Hand-crafted in Italy, the all new the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova V speakers
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- The Sonus Faber Olympica Nova V speakers were played with an Audio Research REF6 Preamp, Audio Research CD6 CD player, and Audio Research REF160M mono amps. Good stuff!
More info on the Nova V, www.sonusfaber...
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I just broke off from your video to go listen to some of this music by your recommendation and I had a hell of a time tearing myself away to come back and finish your video. Now my speakers are bolted to the wall which is the ultimate in audio blasphemy but with Kambara I heard things that sounded like they were in the neighbor's yard. Only when I got to 12 bit did I have the strength to make the return trip.
The twist is, the stereo amplified your neighbor's yard.
@@raymondleggs5508 Yeah, imaging coming off the neighbor's exterior wall. lol
@@finnleykorbyn1069 Hell yeah, learned some things I never knew before. 😀
Aesthetics are important. It’s in someways furniture. The leather, wood, glass, and metal work on Sonus Faber speakers are exceptional.
It IS nice to hear those dream speakers, just to keep the dream alive!
Once owned a pair of the lowly 'Toy' range from Sonus Faber and they were excellent. A little on the safe side but that's certainly not a bad thing at a low price point, they were definitely easy to live with.
Sonus Faber has always made the absolute best looking speakers, IMO and these sure are no exception.
Thank you for putting the name of the solo piano album recorded in Japan :)
Steve - thank you for what you do. It’s so great to see someone so passionate and taken with sound!
As an Italian you moved me. Thanks! I belong to hi hi hi scale JBL stuff. But l appreciate beauty.
I'm far from knowledgeable about JBL's but recently heard a pair of the large blue 4333 at a friend's place...thought they were amazing with uncompressed dynamics, especially with large classical
@@mag-wp6yt Thanks I mean JBL K2 S9900
Oh wow :))
There seem to be huge numbers of Sonus Faber speakers on the used market. If you don't need the latest model, you can pick up a previous version of the Olympica for under $5K. Used speakers are often a bargain because they're heavy and difficult to ship.
Thanks your monologues are extremely entertaining.
Never tire of listening to Steve's musings ;)
I really enjoy it when you talk about which recordings are audiophile grade. I just ordered the Kambra Music in Native Tongues cd. I found a used copy for just over 10.00 on Ebay (most sites have this disc in the 45 dollar range). I tried to find the Man From Plovdiv, but I only found one available and it was 73 dollars, so I opted to by the Multiple Personalities cd instead, since it is still all piano. Thanks for the vid.
And... the album is Come in Red Dog, This Is Tango Leader, by Bobby Previte and Charlie Hunter. You can hear it, and buy it, at Bandcamp!
The Harbeth Super HL5 40th anniversary are a box with wood and they look beautiful
The overall fit and finish of this Sonus Faber is at different level than the Harbeth, by many many degrees.
Thank you for this video. I think you handle this product’s value and particular position in the market with experienced diplomacy. Informing by what you didn’t say about it.
Would be nice if you had a sister channel where you sampled this hardware so we could at least get a feel. Obviously not the same as live but it *is* something. Bought an Audio Research amp based on what I heard on RUclips and I love it.
Irrespective of the sound quality, it’s also a really nice looking set up. It makes a powerful statement to anyone entering your home that this is a space where the quality of recorded sound matters - A LOT!! If sound quality weren’t a significant part of the experience of music, symphony orchestras could consist of just Kazoos, stretched rubber bands, and a few assorted pots and pans.
I always feel good when I see that my house is more tidy than Steve's! :-)
It’s definitely fun hearing your impressions, of these and of everything you review actually.
Choosing gear, especially speakers, seems to be a very tough proposition since there are fewer and fewer place to listen, and even then they can’t really be expected to have an inventory that reflects all that is in the market.
Heard a track of Sam Cooke, BTW , that was sort of Sam, Bass and a little drum work. Very great test on some Monitor speakers. Wish I remembered the name. The Monitors were very nice.
I’ve been building a Steve Gutenberg playlist on Tidal, BTW.
Like my Elac 507 & 501, just unbelievable walnut woodwork.
That is one hell of a hawaii shirt Steve!
interesting music you bring up - thanks Steve
Hey Steve, as always it's great to hear your thoughts on the systems you listen to. And as much as I like your passion when describing the sound, it always leaves me wondering about how that ystem sounds. I know your opinion on sound demos from past videos, however, even though a demo recording can never accurately reproduce the actual audio experience, for me it's much better at giving me an idea about the system sound than any written or spoken review.
I have Sonus Faber Venere 3.0. Bought used. Apparently more lively than the classic Sonus Faber sound. I like them. They need a sub though even for 2-channel music surprisingly. Have you heard them Steve? They were their only experiment with Chinese manufacturing. Very nicely finished. Discontinued after a couple years for some reason.
I own the 3.0 and they are great performers for the money. Really good detail with a soothing sound.
Checked out those titles! Awesome stuff
Keep me coming .
Thèse speakers has Been designed by Livio Cucuzza , italian, actually the best hifi désigner who design also the last series of Audioresearch electronics , very beautiful too !
When it comes to piano you may want to listen to Marc-André Hamelin. In all aspects, it sounds very close to perfection to me .
The Sonus Faber Venere S Signature are my grail speakers. From time to time you see them on the bay pre-owed for around £3K. One day I reckon I'll own a pair but at £13K the Olympica Nova V are always gonna be beyond my grasp so its hard to get excited about them!
"all Water Lily Acoustics recordings are...phenomenal" Yes they are! Highly recommend the Hamza El Din recording "Lily of the Nile"
PS I have and use a pair of SF Electa Amators (originals, not the Mk IIs). I remember having the pleasure of listening on the fabulous Extremas with my dad and he loved them. I've also had the pleasure of listening to a pair of Guarneri homages (wonderful speakers, my faves). I've also listened to minimas.
Hey Steve, you were more enthusiastic over the Klipsch RP600 then this speakers. 😂
This says it all!
S-F are the SINGLE most overhyped speaker since speakers were invented. YEARS I was told that the "electa amator II" was this life-changing window into time and space. I listened to them, and found them romantic, syrupy, polite and boring. The RP600 were 10x as much fun for a fraction of the price. Read the reviews of the S-F tower speakers dating back to 2000. They all use flowery, poetic, romantic words and describe listening to them like a sexual experience. I find them more like a sleep-inducing experience. It's all about the GOO.
Hey Steve, how do they sound on hard rock, techno and metal? Let me accurately describe Sonus Faber and energetic music: zzzzz.
The bar should be set higher for more expensive equipment.
Louis Perlman, trū dät man, trū dät...
They are gorgeous 😍
Very nice set up
Wonderful episode Steve - you make my mornings
These are $16k and are made in Italy? I thought only their upper end stuff was still made there. I would've expected these to be made in China. Glad I'm wrong.
No they all make in ltaly
@@TheRockerxx69 I saw on on Crutchfield's site that said Made in China. Those were much less than these though.
@@scottstrang1583 They used to have their lower end series produced in China, but they pulled everything back to Italy. I own a pair of their Sonetto 2 series, made in Italy, and I love them.
@@scottstrang1583 probably then !!!!
Help me, Rhonda! I've got Magnapan MG 12/QR speakers, and I've loved them for over a decade. But I'm looking for new speakers with different dynamics and narrowed it down to Tannoy Kensingtons or the Sonus Faber Nova llls. I am running two PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium powers amps as mono blocks and wondering if that's enough to drive the llls (no sweat for the Tannoys). I'm an old rock 'n roller Dead Head kinda guy that also enjoys real (re: old) country and certain classical pieces. And when I listen seriously, volume is my friend.
If the mono blocks can drive the llls, which set of speakers would in your opinion best serve my musical tastes? And pleasing my wife of 34 years is also paramount (who loves the 12/QRs but not their look). She likes the look of the Kensingtons but loves the look of the Sonus. So if all things are equal, we'll go Sonus.
Thanks for any suggestions you may have.
hi, any recommendation the integrated amp for Olympica III / v , Gryphon Diablo 120, McIntosh MA352 or McIntosh MA8900?
Mac always 😊❤
I need to go to RMAF to hear/see some of this stuff. Maybe next year. How could you not try some vinyl on that turntable? Dig the asparagus shirt.
@ james.....I can't quite see what that turntable is...from that opening shot I just can't zoom in. Is that 2 tone look that has me baffled.
It looks a bit like an acoustic signature tt...but I don't think they do 2-tone. Maybe a avid Acutus...idk...plenty of high end tt...just none that spring to mind in 2 tone clouration like that. Hmmmm perhaps a vip avenger that's 2 tone. However, I'm still thinking without getting more than a glimpse it's something else?
Steve if you are going to show your music and a quick flash at the camera somewhat out of focus, it would really help to list them in the video notes PLEASE
Grigory Soklolv is a player you may never have heard of. Soklolv never played in the states because of politics but he was light years better than ANYTHING I’ve heard.
High end focals look nice.
did I detect a quick mention of Rich. Thompson - He & Linda, superb. their 'Shoot out the lights' is to me essentially = to Abby Road- that is there might be some equal albums, hardly anything better. hint, it's kinda like 'Rumors' except Ya can see the blood on the knives.
Hi thank you for every video... can you talk what do you thing about Merrill Audio??
The focus on your camera is phenomenal. I see a lot of RUclipsrs struggling with the focus on their cameras. What kind of camera are you using if I may ask? Thank you in advance.
Khalid Akkad thanks! I use my iPhone 8
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac If only they knew how easy it was lol
Hi Steve: this is a little off subject. Is that a California Job Case that you have behind you and to the viewers left?
They are 15,000 here in Albuquerque
Steve, please mention in your reviews for what room size the speaker is suited for, if it is easy to drive (good match to a lot of amps), if it has good dynamic, if it is capable for quiet listening... thanks!
You can find quite a lot of reviews on these models on internet !
Anwers all of your questions.
Steve great video but not to digress but what were those other speakers the tall ones in the background they kind of look like magnepans?
R Ryan Magnepan LRS
Why do you say Mcatosh ?
Steve not related to your last video but can you please please review the new linear tube audio preamp 🇬🇧
Very informative, thanks.
Steve, one question remains for me, which speaker, analog and digital cables do you use for reviews at your home?
erich hofer, he owns the Maggie’s 1. 7
What you mean? My question was about speaker cables, analog cables and digital cables.
The comments are hysterical. There is a word that describes audio and that word is SUBJECTIVE...
Great revue Steve. What’s your opinion on the kef blade?
Ari Tagalakis I’d like the Blade
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac A way over priced. Bad combi with McIntosch. Dull sound.
Wil van den Dungen where do you see McIntosh paired with those speakers ? Looks like Audio Research to me. I have to disagree about the Mc Sonus pairings . My Ma9000 and Venere Signatures sound fantastic together !
@@dshindo1837 I heard them
I found out a hi end system the louder u play the system the better it gets at around 104 dBs I play mine at and that is my breaking point.
I go higher too krisp n kleer
So are the Ohms Walsh still better for the price/performance?
Sorry Steve they are nice but way out of my league
Beautiful just like Maserati or Alfa Romeo, hands down, what about reliability?
Oh don't worry about that!
I own a pair of Cremona Auditor's for more than 15 years. Still as new.
mil-CHO le-vi-ev not very hard to pronounce it Steve! It seems this album is impossible to find (nothing on iTunes, Amazon, Ebay or discogs)...please push music that people can actually buy today...
Much better buy for he money...Canton A45'S, 84lbs each, 3 7 inch ceramic bass drivers, 1 7 inch midrange, 1" ceramic tweeter...made in Germany...canton about 50 years old now....$3600 for the pair!!!!!!!!!
They sound the way they look.....Bingo
Thank you for turning me on to this new music.
If the looks cost more than half of the price of the speakers I´m not interested. The sound of the loudspeaker is in my opinion the most important of all!
Until you see the tekson and it's size , then see your s.o. facial expression.
Hey Steve take a listen to Toney Minasian recordings. my fav so far is his album "Moon Jazz" - sorry guys you can't stream this from Tidal you have to buy it on CD. Steve if your interested in hearing his work, Come on over and take a seat!!!
Those amplifiers looked amazing with the giant vu meters on the front.
That's a SETUP..!!..
Could u list the names of the records.
Anyone know what the panels are behind and also to the left and right of each Nova V? My first impression was that they are acoustical panels of some sort.
Chris Dinsmore they are Sonus Faber panels, but never sold as commercial products
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thanks Steve
Compared to what? If you don’t make comparisons, it’s very hard to get a mental picture of how they sound. Ever thought of making a standard list for sound quality, where you cover the same list in every review? Gushing is fun, but...
Once you've heard the s.f. sound you have a general idea. It's very different, some pople love it, and some are meh.
wow
Soundcheck?
My biggest question is how much does the fancy design add to the cost? What if I just want the sound quality and don't want to pay for the looks?
Bryan Lloyd Build your own. Most companies don’t make or design their own drivers so whatever they charge is whatever they can think they can convince us to spend.
Bryan Lloyd, good comment, if all you want is to pay for is sound, then you can’t go wrong with the Klipsch Senergy Speakers, I owned 2 sets, they were great, I now own Focal Aria 936’s that I got at half price as floor demos, I couldn’t resist! My next set will be either some used Mágicos, or a set of Maggie’s 1.7i’s.
@@billwillard9410 SF makes their own drivers for this model !
Try Tekton Design. The reviews are always gushing but no matter the lipstick they put on those things they still look like pigs.
Your speaking more about recordings than opinion of sound quality of speakers
When I need a "synth fix": Radiohead - Kid A...
You went to World of McIntosh and didn't use McIntosh amps?
Audio Research is part of World of Mac.
I’m craving asparagus.
Excellent
Where is sound Steve !?!!!??
that full length louvered bass port is intriguing. I wonder how well it works under the 12 Bit Blues?
Curious where SF cross the mid. Too low and you lose some of that vocal power imo
Please could you share the cd titles?
I froze the video on my tablet to check out the piano cd. "Man from Plovdiv". Clips can be heard on allmusic.com
www.allmusic.com/album/the-man-from-plovdiv-mw0000612892
They look absolutely Beautiful but unfortunately why out of my league perhaps a large lottery win one can have dreams but I think it will remain a dream
In Europe they are a lot less expensive; still a lot of money, but a used pair of Olympica II less than 4000 €.
The piano from Milcov sounds a bit rubbish because the mic pre-amp seems to be compressing. I am sorry Steve, this was a bad choice in my opinion. How can anybody listen to Kambara Music, let alone call it audiophile. Sorry, I did not find your music choice audiophile at all and question the performance of the Sonos.
I have heard many of the sonus Faber speakers, at shows, dealers. Sorry, not a fan. The prices are impressive, not the sound they make. I wonder how a company that well run, can make such mediocre speakers. Watch the sonus factory walkthrough, it is awesome company.
Love my Vandersteen 5 but they’re sort of ugly. So I get what you are saying.
Naim Mu-So Qb Wireless Music System Ever try these
lol omitting frequency range and sensitivity? ah well...they are lovely.
I have sonus fabers. They really are lovely.
@@thegrimyeaper how's that louvered bass port under heavy strain? any whistling or chuff?
what do they 'sound like' ? clue IF they sound bad - legit shot @ big headline....... nothin wrong with expensive audio, guys spend $ 15 thou + for bass boats , $ 15 thou for Motorcycles , heck, $ 15 thou for bicycles.... only thing I can imagine, are they a bit 'bright' or a bit ' mellow' ? buyer choice.
nice speakers, not so nice price :D
Why is ur place so messy?
It's like staring at a sports car. For most people a waste of time.
Further these speakers are good but not worth the money at all.
For very very much less money, you can come close to this level. Including Macintosch.
THE WORST OF ALL IS THAT YOU SPEAK TOO MUCH ABOUT YOUR CDS... AND EQUIPMENT AND YOU DON'T PRESS PLAY TO ANYTHING!!!! THAT'S A BAD THING....
Quite expensive piece of furniture!
Steve you should be a politician. You’ve mastered saying something while saying nothing.
vır vır vır dır dır dır no müsic av show rooms nunber one
Review not good for songs, b&w 803 seems so much better, same price
Why so afraid to be critical? Not very glowing, it’s about what u didn’t say.
Is he ever going to play any music!!? Ever!!? Or just talk. Some music please.
He will never do it so.
Sonus Faber = Pretentious bling! Never really liked their looks. I'd rather have an ugly Snell Speaker.