Well, I've heard all the speakers you mentioned, all in dealers showrooms or at high end audio shows. They all have their own various good and not so good attributes. I'm not an owner of any of the speakers you mentioned. Anywho, speakers are so very highly subjective. It's a decision that can only be made after intense auditioning, wherever you can audition them. Once you get them home, if you find that they don't work for you, all you can do is sell them on the used market, then move on to the next set of speakers until you find the perfect speakers for your taste and your room, which is exactly what I had to do. Happy listening.
Sonus Faber Amati vs. Wilson Sasha V (and perhaps vs. Focal n3)
I am looking to upgrade my dual-purpose home theatermusic system. Currently I have a 5.2 system with Focal speakers (Aria line) driven by a Marantz Cinema 30 + Emotiva XPA-5. Source is Tidal with Wiim Pro.
I will replace the Emotiva with a McIntosh Mc462 + Mc255 (saving the two additional channels for a possible expansion to 7.2 down the road). I also plan to add a C2800 for 2-channel listening through its HT Bypass.
I am torn, though, on the speaker choice. At first, I was considering the Focal Sopra 3s since I am relatively happy with the Arias. However, the more I read, the more I was drawn the Sonus Faber Amati. It is a gorgeous speaker, and seems to garner significant praise for its musicality. I worry, though, about its dynamics for HT duty. The matching center (the Vox) is also extremely expensive, especially compared to the Sopra center.
I also started to consider the Wilson Sasha V. I have also admired Wilson speakers and I think the design, while polarizing, might fit with our contemporary decor more so than the very traditional Amatis. The Sashas, though, are 50% more than the Amatis and Wilson seems to have its fair share of detractors.
I plan to find time to audition each of these, but it will be in a dealer’s showroom and probably won’t accurately reflect the experience in my (less than ideal) room. I’d very appreciate any thoughts or opinions on these three speakers and how they might compare. Thank you!
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Focal Aria are great speakers I use Aria 926 with the matching center for movies with Marantz AVR. In my main 2-ch setup I use Wilson Sabrina with Pass X260.8. Wilson Audio released new version of The Watt/Puppy that are more affordable than the Sasha V. I would look into those if I were you. Good luck! |
Not sure why you’re painting yourself in a corner with the Mac gear. You’re in an enviable position in upgrading both amplification and speakers simultaneously, so why not keep an open mind and choose the speakers/electronics that work best together? You could find yourself in the position that you prefer the sound of the Amatis but that the Mac gear pairs better sonically with the Wilsons. Then what? Synergy, especially at this level, is critical so limiting your options from the start seems counterproductive to me anyway. Personally I’d find the speakers that really “do it” for me first and then pair them with the electronics that best reinforce those qualities and can properly drive the speakers, but that’s me. Just my $0.02 FWIW, and best of luck. |
Well, as usual, @soix +1.
I love Sonus Faber speakers, but would never pair with Mac… on the other hand, if I had Mac (I would not choose this either), would pair with Wilson. I am also not a Focal fan. Many people love all these brands. Find the speakers you love the sound of, then choose complimentary electronics. |
Another @soix +1 but I would have thought the Arias with subs would be more than adequate for HT. If you are happy with overkill Wilsons or more expensive Focals for HT but Sonus Faber Amati every time for music but I agree with ghdprentice that SF and Macs are not a great match. |
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