sonus faber GH with Sub vs Amat Homage

Hi Chris
No I have never heard Electa Amator 2. I have owned the Guarneries and Extremas, but i will for sure look at EA II..

Have you auditioned the Electa Amator II? Many view this speaker as good choice between the GH and the larger SF floor-standing models. EAIIs can also be a bit punchy in smaller rooms, but I've been very happy with the speaker.

Elviukai's impressions very much match my own. I chose the Amati Anniversarios for overall capability, but the GH's have a magic with male voices and cello that I've only ever heard matched by electrostatics.

2-26-10: Daveyf
Smaj, Thanks for the compliment..:0)

BTW, Elviukai, I do not think that my GH's are at all lacking in instrument palp or localization in the mids... even in comparison to the Amati's. When I have heard the Amati's in the past, my impression was that the only area that they had it over the GH's was possibly in their ability to drop down deeper in the bass; in all other areas I preferred the GH's. If you heard any kind of darkness with any of the SF's then I would suspect that could be laid at the feet of the upstream gear and/or a room interaction.
The GH's in particular are known for their midrange abilities and IMHO, if set up right simply disappear in the room. I do think that like many speakers, set up is fairly crucial with the GH's; a listener should not mistake a poor setup/room interaction as a speaker problem.
Oops, sorry for the double post..:0(

Smaj, Thanks for the compliment..:0)

BTW, Elviukai, I do not think that my GH's are at all lacking in instrument palp or localization in the mids... even in comparison to the Amati's. When I have heard the Amati's in the past, my impression was that the only area that they had it over the GH's was possibly in their ability to drop down deeper in the bass; in all other areas I preferred the GH's. If you heard any kind of darkness with any of the SF's then I would suspect that could be laid at the feet of the upstream gear and/or a room interaction.
The GH's in particular are known for there midrange abilities and IMHO, if set up right simply disappear in the room. I do think that like many speakers, set up is fairly crucial with the GH's; a listener should not mistake a poor setup/room interaction as a speaker problem.

Smaj, its dificult to advice without knowing what you are seeking. 97% of monitors avalable will not provide large dynamic swings to reproduce large orchestra without compression. ar any similar music. If you mainly listen vocals and small jazz groups monitor is best. I bet Amati wont work in your room neutraly- its already punchy speaker eeven in bigger rooms and need some time to blend seamlesly in bass/mids. personaly I cant live with lifted up midbass(lower bass 25-35hz is much more tolerable even if it in +10db- keep in mind this on GH and sub combo feature) if you can live with it- give a try. I didnt compare GH with Amati directly, is memorry serves me well both are smooth and litle bit dark sounding(thought less than Cremona series at that time) speakers, Amati having better intrument palpability and localiation in midrange area, while GH having more pleasant lushier tonality in male voice and lower strings.

Thank you so much for your respons.It is also my experiens that small speaker most of the time does a better job in my rather small room.
but i wonder if the overall sound is simular between GH and Amatis. I still feel to this day that Guarneries did the best for me of the speakers i have had. Havent heard the amaties though.
btw Daveyf.. i really like your system

Smaj, I too basically agree with Elviukai and 4musica. I doubt that the Amati's would work well in that size room. The GH's are far easier to integrate into your room and will respond well to a sub. You may want to look into bass trapping and possibly a Rel or JL sub if budget allows.

I agree completely with Elviukai. I have the Guarneri Mementos in a room very close in dimensions to that of the OP and although they were wonderful without a sub, adding a REL R-305 has added fullness and even further improved the soundstage and imaging. The only challenge was to get the sub seamlessly integrated, but once that was done - WOW!

in 2x4 meter? dont even think about amati. its more likely you room have main resonant mode at high 60hz where amati output is very strong. that mean very boomy sound. hook up sub and mate them at 40hz or so. take your time to find optimal placement / integration(its very important in your room) but general dont use higher than 40/50hz crossing(sub should start roll of from 40hz at about 12/18db/oct.

also dont listen to anyone who says that small room can not reproduce low frequencies. they surely can. the same is for small speakers. I have measured bunch of 3 or even 4 ways which goes down to 50hz, and some 2 way floorstanders which go to 28Hz)

sub wont add any dynamic abilities,or maximum spl level, but it will add majesty and fullnes of music "breath" when properly integrated.

go with sub, take your time to adjust and enjoy.