Sonus Faber Sonetto V’s Thoughts Requested

@jbuhl – Thank you for your input. I can’t help but wonder how the V’s might have been a better match to compare, but I believe the Focals mentioned are a bit cheaper, so hmmm.

The IIIs  & the 926s were the same price from my dealer was the reason.   That was my budget. 

@skads_187- we are a manufacturer of tube audio components so we are using our Class A 40wpc mono blocks, we use our own 6SN7 preamp but currently have an older Trone preamp which is full of black gate capacitors.  We use many different model speakers, for example we have Vandersteen Sevens, 5As, Horning, Vivid, etc., and manufacturers send them to us to listen and demonstrate in our listening room in Northern New Jersey.  The current Sonus are the older model  Stradivari although we are considering the new versions.

Happy Listening.

@stereo5 - YW on the Brit Floyd suggestion. I would be surprised if you were disappointed should you catch a show. They do so many shows each year that they are extremely well practiced and proficient. Their laser show is well done too. Their founder and musical director was originally with the Aussie group, but left more than a decade ago believing he could do the tribute better and it seems he was right. If you get the chance go to YouTube and watch their version of dogs, a very hard song to do live.They tour the US every year, usually during the first 6 months or so. You can go to their site for dates and places.

@grislybutter - Thanks for your comment and for answering my question regarding your Lumina not so good experience.

@mijostyn - Bass is good to be sure, but too much of that good thing... not so much. Live music in a good venue is great to be sure and more visceral as you mentioned. Thanks for the sub info. I just may get to the dual sub level someday and will keep your tip in mind.

@jbuhl - Thank you for the clarification. I've never had the opportunity to listen to Focals. Like SF, they do have their following.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond to this discussion. @ghdprentice , sorry about my original misread of your first post. When I read it the next day, it became clear as day. This discussion leaves food for thought in all directions. It seems like most topics audio, things are subjective with opposing views on many if not most topics. 

Doug

My understanding is that the Venere’s were SF’s misstep into manufacturing their entry level speakers in China. I don’t know, but price point and the China issue may have had something to do with your poor experience. I believe they have taken everything back in house in Italy after that manufacturing experiment produced less than desirable results etc.

I wouldn’t say my experience with the Venere 2.5s was poor, it’s just that they were compromised in build quality and cabinet resonances.  While build quality may have improved, I’m still very skeptical that the Sonetto’s cabinets don’t resonate and affect the sound as they’re of a similar size/weight to the 2.5s I had in my system.  Back then the contention was that the unique lute shape counteracted the lack of inert mass.  Well, not in my experience and I’d bet it’s still an issue with the Sonettos because physics is physics.  SF makes some of the best speakers on the market, but they’ve clearly struggled trying to build good “entry-level” speakers and I personally wouldn’t gamble that they’ve fully figured it out this time either.  To me, the Usher Mini Twos I mentioned earlier are more established, are built much better, offer a tweeter the Sonettos can’t touch and can actually produce bass while looking beautiful doing it at about the same price.  No brainer to me, but if you’re smitten with the Sonettos then go for it.

@soix - Thanks for your additional comments. I have zero doubt that they have great merit. I did look at your suggested Ushers and they do make good looking cabinets and I would think if they pass your muster, they would be a good choice.

My one audio buddy, who is a Revel fan and runs his stuff on Jeff Rowland power, thinks I should look at the F208s. They are on sale right now at 3850 a pair and their cabinets are attractive as well. Great, now even more to consider.

There's probably an engineering reason, but I don't understand why there aren't more options where the venere goes all the way across the front like the Sonettos or the F208s. The vast majority have the black fronts of different material, which I find less attractive, not that anybody asked. Thanks again.