Sonus Faber's Aïda

Not being fully up on the names of the various Sonus Faber speakers, I asked one of the reps the name of the giants on demo. "Ida" was his answer. Come again? "Ida! Sonus Faber gives their speakers names that have a musical connection, like the titles of operas." But how could that be? The only remotely relevant opera connection that I'm aware of for "Ida" is Gilbert & Sullivan's "Princess Ida," and somehow I doubt if the Italian designers of Sonus Faber speakers would name the speaker after this not-all-that-popular English operetta.

And then I got it. The speaker was named after Aïda, pronounced "eye-ee-duh," the well-know opera by Verdi. I guess the rep was not an opera fan.

With that out of the way, I was able to enjoy the Aïdas ($130,000/pair), driven by four Simaudio 880M monoblocks ($21,000 each). Paradoxically, they did not sound like giant speakers—which I think of as a positive trait, and difficult to accomplish, especially when the speaker has multiple drivers, front and back, like the Aïda.

COMMENTS
philipjohnwright's picture

I saw a pair of these at a dealer recently. Is it just me or has Sonus Faber gone a bit 'bling' now, they seem to have lost that understated elegance that was their hallmark. Seemed to happen when they changed ownership. Pity. 

MVBC's picture

How many Scanspeak drivers can they fit in this?

JasonVSerinus's picture

I suppose, before she became a slave, that Aida had multiple drivers, front and back...

SET Man's picture

Hey!

   Ida? Funny and sad at the same time. I guess the speaker's rep don't have a clue about operas.

    I've never seen Aida but I do know about it. But will certainly do next time the Met Opera play at the Linclon Center again.

     Maybe Sonus Faber should give him a bit of "Opera 101" .... well afterall he is trying to sell you a pair of $130K speaker right? 

 

 

   

Jf32's picture

Hi! I was at the show this system cost 500 000$ i can tell you, it doesnt worth that!  The raido with the jeff rowland was far superior! ;)

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