Um, as huge of an issue that acoustics plays, as well as voltage from your wall, noise filtration, tweaks, yada, yada, I would say say that - at least in this case - component compatability and sonic compliment is more of a deciding issue. That's my experience anyway from doing it professionally and as a hobby for decades now. Either the combo's you are considering work well, or they don't. They either sound good to your ears, or not. Not much else to consider really. (besides relative power requirements, adequate current deliver, impedance, etc). Bottom line is going to be preference, in the end.
While I can't speak so much for the newer Sonus products over the last 5 years, I can say that my past experience between the two brands is that the Sonus's sounded good with slightly more analytical electronics, while the Meridian gear had a more homogenized sound to my ears, that worked better with more analytical speakers, I thought. That's of course just an impression. That's not to say that many wouldn't find a good sound with Meridian pieces with Sonus Faber's. But I just never found the combo's to be an ideal mating, personally. Yes, I sold both lines in the same store at one point. That was my assessment. And I was always looking for good combo's amongst the choices we had available - for both clients and personal needs.
To sum it up, I had old sonus Electa Amators (also a very revealing speaker), and I went with other electronics to mate.
Still, everyone's experience may be different, and also pieces vary on a piece per piece basis, of course. Basically, you'll have to try to know. Actually, that's THE ONLY WAY, really! You'll otherwise always wonder, if you got the curiosity.
I say give a piece or two a try. Then, if you don't like, you can always easily move it these days.
But, no, I've not directly taken a pair of Cremona's and mated them with some Meridian, for the record. But it's more to think about.
Hope this helps
While I can't speak so much for the newer Sonus products over the last 5 years, I can say that my past experience between the two brands is that the Sonus's sounded good with slightly more analytical electronics, while the Meridian gear had a more homogenized sound to my ears, that worked better with more analytical speakers, I thought. That's of course just an impression. That's not to say that many wouldn't find a good sound with Meridian pieces with Sonus Faber's. But I just never found the combo's to be an ideal mating, personally. Yes, I sold both lines in the same store at one point. That was my assessment. And I was always looking for good combo's amongst the choices we had available - for both clients and personal needs.
To sum it up, I had old sonus Electa Amators (also a very revealing speaker), and I went with other electronics to mate.
Still, everyone's experience may be different, and also pieces vary on a piece per piece basis, of course. Basically, you'll have to try to know. Actually, that's THE ONLY WAY, really! You'll otherwise always wonder, if you got the curiosity.
I say give a piece or two a try. Then, if you don't like, you can always easily move it these days.
But, no, I've not directly taken a pair of Cremona's and mated them with some Meridian, for the record. But it's more to think about.
Hope this helps