My dealer played these for us at an event that he had at a bar in the live band portion of that bar that had closed doors and was also used for poetry night at the back of the main bar. This room was fortunately for us Acoustically treated and my dealer knew the owner personally and had sold him audio equipment in the past. I fell in love from the first note. The treble was oh so sweet, but never siblant. The mids with cello and voices were crystal clear and like you said you could hear the breathing between notes and others in the background. The bass was taunt and for what was there was very tastefully done with texture and detail in the notes. I have rarely heard a speaker that brings about the emotion that you spoke of in your review, but this speaker is it. This speaker is simply put, Magical in it's ability to get out of the way of the music and just disappear and leave a big smile, tear or laughter on your face. I found myself with my eyes closed listening to the band members speak as they prepared to play on the record. I heard the artist take breaths in between notes at times. The finish, cabinet design, the leather on top and that unique grill. This speaker is that good in sonics as well as appearance!!! I do agree with you that if you want better bass response, a great sub is required and I have heard it with a Rel higher end sub at another event and it also blew me away. We all clapped in-between vinyl listening sessions because it was so emotional. This is a speaker that even if your budget doesn't allow, you should experience at least one time in your life so that you can experience what some refer to as the highend. This is my dream speaker and one day, I will purchase it on the used market!!!
@OHMAudioChannel2 жыл бұрын
I'm so glad you mentioned that Anette Askvik song "Liberty." Right at the 53sec mark in the song there is a light double bass kick followed but some tapping percussive sound. That tapping sound will freak you out the first time you hear it on a good system because it will sound like it is 15 feet behind your left speaker. If anyone reads this, find the song and play it.
@joes38002 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this, Youthman. I have a suggestion. This would be a great first half of a comprehensive review. But remember that someone like you is getting to hear a lot of different speakers and systems that most of us have never heard and might never be able to hear. Therefore please keep in mind that it would be helpful for us if you can ever compare what you hear to as many other speakers and systems as possible. For example, how do the Sonus Fabers compare to you JTR speakers? What do they do differently in terms of sound signature, imaging, etc.? If you make as many comparisons as possible, chances are that you'll make a comparison to a speaker system that one of us have heard before, which will give your audience more context to understand what you hear. I mean, if you could compare every speaker you hear to KEF, Klipsch, Elac, Polk, Martin Logan, and/or B&W -- to name a few popular brands -- it would help us out a lot. Just a suggestion. Thanks again!
@VitalYFZ2 жыл бұрын
Beautiful speakers! Great review too. I have never had the opportunity to listen to Sonus Faber speakers. I know a guy with a pair of Focal Nova Utopia’s that were about 45k new when he bought them. He has said more than a few times that he would sell his Focals for a pair of Sonus Fabers. Not sure what model but it has always been in the back of my mind that they must sound pretty dang good lol.
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
If you get a chance to hear them, definitely do so
@audioexperience2 жыл бұрын
one of the sweetest mid ranges for its price point hands down
@TheRoccokid2 жыл бұрын
Hi, I am using the Sonetto V’s, I am loving them for the most part!!! I am using the McIntosh MA-352 for power… I am thinking about moving up to the Nova III’s. Is my 352 enough power to run the Nova lll’s?? Thanks for the honest reviews joining your group …
@samleeper8361 Жыл бұрын
Yes the 352 will drive them fine.
@carlosmoran2432 Жыл бұрын
Great review! Always enjoy your videos 😀 I own a pair of Nova V. Absolutely amazing. They take me away with the warmth and detailing.
@winslowholt3942 жыл бұрын
I really love listening the the Sonus Faber Amatis every think I listen to since I compare to the sound they produce
@Zinkyness2 жыл бұрын
I saw these at a shop in Phoenix first hand. Absolutley gorgeous with a price tag......
@Rymsha1 Жыл бұрын
I was in the market for new speakers and stumbled upon the nova omympica II. The part about grinning from ear to ear and not being able to stop listening I recognize. I love the details, the 3D soundstage, the tight bass and the looks.
@psyphonyxaudio2 жыл бұрын
... Ahhh.. I knew you'd love these. Im SO glad you got to experience something like these at home. Truly valuable as a 'reference' to contrast or compare other experiences of music/sound =) Cheers!!!
@performingspecs7841 Жыл бұрын
It is definitely a beautiful speaker!
@AudioElectronicsChicago2 жыл бұрын
great speakers, very elegant design
@HaraldMacGerhard2 жыл бұрын
These are really good speakers but as you go upscale, the products are even way better… no compare. I owned the Guarneri Evolution, better than Olympica Nova III in everything, even though they are standmounts. If you can affford anything in the Sonus Faber reference series, you will have speakers so good looking they will stun everyone…. And they play even better than the looks 😍
@sharksbean2 жыл бұрын
Those speakers look absolutely amazing!
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
I agree
@AudioClownHT2 жыл бұрын
I have the SF Venere. This is and older model but sounds amazing. Great video!
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
Appreciate it
@Steeleroneify2 жыл бұрын
I’m using Klipsch speakers. They sound great. I don’t know what a very expensive speaker sounds like and I’m pretty sure I’ll never know. Since you get a chance to listen to all of these expensive speakers, tell me honestly, are they so much better that you believe they are worth it? I’d rather put most of my money in the projector and I can live with the sound that I currently have, which I consider great anyway.
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
“Is it worth it” is a question that everyone has to answer on their own as everyone has different levels of disposable income and priorities. These are above my budget but I would absolutely love to own a pair one day.
@stevenbullock9276 Жыл бұрын
Great review- you're obviously smitten with them. Listened to Sonus Faber many years ago and didn't like the "polite" signature. Listened to some new models last year and- well, I now have a pair of Lumina Vs. The Olympica Novas are gorgeous, and the Maxima Amators just floored me. Will still have trouble parting with my Rf-83s- apples and oranges, each excelling in different areas.
@donnycasey66132 жыл бұрын
Beautiful cabinets
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
For sure
@davidperry40139 ай бұрын
If I ever get Sonus Faber speakers, I would get monoblock amps beforehand that have a Japanese sound similar to the Pioneer SX1980 but, with more detailed sonics.
@TheRoccokid2 жыл бұрын
Hey, I have the Sonetto’s V’s , I am running power with McIntosh MA-352… I am thinking to up grade up to the Nova lll’s, Is my 352 enough power to run the Nova lll’s…
@waynek13892 жыл бұрын
SF is beautiful looking speakers and sound fantastic to my ears, I hooked them into Audio Analogue Maestro Anniversary amplifier. Thanks for this review.
@6768scat2 жыл бұрын
Hey Micheal , love your channel , and your content ! I bought a set of the Sonus Faber Chameleon Towers when they first came out , and even being their entry level speakers I was just blown away !!!!! I have been through many speakers over many years (I'm 54) and I just can not find any speaker I have loved more , that Sonus Faber sound just absolutely seduces you !!!! I have many video clips on my KZfaq chan of them for when I first got them and built my first dedicated 2ch music room to my second 2ch room in my new house to currently building my dedicated 7.3.4 home theater . And ........Yep those speakers are the mains in the theater paired with a Sonus Faber center chan as my front stage !!!! And since we are both in Florida , if you're ever in the Orlando area hit me up and come hear them !!!!!!!
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
That’s fantastic! Orlando is only 45 min from me. Feel free to submit your setup at www.hometheatertours.com. I would love to see what you have
@caczech2 жыл бұрын
I'd almost feel guilty throwing an elegant looking speaker like this in a home theatre environment - more like a sitting room with a good vinyl collection to sip bourbon with. My GF intro'd me to a catchy cover of Fast Car if you'd be interested! 💁
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
I would have no problem with these in a home theater but would want them on display. I would love to hear another version of Fast Car
@Techthusiasm2 жыл бұрын
Looks like a really nice speaker brand. Nice review!
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
Thank you kindly. Sad to see them go
@randallsmith25772 жыл бұрын
Nice & honest review. It would be interesting to hear them on a Trinnov or Storm-level system. Have you reviewed any PMC speaker setups yet?
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
Thank you Randall. No I have not reviewed any PMC speakers
@doublet1472 жыл бұрын
Forget Trinnov or storm. What do they sound like with some high end tube amps or monoblocks at least.
@rbyington22 Жыл бұрын
How much time did you have to let the speakers play before you did critical listening? Because you made the statement right out of the box
@film23542 жыл бұрын
Hi, love your channel, been following you for awhile and truly appreciate all the home theater tours and advice you’ve offered over the years. It’s fantastic! Quick question about the Monolith 11x amplifier. I bought one a few months ago and I find it to be extremely versatile amp at a great price and I absolutely love it. You mentioned that at 4 ohms that the 11x puts out 375 Watts of power. The amp is spec’d at 200 W across the front 3 channels at 8 ohms, but there’s no spec on the wattage on their website for 4 ohms. I would have thought it would have been close to 300 watts into 4 ohms, but wanted to check on the 375 W you mentioned during your video. Is it really rated at 375 watts into 4 ohms? If so, that’s awesome. Wasn’t sure if that’s only driving 2 channels simultaneously. Regardless, I have been super impressed with the 11x amp and just wanted to inquire about this one item. Thank you so much for everything you do!!!
@buttonman1831 Жыл бұрын
You should try those with proper 2 channel amplification and you'll be floored.
@Youthman Жыл бұрын
What would you classify as “proper” amplification?
@jonathanmcdaniel3329 ай бұрын
I’m thinking about these and maybe go with the ARC I/50 with a Bluesound Node. I’ll have to throw in a REL t9x maybe 2 if needed. Whatcha think? 🤔
@jameso.4381 Жыл бұрын
The issue I have as a consumer that is not easily sedated by audio snake oil to compel me to clean out my bank account for some wood, speaker drivers and crossovers, is with speaker manufacturers like Sonus Faber, that manufactures so many speaker lines, that the lower-tiered lines definitely have crossover networks that "hold back/VEIL" a lot of the sound fidelity. After all, why would a speaker manufacturer put in great crossover networks into their lower-tiered speakers, so that they give the higher-tiered speakers a run for the money. And, let us not kid ourselves with the "you get WAY better components" with the higher-tiered speakers. Sorry to tell you, but the driver quality between the Sonetto line and the Aida line, is NOT 20,000 per driver pair better in the Aida, nor is the bracing of the $140,000 Aida - you could buy enough lumber to build a small house for that price! The better value for the buck would probably be in going with a speaker manufacturer that offers 3 tiers of ONE speaker model - entry, mid, and flagship, You will be buying less furniture, with more sound for your buck, without crossover networks that are SEVERELY restricted/VEILED in audio fidelity.
@Skye_the_toller8 ай бұрын
May be I am late…. I can buy the Nova 3, from my Paradigm Founders F100 (with the Anthem SRT amp)… it was a very good upgrade… but… what I can expect from my F100 to a Nova 3 Sonus Faber (over a wonderful finish!)…
@Skye_the_toller4 ай бұрын
May be I am late😜… it is my own setup… from the Founders F100 with the Anthem STR… Nova 3 is more fluid, the sound does not came to you from the drivers like the Founders. Top end is way more soft (while all the details still there!). I have the Anthem AVM 90… which is not a great preamp for music… I had a McIntosh C2700 and a good streamer… now, I can see the real potential of those speakers…
@Skye_the_toller4 ай бұрын
May be I am late😜… it is my own setup… from the Founders F100 with the Anthem STR… Nova 3 is more fluid, the sound does not came to you from the drivers like the Founders. Top end is way more soft (while all the details still there!). I have the Anthem AVM 90… which is not a great preamp for music… I had a McIntosh C2700 and a good streamer… now, I can see the real potential of those speakers…
@dannyroldan_av2 жыл бұрын
Love this thx man! Just curious, will you ever review the new Monolith 16in 2000 watt? I'm thinking of getting it next month.
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
Thank you kindy. I do not have plans to review the Monolith 16. I expect it to be every bit as good as the 13 that I reviewed with even more output and lower extension.
@dannyroldan_av2 жыл бұрын
@@Youthman Make’s sense, Thanks Youthman!
@YouroGamer2 жыл бұрын
I really loved the Sonus Faber Lumina V's I demoed. Out of all the speakers the mids/ highs where so upfront and detailed. It made every other speaker feel like the sound was recessed. It definitely needs a sub to pair to help fill out the low end since they are fairly small towers. Hope to have a pair one day!
@kibyras2 жыл бұрын
I have Arendal 1723 towers and they sound amazing :) no sub needed
@doublet1472 жыл бұрын
Good overview (as always) of the speakers. First off, the "strings" covering the speakers are ridiculous & unneeded "style". The main issue I have with speakers at this price is the unknown cost put toward great sound vs great style. The cost to make these speakers look amazing (which they do) is high. Could they sound even better (at the same price point) if the cabinets were slytly less stylish? Or sound the same but cost less? Probably. But you're paying for sound quality AND a statement piece. They do look outstanding.
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
There is no doubt some of the cost is in the design and craftsmanship of the speaker. I think when you get to this level, you are willing to pay for both. One thing I forgot to mention during the review is just how dense the speakers are. Many speakers I have reviewed, when you tap your knuckle on the side of the cabinet, you can hear how hollow it is. The speakers are absolutely solid what’s plays a great role in reducing resonances within the cabinet
@MasterMark52 жыл бұрын
You forgot to mention THE Sonus Faber Speakers which will set you back 250k, it is no longer on the website currently.
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
Which model were those? The only ones I know of are the Aida
@MasterMark52 жыл бұрын
@@Youthman Check tonepublications review on the Sonus Faber SE Speakers, they were on the sonus faber website just a few weeks ago they must of recently removed that product page.
@psyphonyxaudio2 жыл бұрын
@@Youthman - I have them on my channel - sound demo. They have a side firing 15inch. THE Sonus Faber will be in the same collection as the Aida.
@careypulling14172 жыл бұрын
I have to say they look like a beautiful speaker but wow don't think the average blue collar worker could afford the higher end models. Love your video have you inspired me to make my theater room and since learned more and am currently re doing my room and putting I a riser and power seats.
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
You’re correct. They’re hiring products are well above what I would ever be able to purchase
@Sloimer2 жыл бұрын
They have the Sonetto line that, as I understand, gives you most of the performance of the Olympica Nova! You can sometimes find them preowned in the $3-$5k price range and they’re supposed to be really nice.
@adamjj852 жыл бұрын
Congrats on getting your hands on these! They look amazing. The question is do they actually sound better than more average priced speakers or is the difference truly in the craftsmanship of the enclosure?
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Adam. I believe both. The midrange on these spank my Klipsch RF7 III’s but they are way above my budget.
@Stan_the_Belgian2 жыл бұрын
In real life they looked surprisingly small but still beautiful
@gastonguev2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your information, I want to buy a pair of Sonus Faber but I need Support, Can you Help me?. My doubt it is about wich I choose: Maxima Amator or Olympica Nova III. What is the sound differences considering the same room and the same electronic Set up? Thanks again.
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
Unfortunately that’s not something I can answer as I have only reviewed the Olympica Nova III (which are phenomenal speakers)
@SteveManCentral2 жыл бұрын
I take it these sound better than the Martin Logan Motion 60XTi speakers? :)
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
I hesitate to make any comparisons when I am not able to demo something at the same time in the same room. I reviewed the 60XTi over a year ago so it would be impossible to make any meaningful comparisons. I do recall being very pleased with their AMT tweeter and especially their midrange.
@LQ-gaming2 жыл бұрын
can you place these close to wall and or furniture?
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
You can place them somewhat close to the wall but the closer you place them, the greater the chance it is going to sound boomy. Just play with distance until it sounds balanced in your room
@psyphonyxaudio2 жыл бұрын
YYYAAAASSSS
@jacoblynch98622 жыл бұрын
My only question is now youth man are you ready to trade in your JTR's for these
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
No these are way above my budget, plus towers will not work behind my screen because it would place the tweeters entirely too high. MTM designs work best behind my screen. If I’m saving up for our 25th anniversary in June. So upgrading to high end speakers for my 2ch setup has to take a back seat.
@jacoblynch98622 жыл бұрын
@@Youthman I completely understand way out of my price range too and congratulations on the upcoming 25th anniversary
@davidr.5807Ай бұрын
Dali Epicon or Sonus Faber Olympica?
@BobbyDazzler88813 күн бұрын
@@davidr.5807 hard choice!! Dalis bi- tweeter more ‘fuller’. Sonus can sound s light/subdued but never tiring.
@ryanschipp85132 жыл бұрын
Beautiful, but in my opinion a bad buy for the money. 13k for a 77lb speaker. Someone's money is lopsidedly going towards the look versus performance. Why not go for both for much less. A much better buy for the money would be a pair of Canton Reference 7k speakers. Made in Germany, 50 years of engineering, gloss black, ceramic tweeter that is magic. Nearly half the price of the Faber....7000.
@mikeschramm2 жыл бұрын
Sounds fancy! I'll never afford them.
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
I never thought I would have a theater room. And here we are. 😉
@Cupra317hp2 жыл бұрын
Hey youthi Make a Little compare to a rf7/3 with your own words.
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
Who is Youthi?
@Cupra317hp2 жыл бұрын
@@Youthman oh my Handy Wrote this. I am from germany and does Not Know this Word. Sorry. Youthman :)
@Youthman2 жыл бұрын
No worries 🤣 I did not do any A/B comparisons but the Sonus Faber have much better midrange for sure as they have a dedicated speaker for it and also due to their 3-way design
@Cupra317hp2 жыл бұрын
@@Youthman and what is with their Dynamic ? For example I love Queen. Queen live aid for example Play it LOUD on a rf7 And than on a sonus. Would i be dissapointet because of no Horn System Or would you say no the sf could do this also with a live feeling.