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Size matters Smaller that is

Hello,

Today I was at my local dealer listening to the most recent Sonus Faber Amati's. Wow what a beutiful speaker with quality exuding from everywhere. They were set up in the main listening room with Mcintosh 1.2"s and Mcintosh C1000T driving them, the source was also the reference Mcintosh player. The dealer put some Norah Jones on and off we went. I have to say that as good as the Amati's are to my ear they SLIGHTLY suffer from sounding a little closed in and boxy. By contrast my Sonus Faber Guarneri sound free, warm, and wonderfully open. This could be in part to my use of Mcintosh tube gear, but in general I find that larger speakers have to work very hard (Read expensive) to get out of there own way. I know no one speaker has it all, but in general I find that driven by first class electronics a smaller speaker is music to my ears. Where larger speakers also sound fantastic, but in general not as open and alive. Could also just be a Guarneri "Thing". My two cents anyway.

Regards
nocaster

Showing 4 responses by nocaster

nocaster OP
52 posts
 
Well put. I did find the Amatis very warm but not the most clear. My Guarneri sound very clear & warm
nocaster OP
52 posts
 
Hello,

All of the above are very good points and observations. My listening space is somewhere between small and medium, as Davef pointed out in a much larger room a larger speaker might be the way to go. Given that scenario though I would go with room treatments and position myself closer to the speakers. Of course if it's a huge room all bets are off. All the best!

Regards,
nocaster
nocaster OP
52 posts
 
I know what you mean about "Move some air to get it done right". In my case to get it done right I prefer a nice glass of Amarone to accompany the music (ha ha). I think in the end there is probably no absolute solution to obtaining the best hi fi, only the best solution for your particular budget and taste.
nocaster OP
52 posts
 
Johnnyb53 I could not have said it better myself. Thank you for all the great info and explaining in no uncertain terms what the charm of the Guarneri is. Now that my Guarneri are being driven by my new amps and preamp (Mcintosh MC2301's & Mcintosh C1000T) they have turned into instruments as opposed to speakers. It's hard to explain but....I have listened to alot of great systems over the years, the latest being the reference system at my local Mcintosh dealer. They had the Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario set up with two Mcintosh 2K monoblocs through a Mcintosh C1000T preamp. The system sounded great, but it sounded a little boxy and clarity was not like my Guarneri, dynamics however were great. My Guarneri have always been more like an organic listening experience as opposed to just a GREAT stereo. As I was listening to my system yesterday I became so emotionally involved with the music I forgot about the equipment! I just think they got it right with the Guarneri, simple as that for me. Also, on the other hand the MC2301's and the C1000T are from another world. But that's another story..............
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