Sonus Faber vs B&W [Archive] - Audio & Video Forums

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icarus
11-29-2006, 10:19 PM
Both of these Two models are the cream of the crop, the El' Capitan. But which one is better?:confused: They are both unique designs with quality that is just astounding, and a price tag that rivals BMW's and Mercedes.

B&W nautilus versus Sonus Faber Stradivari Homage

jrhymeammo
11-29-2006, 10:36 PM
I've heard Stradivari with Classe' gears. They were great, but absolutely NOT worth that much money. I would rather have 2 pair of Cremona.

JRA

basite
11-30-2006, 07:18 AM
i think the b&w will get my choice,
never heard them though.

hermanv
11-30-2006, 09:17 AM
Based on reviews and literature B&W strives to make mechanical devices that accurately reproduce sound and Sonus Faber strives to make musical instruments. I've never heard either of these two models, but other models I have heard from both companies make me a Sonus Faber fan. Accuracy might be fun and challenging, but I like listening to music and for my tastes at least, Sonus Faber delivers.

PeruvianSkies
11-30-2006, 01:33 PM
Well, I am sure that everyone on here with say B&W even without hearing the two speakers or knowing much about either one of them. This seems to be a B&W community of people. I think that either one would be a good choice, but I would have to think that the Sonus Faber is a bit better.

Carl Reid
11-30-2006, 02:59 PM
I've never heard Sonus, but I really like B&W... and assuming both sound equally excellent (impossible huh?).... I'd go with the B&W simply because of how striking they look.... The sonus look unique but nowhere near the "what the?" cosmetic quality of the B&W....

emorphien
11-30-2006, 04:14 PM
What about Focal Beryllium Utopia Grande? I heard one of the lower level versions of this (either the Nova, Alto or Diva) 10 months ago and was very impressed.

*grad student with no intentions of spending $80k+ on speakers any time soon*

As least based on my listening to other B&W speakers, I'm not a huge fan of them but they're not bad by any means. I just always feel that I can find something better from another brand for similar or less money.

jrhymeammo
11-30-2006, 04:45 PM
B&W are great sounding speakers. I think people hate them for the price they charge. I do think they should be charging about 25% less for their 800s. I dont understand why they even sell 700s. They sound terrible to my ears. 600s? I think they are much better sounding speakers.

topspeed
11-30-2006, 04:56 PM
This is like asking which is better, BMW or Mercedes? Blondes or brunettes? There is no right answer. If your asking which is more accurate, the answer is undoubtedly the Naut. If you've ever heard a Sonus, you know this to be true. But is that a good thing? Accuracy over musicality? Hmmm...

Personally, I prefer redheads :).

icarus
11-30-2006, 05:19 PM
Im gonna say mercedes are better than BMW's, i prefer brunettes, hada few bad experiences with redheads. and being a Bowers fan myself im gonna say the naut.....

jrhymeammo
11-30-2006, 05:25 PM
Hey TopSpeed,

Would you agree that Stradi has a tonal coloration? And also sound quality seems to be "muffled" slightly. Sound stage may have been too wide for what I've been used to. I believe "muffled" maybe a wrong word to use, but I that's about the only way I can explain it without sounding like shmucks on audio mags.

I love blondes with redish highlight...
JRA

topspeed
11-30-2006, 05:32 PM
Im gonna say mercedes are better than BMW's As the great Henry Rollins once said:
"You can have your opinion...

You're just wrong!" :cool:

Benz over BMW?!? Clearly you haven't been following the JD Power reliability studies for say...the last 10 years. Better yet, lemme give ya an example:

My buddy drove an E55 AMG for a little over 2 years. This is $90,000+ car, just so you know. During that time, it was in the shop for no less than 60 days. Not all at once, of course, which actually made it worse. The car was such a lemon, MBUSA actually just bought it back and repaid 90% off his payments (including interest) for the time he owned the car. Pretty cool, eh? My friend mentioned how impressed he was with the company and how they stood behind their cars. So, of course I asked if he was going to get another Benz. His response?

"Oh, Hell no. They're sh!t!"

:lol: :lol:


i prefer brunettes, hada few bad experiences with redheads.
Like it matters these days. Women color their hair so much these days, who knows what their natural color is anymore!

icarus
11-30-2006, 05:39 PM
ya well one of my firends owned a BMW Z4 and was very disatisfied with it, and traded it in for the SLK 320. But for the battle of sedans, Audi is my personal fav... i wouldn't trade my A4 for a BMW or a benz... But I must agree that i was very displeased with the Merc E320. but come on... what does BMW have on the SLR... it may be partly a mclaren, but it still carries the merc badge on it....

topspeed
11-30-2006, 05:39 PM
Hey TopSpeed,

Would you agree that Stradi has a tonal coloration? And also sound quality seems to be "muffled" slightly. Sound stage may have been too wide for what I've been used to. I believe "muffled" maybe a wrong word to use, but I that's about the only way I can explain it without sounding like shmucks on audio mags.

I love blondes with redish highlight...
JRA
I have not heard the Srad's, but if they sound like every other SF I've heard, then without question there is coloration. Their personality is extremely laid back with lush and romantic playback. Some consider these qualities to be "musical." Some consider it inaccurate.

Hey, whatever makes your boat float is what I say.

icarus
11-30-2006, 05:40 PM
Even though chicks do dye their hair so frequintly that they are even unsure what their true hair colour is, brunettes are just so gorgeous...

topspeed
11-30-2006, 05:54 PM
What does BMW have on Merc?!? :eek:

Better handling, better brakes, better reliability, and oh yeah...manual transmissions!

Benz does have better designers, I'll give them that as the CLS is flat gorgeous and the E class is exceptionally proportioned as well. I'm not a fan of the S, CL, C, or any SUV they make, including that R thingy.
As for the SLR, I haven't seen a schnoz that big since Jimmy Durante. Have you seen that car in person? If not, look in wikipedia under "Front Overhang". Blech.

http://www.allsportauto.com/photoautre/mercedes/slr/mclaren_amg_2003/2003_mercedes_slr_mclaren_amg_02_m.jpg


I'll take a Z8, thanks.

http://www.infomotori.com/foto/N/art_1626_2_bmw%20z8%20by%20alpina%2001.jpg




In case you haven't guessed, I drive a M3.

emorphien
11-30-2006, 05:55 PM
Is it even worth comparing reliability when talking about European cars?

hermanv
11-30-2006, 06:00 PM
So which costs more the Nautilus or the redhead?

All kidding aside at those price points, system matching and room matching are needed to bring out the best in any of those speakers.

IMHO hearing any of them with a missmatched component, cable or room will exhibit larger differences than between the products properly set up with matched components.

We should be talking subtle and nuance regarding any tonal colors, for it to be otherwise implies a speaker is wrongly included in that elite mix.

jrhymeammo
11-30-2006, 06:03 PM
I would love to talk about how Mercedes went even more south after merger with Chrysler Group, but lets get back to the topic......automatic transmittion? That's as boring as driving on the I-70 between Denver and Kansas City....GAWD!!!!

PeruvianSkies
11-30-2006, 07:35 PM
I'd take the Audi R8 Coupe over Mercedez or BMW.

jrhymeammo
11-30-2006, 07:44 PM
It has been my dream to own one of those '60s Mercedes roadster. I dont know what it is, but they look beautiful to the eyes of jra.

icarus
11-30-2006, 08:16 PM
I actually have seen the SLR in person, it does have a big nose, but i still prefer the look of that to the Z8. As for the M3 if i had the money to buy an M3 when i got my A4, well i would be drivng a M3 right now. Mercedes do suck in the lower price point, but when you get into the top of the line thats when they actually do some nice cars, not sporty but just luxurious. But I would take a Maserati Coupe, or the Aston Martin V8 over the benz or the BMW.

The 60's were a great year for mercedes, but not the greatest for BMW, the fifites on the other hand, produced great cars from both, the benz sl gullwing, and the 57 BMW 507.

Have they even put a price on the R8...yet?? the new prototype supra should lay some serious rubber...

emorphien
11-30-2006, 08:38 PM
I'm waiting for Acura to replace the NSX...

now while cars are great and all, I'm on a car forum too... can we discuss sexy, expensive speakers?

jrhymeammo
11-30-2006, 08:41 PM
I think we've already discussed it. No conclusion. It's like discussing "hey which tastes better?", Mayostard or Musturdonaise?

emorphien
11-30-2006, 08:54 PM
I want to hear of more impossibly expensive speakers. I know there are more out there.

icarus
11-30-2006, 08:55 PM
WOW Where do you get you gorceries Jrhy maystard and mustardonaise hahaha... very unique...

icarus
11-30-2006, 09:00 PM
Well its not an outragoues speaker, but an amp that should break the bank.

Halcro DM88

If you have those outrageous speakers you need an outrageous amp and this should suffice.

* Operates at up to 2.1 kW at peak
* 270 Watts continuous into 8 ohms
* 500 Watts continuous into 4 ohms
(Continuous – Halcro power ratings are measured at continuous power unlike many competitors who publish measurements tested at peak ratings)
* Distortion of less than 500 parts per billion at full power (20kHz). Immeasurable at normal listening levels
* Four input options:
o Balanced voltage input
o Unbalanced voltage input
o Current input
o Minimal path voltage input
* New universal power factor corrected power supply which automatically operates from 85V through to 270V RMS. Superior reliability with heavy shielding
* Discrete codes for On/Standby trigger. This simplifies the remote control of the amplifier by another source component
* Series and common mode filtering on the mains input
* Superior industrial grade components used throughout the circuitry to ensure perfect audio reproduction and maximize reliability
* Drives all loudspeakers, including electrostatics
* Solid Mahogany feet
* 7 Year Warranty

For more info vist http://www.halcro.com/productsDM88.asp

icarus
11-30-2006, 09:05 PM
Wilson Audio Alexandria

Specs

Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Woofer: One 15 inch - One 13 inch
Midrange: Two 7 inch (vented enclosures)
Tweeter:Ambience: One 3/4 inch Supertweeter
Tweeter: One Inverted Titanium Dome
Sensitivity: 95 dB@ 1 watt (2.83V at 1 meter)
Minimum Amplifier Power: 20 WPC
Frequency Response: (with port contribution)
+0, -2dB 18 Hz - 22.5 kHz
Height: 72 inches
Width: 17.5 inches
Depth: 26.75 inches
System Product Weight: (each) 750 lbs (system) 1500 lbs
Approx. Shipping Weight: (for complete system) 2,286 lbs

For more info visit http://www.wilsonaudio.com/product/alexandria/

jrhymeammo
11-30-2006, 09:10 PM
How about Wotan MB-1250 Reference. 1250 watts in tetroide, 600watts in triode with 48 glorious 6550 tubes.

About those stupid condiments, I got that off of Mr. Show. My favorite show of all-time.

JRA

icarus
11-30-2006, 09:16 PM
Mr. Show huh?? never heard of it...

icarus
11-30-2006, 09:20 PM
Here is a bizzarre looking speaker...the bang and olufsen Beolab 5

Dusty Chalk
11-30-2006, 10:09 PM
Oh, no, it's a Cylon!

basite
12-01-2006, 10:32 AM
the bang & olufsons aren't that impressive, yes, they look special, not to say weird, but seriously, they can't compare to the b&w or the others mentioned here, i saw them (and heard them a little) at the local hi-fi shop,

but back to the topic, too expensive speakers,
the von schweikert VR-11, anyone, at a 150000, they are pretty expensive, but i guess they sound good (i hope so)

and then the Kharma grand exquisite, at a price i once knew, but i forgot it now,
(don't forget the matching sub)

and let's not forget Florian's Apogee Grands, i think this beats them all, maybe some of the über exotic speakers sound better (for some people) but, since there were only 25 pairs made of them, and he owns one of those pairs, at a reasonably young age, this should deserve quite some respect. :)

also, exotics, my dad said that once in his life, he will own the nautilus 803's :ihih:

Keep them spinning,
Basite.

squeegy200
12-01-2006, 11:11 AM
I've heard them both. Since I can't afford either, I never gave it much thought--until now.

I heard the Stradavari at an audiophile club meeting and the B&Ws in a local shop audio shop. By not having heard them side by side and with the same music, its really not a fair and objective experience. Despite the subjective and disconnected observation, my memory favored the Sonus Fabers.

topspeed
12-01-2006, 11:28 AM
That Beo5 is actually pretty interesting. It features a built-in robotic mic and dsp processing to adjust the speakers for various room acoustics. I heard them last year and while I've never been a fan of B&O, I thought these sounded remarkably good. 'Course, for $17 large they had better!

BTW, good point about discussing reliability with any Euro car. Remember when "German" made actually meant something? Back in the '80's, one of MB's calling cards were that the door locks on the SEL were so strong, they could hold the entire weight of the car. Why is that important? Because in an accident, you don't want the doors flying open and tossing the occupants. Today, "made in Germany" usually means overly complicated cars with more electronic crapulent "luxury" than the shuttle Atlantis. What idiot thought iDrive (BMW), COMAND (Benz), or MMI (Audi) was a good idea?!?

The R8 is supposed to be $100k with the 4.2L V8 from the RS4. The 5.2L V10 pricing hasn't been released yet. Whatever. At that price point, I'll take an Aston V8 Vantage all day long.

squeegy200
12-01-2006, 11:59 AM
Wilson Audio Alexandria

I haven't heard the Alexandria but I did hear the Maxx IIs. I did not particularly like them. I did however like the smaller Watt Puppies and the Duette(?). To me they sounded more involving.

jrhymeammo
12-01-2006, 12:08 PM
I can only commnet on WattPussies too, I thought they sounded well balanced without much coloration. But all in all, if I start thinking about my system like that, I would be doomed.

Dusty Chalk
12-01-2006, 01:35 PM
Kharma has some nice top-of-the-line speakers. Shahinians look like boxes, but they're supposed to produce some sweet sound. Nearfield Pipedreams are easily the best speakers I've ever heard. I'm sure the Genesis arrays sound pretty darn good, too.

hermanv
12-03-2006, 01:23 PM
My audio buddy and I spent a lot of time and money evaluating the Accuton drivers (the C79^2, C88^2 and C92^2 for use as a midrange). Our intent was to build our own three way speaker. Of course they did exactly what they were famous for and that is to resolve every last detail good or bad fed to them. After making some very complex crossovers with traps and filters in an attempt to tame the drivers we got pretty close to a nice sound. It was then that we noticed that all three models of drivers had a very small dynamic range. A visit to the Stereophile HIFi show and a Grand Kharma demonstration confirmed that those speakers also suffered form constrained dynamics. At that price point this shouldn't be. Of course this is just my opinion. All speakers involve tradeoffs, the Kharmas demand a bit too much for the price I feel.

At the show we decided the Joseph Audio "Pearl" speakers were among the best. I liked the Wilson Maxx, but eventually agreed that the bass is overblown. Another significant disappointment was the Vandersteen 5. We had great expectations, but found them uninteresting, even dull.

As I said in an earlier post, at this price point the best speakers are very dependent on room accoustics and accompyaning electronics, hopefully I won't be flamed by any owners out there of these speakers that I personally found less than exemplary. They may work fine in your environment.

p.s. We are about 99% finished with our speaker design and have started collecting parts for the second set earmarked for me.

Logan
12-09-2006, 08:44 PM
What a hopelessly useless forum!

Someone asks a question about the relative merits of two specified speakers. Five respondents confess to not having heard one or the other or both, but give their worthless opinions anyway. One gives a decision based on his/her assessment of their visual appearance. The remainder respond with drivel about cars.

I haven't heard either of these speakers since it is extremely unlikely that I'd consider buying B&W or Sonus Faber. But I would advise the original poster to listen for themselves using a selection of the music that they like best and make up their own mind.

jrhymeammo
12-09-2006, 09:00 PM
Logan, Logan, Logan......... man o man.
Kinda sucks that I live on Logan St. Does that make this forum a bit better?

JRA

SlumpBuster
12-09-2006, 09:46 PM
What a hopelessly useless forum!

Someone asks a question about the relative merits of two specified speakers. Five respondents confess to not having heard one or the other or both, but give their worthless opinions anyway. One gives a decision based on his/her assessment of their visual appearance. The remainder respond with drivel about cars.

I haven't heard either of these speakers since it is extremely unlikely that I'd consider buying B&W or Sonus Faber. But I would advise the original poster to listen for themselves using a selection of the music that they like best and make up their own mind.

And one is a clown. Guess which one?

BTW,

Merc Benz are for grandmas,
BMW are for chicks...
The A8 with the Bosch Diesel motor is getting in the right neighorhood, but the answer is:

The Toyota Supra (orange and green paint job with pimped out spinners)
Now we're talkin'. :ciappa:

For the record I drive a Buick. :cornut:

Dusty Chalk
12-10-2006, 12:02 AM
Who you callin' a clown? Am I funny?

basite
12-10-2006, 01:17 AM
What a hopelessly useless forum!

Someone asks a question about the relative merits of two specified speakers. Five respondents confess to not having heard one or the other or both, but give their worthless opinions anyway. One gives a decision based on his/her assessment of their visual appearance. The remainder respond with drivel about cars.

I haven't heard either of these speakers since it is extremely unlikely that I'd consider buying B&W or Sonus Faber. But I would advise the original poster to listen for themselves using a selection of the music that they like best and make up their own mind.

talking about useless...

I don't think that Icarus was considering buying one of these speakers, this thread was started just to pick one out, which you think is the best, and logically, other suggestions are coming up, but no-one was considering buying one.

we are helping people alot with their questions, thing is, this isn't a 'what to do' question, this is just for fun.

audio amateur
12-11-2006, 12:01 PM
I would say.... SL65 AMG by carlsson:ihih:
AMG makes some absolutely sick engines, (well one of the most powerful production engines in the world-their twin turbo V12...). But handling I heard isn't the best. My choice would be a pimped M3... Or for a more realistic approach.. a pimped 330i estate :)

basite
12-12-2006, 09:00 AM
I would say.... SL65 AMG by carlsson:ihih:
AMG makes some absolutely sick engines, (well one of the most powerful production engines in the world-their twin turbo V12...). But handling I heard isn't the best. My choice would be a pimped M3... Or for a more realistic approach.. a pimped 330i estate :)


i once heard that racing is illegal in switzerland, if that's the case, then why don't you get yourself a bentley continental gt, then you at least have all the luxury and when you leave switzerland (to let's say, the german autobahn) you can still go really fast.

matsbeem
06-07-2007, 02:20 AM
I would always go for the Sonus Faber, I have Amati's myself and prefer them over the B&W 801, the stradivari add even a bit more of 'being there'

Feanor
06-07-2007, 05:37 AM
Both of these Two models are the cream of the crop, the El' Capitan. But which one is better?:confused: They are both unique designs with quality that is just astounding, and a price tag that rivals BMW's and Mercedes.

B&W nautilus versus Sonus Faber Stradivari Homage

You can probably afford both!! :cool: So why not buy both, have a good listen to them side by side in your home, then sell the one you like less?????

basite
06-07-2007, 11:20 AM
holy thread revival!!

but I think an avalon Isis is worthy too :)

hermanv
06-08-2007, 08:01 AM
A couple of years back B&W sent me this nice DVD, it was all about speaker technology especially their 800 series. Lots of graphs and details about cone materials, voice coils, break-up modes etc. Ray trace drawings of how sound bounces in their enclosures, etc, etc.

When I've heard the B&W and the Sonus Fabers my ears agree, B&W is all about technology whereas to me Sonus Faber is all about music. I've never heard the Stradivarius, but lesser models from Sonus are quite beguiling, smooth and beautiful to my ears. I can't afford either brand and I suppose one should hear them in your room rather than a showroom, but from what I've heard, I'm in the Sonus Faber camp.

All threads get better with age :) :)

DEVO
06-20-2007, 01:13 PM
I have a pair of Sonus Faber Concertino's that I really like. They are the entry version, but they sound very nice for a small room (office). They are pleasing to the ear, especially for jazz and light rock. My wife really likes them because they look good!