When Sonus faber invited us to their room at CES 2024 without much advance information aside from the details of McIntosh’s new 75th anniversary MC2.1KW mono block amplifiers, we were somewhat puzzled.
Having just visited the House of Sound in NYC, we really didn’t expect to be introduced to a brand new $1 million McIntosh/Sonus faber flagship system based around the new Sonus faber Suprema.
We sat and listened. When they told us that the loudspeakers were $750,000 USD for the complete system, we didn’t even flinch. And that’s before the amplification and sources.
Whilst we still might be more intrigued by their far more affordable loudspeakers including the excellent Duetto or Lumina II Amator and Lumina V Amator — the Suprema are undeniably statement level.
Marking the brand’s 40th anniversary, the Suprema system, featuring two main columns, two subwoofers and one electronic crossover, represents the future of the iconic audio brand and Sonus faber’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of audio excellence.
The Suprema loudspeaker system is undoubtedly the most ambitious project ever crafted by Sonus faber. Born from a legacy of relentless pursuit of perfection, Suprema is the epitome of audio excellence, redefining the boundaries of sonic immersion.
The first-of-its-kind offering represents the pinnacle of the 40th anniversary year of the brand, where exquisite detailing, luxurious materials, and craftsmanship of the highest quality elevate the project beyond the concept of a loudspeaker system.
The Design
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.
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’sconfiguration 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-inch) 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.
The Crossover Networks
Time and Balance: The crossover filters, partially visible on the sides of the main column, use the best mix of electroacoustic configurations experienced by the R&D team in the last decade.
Through various iterations of simulation, testing and listening, Sonus faber aims to achieve the perfect tonal balance and most rigorous control of the acoustic phases, responsible for impeccable timing and perfect soundstage performance in all three dimensions.
The electronic crossover, dual mono and fully balanced, manages the integration between the Suprema main columns and subwoofers and offers versatility of use with maximum respect for the electrical signal.
All phase cutting and control circuits are 100% analog and created using selected discrete components, while the cabinet mirrors the dual essence of this piece – the power supply is enclosed in a solid aluminum case and the audio signal is guarded in a precious lacquered wooden enclosure.
Specifications
Main Column:
- System: 4-way sealed box
- Sensitivity: 91dB 1m/2.83V
- Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohm
- Suggested Amplifier Power Output: 100 W – 700 W
- Dimensions (HXWXD): 1905 x 650 x 880mm (75 x 25.6 x 65 in)
- Weight: 110 kg/pc (242.5 lbs)
Loudspeakers:
- SUPER TWEETER: 20mm (.79″) silk dome with dedicated waveguide, neodymium magnet
- TWEETER: 38mm (1.5″) silk dome with dedicated waveguide, neodymium magnet
- MIDRANGE: 6.5” dual driver motor system with neodymium ring magnet,
- LINK MIDWOOFER: 8” neodymium slug magnet, 65mm (2.5″) voice coil, sandwich paper cone
- WOOFERS: 4 x 8” dual driver motor system with neodymium ring magnet, 50mm (2″) voice coil, sandwich paper cone
- BACK EMISSION TW: 28mm silk dome, neodymium magnet
- BACK EMISSION MD: 4” paper cone driver, neodymium magnet
Crossover Points:
- FRONT EMISSION: 360, 430, 1700, 6700 Hz
- BACK EMISSION: 500, 2300 Hz
Frequency Response:
- FRONT EMISSION: 45Hz – 40KHz
- BACK EMISSION: 500Hz – 20KHz
Subwoofer:
- System: Sealed box loading, passive subwoofer
- Woofers: 2 x 38 cm (15-inch) carbon fiber sandwich cone
- Mains Voltage (Frequency): 115V (60 Hz) or 230V (50 Hz), factory-set
- Frequency Response: 16 to 30/80 Hz – variable based on the setting of the electronic crossover
- Sensitivity: 92dB 1m/2.83V
- Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohm
- Suggested Amplifier Power Output: 500 W – 2000 W
- Dimensions (HXWXD): 1451 x 850 x 525 mm (57.1 x 33.46 x 23.42 in)
- Weight: 103 kg/pc (227 lbs)
Crossover:
- System: Full discrete – pure analog stereo/mono active crossover
- Input Channels: 2 Unbalanced – 2 Balanced
- Output Channels: 8 Unbalanced – 8 Balanced
Frequency Response:
- MAIN: 25Hz – 150KHz
- PROC: 5Hz – 150KHz
Input Impedance:
- UNBALANCED: 20 kΩ
- BALANCED: 10 kΩ
Output Driving Capacity:
- UNBALANCED: 6 V rms (+15,5 dBv) @ 490 Ω
- BALANCED: 11 V rms (+20 dBv) @ 980 Ω
Pricing
- 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)
For more information: sonusfaber.com/en/products/suprema
Ed Brumbaugh
January 10, 2024 at 6:37 pm
Wow, the look fabulous. Watched a CES video on them … I’ll bet they sound every bit as good as they look. Hope to hear them someday. Thanks for the information on them.
tonyE
January 15, 2024 at 6:04 pm
To be honest…. yawn… who cares?
Show me a great $3000->$6000 speaker that was carefully designed to sound good and I will open up my wallet.
It’s easy to throw money at things.. like the Wilson Master Chronosonic and now these Sonus Farbers… make them look great (or robotic) but when it comes to sound, they lack coherence… and besides, the 9000 lbs elephant in the room… the price.
Good and creative engineering requires an art of compromise. This forces the designers to find creative solutions. Throwing a pile of money does not require creativity, just spending money with no self discipline.
Mind you, I don’t blame the engineers, they were not put under the gun, they were given carte blanche and they went playing with their toys.
Oddly enough, last Friday I was at a local Hi End dealer. They carry Mac and used to carry Sonus Faber. This is a dealer in a very expensive zip code. He said he quit carrying Sonus Faber because no one asked for them nor bought them. Perhaps, instead of coming up with these 750K towers, the company ought to spend their time paying attention to the meat of the market – which in this store would the $10K speakers.
Ian White
January 15, 2024 at 6:28 pm
Tony,
Cost-no-object loudspeakers bore me to tears. 99.99% of the population will never have a chance to hear them or own them. I rather like their entry-level products more. Better value for the money and there are dozens of great speakers below $5,000 worth listening to.
Best,
Ian White