Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Sonus Faber Cremona Speakers by Arnel

Model:	Cremona
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:
Description:	lute-shaped 3-way 4-driver ported floorstander; construction similar to Amati Homage
Manufacturer URL:	Sonus Faber
Manufacturer URL:	Sonus Faber

Review by Arnel ( A ) on September 29, 2002 at 07:37:28
IP Address: 61.50.157.160

Add Your Review
for the Cremona

I know I'm not a Sonus Faber "expert", but I just want to share my thoughts anyway.
Here's the highlights of my PERSONAL opinion on this speaker:
- fit-n-finish is superb, although not as classy as Amati.
- treble still a bit softened, although claimed to be more extended than older SF, with Sheffield Lab's excellent drum recording on Michael Ruff's album.
- overall perspective still a bit laidback.
- tonal balance is even more convincing than Amati's.
- bass is overall forceful, tight and tuneful.
- bass seems more prominent than the rest (but this is room dependent)
- keeps the typical Sonus Faber speed/agility on dance tracks such as Larusso's "Simplement" album (my favorite French disc).
- can play really loud!
- sounds less colored than all other Sonus Fabers I've heard before.
- overall more lively presentation than any other Sonus Faber.
- for me the BEST-BALANCED (not necessarily "best") Sonus Faber yet.
- value: doesn't look like $7000 but the sound justifies the price. In fact, the most price-justifiable Sonus Faber ever.
In comparison with my other favorite brands:
- For the price, I'd rather get the B&W Nautilus 802, which is to me the better value speaker in both sound and design/engineering, dollar-for-dollar (or peso if you wish). N802 is far more detailed and realistic in presentation.
- Like the Cremona, the MartinLogan Odyssey has a slightly softened treble in comparison to its mids and bass. But the Odyssey delivers a much more detail (even more than the N802), and a more expansive soundstage. Also like the Cremona, it's more forgiving than the N802. If my budget were $6K-8K, this is what I would buy.
- Therefore, even if I had the money, there's no chance I would get a Cremona.
Next stop... Dynaudio Confidence C4 at the Beijing Hifi Show in November 1-3. It's just too big for the small showroom, so I'll wait for them to demo them in the big hotel room.

Product Weakness: -
Product Strengths: -

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Musical Fidelity M3
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	-
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Meridian DVD, Musical Fidelity M3
Speakers:	-
Cables/Interconnects:	van den Hul
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	jazz, rock, classical, pop
Type of Audition/Review:	Dealer Demo