tone moving towards you, another moving away. This is exactly what the woofer is doing, moving towards you, then moving away. Bigger woofers do not have to move as far. The form factor is not as modern, but the Klipsch Cornwall is a better speaker in this price range if you do not want to use subwoofers, even if you do not care about bass. If you tend to listen at low volumes the Sonetto Vs alone will do fine. If you like to turn it up subwoofers and a two way crossover will reduce distortion and make your amp seem twice as powerful. I do think the Sonettos are an improvement over the Kefs, but I cannot say by how much. Question. Do you ever frequent live concerts? |
I owned the Sonetto IIs for six-months and loved them. I found them to be impeccable on all levels - including the veneer. I did sell them as my wife redesigned our living room, and the speakers were no longer deemed wife-approved. If it were not for this, I would still have them. I say go for it. I do recommend you buy them lightly used not to take the depreciation hit. Enjoy. |
- 49 posts total