Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home for Mixed Genre?

From my memory of listening to them a loooong time ago they’d seem to be the polar opposite in sound to your JBLs.  I remember the treble being on the more polite, refined, reserved side while the mids were full and expressive and the bass adequate but not chest pounding.  They excelled in musicality, imaging, and soundstage and pulled off a good disappearing act.  They wouldn’t be my first choice for hard rock although I’m sure they’d be at least ok, but their other strengths should play very well with the other genres you’re listening to more these days.  I’ve never heard your AVA electronics, but my main concern would be if pairing especially the tube pre with the already laid-back GPs that the treble might leave you a little wanting in that area and not be extended or energetic enough.  But that aside, overall they’re great sounding speakers if that’s the sound/characteristics you’re looking for, and they’ll certainly be a big change from your JBLs.  FWIW, and hope this helps at least somewhat. 

+1

The generation of Sonus Faber back then were very warm and natural with very subtle treble. Great for classical and jazz as long as you did not want it sparkly. Great speakers, but not overly dynamic (not a criticism). Definitely a big change from what you had. Sonus increased the detail in speakers around ten years ago. 

I had a pair of the original Grand Piano's and polite and a touch warm is just how I would describe them. Not a bad speaker especially in a smaller room but not great for rock in my opinion. The Home may have a bit more oomph but is from the same era.

Thank you soix, ghdprentice, and jond for your replies.  I went to hear the GPH's yesterday afternoon and I was impressed with both sound quality and appearance. We made a deal and after a few hours at home with them I think your assessments are right-on. Played some Vivaldi too, violins sound amazing. Very enjoyable. Looking forward to exploring more of my jazz and classical CD collections.

Congrats and enjoy!

Congratulations.

That is how I got hooked on Sonus Faber. I found a used pair of Cremona M and purchase them as an experiment. They would be ~early 2000s. I loved them and knew that the newer were still very musical but more detailed. Within a couple weeks I ordered a pair of the, then, brand new (first shipment, still on a ship) Olymipica 3. A few years later when perfecting my system after I retired I upgraded to Amati Traditional. They are works of art as well as stunning sounding. Over ten years of going to acoustic concerts have allowed me to appreciate the sound of Sonus Faber speakers... and electronics by Audio Research, Conrad Johnson and VAC.

Nice enjoy your new speakers foamcutter!

Congrats on the new purchase, those are really nice. Probably a big change from your prior speakers. I bet you get used to them and enjoy them more in the end. 

I do agree with the others who said SF changed their sound somewhat about a decade ago. I tend to like the older tuning which was more romantic and easy to enjoy. Newer ones are great in a different way but not as much to my taste.