Sonus faber

[sokrman14]

I've been trying to convince my neighbor to drop some dough on a pair of sonus faber cremonas. He is hesitant and feels he can find about the same quality for much less. Does anyone here agree, and if so what would give very similar quality, at a significantly reduced price? And what kind of power would you recommend for this? I would definitely advise him to do separates, but anything in particular?

 

[jaxvon]

According to my local dealer, that Sonus Faber model retails for $8k. I think that for that price, he should be looking at the following models:

Vanderteen Model 5A Signature
AVI Trio
Vienna Acoustics Beethoven
Magnepan MG 3.6R
Triad In-Room Gold

I compared the smaller brother of the Trio (Duo) to a Sonus Faber Two-Way like the Cermona and the Vienna Acoustics Beethoven. The AVI was priced at $2800, the Beethoven at $3500 and the Sonus Faber at $3800. The Duo sounded much better in the midrange and treble, but it definitely lacks in the bass. I think the Trio would fix that. Let me know if you need websites, I'll be on later.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

For $1000, he can grab a pair of some beautiful Swans with highly rated Hi-Vi Research drivers. The drivers can be seen in the PE catalog on pages 164-168.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836136124

With the savings, he can pick up a nice two channel Rotel power amp to go along with a new 7.1 surround A/V receiver.

 

[The Chukker]

My father has the Vienna Acoustics Beethovens and they sound simply marvelous.

 

[jcPanny]

High end speakers

How about the Onix Reference 3's from AV123.com ($3.5K - $4K). Great looks and perfromance. I think that craig sub owns a pair and has probably auditioned some of the other models on your list.

 

[jaxvon]

My father has the Vienna Acoustics Beethovens and they sound simply marvelous.

Yes they do. The Beethovens were the closest thing to the AVI speakers in the midrange and treble (at a sane price, that is) and they had the added bass extension that I craved.

 

[sokrman14]

yeah ive listened to the vienna acoustics, they do sound amazing at a fraction of the price, any recommendations on amps? Anyone like Primare?