Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors or Olympica I

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

Sorry the monitor the original ones

kel

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.

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".  

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.