Sonus Faber Sonetto V G2

The Sonus Faber Sonetto V G2 is an evolution of the original Sonetto V, carrying forward Sonus Faber’s Italian craftsmanship, elegant design, and musical sound signature, with some notable improvements in technology and performance. Known for its blend of luxurious aesthetics and high-end audio performance, this floor-standing speaker remains a strong contender in the high-fidelity audio market. In this review, we'll explore the Sonetto V G2 in depth, covering its design, sound quality, technical features, and comparison to its predecessor, the Sonetto V.

Design and Build Quality

Sonus Faber has always placed great importance on the design of their speakers, and the Sonetto V G2 exemplifies this tradition. The Sonetto V G2 retains the signature Italian craftsmanship that Sonus Faber is known for, blending modern aesthetics with timeless appeal.

The speaker’s cabinet is slightly revised, featuring smoother contours and subtle adjustments to the external design compared to the original Sonetto V. The front baffle remains clean and minimalistic, with flush-mounted drivers for a seamless look. One of the key design features that distinguishes Sonus Faber from its competitors is the lute-shaped cabinet, which enhances structural rigidity and reduces internal standing waves, improving overall sound quality.

The G2 model also comes in a wider range of finishes, including Piano Black, Wood Veneer, and Matte White. These finishes are meticulously applied, ensuring a luxurious feel. The addition of a leather top panel, a hallmark of Sonus Faber’s higher-end lines, adds an extra touch of elegance. The speakers’ solid build quality and attention to detail make them not only a piece of high-end audio equipment but also a statement piece in any listening room.

Drivers and Technology

The Sonetto V G2 is a 3.5-way speaker, incorporating a well-thought-out driver configuration that offers improvements over its predecessor, particularly in the midrange and bass performance. Sonus Faber has made use of advanced materials and refined their driver technology for the G2 version.

1. Tweeter: The Sonetto V G2 uses the same 29mm silk dome tweeter with Damped Apex Dome (DAD) technology as the original Sonetto V, providing smooth and extended highs. The DAD technology continues to impress, minimizing resonance while allowing for detailed and non-fatiguing treble. Improvements in the tweeter's integration with the midrange driver have resulted in better cohesiveness and a more natural transition between frequencies.

2. Midrange: The midrange driver has been enhanced with a slightly more rigid cone material, a 150mm natural fiber cone, ensuring better clarity and precision in the vocal and instrument reproduction. This refinement improves the transient response, offering a more engaging and dynamic sound.

3. Woofers: One of the most significant upgrades in the G2 version is found in the bass section. The Sonetto V G2 continues to use two 180mm woofers but with redesigned cones made from a new, lightweight polypropylene material that improves bass extension and tightness. These woofers are placed lower on the cabinet, providing deeper and more controlled low frequencies.

4. Crossover Network: The crossover design has been updated to ensure a smoother transition between the drivers. The revised crossover improves the overall phase coherence and timing of the speaker, resulting in a more seamless soundstage and better imaging.

5. Cabinet Improvements: The cabinet’s internal structure has been slightly redesigned to minimize unwanted resonances further. This allows the drivers to perform at their best without interference from vibrations within the cabinet itself. Additionally, the bass reflex port at the rear has been optimized for better airflow, reducing port noise and enhancing bass performance.

Sound Quality

The Sonetto V G2 has made improvements in several key areas, making it an even more versatile and refined speaker than its predecessor. Here's a breakdown of its sound performance across the frequency spectrum:

• Bass: One of the most noticeable improvements in the G2 model is the bass performance. The redesigned woofers, along with the optimized bass reflex port, provide deeper, more powerful bass than the original Sonetto V. The low-end is tight, controlled, and extends deeper, making the G2 capable of handling bass-heavy tracks with authority. However, the bass remains musical and doesn't overshadow the midrange, which was one of the strengths of the original Sonetto V.

• Midrange: The midrange is where Sonus Faber has always excelled, and the Sonetto V G2 continues this tradition. The enhanced midrange driver delivers more clarity and detail than before, with vocals and instruments sounding lifelike and present. The midrange is open, with a natural warmth that is characteristic of Sonus Faber's tuning. The improved crossover design has also resulted in better integration with the tweeter, giving the midrange a more cohesive feel with the rest of the frequency range.

• Treble: The DAD tweeter remains a standout feature, offering smooth, extended highs without any harshness. High frequencies are airy and detailed, adding a sense of sparkle to the music without ever becoming fatiguing. The G2’s treble is particularly impressive in classical and acoustic genres, where the clarity and separation of high-pitched instruments are vital to the listening experience.

• Soundstage and Imaging: The Sonetto V G2 excels in creating a wide, immersive soundstage. The improvements in phase coherence and the revised cabinet design allow the speaker to place instruments and vocals more precisely in the sound field. This gives the G2 a more three-dimensional sound, with better separation between instruments. The imaging is sharp, with each element in the music presented clearly and with a sense of depth.

• Dynamics: The G2 handles dynamic shifts with ease, offering both micro and macro dynamics with precision. Whether it's the soft plucking of a guitar or the sudden impact of a drum, the speaker responds quickly and accurately, providing a lively and engaging listening experience. The improved woofer design has also enhanced the speaker's ability to handle high volumes without distortion, making it suitable for both intimate and large-scale performances.

Amplification and Room Placement

The Sonetto V G2 remains relatively easy to drive, with a sensitivity of 90 dB and a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. This makes it compatible with a wide range of amplifiers, though pairing it with a high-quality amplifier will allow it to shine fully. Both tube and solid-state amplifiers work well, depending on your tonal preferences.

As with the original Sonetto V, room placement is forgiving thanks to the well-designed rear bass reflex port. However, to get the best out of the Sonetto V G2, some space behind the speaker (at least 30-50 cm) is recommended for optimal bass performance. The speaker performs well in both medium and larger rooms, though careful positioning will further enhance the soundstage and imaging.

Comparison with the Original Sonetto V

Compared to the original Sonetto V, the Sonetto V G2 offers several refinements:

• Bass Performance: The G2 has deeper, tighter bass thanks to the improved woofers and cabinet design.
• Midrange Clarity: While the original had an excellent midrange, the G2 offers even more clarity and precision in this critical area.
• Treble Extension: The integration between the tweeter and midrange is improved, leading to a more seamless and natural sound across the upper frequencies.
• Soundstage: The G2 has a more immersive and three-dimensional soundstage, with improved imaging and instrument separation.
• Build Quality: While the original Sonetto V was beautifully crafted, the G2 offers subtle design refinements that make it even more visually appealing.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Luxurious Italian design with premium finishes
• Improved bass performance with deeper and tighter low-end
• Exceptional midrange clarity and natural tonality
• Smooth, extended treble without fatigue
• Wide, immersive soundstage with precise imaging
• Easy to drive and place in a variety of rooms

Cons:

• Bass may still not be enough for listeners who prefer ultra-deep, subwoofer-like extension
• Larger size may require careful placement in smaller rooms
• Higher price point compared to the original Sonetto V

Conclusion

The Sonus Faber Sonetto V G2 builds on the success of its predecessor, delivering improvements in all the key areas that matter to audiophiles. With deeper bass, clearer midrange, and a more immersive soundstage, the G2 elevates the already impressive Sonetto V to new heights. It remains a beautifully crafted speaker that blends Italian luxury with cutting-edge audio technology, making it an excellent choice for listeners who value both aesthetics and musicality. If you’re looking for a speaker that can handle a wide range of music genres with finesse, the Sonetto V G2 should be high on your list.