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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
hedwigstheme
134 posts
 

Your SF will be near impossible to replace for sound quality. Maybe an Avalon Eidolon as per @Gregm. Have you thought about a pair of CJ Premier 12?

alessandrocat's avatar
alessandrocat
2 posts
 

Hi Robertofabri,

I am also a lover of Sonus Faber, and I currently have a couple of Olympica II, they sound very good. As an amplifier I use an Audio Analogue Puccini Anniversary that drives them without problems. Regarding your thought of changing your Sonus Faber Exstrema and in relation to your excellent system, you should, as others have already told you, go up a lot to have a real improvement, you should turn to the Sonus Faber Guarneri (stand) or the Sonus Faber Serafino (but here we are on high prices). In your place I would be like this since you are already at a very high level.

Kind Regards

Alessandro Catalano

Roma/Italy

emergingsoul
1,125 posts
 

Love the space.

I would go for Sonos Faber speakers versus b&w.

That's a lot of weight on those bookshelves. Those records really heavy.  No doubt secured extremely well on the wall along those rails.

I would Drift away from bookshelf speakers.

kennyc
1,471 posts
 

I cannot imagine that almost 30 yrs in speakers development wouldn't have brought any advantage on the table. 

@robertofabbri - yes, there have been improvements and yes, you can get better sonics “for a price” by simply going up the SF product line.

No, there are no short cuts - we cannot tell you if:

  1. You’ll like the change
  2. if the change is worth “your” money

The best lowest risk is to do nothing, sonics stay the same.

The next best least risky option is to demo within one’s own system while keeping the old component for comparison, otherwise the risk of sideways or less is unavoidable. Only “you” can decide what’s best for “you”

The riskiest is to sell your current speakers first, then hoping the next speakers are a “subjective” sonic upgrade.  One can buy and sell used to minimize costs and try different speakers, but shipping and handling speakers can be a pain.

paradisecom
307 posts
 

If I had a set of Extremas, I think the only speakers that I might move to in their place would be a pair of SF Elipsa SE's.  

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