I recently purchased the Sonus Faber Sonetto II's and all I can say is WOW! For such a small speaker it really does over deliver your expectations. I, too, like you, was unable to audition and went with a dealer recommendation and am beyond thrilled with the performance. This was the first pair of speakers I purchased without auditioning. The bass is one of the things that impresses me the most. Also, the unique cabinet design adds to the bass performance. There is a front port that pushes air beyond expectations so you can place close to the wall. I went with the white color that matches my bookcases and use without the black grills.
NO listening sessions posible , bookshelf for a Raven Nighthawk
I have never listening to tube gear until I recently heard a prima Luna pre amp hooked to a McIntosh Mc.252 amplifier , I like the sound much better than the same set up with a ss McIntosh pream. ( C42) . So now I would like to buy a Raven Nighthawk III integrated amplifier to use it at my office , the space is 3.5 x 4.5 mts, with a bookshelf full of books on the back wall . The music I like is mostly classical and Jazz , I am looking for non fatiguing sound , warm and not to analytic. Life is full of compromises and unfortunately there is no hifi dealers nearby and I cannot spent a lot of time looking for “perfect sound,". Given that I need a good pair of bookshelf speakers with sensitivity of at least 88 db that matches the amp. Budget around $4.000, with not only SQ but an appearance to mach and reliability . So far I have on my list : Tannoy mini anniversary . Triangle comete 40 th anniversary , Omega super alnico monitor, Fritz carrera Be , Sonus Faber sonetto II ; Salk Silk AT monitors and Exotica monitor ( humm too expensive but gorgeous ), I am open to more suggestions, would you help me with your advice ?