Looking for thoughts on Sonus Faber speakers

IMO, there are basically two different sounds to the SF camp. The original speakers designed by Franco Serblin are to my ears more accurate to the sound of live voice and strings. The newer sound, after Franco, are more forgiving of upstream error and are easier to implement. The original Homage series are a high point that i dont think SF have quite managed to get close to again.

Incidentally, has anyone heard of the new and upcoming reissue of the Stradivarius release?

@ghdprentice

this back and forth reminds me of conversations i had at some past hifi shows with certain dealers and importers... we spoke about speakers like harbeths, classic spendors, vandersteens etc, as being speakers that more experienced audiophiles tend to come back to, after trying many of the more modern, super high end heavily marketed options that maximize ’resolution’, ’speed’, ’slam’ and all those wonderful super-fi traits - the old stalwarts, like those above, including sonus fabers, are indeed speakers that music lovers come back to after they’ve tried pretty much everything else, so to speak, speakers that allow many of us to come ’full circle’

i was thinking about this notion, and while it is true for those of us who play/played, grew up around, and were thus much exposed to acoustic music, live voice, orchestral, or symphonic music with simple or minimal amplification, it also struck me that most younger generations likely have very different sensibilities based on what they have experienced as ’real music’ ... ’live’ concerts at coachella, outside lands, rock concerts, modern r&b, rap, electronica and so forth - a totally different age, completely different sense of what sounds right and/or ’live’ as baselines -- while amongst the younger generations there are some with serious/classical musical training (not meaning to be perjorative), what we have come to respect and love as a type of sound is now but a tiny sliver of a minority, and ever diminishing...

still, it is fun and heartwarming to see a thread like this with folks expressing interest in the type of sound that sonus fabers create

@gsieg I'd listen to anything and everything.

You're spending money that folds - audition, get a home trial or whatever you need to feel confident in your decision.

I'm lucky - I have friends with different systems and a local dealer who carries a variety of speakers.  I've been impressed with Devore Super Nines and other speakers but when I really sit and listen there's certain things I seem to appreciate and other characteristics I don't. 

For example, I've heard Wilson speakers and they sound very good; however, they don't move air as much as my Sonus fabers and its something I associate with part of listening to music.  It's a personal preference.  And therefore Maggies are speakers I find interesting and a unique experience but not a potential speaker for me.  That doesn't mean they aren't great for someone else especially if they enjoy listening to opera and string quartets!

@jjss49

Yes. In the beginning for me, I remembered amplified concerts and "good stereos" in college early ’70s). These had me recreating some shrill and often overly detailed sound. While great, it optimized one genera over all others (I was on an electronic kick for a long time). It wasn’t until I started going to the symphony a couple time a month and acoustical jazz that I realized I was chasing trizzle and overly highlighted details. This changed my course to Audio Research and Sonus Faber... all music types have gotten better with each step.

When young, enthusiasm and effort propelled me, but in retrospect, experience trumps it. My systems now sound many times better than they ever have.

Sonus Faber, old or new has the sound of real music with the appropriate components. While old, I think, helped make up for common solid state shortcomings, the new play well with good quality components of either camp.

Well I've auditioned the KEF R11's and they were pretty impressive. Not bright. Big soundstage.  An enjoyable listen.  But I'm returning to my Sonus Faber dealer for another listening session. In the end I think the Sonetto V will win the day.  Only because I'm focused on natural smooth and an enticing sound a can listen to for hours. But I must admit the KEF's were more appealing than I would have suspected.  I could easily live with their sound if I had not heard the warmth of the Sonus Fabers. But I need to listen critically again. The KEF's on sale are a pretty good value. No discount offered yet on SF. Any more thoughts?  I welcome them.