SF Amati Futura .... So beautiful ....

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 04:32 AM

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 04:35 AM

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 04:38 AM

**BruceLet** · April 19, 2013, 07:05 AM

Love these lines. Works of art!

**VT Skier** · April 19, 2013, 08:25 AM

From Ultra Audio's Jeff Fritz comparing a $15,000 speaker to a $36,000 speaker:

"In April of this year I reviewed the Sonus Faber Amati Futura loudspeaker ($36,000/pair), which costs well more than twice the price of the Dynaudio Confidence C2 Signature. I compare them here because, of all the speakers that have visited the Music Vault this year, these most closely resemble each other in terms of sound. The Sonus Faber is more luxuriously built and more seductively styled. It’s also a four-driver, three-way design. The Amati Futura sounds slightly bigger than the C2 Signature, with bass that goes just a smidge deeper. The soundstage thrown by the Sonus Fabers is a bit more wall-meltingly expansive, which conveys slightly more of the original acoustic environment captured in live recordings. That extra $21,000 definitely buys you more.

However -- and this is a big however -- the Confidence C2 Signature more than held its own in a number of areas. First, the C2 Sig was just as neutral and clear in the midrange as the Sonus Fabers. If you listen to tons of vocal music, I don’t know that you’ll hear that much of a difference between the two models. The Dynaudio could reproduce the textures in male voices just as well as the Amatis. In terms of midbass punch, there was no doubt that the Danish speaker was easily a match for the Italian. In fact, this is one area where the C2 Sig, with some music, pulled ahead of the Amati. The Dynaudio’s propulsive midbass fit Bon Jovi and Rage Against the Machine better than what I remember from my evaluation of the Sonus Faber.

But the Confidence C2 Signature really shone in the highs. I can say with, um, confidence that the C2 Sig seemed to have more energy in the highs than the Amati Futura, but not at the cost of harshness, grain, or long-term listening fatigue. Whereas the Sonus Faber leans toward the softer side of the ledger, the Dynaudio was more neutral up top, which gave it a more exciting sound, especially with rock.

This comparison makes the Confidence C2 Signature seem somewhat of a bargain in comparison with the Sonus Faber Amati Futura. It is."

I believe Jeff also liked the Raidho C2.1 more than the Futura.

This is not meant to imply that the Futura is not a good speaker, because it is. It may be the most beautiful speaker I've ever seen. And its bottom end crushes the C2's. But I didn't find its treble performance to be commensurate with its price or its performance in the mid-range or the lower octaves.

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 09:15 AM

Thanks Jon for posting that. I do remember when I owned the C1 signature Dynaudios that I was a little disappointed in their low level listening characteristics. It took a little juice to get to a certain volume but once there, they sounded great. I suspect that the C2 would be similar in that way.

**BruceLet** · April 19, 2013, 09:40 AM

I owned the Dynaudio C1 Signatures and they were a major disappointment for me. I never connected with the midrange. Ran them with McIntosh C2300 and MC452. Possibly, it was the match, but I couldn't live with them.

Originally Posted by VT Skier

From Ultra Audio's Jeff Fritz comparing a $15,000 speaker to a $36,000 speaker:

"In April of this year I reviewed the Sonus Faber Amati Futura loudspeaker ($36,000/pair), which costs well more than twice the price of the Dynaudio Confidence C2 Signature. I compare them here because, of all the speakers that have visited the Music Vault this year, these most closely resemble each other in terms of sound. The Sonus Faber is more luxuriously built and more seductively styled. It’s also a four-driver, three-way design. The Amati Futura sounds slightly bigger than the C2 Signature, with bass that goes just a smidge deeper. The soundstage thrown by the Sonus Fabers is a bit more wall-meltingly expansive, which conveys slightly more of the original acoustic environment captured in live recordings. That extra $21,000 definitely buys you more.

However -- and this is a big however -- the Confidence C2 Signature more than held its own in a number of areas. First, the C2 Sig was just as neutral and clear in the midrange as the Sonus Fabers. If you listen to tons of vocal music, I don’t know that you’ll hear that much of a difference between the two models. The Dynaudio could reproduce the textures in male voices just as well as the Amatis. In terms of midbass punch, there was no doubt that the Danish speaker was easily a match for the Italian. In fact, this is one area where the C2 Sig, with some music, pulled ahead of the Amati. The Dynaudio’s propulsive midbass fit Bon Jovi and Rage Against the Machine better than what I remember from my evaluation of the Sonus Faber.

But the Confidence C2 Signature really shone in the highs. I can say with, um, confidence that the C2 Sig seemed to have more energy in the highs than the Amati Futura, but not at the cost of harshness, grain, or long-term listening fatigue. Whereas the Sonus Faber leans toward the softer side of the ledger, the Dynaudio was more neutral up top, which gave it a more exciting sound, especially with rock.

This comparison makes the Confidence C2 Signature seem somewhat of a bargain in comparison with the Sonus Faber Amati Futura. It is."

I believe Jeff also liked the Raidho C2.1 more than the Futura.

This is not meant to imply that the Futura is not a good speaker, because it is. It may be the most beautiful speaker I've ever seen. And its bottom end crushes the C2's. But I didn't find its treble performance to be commensurate with its price or its performance in the mid-range or the lower octaves.

**MDP** · April 19, 2013, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Joe, I see the Futura in your future !!!!!

**Dewster** · April 19, 2013, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by MDP

Joe, I see the Futura in your future !!!!!

Or maybe Alexia also

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Dewster

Or maybe Alexia also

Have you heard the Alexia? I'd like your opinion compared to your beautiful Futuras.

**dlb2** · April 19, 2013, 10:59 AM

Beautiful speakers for sure but what I find interesting is that both set-ups use ARC gear. I'm sure there may be a few of reasons for this but I think that speaks volumes for ARC.

**Rtan** · April 19, 2013, 11:06 AM

Joe...looking at your set up you are already on the top level. Why not SF Aida's?

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Rtan

Joe...looking at your set up you are already on the top level. Why not SF Aida's?

If I only had the room/space for them, I would have parted the sea for them. I need to keep my goals modest. :bettyjoe: If my situation changes in a few years, at least I have something to look forward to owning.

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by dlb2

Beautiful speakers for sure but what I find interesting is that both set-ups use ARC gear. I'm sure there may be a few of reasons for this but I think that speaks volumes for ARC.

Doug,

I've heard from many friends that the new ARC Ref gear is AMAZING.

**MDP** · April 19, 2013, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Have you heard the Alexia? I'd like your opinion compared to your beautiful Futuras.

Joe, I've heard them both !! They are both spectacular speakers, but I think that the Futura's would lean a little more to your own personal taste.

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

Joe, I've heard them both !! They are both spectacular speakers, but I think that the Futura's would lean a little more to your own personal taste.

**Toobs** · April 19, 2013, 01:00 PM

Joe
They are indeed beautiful as are all Sonus Faber speakers.

I looked into my crystal ball and saw a pair of the Futura's in your future

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by CR141

Joe
They are indeed beautiful as are all Sonus Faber speakers.

I looked into my crystal ball and saw a pair of the Futura's in your future

Maybe you could talk to my wallet.

I know there's always something in my future.

**Dewster** · April 19, 2013, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Have you heard the Alexia? I'd like your opinion compared to your beautiful Futuras.

Joe,

There's a place about 45 minutes away that's a Wilson dealer, I will see if they by chance got the Alexia in for a listen..

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 02:39 PM

I think that dealer may use Dagostino. Hmmmmm.

**Dewster** · April 19, 2013, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

I think that dealer may use Dagostino. Hmmmmm.

Just got off the phone with the gentleman, and yes they do have a pair of Alexia

Guess it'll be between Ayre, Boulder, or ARC Ref 250 paired with the Alexia..

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Dewster

Just got off the phone with the gentleman, and yes they do have a pair of Alexia

Guess it'll be between Ayre, Boulder, or ARC Ref 250 paired with the Alexia..

Dewey,

You are too kind. Don't go crazy for me.

**Dewster** · April 19, 2013, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Dewey,

You are too kind. Don't go crazy for me.

Just helping out a bro..

**joeinid** · April 19, 2013, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by Dewster

Just helping out a bro..

Big hug

**iamhifi** · April 22, 2013, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by VT Skier

From Ultra Audio's Jeff Fritz comparing a $15,000 speaker to a $36,000 speaker:

"In April of this year I reviewed the Sonus Faber Amati Futura loudspeaker ($36,000/pair), which costs well more than twice the price of the Dynaudio Confidence C2 Signature. I compare them here because, of all the speakers that have visited the Music Vault this year, these most closely resemble each other in terms of sound. The Sonus Faber is more luxuriously built and more seductively styled. It’s also a four-driver, three-way design. The Amati Futura sounds slightly bigger than the C2 Signature, with bass that goes just a smidge deeper. The soundstage thrown by the Sonus Fabers is a bit more wall-meltingly expansive, which conveys slightly more of the original acoustic environment captured in live recordings. That extra $21,000 definitely buys you more.

However -- and this is a big however -- the Confidence C2 Signature more than held its own in a number of areas. First, the C2 Sig was just as neutral and clear in the midrange as the Sonus Fabers. If you listen to tons of vocal music, I don’t know that you’ll hear that much of a difference between the two models. The Dynaudio could reproduce the textures in male voices just as well as the Amatis. In terms of midbass punch, there was no doubt that the Danish speaker was easily a match for the Italian. In fact, this is one area where the C2 Sig, with some music, pulled ahead of the Amati. The Dynaudio’s propulsive midbass fit Bon Jovi and Rage Against the Machine better than what I remember from my evaluation of the Sonus Faber.

But the Confidence C2 Signature really shone in the highs. I can say with, um, confidence that the C2 Sig seemed to have more energy in the highs than the Amati Futura, but not at the cost of harshness, grain, or long-term listening fatigue. Whereas the Sonus Faber leans toward the softer side of the ledger, the Dynaudio was more neutral up top, which gave it a more exciting sound, especially with rock.

This comparison makes the Confidence C2 Signature seem somewhat of a bargain in comparison with the Sonus Faber Amati Futura. It is."

I believe Jeff also liked the Raidho C2.1 more than the Futura.

This is not meant to imply that the Futura is not a good speaker, because it is. It may be the most beautiful speaker I've ever seen. And its bottom end crushes the C2's. But I didn't find its treble performance to be commensurate with its price or its performance in the mid-range or the lower octaves.

I wonder what System was used to determine your conclusion.
Angel

**VT Skier** · April 23, 2013, 07:02 AM

I listened to the Futuras with ARC in one demo and with Boulder in another demo. I wanted to like that speaker because it's so beautiful, but I agreed with Jeff's conclusions. I've heard the C2 with Simaudio and with Boulder.

**iamhifi** · April 23, 2013, 11:11 AM

What ARC gear, and cables were used, were the speakers broken in. The Futuras are great speakers but if are not set up correctly you might up come up with your conclusion.
Angel

**VT Skier** · April 23, 2013, 11:27 AM

You may disagree with my opinion, and that's fine. I am simply making the point that I, and a reviewer many people respect, reached the same conclusion about the Futura.

I believe Stereophile's test of the Futura also showed a rolled-off tweeter, but I could be wrong.

If you own them and love them, good for you. They're beautiful speakers from a well-respected company.

**joeinid** · April 23, 2013, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by VT Skier

You may disagree with my opinion, and that's fine. I am simply making the point that I, and a reviewer many people respect, reached the same conclusion about the Futura.

I believe Stereophile's test of the Futura also showed a rolled-off tweeter, but I could be wrong.

If you own them and love them, good for you. They're beautiful speakers from a well-respected company.

Sounds like a speaker after my own heart if true

**highEndguy** · April 23, 2013, 01:45 PM

Don't understand what is all this about !!
The SF Futuras are one the best speakers on the Market, and trying to say something different
is inappropriate. I tried them with ARC REF10/ Ref150 / RefPH2SE and was mind blowing.

Just my 2c

**Paul** · April 23, 2013, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by VT Skier

You may disagree with my opinion, and that's fine. I am simply making the point that I, and a reviewer many people respect, reached the same conclusion about the Futura.

I believe Stereophile's test of the Futura also showed a rolled-off tweeter, but I could be wrong.

If you own them and love them, good for you. They're beautiful speakers from a well-respected company.

+ 1

**NorthStar** · April 23, 2013, 02:44 PM

Which music was playing at the time of the listening session? ...Serial number of the medium(s).

**VT Skier** · April 23, 2013, 03:22 PM

On further reflection, I believe it was the phase of the moon that kept me, Jeff Fritz and John Atkinson from properly concluding that the SF Futura is one of the best speakers available today, whether measured objectively or considered subjectively.

Or perhaps it was our biorhythms.

Maybe sunspots

Whatever caused the error, we were all clearly wrong.

And for anyone who owns any speaker other than the Futura, I am quite sure that you also own one of the best speakers in the world today. No need to argue against me or anyone else who may have concluded otherwise.

**still-one** · April 23, 2013, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Have you heard the Alexia? I'd like your opinion compared to your beautiful Futuras.

The Futura's like the Sasha's never interested me. Now the Alexia's "might" have been an option had the X2's not come along. The 111F's were a much more involving speaker than either of the first two.

**Dewster** · April 23, 2013, 05:11 PM

Not in anyway bashing Mc product(I've owned and loved for a while), but when I had the Futura paired up with MC601's, C50, and C500T it was good but was never thought it worth the $36,000 price. Now I have it paired up with the Bryston 28's, it really took the Futura to a whole new level.. My point is equipments has a lot to do with what type of sound you get out of any speakers in any price range, and would be best to play around with different gear & cables to find what would work best for you..

Just my opinion..

**sharkmouth** · April 23, 2013, 06:18 PM

Thats it, I'm selling the Strads now if they're not good enough....

**Dewster** · April 23, 2013, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by bzr

Thats it, I'm selling the Strads now if they're not good enough....

Lol Kev..

**socfan12** · April 23, 2013, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

Sounds like a speaker after my own heart if true

Indeed. My aging Aerial 10Ts have rolled off treble and I love them for that, LOL!

**iamhifi** · April 23, 2013, 07:44 PM

This is exactly why I wanted to know what specific gear was used, cables, room, etc. The room and placement is super important for the Futura and true to any other speakers, and setting speakers next to each other for comparison is a no. I assume that you have great gear, but the miss is always cables as many consider is not important or not matched. I read the Stereophile review and nowhere said the tweeter is roll off, a little mellow yes, also look at the reviewer's equipment. Anyway a review is a guide that gives you interest in the product, the reviewer taste might or might not be the same as yours. Don’t sell your Futura is an awesome speaker.

**Paul** · April 23, 2013, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by bzr

Thats it, I'm selling the Strads now if they're not good enough....

IMHO...the Strads and Amarti Homage Annivesarios speakers are only speakers that I consider as true Sonusfaber speakers. Hey it's just personal opinion.

**MDP** · April 23, 2013, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by Dewster

Not in anyway bashing Mc product(I've owned and loved for a while), but when I had the Futura paired up with MC601's, C50, and C500T it was good but was never thought it worth the $36,000 price. Now I have it paired up with the Bryston 28's, it really took the Futura to a whole new level.. My point is equipments has a lot to do with what type of sound you get out of any speakers in any price range, and would be best to play around with different gear & cables to find what would work best for you..

Just my opinion..

Dewey, you're absolutely spot on !! I have heard the Futura's with 3 different sets of pre/power amps, it makes a huge difference. The Bryson 7B sst sounded superb with the Futura. The Accuphase gear was my least favorite.

**Dewster** · April 23, 2013, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

Dewey, you're absolutely spot on !! I have heard the Futura's with 3 different sets of pre/power amps, it makes a huge difference. The Bryson 7B sst sounded superb with the Futura. The Accuphase gear was my least favorite.

So many hobbies to choose, we had to pick this..

But the rewards is so worth it..

**joeinid** · April 23, 2013, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Dewster

So many hobbies to choose, we had to pick this..

But the rewards is so worth it..

+1 on both points. I also think part of the fun is the journey and the thrill of the hunt.

**Dewster** · April 23, 2013, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by joeinid

+1 on both points. I also think part of the fun is the journey and the thrill of the hunt.

And the sleepless nights knowing you'll see your best buds the next day... The FedEx/UPS man

**joeinid** · April 23, 2013, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by Dewster

And the sleepless nights knowing you'll see your best buds the next day... The FedEx/UPS man

Ha!

**sharkmouth** · April 24, 2013, 02:54 AM

Originally Posted by BlueMcIntosh

IMHO...the Strads and Amarti Homage Annivesarios speakers are only speakers that I consider as true Sonusfaber speakers. Hey it's just personal opinion.

You're just saying that!. Anybody want some Strads!!

**metaphacts** · April 24, 2013, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by BlueMcIntosh

IMHO...the Strads and Amarti Homage Annivesarios speakers are only speakers that I consider as true Sonusfaber speakers. Hey it's just personal opinion.

I know what an Amati Homage is and I know what an Amati Anniversario is but what's an Amati Homage Anniversario?

**Paul** · April 24, 2013, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by metaphacts

I know what an Amati Homage is and I know what an Amati Anniversario is but what's an Amati Homage Anniversario?

Ok...This is the one.

Sonus Faber Amati Homage anniversario loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

Sonus Faber Amati Homage anniversario loudspeaker ( This is one of last speakers on border OLD and NEW generation seats )

**metaphacts** · April 24, 2013, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by BlueMcIntosh

Ok...This is the one.

Sonus Faber Amati Homage anniversario loudspeaker ( This is one of last speakers on border OLD and NEW generation seats )

The picture is of Amati Anniversario, in the the Homage Series designed by Paolo Tezzon.

Amati Homage is the name of the first non-stand mount Homage speaker. It and Stradivari were designed by Franco Serblin.

**Paul** · April 24, 2013, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by metaphacts

The picture is of Amati Anniversario, in the the Homage Series designed by Paolo Tezzon.

Amati Homage is the name of the first non-stand mount Homage speaker. It and Stradivari were designed by Franco Serblin.

Yup. It's like you say tomato, I say tomahto .

I never had a chance to hear the Amati Homage yet ( I wonder if some one still has them around ) However I forgot to mention one more speakers ..the Extrema.

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