Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2
High-end 3-way bass-reflex floorstanding speaker, handmade in Italy, featuring a cork acoustic chamber for the midrange and tweeter.
Description
The Sonetto VIII G2 is a 3-way bass-reflex floorstanding speaker, positioned as the most powerful model in Sonus faber's Sonetto collection. Handmade in Italy, it incorporates certain technical elements developed for the brand's flagship Suprema system, notably the cork chamber principle housing the tweeter and midrange.
This bespoke cork chamber, borrowed from the Suprema's design, aims to optimise the internal volume around the drivers in order to improve midrange clarity and limit the parasitic resonances typical of conventional cabinets. The speaker combines two 20 cm woofers with a paper pulp cone featuring the Camelia pattern, a 16.5 cm midrange driver with a white paper pulp cone bearing the same pattern, and a 28 mm DAD tweeter with a silk and paper pulp dome. The stated frequency response spans 33 Hz to 40 kHz (+/- 3 dB), with crossover frequencies set at 350 and 2500 Hz between the three ways. Its sensitivity of 90 dB and nominal impedance of 4 ohms, combined with a recommended amplification power of 50 to 400 W, call for an amplifier capable of delivering ample current to fully exploit the speaker. The laminar bass-reflex port is placed on the front baffle, and the terminals are compatible with bi-amping.
This model is aimed at a user seeking a high-end floorstanding speaker for a demanding stereo or home cinema setup, with an amplifier powerful enough and a listening room spacious enough to make the most of its dimensions and its bass response extending down to 33 Hz. The weight of 45 kg and dimensions of 334 x 1179 x 480 mm require a dedicated space and a floor capable of bearing the load.
Technical specifications
| Recommended amplification power | 50 à 400 W |
| Frequency response | 33 Hz à 40 kHz (+/- 3 dB) |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB |
| Nominal impedance | 4 ohms |
| Crossover frequency | 350 et 2500 Hz |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 334 x 1179 x 480 mm |
| Weight | 45 kg |
What to check before buying used
The surrounds on both woofers deserve close inspection: on a speaker of this age, the surround can stiffen, crack or come away from the paper pulp cone, which affects bass performance. Also check the condition of the cabinet and veneer, particularly on the edges and base, as a 45 kg model is prone to damage from handling knocks. Finally, listen to the silk dome tweeter and midrange across the full treble range to rule out any parasitic noise linked to the internal cork chamber, which is difficult to repair if damaged.
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