Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor

I've heard them on several occasions, and they do sound fairly good. I must say stereo-imaging was very good indeed, as was the boxless presentation. I have heard better though. The B&W Signature 805's are more transparent, better detailed, more spaceous, go deeper and produce more music to my tastes . Stereo-imaging and boxless presentation was won by the Sonus Fabers however. Thsi was all on a Nait5 with CDX2. Once you drive both with a Nai5/200 the B&W's will sound better overall. To get boxless they just like some more power than the Sonus Fabers.

But overall a good speaker, but not for my tastes. Perhaps it is suited to yours. But Naim does sounds good at the front-end.

I'm one of those unconditional "Sonus-Faber-driven-by-Naim" believers. First had Minimas driven by Nait3 (wasn't good enough for the speakers), then by 102/180 (still a bit too 'thin'), now Electa Amator II's driven by 102/180/HiCap (which has cured my upgraditis for the past three years). Listened to a friend's Cremonas (the floor standing version) recently and was quite impressed; is certainly on my upgrade wish-list too (yes the upgraditis is back, the excuse being that my HiCap broke down and I'm currently listening to a ... Tivoli radio!).

(and yes I know I wouldn't need the HiCap on a 102 ... if I hadn't lost the link plug )

Regards,
Carl

I have heard various SF speakers on Naim and liked them all. They do however need power; a Nait is not quite satisfactory I believe.

The reason for asking is that I can get a pair for a good price and am wondering whether I should change my Monitor Audio Studio 20 SEC's for them. I have heard Geoff P's system this weekend and his Totem Mani's sounded pretty good, which makes me think about smaller speakers again. My room is only about 18 sqm, a bit on the small size for floorstanders. I have no real problems when listening, other than that in all other rooms and the rest of the building bass is thundering! Next to that I am missing some subtility and details that small speakers deliver. So perhaps these SF's would serve me pretty well...

The rest of the system is CD2, 82+Hi and 180.

Actually the Nait5 was just a starting point. I've heard them on a 202/200/Hi/CDX2 as well. They do sound good, but they're not the best money can buy. However, you just mentioned you're probably able to get them cheaper.

But I'm eager to hear Geoffs system as well, as I'm very charmed by Totem. I think they Mite be a better choice than SF. But if you can get them less expensive, you might as well give it a shot. I'm not saying they're bad speaker, which is totally untrue. There's just better at the same price level, but that's my taste .

Monitor speakers do have their charmes. You'll probably miss a lot of bass though. Might be just getting used to, but maybe you'll never get over it. Proceed with caution! Geoffs Mani-2 are probably able to produce quite a lot of bass, since it does have a second woofer inside of the cabinet. The Cremona Auditors will have to do with their single mid/low woofer. Pehaps not a fair comparison. Hopefully I'm able to try my own speakers to Geoffs, but actually I'm slighty afraid of the results .

If you're talking Totem, let me just say I think the Model Ones are terrific speakers and do so much well.

I wish I could have a pair as a spare pair of speakers.

David

Model 1's do sound good. I was surprised of the performance such a small speaker could spit out.

So I have not really read a raving review. Interesting, I thought they should actually represent very good VFM. The Guarneri's should be better as they are twice the price of the Cremona A's!

Boekster, have you also heard the Cremona A's versus Signums? I have never really liked B&W speakers. I miss the magic, altough I must confess I haven't heard the Nautilus range.

Regards, Bas

Bas

We may be getting into the area where the type of music you listen to is important.
I have seen it reported a few times that SF has a beautiful but sophisticated sound. Maybe you need something with a bit more bite to it to get the attack you need for your music.

I know you are moving house soon it might be worth waiting to see what happens to the bass delivery in a different room. You could end up with a thin sound there, if you try to lighten the sound for your present room size.

regards
GEOFF

Well Geoff, rationally you're right, but I can get the SF's for a real good price right now (approximately 55% of the new price)...

Regards! Bas

quote:

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Originally posted by Bas V:
So I have not really read a raving review. Interesting, I thought they should actually represent very good VFM. The Guarneri's should be better as they are twice the price of the Cremona A's!

Boekster, have you also heard the Cremona A's versus Signums? I have never really liked B&W speakers. I miss the magic, altough I must confess I haven't heard the Nautilus range.

Regards, Bas

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No, I haven't heard the Signums, so I can't comment on that. The N800 range is very good, but ofcourse it is still connected to taste. You might like it, you might dislike it. I thbik the Signature 805 is one of the best monitors I've yet heard (that's why there here I guess ). In direct comparisson to the SF's, they were more alive, but they do benefit from more power to make them sing, to get a looser sound. I think the SF's are very good, but perhaps a bit too polight, too 'nice'. Just try it, but you won;t get the performace Geoff getting out of his Mami-2's. Those are a different type os speaker altogether, with a 2nd woofer. If you're moving into a larger room bass might be thin, as Geoff stated. I think different standmounts do bass better than SF. But they are good spekaers nonetheless, if you prefer the sound, an are able to live with slightely less bass.

I had studio 20's for years with my Naim stuff. They were wonderfull except for the rear port, bass could boom and seem uncontrolled at times. I then found some Studio 50's in Canada and promply bought them. They are in Rosewood and sound amazing. Sealed box with 2 extra low end drivers ( no port). I would look for some used Studio 50's if you can find them. They are great and also get some Mana Soundbase for SBL's witch fit under them fine and they are even better. CDX, 82, Hi,250, Naim speaker cable. Regards, Ted

quote:

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Originally posted by Bas V:
Well Geoff, rationally you're right, but I can get the SF's for a real good price right now (approximately 55% of the new price)...

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Hey Bas,

the never ending search, eh?

If you're on the brink of moving house I wouldn't do it. Ideally you want to hear speakers in your home before buying. There will be other bargains in the future.

Are you moving within town? We're moving too, pretty soon...

Herman

Hi Herm,

I'm looking for a house in Utrecht. It's pretty hard, where we want to live is not really affordable for us... Anyway, I have noticed that in most living rooms the SF's would probably be a lot better than the MA's, because they are small or have an L-shape. Next to that, I love the looks of the SF's and have always enjoyed the SF sound. So...

Regards! Bas

If you've always enhoyed the sound, what are you waiting for! Sounds like a great opurtunity!
I did listen to de SF's, but actually just beacause the speakers I wanted to hear weren't available. I had seen them before, but have always regarded them as ugly somehow, just not my tatse. Perhaps a bit too classcial. Especially the stand was disgusting. The color was awful too, a bit like ebony. No, not to my liking . But hell, if you like the sound, ignore me, if you please, and buy the speakers! My babbling isn't nearly as important as your own opinion .

Well, I guess I'll just stick with my MA's. I really prefer rock music to classical (although I listen to both). I like Naim speakers too, so the gamble of buying the SF's without hearing could be too big. Perhaps if I get problems in my new room I'd better stick to Naim speakers, as they can (and must) be placed to the wall. Thanks for all your opinions!

Regards, Bas