Sonus faber’s Livio Cucuzza hinted last week in a social media post that something “far more affordable” was being introduced at HIGH END Munich 2024 and what we have seen so far looks very promising. Our show coverage team will be taking a closer look at all of the models and we will have some listening impressions early next week. Trickle down from Suprema?
For their latest speaker release, Sonus faber is previewing their new Sonetto G2 collection to the High-End Munich 2024 audio show. The Sonetto G2 collection is the result of Sonus faber’s continued dedication to audio excellence.
The Sonetto G2 collection so far includes seven speakers, including stand-mount, floor-standing, and wall-mount options.
The G2 collection is designed to meet the needs of both music enthusiasts and audiophiles. Each speaker is constructed with high-quality materials and finished with attention to detail, embodying the very essence of Italian craftsmanship.
Suprema Trickle Down
Although the G2 series is priced reasonably for high-end speakers, some of the technology used in Sonus faber’s million-dollar Suprema series has found its way into the new models.
Cork Chamber: One example is that the cork chamber used in the Suprema is also incorporated in the Sonetto V and VIII models. This enhances midrange resolution and natural sound quality. With an organic shape devoid of regular interior walls, this innovative approach ensures a seamless flow of sound waves within the chamber and allows for precise control over sound propagation and resonance.
Camella Midrange Speakers: Another piece of Suprema technology, the Sonetto VIII, V, and Center also incorporates the Camelia Midrange Driver. This driver is unpainted to ensure 100% sound purity and features an organic basket and a Phase Plug made of aluminum for smooth frequency response and clarity, both on and off-axis.
Speaker Construction
Lute Shape: The lute shape of the Sonetto G2 speakers, an iconic design feature of Sonus faber, not only adds a touch of elegance but also optimizes sound dispersion for an immersive listening experience.
High-Quality Wood Cabinet: The high-quality wood cabinet has been further enhanced with a new concrete base, providing superior stability and better vibration management for impeccable sound performance.
Woofer: The woofer features a paper pulp sandwich cone for precise and dynamic bass response, paired with an organic basket for optimal airflow. Motors include aluminum demodulation rings to improve linearity.
Tweeter: Sonetto G2 collection features state-of-the-art Silk Dome DAD (Damped Apex Dome) technology. With a response extending beyond 30kHz thanks to the incorporation of a copper cup, the tweeter reproduces the finest nuances in the audio spectrum, ensuring exceptional clarity and detail in sound reproduction.
Crossover: Sonetto G2 collection’s Phase Coherent Crossover technology ensures precise synchronization of the drivers’ phase rotations, creating maximum parallelism. This meticulous alignment results in a soundstage that is incredibly defined and palpable, allowing listeners to experience music with a heightened sense of realism and immersion.
Hybrid IFF: Sonetto VIII and Sonetto V feature hybrid IFF and Paracross Topology crossover network, which was first introduced with the Sonus faber Lumina V.
Intono Construction: Included in the Sonetto I and II models, the Intono construction solution prevents spurious frequencies and distortions inside the vent. This technology aims to achieve quieter resonances for improved sound performance.
Bass Reflex: The Sonetto G2 collection features a new optimized reflex duct design in each model:
- Sonetto I and II models utilize a Front Reflex duct
- Sonetto III utilizes Rear and Down-firing Reflex ducts
- Sonetto V and VIII models feature Down-firing Reflex ducts
- Sonetto CI utilizes a Rear Reflex duct
- The Sonetto G2 Wall model boasts a sealed box design, optimizing transient response and reactivity. By minimizing air leaks and internal resonances, the sealed enclosure enables quicker transients, enhancing the speaker’s ability to faithfully reproduce the dynamic nuances of music with exceptional accuracy and immediacy.
Additional Sonetto G2 Design Highlights:
The Sonetto G2 series features several additional classic Sonus faber design highlights, including:
- Mid-high unity flange wrapped in leather (inspired by Olympic Nova and Stradivari)
- 45° angle top wood finish
- Metal-finished rings around all drivers
- Single-driver dust grills
The series also features design highlights that are new to Sonus faber products, including:
Concrete Base (floorstanding models): This supports better stability and minimizes vibrations while adding a modern and industrial aesthetic element, complementing the classic wood and leather finishes. The concrete bases come with rubber feet, with optional spikes.
Round Binding Post Cover: Adorned with the Sonus faber logo, the binding post covers serve both a functional and decorative purpose. The posts support bi-wiring.
Comparison
| Sonetto III | Sonetto V | Sonetto VIII | |
| Speaker Type | Floorstanding | Floorstanding | Floorstanding |
| System | 2.5 way, rear vented box, woofer down vented box | 3-way midrange sealed cork enclosure woofers down vented box | 3-way midrange sealed cork enclosure woofers down vented box |
| Tweeter | 1.1-inch DAD Arrow Point extended Frequency, Copper Shorting Ring | 1.1-inch DAD Arrow Point extended Frequency, Copper Shorting Ring | 1.1-inch DAD Arrow Point extended Frequency, Copper Shorting Ring |
| Mid-Woofer | 1 x.6.5-inch Aluminum demodulation ring | 1 x.6.5-inch Camella Midrange, Copper Shorting ring | 1 x.6.5-inch Camella Midrange, Copper Shorting ring |
| Woofer | 1 x.6.5-inch Aluminum demodulation ring | 2 x.6.5-inch Aluminum demodulation ring | 2 x.9-inch Aluminum demodulation ring |
| Crossover Points | 2,700Hz | 280Hz/2,500 Hz | 350Hz/2500Hz |
| Frequency Response (-3dB) | 38 – 40,000Hz | 35 – 40,000Hz | 33 – 40,000Hz |
| Sensitivity @2V83 | 88dB | 89 dB | 90dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 50 – 280 watts | 50 – 320 watts | 50 – 400 watts |
| Dimensions (WHD) – mm) | 287 x 1058 x 480 | 308 x 1081 x 415 | 334 x 1179 x 400 |
| Dimensions (WHDepth – inches) | 15.16 x 46.06 x 18.11 | 420 x 1190 x 16.34 | 445 x 1290 x 585 |
| Weight (Kg) | 25.80 | 33.40 | 45.00 |
| Weight (Lbs) | 55.88 | 73.63 | 99.21 |
| Soneteo I | Sonetto II | Sonetto Wall | Sonetto Center | |
| Speaker Type | Bookshelf/Standmount | Bookshelf/Stand Mount | On-Wall | Center Channel |
| System | 2-way Midwoofer Front Vented Box | 2-way Midwoofer Front Vented Box | 2-way closed box | 3-way midrange sealed enclosure, woofers rear vented box |
| Tweeter | 1.1-inch DAD Arrow Point extended Frequency, Copper Shorting Ring | 1.1-inch DAD Arrow Point extended Frequency, Copper Shorting Ring | 1.1-inch DAD Arrow Point extended Frequency, Copper Shorting Ring | 1.1-inch DAD Arrow Point extended Frequency neodymium, Copper Shorting Ring |
| Mid-Woofer | 1 x.6.5-inch Aluminum demodulation ring | 1 x.6.5-inch Aluminum demodulation ring | 1 x.6.5-inch Aluminum demodulation ring | 1 x 4-inch Cammella midrange Copper Shorting Ring |
| Woofer | – | – | – | 2 x 6.5-inch aluminum demodulation ring |
| Crossover Points | 2,1000 Hz | 3,100 Hz | 3,100 Hz | 350Hz and 4,000 Hz |
| Frequency Response (-3dB) | 52-40,000Hz | 42 – 40.000 Hz | 80 – 40,000Hz | 45 to 40,000Hz |
| Sensitivity @2V83 | 86dB | 87 dB | 87 dB | 88 dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 30 – 150 Watts | 30 – 200 watts | 30 – 200 wats | 50 – 300 watts |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 200 x 369 x 304 mm | 227 x 406 x 355 mm | 271 x 437 x 168 mm | 648 x 235 x 353 mm |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 7.87 x 14.53 x 11.97 inches | 23.82 x 20.67 x 17.91 inches | 10.67 x 17.2 x 6.61 inches | 25.51 x 9.25 x 13.9 inches |
| Weight (Kg) | 6.4 | 10.40 | 6.80 | 17.63 |
| Weight (lbs) | 18.52 | 22.93 | 14.99 | 38.87 |
Pricing and Availability
The Sonetto G2 series will be available for purchase starting in July 2024 at authorized local and online dealers in three color options: walnut, wenge, and piano black as well as an open pore cabinet texture.
- Sonetto I: $1,999 (pr)
- Sonetto II: $2,749 (pr)
- Sonetto III: $4,499 (pr)
- Sonetto V: $6,499 (pr)
- Sonetto VIII: $7,999 (pr)
- Sonetto Center: $2,499 (ea)
- Sonetto On Wall: $1,249 (pr)
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