Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Silverline Audio Technology Sonata III Speakers by artmaltman

Model:	Sonata III
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$6500
Description:	4 driver floor standing speaker
Manufacturer URL:	Silverline Audio Technology
Model Picture:	View

Review by artmaltman ( A ) on August 23, 2003 at 14:21:57
IP Address: 144.58.7.38

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for the Sonata III

I'm happy owner of Sonatina II's and just spent 3 hours demo'ing the Sonata III's at Alan's shop. They strike me as an amazing pair of speakers, especially for the price. They look and sound fantastic, and are real efficient too (92db, 8 ohm). We drove them with amps of 7 watts, 37 watts and 40 watts, and with SET low powered amps they are magical. They worked well with high powered Pass solid state / CAT preamp also, but given that they are SET friendly that would be my personal preference. My Sonatina II's have same treble and mid as the Sonata II, and hence I feel I'm in a position to describe the improvement in treble and mids of generation III: there is just a bit more detail and bite in the treble, while still being very natural. The bass is deep and rich and overall sound, especially with SET amps, was pretty stunning. It was one of those mornings when you don't just leap from track to track but every time you play a track you become transfixed.
The shapes of these new models are different than generation II: I like the new look a lot but I like the old look too. Fit and finish were extremely fine.

Product Weakness: I wish I had the money right now to upgrade. (We were there for my friend who likes my Sonatina but wants a speaker with more bass and yet a high level of efficiency. Now he's trying to figure out how soon until he can swing it.
Product Strengths: Natural sound, deep bass, glorious mids, sweet detailed highs with just enough bite. In audiophile terms its a very fine value too. Efficient enough to show off amps of modest power.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Cary SLI-80 40 watt triode, Bel Canto SET-i40 integrated 37 watt, Silverline 300B amp 7 watt
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	CAT used with Silverline amp
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	cd Metronome(?)
Speakers:	Silverline Sonata III
Cables/Interconnects:	Silverline, Amazon
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Instrumentals, Norah Jones, Jurasic Park
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 15 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	no treatment.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 hours
Type of Audition/Review:	Dealer Demo
Your System (if other than home audition):	Cary SLI-80, Silverline Sonatina II, Thiel 1.6, Cary 303/100 cdp, Basis 2100 with Van den Hull Frog, Sonic Frontiers Phono One, Modified Rega RB300

Product Weakness:	I wish I had the money right now to upgrade. (We were there for my friend who likes my Sonatina but wants a speaker with more bass and yet a high level of efficiency. Now he's trying to figure out how soon until he can swing it.
Product Strengths:	Natural sound, deep bass, glorious mids, sweet detailed highs with just enough bite. In audiophile terms its a very fine value too. Efficient enough to show off amps of modest power.