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From Sonus Faber Extrema to...

Hello Everybody, I'm a prowd owner of a nice pair of Sonus Faber Extrema speakers, see pic downstairs.

They sound lovely paired with my Conrad Johnson MV125 or with the couple of Accuphase P360 amps I own, bridged to monos (actually I think the CJ is a far better match).

Anyway, I was trying to figure out if an upgrade, speaker wise, is feasible or otherwise it could easily transform to one of my biggest regrets having to part with these lovely speakers.

Do you think that a much modern speaker (but still used), considering a budget of what I could get from the Extrema + 1 or 2 grand could represent a solid upgrade? I was considering some Avalons (not really modern actually) like the Opus or Eidolons, Some Wilsons (Sabrinas/Sophias) or B&Ws like the recent 803 D3.

Any advice in general, but in particular from anyone that used to own (or still owns) the Extremas would be very very appreciated.

Thank you!

robertofabbri
jond's avatar
jond
5,794 posts
 

Roberto lovely room and balanced system, those Extrema's are classics Franco Serblin designs I believe. You haven't really said what you're looking to improve if anything I'd suspect low bass. Have you considered trying pairing a really good sub with the Extremas?

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,817 posts
 

I don't think what you get for them plus a couple of grand would put you where you want to be.  Easy to make a regrettable,  lateral move with that scenario.   

I would also pair them with a really good sub. A REL , maybe a S/510 or S/812.  That would put you around or a little above that $2k allowance for upgrade.  I think it would really add impact and depth to an excellent system. 

gregm
3,405 posts
 

Aggree with @oddiofyl above -- sacrificing the Extremas + a few k will NOT buy you significantly better speakers... Maybe the Eidolons - if they're going for very cheap nowadays BUT the sound is far from what you're used to.

IMO, the best thing to do is:

a) buy 1-2 subs (SVS are excellent value for money)

b) model your room (REW is wonderful and free)

c) place subs accordingly.

In my room the sub is facing the main speakers and brings clarity and punch to the bass.

Good luck those are nice speakers - I had a pair back in the day!

robertofabbri OP
0 posts
 

Thanks everybody for your contributions.

The fear of a sidegrade given the investment amount is my main concern. And to own something very difficult to sell, too.

I have a XTZ sub, and a MiniDSP SHD with Dirac that I employed for some experiments, but I ended turning off the sub and the correction and enjoing the SF better without any further help. Maybe a pair of subs rather than one would be a different story.

Actually I could be in a "acute upgraditis" kind of situation. I'l try to shut up the voices that I hear, but still I cannot imagine that almost 30 yrs in speakers development wouldn't have brought any advantage on the table. Moreover, some light wood finished speakers would be a better suit in my living room (yes, I'm that kind of guy who cares about appearance... Well I'm Italian after all...)

robertofabbri OP
0 posts
 

Anyway, I'm still not convinced to do any step.

About sound quality, the SF driven by the CJ are a great match, with lush voices and a richness in the musical message to die for. The CJ is a bass beast too. I just have sometimes the slight feeling that the 2x125watts are not enough.

The two Accuphase in mono overcome this limitation, but they are not magical as the CJ and they bring some fatigue when listening at higher levels.

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