Sonus Faber 'Cremona' Speakers

[Khorn]

I am intrigued by the Sonus Faber 'Cremona' speaker system.

Does anyone here either have these speakers or have auditioned them at great length?. If so what do you find are its strengths and weaknesses?

[Steve Hoffman]

I heard them for a few minutes at a show.

I thought they were too bright, too lean and too expensive.

Of course, show conditions are always "iffy", but you asked.

Hardware and cable considerations always play a part in how a speaker sounds so investigate further!

Anyone else?

[Steve Hoffman]

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/cremona.htm

[indy mike]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
I heard them for a few minutes at a show.

I thought they were too bright, too lean and too expensive.

Of course, show conditions are always "iffy", but you asked.

Hardware and cable considerations always play a part in how a speaker sounds so investigate further!

Anyone else?

Wonder what their sensitivity is? They might match up well with an old timer tubey combo from McIntosh or Dynaco if they're not juice guzzling drivers...

[Khorn]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
I heard them for a few minutes at a show.

I thought they were too bright, too lean and too expensive.

Of course, show conditions are always "iffy", but you asked.

Hardware and cable considerations always play a part in how a speaker sounds so investigate further!

Anyone else?

True, show conditions can be brutal to say the least. Power supply can ruin even the best planned out presentations.

Although the effects of hardware(great) cables(less great but, greater than most people realize) can make or break a demo you would think that the people staging it would have tweaked everything to a certain level of satisfaction or "deep sixed" the demo rather than knowingly put out a faulty demo. I would tend to trust first impressions. I have generally found that if a speaker really stands out upon first hearing it usually retains the qualities over repeated encounters. Those are very few and far between.

[aashton]

I've only listened to the Cremonas for about an hour and I must admit that they didn't really rock my boat and I am quite fond of Sonus Fabers. I was unable to shake the feeling that the music was coming from two speakers and that always breaks the spell for me. I didn't feel that the Cremona had quite the level of resolution that I was after and the setup I heard had a little bit of the smiley EQ sound to it I must emphasise a little here). I'll admit that I was in very critical listening mode when I listened rather than in enjoy the music mode so take my comments for what they're worth (about as much as a chocolate fireguard). THe hardware used was Copland CD and amplifiers which has always demonstated a fine synergy with SF speakers that I've heard in the past. All just my personal opinion :)

What intrigues you about them Khorn ?

p.s. I'm no great fan of Amati Homage either ;)

All the best - Andrew

[Khorn]

Originally posted by aashton
I've only listened to the Cremonas for about an hour and I must admit that they didn't really rock my boat and I am quite fond of Sonus Fabers. I was unable to shake the feeling that the music was coming from two speakers and that always breaks the spell for me. I didn't feel that the Cremona had quite the level of resolution that I was after and the setup I heard had a little bit of the smiley EQ sound to it I must emphasise a little here). I'll admit that I was in very critical listening mode when I listened rather than in enjoy the music mode so take my comments for what they're worth (about as much as a chocolate fireguard). THe hardware used was Copland CD and amplifiers which has always demonstated a fine synergy with SF speakers that I've heard in the past. All just my personal opinion :)

What intrigues you about them Khorn ?

p.s. I'm no great fan of Amati Homage either ;)

All the best - Andrew

Well KAPLOT!!! There goes a preconceived notion of mine that these might be a super well constructed extension of the mini-monitor concept.

Why intrigued? well the cabinet design and reputation of the company. I have never hear their products first hand but, they have a good reputation.

I wonder how their speakers compare to the Totem line that in most cases are far less expensive but that I know first hand sound great?

[aashton]

I am a big fan of many of the SF mini-monitor designs - I thought the now OOP Signums to be a lovely sounding small speaker (especially with the Copland amplification I mentioned above) and their replacement the Cremona Auditors to follow on where they left off :) The Electa Amator (both original and mark II) had many fine features and I could have easily lived with either of them - they produced an awfully big sound from not so big a loudspeaker :) When the Extrema first came out it was my fantasy speaker as much for it's presence and looks as for its sound - if I had room in the house I would buy a pair without any hesitation.

The price of SF speakers seem to suffer from the trip across the Atlantic in much the same way that American gear magically becomes 50% more expensive when it gets to these shores. I can't wait for the trans Atlantic tunnel to be finished so I can come over for a days shopping :D

All the best - Andrew

[dwmann]

I haven't heard the Cremonas, but since you are probably considering replacing your KHorns, you ought to check out the Vienna Acousics Mahlers. I purchased a set of Mahlers to replace MY KHorns, and still have BOTH set up in my listening room. Everyone (all non-audiophiles) who's heard the AB is blown away. I play the Horns first, and after they are WOWed by the sound (they look AWED) I play the Mahlers. (This is fun.) When the Malers come on the awe changes to a huge smile, and they just want to keep listening. Comments like "I thought those other speakers were great, but I never knew music could sound like THIS" are common.

I was VERY hesitant about replacing my KHorns - despite their problems in the mids, they spoil you for any speaker that doesn't sound HUGE. The Mahlers are amazing, silky smooth speakers that do everything the KHorns do, but better. Also, they will handle a LOT of power - at 500WPC you can't get QUITE the volumes you'd get from the Khorns, but it's close.

Unless you insist on new, you can probably find used Mahlers for not much more than used Cremonas. The Cremonas seem to be the flavor of the day since the Stereophile review, and are commanding more of a percentage of list - so if you DO go with Cremonas, it may pay to wait a bit till the used prices come down.

Good Luck!!!

[Khorn]

Originally posted by dwmann
I haven't heard the Cremonas, but since you are probably considering replacing your KHorns, you ought to check out the Vienna Acousics Mahlers.

I's geat you found a speker you really like. I would only consider changing my Khorns if the place i move to dictates it. In that case I would check out the Mahlers along with the B&W 800/801's that I have always liked AWA a few others.

I would probably go with a tri-amped Pro JBL system that I've had my eye on if possibe but we are probably talking 3x the money in that case.