Unveiled today, January 9, 2024 at CES, the new flagship McIntosh and Sonus faber Suprema Loudspeaker System celebrates Sonus faber's 40th Anniversary and McIntosh's 75th!
Priced at $750,000 for the full loudspeaker system, Suprema embodies the peak of luxury and the ultimate experience for audio and design enthusiasts.
www.ecoustics.com/products/so...
​
THE AESTHETICS
Suprema’s four columns were designed as a callback to the brand’s genuine heritage. The two main columns feature lute shape as a nod back to the first Guarneri, which ensures seamless integration and the ability to disappear from the virtual soundstage, while the two subwoofers feature an elliptical shape, pulled from the Stradivari, which allows the two pieces to host large transducers and energy impact.
The variety of materials were chosen based on each’s individual characteristics and ability to complement one another to enhance their best properties - carbon fiber for its exceptional resistance, wood for its harmonic qualities and solid aluminum, CNC machined for its static qualities. Lending to the sophistication of Suprema, multilayer wood used for the side panels of the main columns to create the illusion of “wings” via a unique 3D bending shape.
Suprema features a leather front panel in true Sonus faber tradition, however, for this special project, the brand partnered with renowned luxury furniture brand Poltrona Frau. Each Suprema speaker system will feature genuine Italian leather manufactured by the most talented craftsmen in the country, adding a further touch of ingenuity to the product.
THE TECHNOLOGY
In addition to Suprema’s sophisticated four column system, comprised of two main columns and two subwoofers, the system includes an external electronic crossover. The design of Suprema’s configuration system aims to extend beyond the conventional limits of the frequency band coverage and enhance acoustic performance to new levels of excellence.
Each main column of Suprema is a 4/5-way system and features eight front-firing speakers, in addition to two back firing drivers. The Voice of Sonus faber, the configuration of tweeters and a midrange, boasts three new, innovative elements - one brand new Camila midrange with cellulose pulp diaphragm, one new mid-tweeter with treated silk dome, one new super tweeter with treated silk dome. While the materials are in line with Sonus faber tradition, electroacoustic elements have been completely redesigned as outlined below.
· The new Camelia midrange, responsible for the most important part of the acoustic spectrum, was developed by a team of electroacoustic engineers to ensure maximum resolution, while maintaining the legendary natural sound of Sonus faber. Inspired by nature, the new membrane is not circular, nor is it masked by the suspensions, offering its entire surface to the listener and avoiding the formation of resonances associated with circular shapes.
· The new dual-drive magnetic system of the midrange ensures control and even dynamics, air flow management is held by the organic basket. Previously implemented on Stradivari woofers, this original design by Sonus faber will be featured in all next generation Sonus faber speakers.
· A special combination of the Camila midrange and tweeters are loaded in a unique dedicated internal volume, designed to enhance the performance of the drivers. By leveraging simulator technology, this chamber and its inner walls maintain an organic shape, which is made entirely of recycled cork - making Sonus faber the first to use the natural and sustainable material to create acoustic volume, while enhancing the resolution and naturalness of the midrange performance.
· For the optimal reproduction of infrasonic frequencies, a separate subwoofer system has been engineered to optimize low range response regardless of the position of the main columns in the listening environment.
· The subwoofer uses two powerful 38cm (15") transducers featuring forged carbon fiber membranes and a neodymium magnet motor system to ensure undistorted pressures up to 16hz.
· Controlling the coupling between the speaker and the ground is crucial to achieving the purest level of silence within musical texture. A decoupling system, created in collaboration with IsoAcoustics, allows Suprema to reach unparalleled levels of dynamics and power, while preserving energy content and avoiding the propagation of unwanted vibrations within the listening environment.
PRICES
· Suprema 2.2: $750,000 (two main columns, two subwoofers and one electronic crossover)
· Suprema 2.1: $680,000 (two main columns, one subwoofer and one electronic crossover)
· McIntosh MC2.1KW: $50,000 each (3 chassis system, 75th)
· McIntosh MC1.25KW: $14,500 each (75th)
Available to order worldwide as of today, January 9, 2024 and produced upon request.
#sonusfaber #mcintosh #ces2024