Sonus vs fr5


Wondering if anyone has heard both the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 vs the PS Audio FR5.  I’ve heard and liked the Sonus but haven’t heard the fr5’s.  Currently using a Bryston 4b nrb amp and an Integra drx 5.3.  I also have an 18” Velodyne sub currently.  Will be adding an Eversolo 8 or 10 once I decide on the speakers.  My room is 18 x 14 x 9’ ceiling.  I’m willing to try the trade in process for the fr5 but I’m concerned with my shipping cost to send them whatever I choose to trade in.  Any thoughts appreciated!

cia83

@cia83 if my memory is right. The FR5 plays deeper into the low end, has better dynamic control without sounded compressed at higher or instantaneous high SPLs. The Sonetto II sounded overly bright, clangy which o guess is the Sonus Faber identity as most of their stuff have this overly present harmonic content presentation that makes everything sound glossed and it is fatiguing on long listens. May impress initially just but how coloured the presentation is but is not something I’d want for long term listening

The FR5 is also bright but not annoyingly bright and the thing that stood out was the boxiness of vocals and how much power was needed to get them playing loud. They also had a wide horizontal sound field throw pattern (to be expected for a ribbon tweeter but that means narrow vertical sound field throw)

TLDR: the FR5 sounded better to me but I wasn’t impressed with them. But hey that is my opinion, hope you get to hear the FR5 and decide for yourself