Category Loudspeakers
Sonus faber Liuto
The all-new Liuto may be the best speaker in the Sonus family. A three-way, vented floorstander, it combines warmth and detail with earthy low-frequency extension that dips confidently into 30Hz range. But where it really turns up the heat is in the lack of smearing during complex orchestral passages. The Liuto’s primary character shades a bit to the dark side, and in some cases it’s not as fast on transients
as some others. Nonetheless, it is a high-voltage performer – entertaining and musical.
Reviewed by NG, Issue 199
Sonus faber Cremona M
The latest addition to the Cremona family, the Cremona M retains the lute-shape enclosure that Sonus Faber popularized in its flagship Amati and Guarneri models. The M is powerful and passionate with a rich, warm balance. Yet it’s no wallflower dynamically. In its timbral sophistication and impressive dynamic range, even at orchestral levels, it achieves the kind of top-to-bottom coherence that makes magic happen.
Reviewed by NG, 189
Sonus faber Elipsa
Yet another gorgeous speaker from this outstanding Italian manufacturer, the Elipsa’s tone colors are ravishing, its overall sound smooth, warm, and intensely seductive. At the same
time, it will easily show differences in recordings as well as associated components. Reviewed by WG, Issue 173
Given that this is the high end, where components generally have long lifespans, some of our recommendations look back several years. At the same time, in an effort to be as selective and up-to-date as possible, we have dropped some components that appeared on last year’s list, usually because they have been discontinued but sometimes because fresh competition has caused us to reconsider the choice.
TAS founder Harry Pearson’s selections can be found in this issue’s HP’s Workshop.
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