New top tier Sonus Faber speakers coming

[ChasFreeland]

Visited KS audio store here in BKK today. KS is the importer of Sonus Faber products. I wanted to audition the Stradivari. Vorathep, the owner, told me that some exciting new products are coming from Sonus. There is a new top model, a four-unit set consisting of two towers -- rather slender from the pictures I saw -- which are to be paired with two subwoofers. The subs looked a bit like the Strads I was listening to. The photos showed each subwoofer as having at least two drivers, designed and manufactured in-house. I was told to expect a price tag touching $600,000. I cannot confirm the price but KS already has a demo pair on ordr. so I could find out more about pricing. An update on the Aida II is also in the works. Maybe available in a couple more years. Takes a long time to craft a Sonus s[eaker.
Any confirmations on this?

 

[Hiempie]

During our visit to the audio castle we didn't hear anything about it, but we were able to listen to the Aida 2

 

[ChasFreeland]

How did you like the Aida 2? What else was in the system driving them? Like you, I use Spectral. My audio dealer had doubts about Spectral and Aida. He advocates MacIntosh. I heard the new 451s with the Strads. I was not impressed with the set-up.

 

[LL21]

Most intriguing...I generally have enjoyed the 4-towers I have heard for their scale and power. With SF tonal balance and refinement, a 4-tower could be quite something.

Although both designed by Franco Serblin not current designers, I owned by the original Guarneri and then the Strad and genuinely enjoyed them both.

 

[Hiempie]

Hi Chas,

The Aida 2 was powered with a complete McIntosh system and that certainly did not appeal to us. During our first listening session we played with our own CDs and we thought they sounded substandard. During our second listening session we listened to the new Stradivari and it did not appeal to us at all, too much bass and not tight, which could be because they were not fully played in. Then we listened to the Amati 5, all controlled with McIntosh. The Amati 5 sounded very good. The last two were in another listening room and we played music with a network player. Finally, we listened to the Aida 2 again with a network player and everything sounded much better. So that CD player was a huge disappointment. No McIntosh equipment for us. I think your 400RS is a very good partner for the Aida 2, just try it out. The Aidas sound very neutral with beautiful highs and enormous placement. If there is a lot of deep bass in the music, they will let that be heard. We went home with a positive feeling and my music friend is thinking about whether he will purchase the Aidas

BR Ismaël

 

[bill s]

Visited KS audio store here in BKK today. KS is the importer of Sonus Faber products. I wanted to audition the Stradivari. Vorathep, the owner, told me that some exciting new products are coming from Sonus. There is a new top model, a four-unit set consisting of two towers -- rather slender from the pictures I saw -- which are to be paired with two subwoofers. The subs looked a bit like the Strads I was listening to. The photos showed each subwoofer as having at least two drivers, designed and manufactured in-house. I was told to expect a price tag touching $600,000. I cannot confirm the price but KS already has a demo pair on ordr. so I could find out more about pricing. An update on the Aida II is also in the works. Maybe available in a couple more years. Takes a long time to craft a Sonus s[eaker.
Any confirmations on this?

I just upgraded to SF Aidas from il Cremonese. I have SF Gravis vi subwoofers. I've heard these with MacIntosh and was not impressed. My components are ARC Ref 6SE and Ref3SE preamps with Aesthetix Eclipse monoblocks. Really enjoying the set up.

 

[Hiempie]

Hi Bill first congrats with your Aida's, that's an interesting upgrade. But why are you using Gravis 6 subwoofers? a few weeks ago I saw the il cremonese ex3ma it has 4 bas speakers didn't they diliver enough bass? Do you still use them with Aida's?
Is there a big difference between Cremonese vs Aida?

BR Ismaël

 

[bill s]

Hi Bill first congrats with your Aida's, that's an interesting upgrade. But why are you using Gravis 6 subwoofers? a few weeks ago I saw the il cremonese ex3ma it has 4 bas speakers didn't they diliver enough bass? Do you still use them with Aida's?
Is there a big difference between Cremonese vs Aida?

BR Ismaël

Hiempie,

It’s not all about the bass. Using subwoofers in a system expands the width and depth of your soundstage. I had these subs when I owned the il Cremonese and didn’t think the trade in allowance was worth departing with them.

 

[Hiempie]

Hiempie,

It’s not all about the bass. Using subwoofers in a system expands the width and depth of your soundstage. I had these subs when I owned the il Cremonese and didn’t think the trade in allowance was worth departing with them.

Hi Bill,

You are right I've heard it in a demo with and without sub and the difference was substantialy.
Do you use one or two subs? and where do you place them?

Other question
How big is the difference between il Cremonese and Aida. Unfortunatly I didn't hear them toghether Is it in the mids or high?

Regards Ismaël

 

[LL21]

Hi Bill,

You are right I've heard it in a demo with and without sub and the difference was substantialy.
Do you use one or two subs? and where do you place them?

Other question
How big is the difference between il Cremonese and Aida. Unfortunatly I didn't hear them toghether Is it in the mids or high?

Regards Ismaël

Curious...can you describe the substantial difference with the sub a bit more? Always interested in other people's experience with subs, particularly on larger speakers.

 

[Hiempie]

LL21,

Actually Bill has the best experience, what I heard was on a nice Magico system I believe M2 with very expencive Magico sub so only one in the middle of the M2. With subs you hear more room, more depth the loudness of the subs where at a level you nearly don't hear them, bass on speakers a little bit louder. Without sub the extra wideness and depth dissapeard.

 

[LL21]

LL21,

Actually Bill has the best experience, what I heard was on a nice Magico system I believe M2 with very expencive Magico sub so only one in the middle of the M2. With subs you hear more room, more depth the loudness of the subs where at a level you nearly don't hear them, bass on speakers a little bit louder. Without sub the extra wideness and depth dissapeard.

Thank you. That is my own experience as well. The key I am trying to gauge is how much MORE subs change that dynamic even further. I know Arnie of Rockport Arrakis fame added the REL 6-pack years later, crossed over at something like 23hz...and swears by how much they did for scale, sense of venue, ease.

 

[bill s]

Hi Bill,

You are right I've heard it in a demo with and without sub and the difference was substantialy.
Do you use one or two subs? and where do you place them?

Other question
How big is the difference between il Cremonese and Aida. Unfortunatly I didn't hear them toghether Is it in the mids or high?

Regards Ismaël

I am using 2 subs. Due to furniture configurations the 2 subs are both placed on the front wall, behind and just to the inside of the Aidas.
The difference between the il Cremonese and Aida is huge. Even though the overall sound is similar the Aida has lower bass extension (even without subs) and a more three dimensional soundstage with more pinpoint focus. They have brought the venue into my room.

 

[CKKeung]

Sonus Faber Suprema:

Sonus faber Suprema | The Pinnacle of Audio

Experience sonic perfection with Sonus faber's Suprema—40th-anniversary masterpiece, unmatched design, and a touch of luxury in every note.

www.sonusfaber.com

 

[ashandger]

Wow! Thanks for sharing. I think the late great Franco Serblin would have approved.

 

[ChasFreeland]

That's the set I saw in the photos at my Sonus Faber dealer.

 

[ChasFreeland]

New Sonus Faber Aida II, a "special edition", has been announced. Features a leather covering on the front, with a SF logo stamped on it. Price: 140,000 Euros, 10% discount if you order before March 31 2024. No idea if there are more upgrades in this "special model," but just putting leather on the front sounds like the company is going for the Bugatti crowd rather than the audio crowd. Any more news on this product?

 

[Another Johnson]

Launch in September at Paragon Sight and Sound.

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/vabzjz6/lp/33b0395f-9617-49c1-b296-7c318be66522?source_id=aa8db500-1cc4-432b-87da-f7eff6ab5b30&source_type=em&c=e0HiwypWE6HIPGcuNzY6MpbYkE0ybTzWREVrIwhKYzWl7IJ2iUjbKA==

 

[ChasFreeland]

We heard these speakers a couple weeks ago here in BKK. The gala introduction of the Aida SE and the newly revived Heritage line was held in a large hotel reception room. The speakers are massive. Supported by an array of McIntosh amps, the 2.5kw, and all the attendant power controllers, room equalizers, and such meant that the sound was rather 'processed'. I was hoping to hear the Aida bi-amped with the 901s. But the Sonus-McIntosh dealer, my friend, said their tubes burned out too fast. New Aida is just too much for them. As it was, the speakers were tri-amped through the McIntosh 2.5kw amps, but this did not improve detail and nuance in the sound. So, despite the extravagant presentation, I did not feel we heard the Aida speakers at their best. But they are impressive if you have the room for them.

 

[Another Johnson]

I am in Ann Arbor for the pre launch party. I heard the Supremos yesterday, and, off course, they are impressive as Paragon demos always are.

I am not a paid “influencer.” But if you are in the area, the McIntosh Group open house at Paragon on Saturday will be a very special event. Larry Marcus and his crew are as good as it EVER gets. You will be glad if you come by on Saturday. It will be a very special experience.

And if you are a cigar aficionado, La Casa (in the same strip mall) is well worth your time. Enjoy their hospitality too. Very nice people … and some great cigars!



These were surprisingly nice when paired with the Dragon’s Milk stout.