- For the first time, Sonus Faber S.p.a. is now presenting active speaker systems, in the form of the new Sonus Faber Active Wireless Speaker.
It is a milestone for Sonus Faber S.p.a., it is fair to say, because the solution that the Italians are now presenting is nothing less than the first active speaker system, the new Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker. This solution focuses on streaming and presents itself as a system that is fully in line with the modern lifestyle, combines as many functions as possible, and can thus be easily integrated into any elegant living environment.
Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker combines 40 years of high-fidelity audio technology with the characteristic design features of Sonus Faber S.p.a. in a particularly compact, yet powerful system, so the Italians promise.
Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker – Following in the footsteps of the Sonus Faber Omnia high-fidelity wireless speaker
Of course, it is not gang correct to speak of the new Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker as the first wireless active speaker system from Sonus Faber S.p.a., after all, the company from Vicenza has already been able to present the Sonus Faber Omnia High-fidelity Wireless Speaker solution for quite some time. A system that has also proven itself as an outstanding lifestyle system and combines a variety of functions in a compact, extremely elegant form.
The Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker can be seen in connection with the Sonus Faber Omnia High-fidelity Wireless Speaker, but while this is an all-in-one system, the Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker is a solution that corresponds to compact bookshelf speaker systems.
Two-way active bookshelf speaker system
Thus, the new Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker is an active two-way bookshelf speaker system that, in addition to a 5.25-inch low-mid driver and a silk dome tweeter, can also rely on a rear-firing bass reflex system.
To go into a bit of detail here, the low-midrange driver is said to be a so-called long excursion design and feature a particularly powerful drive system based on neodymium magnets with a copper cap and aluminum ring. A powerful drive is also used for the tweeter, but this is based on classic ferrite magnets. However, the waveguide that surrounds the silk dome must be particularly emphasized here. The frequency range that can be reproduced by the Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker is 37 Hz to 30 kHz.
A DSP-based signal processing is used as the active loudspeaker system, whereby the function of the crossover is realized first and foremost, which starts at 1.9 kHz. While a Class A/B amplifier module provides 100 watts of power for the tweeter, a Class D amplifier module delivers a whopping 250 watts for the low-midrange driver. The cooling is accomplished by means of an extremely elegant element on the back, directly integrated into the design concept of the speakers, which surrounds the already mentioned bass reflex system.
It should also be noted that the signal conversion here relies on components from the experts ESS Technology Inc. and Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation.
Of course, the designers of the new Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker used a lute shape, which is almost classic for solutions from the Italians. The wooden cabinet is available in either walnut or graphite and measures 342 x x 210 x 272 mm. The left speaker weighs 6.8 kg, the right one 7.8 kg.
Numerous connections – turntable ready and digitally equipped including HDMI
The new Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker is not lacking in flexibility, because starting with an analog input in the form of a pair of RCA jacks, which can also be used as a phono preamp if desired, at least for turntables equipped with MM cartridge systems, up to digital inputs, essentially everything is available here to make this solution versatile.
On the digital level, this means not only an optical S/PDIF interface, but also an HDMI, which can function as an eARC and also supports HDMI CEC to connect a TV directly.
By the way, a subwoofer can be added if desired; a corresponding output is available in the form of an RCA jack.
Ultra Wide Band
It has to be emphasized that the connection between the two speakers is not made via cable, but via Ultra Wide Band and thus via radio. The manufacturer promises signal transmission with almost no latency, so that lip-synchronous playback as an audio system around the TV is guaranteed without problems.
Streaming included – WiFi or Bluetooth
The full potential of the new Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker becomes accessible when you integrate it into the network, because then the most diverse streaming options are available. Via WiFi or an RJ45 Ethernet interface and a network cable, you can use Apple AirPlay 2 as well as Google Chromecast, can access TIDAL via TIDAL Connect or Spotify via Spotify Connect, and the manufacturer also promises that the new Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker is also designated as Roon-ready.
If you don’t want to use the network, Bluetooth is available as an alternative, so you can use smartphones as a source in a particularly simple way.
Intuitive operating concept – Sonus Faber SENSEO
Speaking of smartphones, there is of course a suitable app available for the new Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker, namely the Sonus Faber App. This is used to control all wireless products from Sonus Faber S.p.a., as not only the Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker, but also the previously mentioned Sonus Faber Omnia.
The developers also took the unique sensor field from the Sonus Faber Omnia, which is found on the top of the Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker and has been christened SENSEO. Via a proximity sensor, the field detects when the user’s hand approaches, so that an elegant LED light is activated. The input selection can then be made, the volume controlled and even the playback controlled via a simple swipe.
Prices and availability
The new Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker is expected to be available before the end of the year, with a recommended retail price of € 3.999,- for a pair. Matching stands are also available for the price of € 749,-.
Getting to the point
Even though the Sonus Faber Omnia high-fidelity wireless speaker is used as a model, the new Sonus Faber Duetto Wireless Active Speaker is a first for Sonus Faber S.p.a., because while the Sonus Faber Omnia is designed as an all-in-one system, the latest solution from the Italian high-end speaker manufacturer is a classic active bookshelf speaker system. A solution that fully corresponds to the modern lifestyle and can take over the task of a classic hi-fi system. Especially since you not only benefit from streaming via WiFi and Bluetooth, but also find all relevant interfaces, from the phono preamplifier for the record player to the HDMI interface for connecting to the TV.
| PRODUCT | SONUS FABER DUETTO WIRELESS ACTIVE SPEAKER |
|---|---|
| Price | Sonus faber Duetto € 3.999,- per pair Stands for Sonus Faber Duetto € 749,- per pair |
| Brand | SONUS FABER |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sonus Faber S.p.a. |
| Distribution Austria | Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH |
| Distribution Germany | Audio Components Vertriebs GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
