Sonus Faber Question


I spent (wasted?) a lot of time switching amplifiers in and out of my system, never quite achieving the sound I was chasing. There were a lot of sideways moves. Then I purchased a demo pair of Sonus Faber Sonetto III's. After playing these through my system I finally feel I'm headed in the right direction. This speaker sound signature is the type of sound I've been seeking out. However, I get the feeling these speakers are really just scratching the surface of what Sonus Faber can offer. Unfortunately, I'm not independently wealthy. So the question is what speaker would you recommend as the next appreciable step up to capture more of the Sonus Faber essence / what should I expect to have to pay on the used market to get there? Thanks in advance!  

 

Current Equipment:

Sonus Faber Sonetto III's

HiFi Rose RS250A

Denafrips Pontus II 12th

Rega P6, Neo PSU w/ Hana low MC

Rega Phono Pre

PrimaLuna Evo 300 Integrated

Kimber Cable Cables, Interconnects, Etc.

jdm11

Showing 2 responses by alexatpos

As a long time owner of many SF speakers (Gp home, cremona auditor, cr auditor m, Guarneri homage and than couple from Franco Serblin's new company, Lignea and now Accordo) and by looking the size of your room, I would strongly advise you to choose smaller speaker than many has suggested, meaning 'monitor' on the stand, instead of full range sized speaker. Furthermore, there is a brick and mortar dealer of SF and now Franco Serblin's speakers in my home town and I have had a chance to extensively listen many of their designs, including hearing the 'inside' impressions from experienced personal. (for examp. Olympica 2 is 'no no' model in their line up.

My room is aprox 12x18 and have enough space behind and on the sides, the furniture is not on the way, have no problems with waf factor and still thought that Guarneri is a bit big (if you want really to hear what that speaker can play, in terms of stage and positioning on it) for that room. Yours is slightly larger, but I would be very hesitant to put 'big' speaker in it.

I am quite certain that (for the same money) you may buy smaller, but 'better' speaker and more importantly, one that suits your space more. If possible, would also advise you to hear few models of Franco Serblin's new company, like Accordo, Accordo Essence or perhaps  new Accordo Goldberg. Since Franco Serblin is creator of Sonus Faber, you should not overlook his newer designs as imho, he is the 'real deal'.(aldo Essence and Goldberg are made by his son in law) Not to take anything from SF of today, but still...Electa Amator 3, Maxima Amator or perhaps Guarneri (Serblin's older Memento or perhaps newer Evolution) are also fine choice. Best of luck in your search

@jdm11 , SF Olympica series are basically successor of former Cremona line and are priced accordingly, somewhere in the middle of SF range. Olympica 3' price was around 12t eur in Europe when it was launched, very close to the Guarneri Evolution (around 15t eur, with the stands)  which was part of the same generation of speakers (in terms of date of production). Aldo some can object to the very notion of 'monitor' speakers (to be equal or better than standmount) it is generally considered among SF fans that Guarneri is 'better' product, or at least was made with that intention.The US importer of SF obviously thinks that way, as he has put hefty price on GE, making it some 10t usd more expensive than O3 (in europe that difference is perhaps 3t) Anyway, if speaking only about the speakers and if you can find them similarly priced, Guarneri is more refined product of higher quality. It will have less bass (which in smaller rooms might be an advantage), but 'more' of everything else. Depending on music that you listen (jazz or classical for example), you should enjoy it more. It will 'demand' higher quality electronics to show its best, must be said. At the end, it all depends how demanding you are. Olympica 3 is a great allrounder, but if you wish something more, or something 'special', I would look at other solutions, including ones from Franco Serblin's new company, that I have mentioned before. Last, but not least, imho all SF benefits from amps that have more power. They can work with tube amps, but are not build with intention to be paired with them.

https://www.atma-sphere.com/en/resources-paradigms-in-amplifier-design.html

https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1285:nrc-measurements-sonus-faber-olympica-iii-loudspeakers&Itemid=153