Stand Loudspeaker Reviews

Sonus Faber Olympica Nova 1 loudspeaker Manufacturer's Comment

Sidebar 4: Manufacturer's Comment

Editor: When it comes to electroacoustic design choices, Sonus Faber's tradition, approach, and philosophy is to trust human perception over measurements, valuing vivid and natural sound over all else. However, we do feel that measurements, instruments, and technology are essential tools in achieving the final goal of the most natural sound reproduction possible. We always place emphasis on the electrical behavior of our creations; our impedance response never drops below 85% of the nominal value and always with minimum phase rotation (within ±36 degrees) in order to guarantee an easy match with virtually any amplifier.

Studying human hearing perception means being aware that it is not linear at all, another cultural asset which influenced Sonus Faber in designing speakers the way we do. The slight lack of energy in the crossover region is purposeful because this is the range of frequencies where our human hearing is most sensitive, and we compensate for that. For the exact same reason, we also introduced increased energy in the high frequencies: There, the human hearing apparatus is less sensitive.

One of the benefits of this design choice is testified to by the excellent staging ability of the Olympica Nova I (also highlighted by the review) and of course requires a custom-designed tweeter able to sound transparent and detailed without being harsh or aggressive when pushed.

The highlighted midband emission coming out of the duct is an effect relative to the minimal fill displacement inside the enclosure. Adding some extra damping material would have avoided this emission but would have seriously compromised bass speed and articulation, so, after having carefully checked that such rear-firing emission has no impact in the front side midband presentation, we made our choice after also evaluating that this will be easily dissipated by the listening environment.—Paulo Tezzon, Chief of Acoustics Sonus Faber

COMPANY INFO
Sonus Faber S.p.A.
US distributor: Sumiko
655 Wedgwood Road North, Suite 115
Maple Grove, MN USA 55311
(510) 843-4500
sumikoaudio.net
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
mtrot's picture
Submitted by mtrot on February 27, 2020 - 12:47pm

Beautiful speaker, and I'm sure it sounds great. But for that price you can just about get into a nice used set of Olympica III and have a great floor standing speaker with significantly deeper bass.

skypunk69's picture
Submitted by skypunk69 on February 28, 2020 - 11:19am

So you make assumptions without even hearing them?

Bit pretentious eh?

mtrot's picture
Submitted by mtrot on February 28, 2020 - 12:14pm

I heard the Nova 5 at some length at RMAF in September, so I don't agree that my opinion is any more pretentious than yours or anyone else's.

skypunk69's picture
Submitted by skypunk69 on February 28, 2020 - 3:42pm

As I do own both and you admitted to never hearing the Nova 1 it is pretentious as most of you so call AP types are.

Sour grapes eh.

mtrot's picture
Submitted by mtrot on February 28, 2020 - 3:56pm

Umm, okay if you say so, that the Nova 1 sounds quite different from the Nova 5.

skypunk69's picture
Submitted by skypunk69 on February 28, 2020 - 4:04pm

Yes for my larger/family room I have the 5 and for my office I have Nova 1 and prefer listening in my office with my Simaudo 390/330A, Rega P8.

So with you never hearing the I and making assumptions on a demo is not only pretentious it is comical at best.

Cheers.

mtrot's picture
Submitted by mtrot on February 28, 2020 - 4:17pm

So, are you saying the Nova 1 has a significantly different sound from the Nova 5, or not? You don't seem to want to answer that question. If that is the case, then people need to know that.

skypunk69's picture
Submitted by skypunk69 on February 28, 2020 - 5:48pm

Depending on reviews from sod's like your self that have never listened to either would be better served by a professional review as found on these page's.

Make it sound like you are working on a cure for cancer.

Yes jam those Nova 5 in a small office and they sound like shite!

But one must make the determination them self bu demoing on similar gear in a similar sized room as their listening room.

Opinions are like what?????????????

I prefer the Nova 1 in my office for listening to music (all genre's)

So long Trot!

supamark's picture
Submitted by supamark on February 29, 2020 - 1:56am

the guy practically bragging that he's got a ton of disposable income calling someone else pretentious.... are you the pot or the kettle?

Oh, and if the I sounds significantly different than the III (instead of similar but with better dynamics/bass), then Sonus Faber is not doing it right - and I'm pretty sure they're doing it right.

skypunk69's picture
Submitted by skypunk69 on February 29, 2020 - 8:14am

Pot calling the kettle Bernie.

You opening salvo said it all.

I am blessed with being able to work hard be rewarded and surround my self and my family with the trappings they enjoy.

So go ahead call be pretentious and you are consumed with envy.

Try working harder and getting the things you want in life not just what you need.

Please do take a reading comprehension course the point was an opinion had been formulated without ever hearing either speaker.

Bet after you take that course you will do better in life.

Cheer's

supamark's picture
Submitted by supamark on February 29, 2020 - 4:00pm

is something that you will never have... just like that orange, vienna sausage finger having simpleton in the White House who thinks gold plating everything makes it more classy lol. Oh, and since you weirdly went there; I actually come from a family with more money/connections than you'll ever have (and I work my butt off too, bub, and will be starting a new business soon - excited about that).

You make the mistake so many simple people make equating money with morality - most (but not all!) millionaires I know, and I know quite a few of them including my family and myself (old money ftw), are kinda douchey. People secure in themselves don't need to advertise what they have, only the insecure do that. I'm both happy and secure in my self, but you? Not so much, quite obviously.

Bernie is not my first (or second) choice for president, but go on making unfounded assumptions. I wouldn't be bothered by his election (any Democrat(ic socialist) will do), and I consider the Senate a bigger "get" for the Dems anyway because I actually understand how the US gov't is set up constitutionally.

Also, before you critique someone's writing/reading... make sure you can properly use the English language first.

* to the editor, sorry if I'm cranky - I've had the (actual) flu all week and have lost the patience required for suffering fools like this one.

skypunk69's picture
Submitted by skypunk69 on February 29, 2020 - 4:27pm

Oh poor child has the flu.

So sorry.......

Also your post is total gibberish and you do need those classes.

BTW Could care less about your political out look was referring to Weekend At Bernie's

Triggered!

So enjoy your feeble flu in your feeble life.

Later Cheeto Breath....

Jim Austin's picture
Submitted by Jim Austin on February 29, 2020 - 6:07pm

Trade your personal insults somewhere else. There are plenty of spots for that on the web. This is not one of them.

Jim Austin, Editor
Stereophile

skypunk69's picture
Submitted by skypunk69 on March 1, 2020 - 8:03am

Sorry you are right but>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LOL

roadsterluver's picture
Submitted by roadsterluver on October 22, 2021 - 9:12am

Thank you Jim!

skypunk69's picture
Submitted by skypunk69 on March 1, 2020 - 8:05am

I did enjoy your rant though.

Good luck with your new business.

mtrot's picture
Submitted by mtrot on February 29, 2020 - 2:53pm

Yes. I don't understand why this dude is calling ME pretentious because I would expect the Nova 1 to sound very similar to the Nova 5, which I heard at some length at RMAF. And I don't understand why he keeps saying that I've "never heard either", as I've stated repeatedly here that I heard the Nova 5. Weird.

skypunk69's picture
Submitted by skypunk69 on February 28, 2020 - 3:42pm

As I do own both and you admitted to never hearing the Nova 1 it is pretentious as most of you so call AP types are.

Sour grapes eh.

Jack L's picture
Submitted by Jack L on March 31, 2020 - 7:50am

.... and less so in the deep bass—unsurprisingly for a smallish loudspeaker." quoted Larry Greenhill.

I seldom go for whoever critics audio reviews as I only rely on my ears.
But this time, I full agree to what Greenhill's review on the bookselvers' lack of bass. This is physics.

NO, repeat, no so claimed "full range" loudspeakers, big or small, can reproduced deep bass music as already recorded realistically e.g. church/concert hall pipe organ floor shaking deep bass, or synthetic bass in pop music.

Only viable solution for consumers is to add active subwoofers to retrieve the deep bass music of the original recordings. NO other choice.

That is why I've added 3 active subwoofers to my stereo rig: L, R & L+R to retrieve the missed deep bass music years back.

I never look back as I am so gratified what I have done.

Listening to deep bass is believing

Jack L
Canada

Jack L's picture
Submitted by Jack L on March 31, 2020 - 12:07pm

Hi

Are you tellng us Greenhill's above commnent on small loudspeakers not reproducing adequate was a BS?

He is 100% correct. IMO, NO so claimed "full range" loudspeakers, big or small, can reproduce deep bass realistically, e.g. floor shaking deep bass of church/concert hall pipe organ music, & synthesized bass notes of rock music.

To achieve this deep bass effect, active subwoofers are indispensable. This is my years hands-on experience.

Listening to deep deep bass is believing

Jack L
Canada

davip's picture
Submitted by davip on March 1, 2020 - 11:05am

I always find the level of illiteracy among those who claim to be professionally successful, as in this individual's case, to be quite disturbing. Can one truly be considered a 'success' in life when unable to string a simple sentence together and possessed of the vocabulary of a 9-yr old? It's perfectly reasonable to suggest, as the first poster did, that a larger loudspeaker will, all else being equal, have greater bass extension than a smaller one. This is a matter of fact, not of opinion. Why then was he suggested to be 'pretentious' because he hadn't heard both loudspeakers? Do you even understand what this word means? Look up the meaning of this adjective and then compare it to your statements for an example of its true meaning. I've met a number of compulsive liars in the past, and your mouthy behaviour mirrors theirs to a tee. This is not the place for you...

direstraitsfan98's picture
Submitted by direstraitsfan98 on March 4, 2020 - 11:55pm

You expressed exactly my sentiments, good sir. I am left here scratching my head why this juvenile and bizarre conversation took place in the first place.

direstraitsfan98's picture
Submitted by direstraitsfan98 on March 4, 2020 - 11:54pm

Apologies if I'm wrong, but was the initial disagreement based on this comment by mtrot

Quote:

But for that price you can just about get into a nice used set of Olympica III and have a great floor standing speaker with significantly deeper bass

What exactly is wrong with this statement, and how is it an assumption? The Olympica III is a floor standing speaker, with a significantly larger volume cabinet, of course the bass is going to reach deeper.

smileday's picture
Submitted by smileday on March 16, 2021 - 5:55am

A suck out around crossover may be related to incorrect sound around crossover: to slightly deemphasize more incorrectly produced frequencies.

I have seen measurement of some speakers with different crossover point (not the frequency where ears are most sensitive). There was a suck out, too.

X