Sonic Performance And Design Sonus Faber Amati G5

Sonic Performance And Design  Sonus Faber Amati G5 - Nottingham HiFi

Mike Saunders |

The Amati G5 is the fifth generation of Sonus Faber's most luxurious traditional speaker line, a modernized take on the original Homage series that honors legendary violin makers like Andrea Amati. The G5 represents a refined culmination of Sonus Faber's artisan craftsmanship and acoustic engineering.


 Design & Build Quality – Sculpted Elegance

  • Cabinet Shape: The signature lute-shaped cabinet is not just aesthetic—it controls resonances via curvature and multilayer wood construction.

  • Finish Options: Available in stunning Red, Wengé, and Graphite, the G5 showcases bookmatched wood panels, high-gloss lacquer, and luxurious detailing.

  • Craftsmanship: The Amati G5 looks like fine Italian furniture, and it feels like it too—everything from the brushed aluminum backplates to the leather-wrapped front baffle oozes quality.

Structural Innovations:

  • "Stealth Ultraflex" Port System: A slot-style port machined into the rear aluminum plate minimizes turbulence and compressive effects.

  • "Intono" Midrange Chamber: A sealed, resonance-canceling volume specifically designed to improve midrange linearity and reduce colorations.

  • Layered Crossovers: Hand-tuned, time-aligned crossover networks on triple-layer PCBs with ClarityCap capacitors and Mundorf resistors.


 Technical Specifications

Spec Detail
Type 3.5-way floorstander
Drivers 28mm DAD tweeter, 150mm midrange, 2 × 220mm woofers
Frequency Response 28 Hz – 35,000 Hz
Sensitivity 91 dB SPL (2.83V/1m)
Impedance 4 ohms nominal
Power Handling 50W – 450W
Dimensions (HWD) 1176 × 411 × 512 mm
Weight 55.5 kg (each)

Listening Impressions – Sound Signature & Performance

 Bass – Authority with Agility

The Amati G5’s twin 220mm woofers deliver deep, tactile bass with remarkable speed and articulation. There’s none of the boomy excess often associated with large floorstanders. It reaches confidently into the 20–30Hz region with tight, tuneful low-end control.

"Listening to double bass or organ passages, the bass has real slam—but never muddies the sound."

 Midrange – Lush and Emotional

Thanks to the Intono midrange chamber and dedicated neodymium-driven mid unit, the G5 presents voices and acoustic instruments with startling realism. The midrange is slightly warm, consistent with the Sonus Faber house sound, but never veiled.

"Vocals sit forward and dimensional, string instruments sound organic and vibrant."

 Treble – Refined and Spacious

The 28mm DAD™ soft dome tweeter offers smooth, extended highs without harshness. The Damped Apex Dome tech preserves airiness while removing the peakiness common in metal domes.

"Cymbals shimmer with subtle decay, never etched or fatiguing."

 Soundstage & Imaging – Immersive Precision

Thanks to time-aligned crossovers and curved cabinet geometry, imaging is pinpoint and the soundstage is expansive. The speakers disappear sonically, offering holographic instrument placement and immersive width and depth.

"Whether orchestral or intimate jazz, the soundstage feels boundless and realistic."


System Matching

Amplification:

With a 4-ohm load and moderate sensitivity (91dB), the Amati G5 prefers solid-state or tube amps with high current delivery:

  • Ideal partners: McIntosh, Audio Research, Pass Labs, D'Agostino, Vitus, or Luxman.

  • Minimum recommended amp: 100W/ch (into 4 ohms)

Room Size:

  • Best suited for medium to large rooms (minimum 25–30 sqm).

  • Benefits greatly from solid isolation platforms and proper spacing from walls (70–100 cm from rear wall recommended).


 Competitive Comparison

Speaker Sound Signature Finish Quality Bass Impact Emotional Musicality
Sonus Faber Amati G5 Warm, natural ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wilson Audio SabrinaX Neutral, revealing ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐½
B&W 802 D4 Detailed, energetic ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ ⭐⭐⭐½
Magico A5 Transparent, analytical ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐

The Amati G5 excels in musical engagement and design finesse, while competitors may edge it out slightly in analytical precision or bass slam.


✅ Pros and ❌ Cons

✅ Pros:

  • Gorgeous, artisanal design

  • Emotional, lifelike midrange

  • Controlled, extended bass

  • Wide, immersive soundstage

  • Impeccable build quality

❌ Cons:

  • Large and heavy—requires space and strong floors

  • Needs high-quality electronics to shine

  • Expensive (~$36,000 USD/pair)

  • Warm character may not appeal to those seeking hyper-analytic presentation


 Final Verdict

The Sonus Faber Amati G5 is a stunning speaker in every respect—visually, structurally, and sonically. Its warm, natural musicality, wrapped in some of the finest woodworking in the industry, makes it a dream speaker for lovers of acoustic, vocal, and classical genres. If you’re seeking not just accuracy but emotional connection, and you have the space and supporting gear to do it justice, the Amati G5 is an endgame choice.

Score: 9.6 / 10 – A Masterpiece of Musical Artistry