I had the opportunity to audition a pair of SF Cremona Auditors (not the M version though) in my home earlier this year, and the dealer was generous enough to let me have them for a week. I thought they were lifeless and dull compared to the Proacs I already had. Even my wife noticed this and she rarely offers opinions about my system. I heard the Olympica 1s at the dealer (new, they were out of my price range) and of the two they were my clear favorite--livelier by far, with a bigger soundstage and just an all-around more appealing personality. I think they would suit your taste very well.
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First let me say that I am a big Sonus Faber fan. I own the Elipsa SE Red speakers. I had the Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors in my system a few years ago. I think they were the M version but can't say for sure. I was not impressed.
I have also heard the
Olympica 1s at my dealer with electronics very similar to mine. I thought they were very good, especially for their price. The best way is to go hear a pair at a dealer. See if you can take them home for the weekend. If you like them you might even ask if he wants to sell his demo pair. That is what I did.
In general the older Sonus Faber speakers are more romantic sounding while the newer ones are more detailed and modern sounding.
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Thanks much. I really appreciate the insight though I am surprised by the responses. I’ve read a number of posts from people raving about the Cremonas and how the original version might even be better than the M version. Also have heard some compare it to the Mementos. I have a pair of SF Liutos that I really, really like that I bought on A_Gon last year. My reason for inquiring was
a) I think the Liutos (floor-standers) are probably too big for the space they’re in, a living room that’s not configured all that well for audio.
b) Wife isn’t thrilled by the footprint of floor-standers.
As far as a) goes, unfortunately we are renting and most houses aren’t set up for a music room (once had one built for that purpose). Even high end homes (especially in Florida) have weird / open layouts that aren’t conducive to high end audio equipment. When I inquire about it with realtors I get responses like ’you should just get an iPad and an Apple music setup with wireless speakers instead. My husband and I got one and it’s amazing.’ Ahhhh, no.
I like my gear and music so much I just deal. However I do believe monitors would be easier to make sound good in my current space than floor-standers.
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Hi
I Listern to a pair on the weekend that a person was selling, at first I thought it was my hearing as I had just driven 3 hrs and feeling a little tiered, but they where allful, sounded like fingers on a chalk board, I stop the audition after about 10 minutes, I had a friend with me he said the same, not sure if it was the set up or the room, I have heard Sonus Faber before and was very impress, I knew the speaker could of been better positioned and the person offered to let me play with them ,I declined, to many issues to contend with, if I could of got them for a price that allowed me to flip them I might of gave them a go in my room. Moral is listern to them first. |
Kelvin, are you talking about the Cremona Auditors or the Olympica Is? I wasn't sure.
Has anyone heard the Lawrence Audio Violin SE? If not can you recommend a used monitor in the $3k-$5k range (current used price)?
Thanks !
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I have the original auditors. If I'm not mistaken, they're one of the last speakers that Serblin designed himself. I've read that it's one of his favorite design aside from the Minima.
I run it with a Jadis Defy 7.
It took a while for me to acquire it here in Audiogon because if it's priced below $3000 for the original or M, it's gone fast. They rarely appear for sale.
I have'nt heard the Olympica, but I've heard some other current SF models and they do sound more modern. The original Serblin designs were definitely colored but for me more involving and moving.
They need to be set up at least 4 feet from rear wall and 3 feet from side
I have them raked up a bit because I listen nearfield in a small room.
After attending THE show and listening to speakers like gamut 2 way monitors costing $20,000, (both have scanspeak revelator drivers),
I believe the auditors sounds almost as good
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Sorry the monitor the original ones
kel
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Excel, I am pretty sure that was Serblin's last SF design. I didn't realize they were that setup dependent. The best I can do is a regular living room as opposed to a dedicated music room. I'll never manage to get them that far away from the back and sidewalls. I've got maybe 3 feet behind and 2 feet on the sides. Maybe that won't work well.
The Liutos (full-size) are fine in that room. Probably not as good as they could be in a better room but certainly OK. Maybe the Auditors won't work in the space I have. I believe the Cremona M Auditors are less finicky about setup though they sound more 'modern' than the originals.
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I hope my response will be helpful. I've happily lived with a pair of Liuto monitors for close to two years. I just acquired a pair of SF Cremona Auditor M's and am thrilled. As good as the Liutos are in my home, with my electronics, the Cremona's are substantially better. Fuller, bigger soundstage with appropriate width and height. Detail, in my opinion, is close to some electrostatics I've heard but not clinical.
The music is simply "there" with no hint of boxiness. I would say that the sound is slightly "warm" side of neutral, but given so many variables, what is "neutral" really? Does one concert hall, jazz club, or other venue sound more neutral than another? But please guys and gals, let's not go there. :)
I'm in the process of experimenting with placement, room treatment, and to a lesser degree with cables. My electronics are excellent all-tube. Mono amps are 120 WPC. As you know, the Cremona Auditor M's are 4 ohm speakers so they are getting plenty of power.
One other thing- my dedicated listening room is small, but the rear wall opens to the living room and a side wall partially opens to the kitchen. Bass response is surprisingly good, except for the lowest bass of course, which I don't miss. Most of my listening is to classical, jazz, electronic, small acoustic instruments, and "new age".
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I have had Cremona Auditor Ms for 5 yrs now and the only thing I will replace them with is the Guaneris. My equipment is McIntosh C2300, MC452, MCD500, VPI Aries 3 TT, REL B3 sub-bass system. Amazing little speaker for a bookie. I have not had to spend much time on setup and my room is much less than ideal - opened on one side. Love these little behemoths. |
Just an update. I moved the Cremona M’s further out into the room- they were about 3’ now they are 4’. The room measures only 11’ wide with the speakers 22" to center of tweeter from the side walls. I like it. I’m using 12awg magnet wire for speaker cable and they like it. :) I have floor to ceiling tube traps in the corners of the front wall. At the moment I’m listening to Christopher Parkening through Spotify with a MicroMega myDAC and running Amarra sQ+ flat.
Lovely.
Man, dialing in these new-to-me speakers is an enormous amount of fun. So easy compared to a lot of other speakers I've owned.
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All the responses have been helpful. My understanding is that the Cremona M Auditors are easier to setup/less finicky about placement than the original Cremona Auditors.
Has anyone heard any of the Lawrence speakers? You can find good deals on them from time to time.
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I heard them at THE show. I can't remember which model but its a two way.
Looks like a cello.
They are one of the speakers I was impressed at the show.
The sound was very cohesive between the electrostatic tweeter and dynamic woofer.
They were also positioned a few feet from the rear wall, so I don't know if they're as finicky as the auditors.
Compared to the auditor, I like the top end of the Lawrence better, and although the auditor has pretty good upper bass, I think the lawrence is a touch more solid in that bass area. But I believe the model I was listening to had an 8 inch woofer compared to the auditor's 6.
I know this is not much help since I can't remember the Lawrence model.
But I liked the sound.
I actually thought to myself that people should be swarming to listen to the Lawrence. Maybe lack of brand recognition?
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If it was the Cello it's quite a bit more $$$ than the Cremona @ $18k. The Cello is a floor mount. Maybe you saw the Violin which is stand-mounted. That's not cheap either at $8500.
Whether they are value or not is another matter but I've heard they sound great. I think you also have to factor in that if the company went belly-up the resale value would get crushed especially compared to SF that holds up pretty well in the secondary market. Since I swap in and out of equipment frequently I think about things like that a lot more than I used to.
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For me, having lived and worked in Italy some years ago, Sonus Faber has a certain romantic quality and hence, great appeal. Call me a bit of an Italophile (is that even a word?) but Italians sure know how to design and craft some gorgeous things. A side benefit is that SF speakers have excellent resale value, which is one of your concerns.
I owned a pair of highly-regarded floorstanding speakers for many years, and although they sounded pretty good or better, depending on the room, I could never get over how "homely" they looked. :) I finally sold them for a fraction of what I paid for them, even after I spent a lot to have them upgraded. My next speakers were Sonus Faber Liutos. A weight had been lifted. :) |
Almost embarrassed to admit that the look of a speaker is nearly as important as the sound to me, especially in my main set-up in a living room surrounded by art deco furniture.
I have a pair of Liutos in there now, Very high WAF for floor-standers but she would prefer monitors. I'm also getting to the age where we'll downsize our residence (we're now empty nesters) and monitors are just easier to find space for.
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ihmeyers,
There’s nothing to be "almost embarrassed" about. :) Beautiful design enhances our lives in many ways. That you now own a pair of Liutos clearly indicates that you "get it." :)
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ihmeyers,
Yes it was the violins I listened to. There's a cherry finish listed for $3690 with free shipping. Sounds very inviting as a deal.
I have to say it sounded smoother than the auditors. Don't get me wrong, I love my auditors, but I think the violins with its ribbon tweeters and 8 inch mid woofers do sound more "effortless". and sound more full range than the auditors. However, I believe I don't think I can shoehorn the violin into my small listening room (11 x 12 x 9) as I did my auditors
The only drawback is that it does not have the brand recognition and is made in a country not widely know for building high end speakers.
BUT if sound is all that matters..... |
