Description
SONUS FABER Minima Amator II with Carrara stands That tweeter is a 28mm silk dome with a distinctive phase plug design that echoes the unit seen on the Minima’s pricier Electa Amator III sibling, and that’s no bad thing considering just how talented that bigger standmount model is. The mid/bass is modestly sized at 15cm, but the small frontal area of the Minimas doesn’t really allow the use of anything much bigger than that. The drive unit’s cone uses what Sonus Faber describes as cellulose pulp combined with natural fibres, and the chassis is a thoroughly up-to-date cast aluminium design that’s as open as possible to reduce unwanted reflections. The mid/bass’s low-end performance is tuned by a rear-firing port. The overall performance of a standmounter is hugely dependent on the quality of its support. This is an area where many speaker manufacturers have something of a blind spot, preferring to leave the job to third-party stand makers. That’s never been Sonus Faber’s way, and so we’re pleased to report that there are dedicated stands for the Minima Amator II. It may not surprise you to learn that the stands are a little different. There’s a choice of two designs but the ones supplied to us use hollow aluminium columns that are filled with damping material and join with a heavy base made of Carrara marble. The columns and marble base are separated by a thin, engraved brass plate, mirroring the inlay on the base of the speaker cabinet. This just goes to show just how much attention Sonus Faber gives to cosmetic details. The stands don’t come cheap though, priced at £1450 / $1500 / AU$2995. Expensive, certainly, but they match the speaker well, locking the Minimas into place thanks to a pair of thumbscrews that go through the stand’s top plate. SONUS FABER MINIMA AMATOR II TECH SPECS Standmount speakers: Sonus faber Minima Amator II (Image credit: Future) Type Two-way standmounter Tweeter 28mm silk dome Mid/bass 15cm cellulose pulp/natural fibre cone Reflex port Rear firing Sensitivity 87dB/W/m Nominal Impedance 4 ohms Dimensions (hwd) 325 x 200 x 275mm Any good speaker at this level is going to be demanding about partnering equipment and these Sonus Fabers are no different. In fact, we find them a little pickier than normal thanks to the combination of their impressive transparency and relatively demanding electrical nature. You’ll need to drive them with an amplifier that’s refined and has plenty of poke, but also something that’s articulate. Anything that combines all those qualities is never going to be cheap. We suggest something like the Krell K-300i or Luxman L-509X integrated amplifiers as good starting points. Any source needs to be similarly capable. For this test we use our reference system, comprising the Linn Klimax DS3 music streamer and the Technics SL-1000R record player feeding the Burmester 088/911 MkIII amplifier. We also have the aforementioned Krell to hand as well as a Naim SuperNait 3 integrated to see how the speakers perform with different flavours of amplification. It pays to take time to get the Minima Amator II’s positioning just right. While they will tolerate being close to a rear wall, we feel that their performance becomes a little cluttered and less spacious when used this way, even if doing so adds a fair bit of bass weight. We prefer the speakers around 75cm from the wall behind them and well away from the sides. This way we get a lovely soundstage that’s focussed, layered and spacious, particularly once we take the time to hone the toe-in angle of the speakers. In our set-up, they work best when pointed straight at the listening position, and when placed roughly the same distance apart as they are from us. Sound Standmount speakers: Sonus faber Minima Amator II (Image credit: Future) Once up and running, the Minima Amator II prove to be incredibly charming performers. They’re way smaller than most of the competition so it’s no surprise to find that these speakers don’t dig as deeply at low frequencies, or have the same sense of authority as the likes of the Dynaudio Contour 20i. Yet the surprise is that these Sonus Fabers still manage to sound balanced, bold and expressive. It’s through the midrange that they really excel, delivering Nick Cave’s Carnage set in a truly spell-binding manner. Cave’s gravelly tones come through with nuance and texture, the Minimas conveying the emotions in his voice superbly. There’s a lovely sense of palpability here that eludes most rivals, and that draws us into the music. While there’s a good degree of insight, that’s not what marks these standmounters out as special; it’s the ability to organise that information into a coherent and entertaining experience that stands out. We’re swept along with the music in a way that isn’t particularly common, even at this level. Tonally these speakers are more full-bodied and robust-sounding than you’d expect given their modest dimensions. They have a slightly rounded tonality that isn’t strictly neutral but remains balanced enough to convince. While there’s a good degree of refinement here, these are speakers that don’t hide shortcomings further up the chain. If your source or amplification isn’t good enough, they will tell you all about it. We play Dave’s We’re All Alone In This Together and the Minima Amator II have no issue punching out the smooth-flowing beats and generating a pleasingly meaty amount of bass given their size. Lows are taut and relatively powerful but also blend seamlessly into the presentation. We like the clarity on offer and are once again taken in by the Minima’s ability to deliver voices with clarity and purpose. Dave’s rapid-fire delivery is easy to follow and the emotional communication is excellent. Things are sure-footed rhythmically, too, with the speakers conveying the energy of music well. They sound composed yet enthusiastic with tracks such as this, and remain comfortable even when pushed hard. We would still point you elsewhere if you routinely listen at ‘party’ levels, but for most people who have small to medium-sized rooms these Sonus Fabers will go loud enough. A listen to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony shows that these little gems can generate a sound of impressive scale. They handle larger dynamic shifts well, without sounding like they have to strain to do so. Their impressive control comes to the fore when it comes to tracking a multitude of instrumental strands without losing sight of the musics whole. These are the kind of speakers that put the spotlight on the music and allow the mechanics of hi-fi to fade into the background. Verdict Standmount speakers: Sonus faber Minima Amator II (Image credit: Future) Could you buy a more detailed, tonally neutral and authoritative sounding alternative for similar money? Certainly. But the musical thrill of listening to these Sonus Fabers is hard to ignore. Add the luxurious build, compact size and the rare aura of ‘specialness’ they have and weve no choice but to give the Minima Amator II a warm recommendation. SCORES Sound 5 Build 5 SONUS FABER Minima Amator II with Carrara stands That tweeter is a 28mm silk dome with a distinctive phase plug design that echoes the unit seen on the Minima’s pricier Electa Amator III sibling, and that’s no bad thing considering just how talented that bigger standmount model is. The mid/bass is modestly sized at 15cm, but the small frontal area of the Minimas doesn’t really allow the use of anything much bigger than that. The drive unit’s cone uses what Sonus Faber describes as cellulose pulp combined with natural fibres, and the chassis is a thoroughly up-to-date cast aluminium design that’s as open as possible to reduce unwanted reflections. The mid/bass’s low-end performance is tuned by a rear-firing port. The overall performance of a standmounter is hugely dependent on the quality of its support. This is an area where many speaker manufacturers have something of a blind spot, preferring to leave the job to third-party stand makers. That’s never been Sonus Faber’s way, and so we’re pleased to report that there are dedicated stands for the Minima Amator II. It may not surprise you to learn that the stands are a little different. There’s a choice of two designs but the ones supplied to us use hollow aluminium columns that are filled with damping material and join with a heavy base made of Carrara marble. The columns and marble base are separated by a thin, engraved brass plate, mirroring the inlay on the base of the speaker cabinet. This just goes to show just how much attention Sonus Faber gives to cosmetic details. The stands don’t come cheap though, priced at £1450 / $1500 / AU$2995. Expensive, certainly, but they match the speaker well, locking the Minimas into place thanks to a pair of thumbscrews that go through the stand’s top plate. SONUS FABER MINIMA AMATOR II TECH SPECS Standmount speakers: Sonus faber Minima Amator II (Image credit: Future) Type Two-way standmounter Tweeter 28mm silk dome Mid/bass 15cm cellulose pulp/natural fibre cone Reflex port Rear firing Sensitivity 87dB/W/m Nominal Impedance 4 ohms Dimensions (hwd) 325 x 200 x 275mm Any good speaker at this level is going to be demanding about partnering equipment and these Sonus Fabers are no different. In fact, we find them a little pickier than normal thanks to the combination of their impressive transparency and relatively demanding electrical nature. You’ll need to drive them with an amplifier that’s refined and has plenty of poke, but also something that’s articulate. Anything that combines all those qualities is never going to be cheap. We suggest something like the Krell K-300i or Luxman L-509X integrated amplifiers as good starting points. Any source needs to be similarly capable. For this test we use our reference system, comprising the Linn Klimax DS3 music streamer and the Technics SL-1000R record player feeding the Burmester 088/911 MkIII amplifier. We also have the aforementioned Krell to hand as well as a Naim SuperNait 3 integrated to see how the speakers perform with different flavours of amplification. It pays to take time to get the Minima Amator II’s positioning just right. While they will tolerate being close to a rear wall, we feel that their performance becomes a little cluttered and less spacious when used this way, even if doing so adds a fair bit of bass weight. We prefer the speakers around 75cm from the wall behind them and well away from the sides. This way we get a lovely soundstage that’s focussed, layered and spacious, particularly once we take the time to hone the toe-in angle of the speakers. In our set-up, they work best when pointed straight at the listening position, and when placed roughly the same distance apart as they are from us. Sound Standmount speakers: Sonus faber Minima Amator II (Image credit: Future) Once up and running, the Minima Amator II prove to be incredibly charming performers. They’re way smaller than most of the competition so it’s no surprise to find that these speakers don’t dig as deeply at low frequencies, or have the same sense of authority as the likes of the Dynaudio Contour 20i. Yet the surprise is that these Sonus Fabers still manage to sound balanced, bold and expressive. It’s through the midrange that they really excel, delivering Nick Cave’s Carnage set in a truly spell-binding manner. Cave’s gravelly tones come through with nuance and texture, the Minimas conveying the emotions in his voice superbly. There’s a lovely sense of palpability here that eludes most rivals, and that draws us into the music. While there’s a good degree of insight, that’s not what marks these standmounters out as special; it’s the ability to organise that information into a coherent and entertaining experience that stands out. We’re swept along with the music in a way that isn’t particularly common, even at this level. Tonally these speakers are more full-bodied and robust-sounding than you’d expect given their modest dimensions. They have a slightly rounded tonality that isn’t strictly neutral but remains balanced enough to convince. While there’s a good degree of refinement here, these are speakers that don’t hide shortcomings further up the chain. If your source or amplification isn’t good enough, they will tell you all about it. We play Dave’s We’re All Alone In This Together and the Minima Amator II have no issue punching out the smooth-flowing beats and generating a pleasingly meaty amount of bass given their size. Lows are taut and relatively powerful but also blend seamlessly into the presentation. We like the clarity on offer and are once again taken in by the Minima’s ability to deliver voices with clarity and purpose. Dave’s rapid-fire delivery is easy to follow and the emotional communication is excellent. Things are sure-footed rhythmically, too, with the speakers conveying the energy of music well. They sound composed yet enthusiastic with tracks such as this, and remain comfortable even when pushed hard. We would still point you elsewhere if you routinely listen at ‘party’ levels, but for most people who have small to medium-sized rooms these Sonus Fabers will go loud enough. A listen to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony shows that these little gems can generate a sound of impressive scale. They handle larger dynamic shifts well, without sounding like they have to strain to do so. Their impressive control comes to the fore when it comes to tracking a multitude of instrumental strands without losing sight of the musics whole. These are the kind of speakers that put the spotlight on the music and allow the mechanics of hi-fi to fade into the background. Verdict Standmount speakers: Sonus faber Minima Amator II (Image credit: Future) Could you buy a more detailed, tonally neutral and authoritative sounding alternative for similar money? Certainly. But the musical thrill of listening to these Sonus Fabers is hard to ignore. Add the luxurious build, compact size and the rare aura of ‘specialness’ they have and weve no choice but to give the Minima Amator II a warm recommendation. SCORES Sound 5 Build 5 Pictures sell! Auctiva offers Free Image Hosting and Editing. The complete eBay Selling Solution.
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STANDS IRON WOOD FOR SONUS FABER AMATOR II EXCELLENCE CONDITION WITH ORIGINAL PACKAGING. ******************************************************************************************* The total weight 35 kg exceeds the international shipping authorization, only local collection possible. ******* ************************************************************************************ Private sale without guarantee.
Wegen Systemwechsel (smart Speaker) trenne ich mich auch von meinen beiden Sonus Faber Principia 5 (siehe andere Auktion mit Principia 1). Die Principia 5 ist mit ihren definitiv audiophilen Eigenschaften keine Box für jedermann, sondern sozusagen das Gegenteil einer Partybox. Sie verdient preisunabhängig (Paarpreis neu 1.200 €) absolute Bestnoten in den Kategorien Abbildung (laut Test in der sehr kritischen Steroplay 9 von 10 Einheiten) und Feinauflösung (laut Stereoplay 8 von 10 Einheiten) und reiht sich insoweit in die Riege der Spitzenlautsprecher ein, während man andererseits - trotz eines Kennschalldrucks von 90 dB und einer Belastbarkeit von bis zu 250 Watt - eher keine grobdynamischen Attacken mit Schlägen in die Magengrube von ihr erwarten sollte. Die Stereoplay resumiert Spielt räumlich weit und superb holografisch, stimmschön, farbstark und charmant. Wer auf diese Stärken abfährt, also im eigentlichen Sinne audiophile Ansprüche hat, wird mit ihr glücklich werden. Alle anderen können ihr ggf. einen zusätzlichen Subwoofer spendieren. Bestückt ist die Principia 5 mit 2 schnellen 15 cm Bässen (Poypropylenmembran) und der für Sonus Faber Boxen typischen, mit 2,8 cm überdurchschnittlichen großen Seidenkalotte. Den akustischen Output gibt Sonus Faber mit 90 dB bei 2,83 V/1m, die Belastbarkeit mit 250 W und den Frequanzgang mit 40 Hz bis 25.000 Hz an. Die Impedanz beträgt 4 Ohm. Die Principia 5 hat in der Seitenansicht ein nicht ganz rechtwinkliges, sonden leicht parralelogrammförmiges Gehäuse, das auf einer mit Spikes versehenen Grundplatte ruht. Dadurch ist die Schallwand leicht nach hinten geneigt. Die Abmessungen sind 250 x 280 x 1000 mm. Das Gewicht beträgt 13,2 kg je Box. Der Zustand der beiden Boxen ist technisch und optisch einwandfrei. Da ich sie als gebraucht von privat verkaufe, schließe ich aber eine über den Verkaufszeitpunkt hinausreichende Gewährleistung und eine Rückgabe aus. Bezahlung kann per Paypal erfolgen. Wegen des Gewichts und der Maße wird ein Postversand der Boxen problematisch, weil DHL zwar bis zu 31,5 kg befördert, das aber nur in einem Paket von höchstens 60 cm Breite und Höhe, sodass es schwierig werden wird, die 2 x 28 cm der beiden Boxen untereinander und nach außen hin genügend auszupolstern. Deshalb sollten die Boxen direkt übergeben werden. Wegen dieser Probleme versende ich die Boxen nur nach konkreter Absprache und unter Ausschluss meiner Haftung für einen etwaigen Transportschaden trotz möglichst guter Verpackung.
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