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REVIEW: Sonus Faber Cremona Speakers

202.73.169.138


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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 Hyperion ( A ) on May 26, 2002 at 08:36:33
IP Address: 202.73.169.138
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for the Cremona


First impressions of the Sonus faber Cremona, serial # 166.

Looks: Plenty of digital ink has been spilt about how the Cremona looks ugly or too pedestrian compared to its more luxuriously finished lute shaped brothers. I suppose there is some truth to it, since the Cremona does look a bit like it came out of an Ikea brochure because of its satin finish maple panels but I am not really turned off. I know for a fact that new walnut clad Sonus fabers look just as drab and dull out of the box but they do look a whole lot better as they age and after application of linseed oil or other furniture polish. I cant help but think that there is several advantage to the Cremona's appearance too: it looks cheaper than its price so it would be easier to convince wives that it is not as expensive as it looks hehehe :). Scratches on it wont be as noticable as it is compared to the Amati and Guarneri either, and neither would it develop the white mold thingie that plaques the Guarneri lacquer finish. Plus I dunno why people are so turned off by its look, it does look very natural, easy on the eyes and the fit n finish is excellent - as expected out of a Sonus faber product.

Sound: The Cremona has been accused of sounding even less "Sonus faber" than ever. I'm glad to announce that it isnt true. This is a pure breed Sonus faber speaker - any SF fan worth his salt will never mistake it for another speaker. It has that subtleness, inherent gracefulness coupled with a playful mien that characterizes the line. It also have that extra warmth and richness endemic to the brand.

This audition reminds me so much of my first encounter with the Electa Amator II, because this speaker is also so easy on the ears. Nothing jumped out of the speaker, everything is presented in an orderly and harmonious manner. There is an unforced naturalness to its presentation that is very much welcome with acoustic music. Since it is hooked up to components that are more suited to the Concertino/Home, this is a remarkable thing by itself especially because the Amati Homage tend to sound annoying (thin, etc) when hooked up to entry level stuff.

It sounds like a cleaner, sweeter, more refined sounding Electa Amator II with greater bass extension and dynamics. Even the laidback upper midband of the EA II is retained, although the Cremona has a more lucid middle and lower midrange, and a sweeter treble. I am not sure if it is 2X better than the EA II though. Probably not since the EA II setup I have at home is easily better than this particular Cremona setup - because I do have better front end components and cabling. I dont think it comes close to the Guarneri's midrange expressiveness and imaging prowess either. I'd have to listen to it again, hopefully with better components the next time around.



Product Weakness: cant say yet ... probably not 2x better than the EA II or not as good as the Guarneri ...
Product Strengths: musical, refined, easy on the ears


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Musical Fidelity A3 dual mono
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Rotel RCD961
Speakers: SF Cremona
Cables/Interconnects: Transparent
Music Used (Genre/Selections): classical only
Room Size (LxWxH): 12 x 24 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments: sparsely treated
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 hr
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Audioprism Foundation 3
Type of Audition/Review: Dealer Demo




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Topic - REVIEW: Sonus Faber Cremona Speakers - Hyperion 08:36:33 05/26/02 ( 40)