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
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Cabinet Shape: The signature lute-shaped cabinet is not just aesthetic—it controls resonances via curvature and multilayer wood construction.
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Finish Options: Available in stunning Red, Wengé, and Graphite, the G5 showcases bookmatched wood panels, high-gloss lacquer, and luxurious detailing.
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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:
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"Stealth Ultraflex" Port System: A slot-style port machined into the rear aluminum plate minimizes turbulence and compressive effects.
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"Intono" Midrange Chamber: A sealed, resonance-canceling volume specifically designed to improve midrange linearity and reduce colorations.
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Layered Crossovers: Hand-tuned, time-aligned crossover networks on triple-layer PCBs with ClarityCap capacitors and Mundorf resistors.
Technical Specifications
Spec | Detail |
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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:
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Ideal partners: McIntosh, Audio Research, Pass Labs, D'Agostino, Vitus, or Luxman.
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Minimum recommended amp: 100W/ch (into 4 ohms)
Room Size:
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Best suited for medium to large rooms (minimum 25–30 sqm).
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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 |
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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:
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Gorgeous, artisanal design
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Emotional, lifelike midrange
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Controlled, extended bass
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Wide, immersive soundstage
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Impeccable build quality
❌ Cons:
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Large and heavy—requires space and strong floors
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Needs high-quality electronics to shine
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Expensive (~$36,000 USD/pair)
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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