Sonus faber Sonetto III G2 – HiFi Review
Sonus faber’s Sonetto name is derived from the Italian word for “sonet,” meaning “little song.” The second generation of this range builds on the success of the first. The G2 has a complete range of speakers, including stand-mount, compact and larger floor-standing, and wall-mount options.
Design
Sonus faber Sonetto III G2 is a compact floorstanding 2.5-way loudspeaker with a silk Damped Apex Dome 28mm tweeter with a copper cup claiming to extend the frequency beyond 30kHz.
The 165 mm paper pulp sandwich cone mid-woofer features the (unpainted) flower pattern (from the flagship Suprema loudspeaker) and an aluminium demodulation ring. The 165mm woofer also features the same aluminium demodulation ring. The mid-woofer and woofer share the same crossover at 2700Hz, hence the 2.5-way configuration.
Sonetto III utilises a rear-ventilated box for the mid-woofer and the tweeter, which has a closed motor system. This ensures that the tweeter is not affected by the mid-woofer’s reflections.
The woofer is in a separate part of the cabinet and uses a down-ventilated aperture towards the concrete base, which has rubber feet with optional spikes. The cabinet boxes are strategically filled with an acoustic material.
The frequency response of the Sonetto III G2 is claimed to be 38Hz – 40000Hz with an easy driving sensitivity reported of 88 dB SPL (2.83 V/1m), 4 Ohms. The electrical response of the three drivers, received from Sonus faber, is below.
Quality
The finish is immaculate and very beautiful indeed.
The loudspeakers are slimline facing the listener in a lute shape; Sonus faber claims this shape “optimises sound dispersion for an immersive listening experience”. The finish is immaculate and very beautiful indeed. The Sonetto come with a round binding post cover adorned with the Sonus faber logo to offer tidying up the rear of the loudspeaker. The base of the loudspeaker has a new concrete base that is sturdy and attached to the cabinet out of the box. You are offered the choice of soft spikes or very sharp spikes.
The unboxing experience is one of the best experiences I have had recently with a substantial double-boxed case that releases the II G2s vertically and easily.
The Sonetto III G2 is (H x W x D) 1068 x 287 x 350 mm and weighs 25.80 kg (each) out of the box. They are £4,000 a pair. The full specification is here. A list of dealers is on the same site.
Performance
Review Equipment
I’m using an Old Naim Classic XPS power supply, Naim NAC-N 272 streaming preamplifier on three Node Audio SS-1s with a GroundARAY and an old school Naim NAP 250.2. As well as the NAC, I’m using a Michel Gyro SE turntable with a Rega Phono Stage. The electronics are served by an Atlas Eos 4em Distribution Block, with Atlas Eos 4.0em power cables. I retain the Chord Cables Burndy X upgrade & Signature X upgrade for the NAC and NAP, respectively. I prefer the Tellurium Q Ultra Black II loudspeaker cables in this setup.
Physically
The unboxing experience is just perfect, with a clever double-boxed design that is as intuitive as needed. The loudspeakers are xx apart, surrounding a fireplace, and yy away in a lounge environment. This is my home location rather than the main critical listening room. For this reason, I chose the G2 IIIs for this modestly sized room over the Vs.
I’ve had little bother in positioning terms. The downward firing bass reflex to the concrete base helps with this, as does the famed lute shape of the cabinet. I have the loudspeakers modestly toed in after consultation with a leading (unnamed) industry loudspeaker expert! In position, the G2s are physically solid. A loud knuckle rap confirms a total lack of resonance on the part of the cabinet, the floor, or anything else for that matter.
The round binding post cover is a nice idea. This would work with Atlas Cables’ transpose modular termination system but not with my Tellurium Q Ultra Black II loudspeaker cable, which is heavily shielded and stiff at the binding posts.
Settling In
…if it looks good, it will sound good
One of the early issues with the Sonetto has been you just end up coming back for more, even when you’re settling them in with a bit of Radio Paradise. There is no question in my experience that if it looks good, it will sound good. I’ve noted Sonus faber has a relationship with fellow Italian stallion Lamborghini; the same is true there, too; looks good drives good?
Extended Listening
… I forget I am supposed to be listening to the loudspeaker
After settling in for a few days, it is pretty clear what a natural sound is emerging with vast volumes of detail. I’m unaffected by Naim’s often-cited fatiguing properties, and this is a function of the natural warmth with these G2 III loudspeakers, which calms down the Naim Classic NAP 250.2.
The GYRO SE is silent at the moment with the recent addition of new springs and a new belt. The midrange Exact cartridge (recently superseded, I note) and tonearm upgrade borrowed from Rega still work nicely, though I know there is more potential in this turntable. Turning to Laufey’s Bewitched (Goddess Edition, 45 rpm, AWAL Recordings, 2024), the rolling snares are delicious in Dreamer, and these melancholy loudspeakers are anything but Second Best in the following track on Side A. As Haunted drifts by, the lyrical Must Be Love leaves me lost in the music, and I forget I am supposed to be listening to the loudspeaker; this must be good. There is a very beautiful sound stage here. The outstanding track on this album is the last one, on Side D, Goddess.
It is time to shift up a few gears; I head to Led Zeppelin II but end up with the lesser-known album Presence (Swan Song, Atlantic Records, 1976). This is a scatty, staccato album that nicely shows off the dynamism and pace of the NAP 250 with the Sonetto partnership, particularly in For Your Life, the second track on Side 1. Achilles’ Last Stand, similarly edgy with jangly guitars, pace and energy, can be a nervous track, but this anxiousness is calmer with the smoother presentation of the III G2s. Nonetheless, the drums are relentlessly driven by John Bonham. Playing Led Zeppelin II (Atlantic Records, 969) confirms that Presence lacks the conviction of their formative albums.
For no reason and searching for resolution, I put on Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department (The Manuscript 2024 UK/EU limited edition 17-track double album 2-LP pressed on White Vinyl, Republic Records). Whatever you think of Swift loml on Side C is a heartbreaking lyrical tour de force, and the piano introduction in these Sonetto IIIs is just perfect, there is so much detail and grief in this track.
Inexplicably, in a vinyl daze, it is time for Elvis’ Separate Ways (RCA 1973). This is an odd mix of tracks featuring his classic Always in My Mind, but it is I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell that carries the pace that harks back to classic Elvis in his ’60s films. Again, there is enough guitar-edge detail in Forget Me Never, and Old Shep leaves you close to tears.
Turning to a streamed piano tack by Alexis Ffrench, I just want to hear this room fill with volume. His version of The Heart Asks Pleasure First (Tidal FLAC 16-bit, 44.1kHz) does just that with beautiful lower octaves and a natural sound, particularly that final note that is very natural and deep.
MBS Audio Optimisation
I was fortunate to have the Sonetto III G2s with the room tuned and upgraded by MBS Audio Optimisation for a couple of days. This process included introducing very high-end power conditioners, numerous vibration bases and controls, and placing seven (passive) High-Frequency Transducers on each loudspeaker to mitigate “vibrational distortions and correct phase and frequency interactions”. The sum of the layered solutions (the full review of the day is here) was, without overstating the outcome, transformational.
The Sonetto III G2s were easily capable of delivering this enhanced performance, and the process was a real eye-opener. I had more bass response, detail, and a greater presence and feel in the room. The Playlist we used in Tidal is here.
Musical Interlude
Here’s the Sonus faber Sonetto III G2 Musical Interlude Playlist on Qobuz (though I used Tidal with the ‘outdated’ Naim 272 Streamer).
Thoughts
… Sonus faber, with these looks, will win most conversations with a better half.
I’m summarizing the Sonetto III G2 as dynamic, warm, and resolving. In terms of tone, it does feel very neutral with a controlled bass that is very satisfactory; Nenad Vasilic’s Bass Drops (Tidal FLAC 16-bit, 44.1kHz) will confirm that for you. Naim amplification appears to be a good match in this review.
The £4,000 price point is highly competitive, and some may suggest a pair of standmounts and a good subwoofer; however, Sonus faber, with these looks, will win most conversations with a better half. Nonetheless, consideration must be given to the likes of B&Ws 703s, Focal’s Aria Evo X No.4 or, of course, Acoustic Energy’s 520s
Overall
Performance, most importantly, matches the good looks…
These Sonus faber Sonetto III G2 are unreservedly very pretty indeed and will grace any formal or other setting. Performance, most importantly, matches the good looks with a strong, controlled bass response, a fireside warmth that compels long listening and plenty of detail in the midrange. In an optimal system, these loudspeakers will not let you down.
Warmth
Finish
Colour
Bass response
Rounded spikes on the wooden floor
The concrete base was more discrete, painted or covered
Specification
Full details are on the company’s site.
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