Home Speaker Asylum

General speaker questions for audio and home theater.

RE: SONUS FABER BOOKSHELF SPEAKER ADVICE: Lumina II; Sonetto I; Sonetto II; Venere 1.5

Go with what you can actually audition or in lieu of that other model from the same company - your dealer seems to be steering you properly.

You have provided excellent information - you have clearly stated the sort of speakers you like and require for positioning and your dealer has said the other speakers will be somewhat opposite to what you like.

All the brands you list and other recommendations are all from reputable makers who have been around for a long time.

The only additional speakers I could add would be "sealed" cabinet speakers such as my Audio Note K speakers or something like the Rogers LS-3/5a or various other 3/5a speakers (the design is made by a bunch of different companies: Falcon, Harbeth (P3ESR), Audio Space etc.

The AN K is better (much) but it also costs a lot more.

All of these speakers, however, generally don't look as nice as what Sonus Faber makes. And while looks may not be a big deal - if you like the sound and they look nice and you can afford them - that is better IMO than buying some blind suggestion and hoping you like them.

One important thing to consider though is when you audition speakers at a dealer and you say "wow these are soooooo awesome" is that they may be using higher end electronics than you have at home and they may be positioned "ideally."ex: They are on dedicated stands at the correct height with a lot of space around them.

Just because a speaker is front-ported doesn't mean they like to be put in a shelf because most speakers are designed these days to be put on stands away from rear and side walls (including Sonus Faber) so I would ask for an in-home trial before you buy them.

Interestingly you may very well find that the 4th best speaker you heard at the dealer would be your first best speaker in terms of your positioning requirements.

The photo above is an example of the flexible Audio Note K. It is a standmount that is meant to go on stands and right up against the wall or in corners - but you can position it free-standing or wall-mounted or on their side as in the photo.

They are expensive (such is inflation), but they have been selling continuously since 1992 and they come up second hand. Not too many sealed cabinets around anymore.

Or the simpler solution is to get them to put the Sonus Faber on say a desk or table and then put some books beside and behind it to make a "pseudo" cabinet and then listen to how it works.




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