Travels

Sonus Faber 2024 🇮🇹🔊

Posted by markhadland on
A modern audio setup featuring several high-end speakers and amplifiers in a dedicated listening room. The equipment is arranged symmetrically with illuminated displays and a stylish wooden floor.

Italy · Arcugnano · Sonus Faber

On Thursday, 3 October 2024, Carter and I visited the Sonus Faber factory in Arcugnano, near Vicenza, for a brand introduction, a production tour, a visit to the Sonus Faber design lab, a listening session, and lunch in Altavilla Vicentina. I arranged for a tour through my local dealer, Definitive Audio, and my rep, Ted.

Sign for 'Sonus faber' with 'Ingresso Uffici' and an arrow pointing right, surrounded by greenery.
An itinerary for a factory tour at Sonus faber detailing the schedule for Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, including greetings, brand introduction, design lab visit, listening session, and lunch with representatives.
Our tour itinerary.
A person walking down a narrow pathway bordered by a modern building with a metal slatted wall and greenery visible in the background.
Sonus Faber recently built a new factory. Carter and I own several pairs of this brand, and it was a great experience to visit where they are made.
Interior of an audio equipment showroom featuring various speaker models, some displayed on stands and others in cases, with a modern white chair in the foreground.
The entry showroom shows current models and many speakers in their historical catalog.
A tall, sleek black and red floor-standing loudspeaker featuring three speaker drivers, displayed on a white pedestal.
The Aida is $160K a pair
A pair of high-end audio speakers displayed on pedestals, featuring a glossy red wood finish and black accents, with one speaker prominently in view.
The Il Cremonese is $67,500 pair.
Close-up of a luxury car door panel featuring a sleek black finish, metallic accents, and a speaker grille.
Interior car door panels displayed, featuring a mix of brown leather and carbon fiber accents.
Sonus Faber also does car audio for Maserati.
A tall, elegant audio speaker with a wood finish, featuring three circular speaker cones and a sleek design, displayed on a white pedestal.
A tall black floor-standing speaker positioned on a white base, featuring a sleek design with two speaker drivers visible and a decorative wooden finish.
A sleek, tall audio speaker with a glossy black finish, featuring multiple speaker drivers, displayed on a white pedestal in a modern interior setting.
A tall, black speaker on a white pedestal, showcasing a sleek and modern design.
A wooden case with a hinged lid containing various knobs, switches, and electronic components, displayed on a white pedestal.
Early crossover testing & design box.
A display case containing various electronic components, including capacitors, coils, and circuit board sections, arranged neatly on a wooden platform.
Crossovers.
A close-up view of an audio component display featuring various electronic parts, including coils and sockets, within a glass showcase.
A high-end floor-standing speaker with a sleek design, featuring a glossy red wood finish and black accents, displayed on a pedestal in an elegant setting.
A young man stands next to a tall, modern speaker in a well-lit room with white curtains in the background.
The Lilium for scale.
A display featuring the McIntosh Group's mission, values, and principles on glass panels, with a wooden speaker placed on a black countertop.
A tall floor-standing speaker with two large woofers, positioned next to an audio device on a transparent stand, set against a backdrop of sheer curtains and wooden flooring.
A sleek black floor-standing speaker next to a transparent acrylic audio amplifier on a wooden floor, with curtains in the background.
Two tall black speakers with multiple drivers next to a black audio equipment unit on a transparent stand, set against a backdrop of light curtains and wood flooring.
Close-up of a high-end speaker with two large woofers, set against a reflective surface.
The Flagship Suprema is a whopping $750,000 and comes with 4 speakers and an external crossover.
Close-up view of a textured, dark carbon fiber surface with a curved edge, set against a light-colored backdrop and wooden flooring.
Close-up of a transparent panel showcasing intricate copper coils and components behind a carbon fiber surface.
The Suprema is wrapped in carbon fiber and has a window for viewing the crossover.
A person stands next to a tall, black floor speaker with multiple speaker cones, pointing at it while discussing its features.
Two modern black floor speakers next to an audio amplifier on a clear stand, with white curtains in the background and wooden flooring.
One day. These are amazing speakers.
A row of six tall, elegant floor speakers with varying designs, colors, and finishes, displayed in a modern interior setting.
A black and white image featuring a classical architectural column with decorative capitals, accompanied by the text 'Sonus faber' on the top left. In the foreground, there are dried flowers arranged creatively next to a modern black chair.
A spacious workshop featuring multiple workers engaged in assembling items, with plants and various packing materials visible. A man in a black hoodie is smiling at the camera while another worker is in the background, and several speaker components are lined up on tables.
A warehouse interior displaying several wooden stands with polished black surfaces on top. Shelving units in the background are filled with boxes and equipment. The floor is concrete, and there are various tools and supplies scattered around.
A beautifully crafted wooden speaker cabinet with a high-gloss red finish, featuring three circular openings for speaker drivers.
Stradivarius
Two tall black speakers with multiple drivers, prominently displayed in a warehouse setting, with a 'Made in Italy' tag in the background.
Amatis
A close-up view of a tall black speaker with a sleek design featuring a central tweeter and two lower woofers, displayed next to another shiny speaker.
Several stacked cardboard boxes labeled 'Sonus faber Serafino' in a warehouse setting, with a paper document attached to one box, indicating serial numbers and details.
Two tall black audio speakers placed on a wooden pallet in a warehouse setting. The speakers feature multiple woofers and a sleek design, with various boxes and storage items visible in the background.
A workspace featuring several partially assembled audio equipment components, with two workers present. One worker is standing with a device in a workshop filled with shelves of materials and tools.
A workshop interior featuring several black machinery units on wooden stands, with storage shelves filled with boxes and supplies in the background.
Two workers assembling products at a workshop table, with various tools and materials scattered around.
A person working at a table in a warehouse, smoothing out a piece of leather. Tools and materials are visible on the table, with wooden pallets and storage shelves in the background.
A woman working at a table in a workshop, surrounded by tools and materials. She is focused on a task, with various items such as scissors, bottles, and fabric rolls visible in the background.
Two women working in a workshop with black tables, one assembling a wooden piece with circular cutouts while the other is focused on a task in the background.
Photograph of an industrial blueprint displaying a circular component with measurements noted, along with several similar blueprints stacked on a table.
These women have been working here for over 30 years and wrap leather on the speakers by hand. I heard a rumor that Sonus Faber had some speakers made in China. The woman shouted “Chine Chine – no I make them here in Italy by hand.
Two incomplete MDF speaker enclosures on black worktables in a workshop, with additional materials and tools in the background.
Stack of brown, textured manufacturing components, labeled for inventory with notes, in a workshop setting.
A person assembling a speaker cabinet in a workshop, with a partially assembled speaker and materials on the table.
Gen 5 Concertinas use a cork interior to reduce internal resonance and interference. The outer leather is actually made with orange peel.
Five partially assembled audio speaker cabinets on a warehouse shelf, with various boxes and paperwork in the background.
Close-up of two curved wooden components with a black outer layer, resting on a wooden pallet in a warehouse. A printed sheet with specifications is attached to one of the components.
Four circuit boards with components mounted on black plates arranged on a wooden surface, alongside two round speaker cones.
Two unfinished speaker cabinets placed side by side on a workbench, showing compartments and holes for speaker components, with a sheet of paper attached that contains a parts list.
A sleek, dark wooden dresser with curved edges, standing on a protective pallet in a warehouse setting.
Close-up view of a high-end speaker featuring a glossy black finish, dual speaker drivers, and a stylish design.
Three people working in a workshop with a large audio speaker on a wooden stand. One person is handling a cable near the speaker while another looks on, and a third person stands beside them.
An employee standing at a workbench in a workshop, inspecting speaker parts and handling tools. Nearby are various speaker components and storage containers.
Four round black speakers arranged on a work surface, with wooden pieces in the background.
Two people working in a warehouse, one is holding a large wooden panel while the other is observing. There is a cart nearby, and shelves filled with boxes and wooden materials in the background.
A man is working on assembling or repairing a piece of equipment, while a second person observes in the background. The workspace has various tools and materials visible.
Packing in wooden crates for shipping.
Close-up view of a speaker cabinet showcasing internal components, including copper coils and wiring, with a polished wooden surface.
Close-up view of an open speaker cabinet revealing internal components including wires, coils, and a circuit board.
Close-up of a wooden object with a circular cutout revealing internal wiring and a speaker cone, placed on a workbench.
Close-up of a decorative plaque reading 'Made in Italy' attached to a wooden surface, with a hand-held tool nearby and red and black wooden guitar bodies in the foreground.
Close-up of several dark wood acoustic speakers arranged in a manufacturing setting, with details of speaker cones and knobs visible.
Close-up of a Sonus Faber Amati speaker featuring a black and silver design, showcasing the speaker cone and logo.

I love these Amatis in production. It was really fun to see the entire assembly process.

A dark entrance structure with a narrow doorway, flanked by diagrams and technical drawings on the sides, set against a storage backdrop with wooden planks visible in front.
Close-up view of a glossy red wood panel with two round openings surrounded by black and silver fittings, likely for speaker installation.
Interior view of an electronic component inside a red wooden enclosure, featuring a black circuit board with wires and connectors.
Close-up of an unfinished wooden speaker cabinet showing mounting rings and insulation materials.
A close-up view of a smooth, matte surface in a light purple color, with wooden elements visible in the background.
A wooden workstation with black padding, featuring a central cut-out and shelving, set against a backdrop of hands and tools.
A wooden base with electronic components, including a small coil, condenser, and connecting wires, on a dark background.
A wooden piece with rounded edges featuring a small patch of textured, colorful fabric on its surface, resting on a black leather-like background.
Close-up of two wooden plates made of walnut, one slightly angled, featuring pre-drilled holes.
A worker assembling wooden audio equipment at a workstation, surrounded by tools and parts, with storage shelves in the background.
Close-up view of two speaker cabinets with a wooden finish and black accents, showcasing connection ports and a sleek design.
Two tall audio speakers, one with a dark red finish and visible speaker cones, and another covered with a black cloth labeled 'Sonus Faber'. Both speakers are positioned on rolling platforms.
A tall black and red speaker with three distinct speaker cones, showcasing its modern design and high-quality audio capability.
Amatis in production.
A person working on a device, carefully handling wires and components on a workbench, with tools and boxes in the background.
Assembling crossovers.

Components.

A green storage bin containing several cylindrical electronic components with blue caps and metal ends, labeled as 33 uF electrolytic capacitors.
A green plastic container with a metal cylindrical object labeled 'Somus faber' inside.
A green storage container filled with metallic cylindrical objects, some with blue caps, and thin wires extending from them, indicating they may be electronic components.
A person with a shaved head and glasses is sitting at a desk, focused on a keyboard and computer screen displaying graphs, surrounded by shelves with tools and equipment.
Storage boxes labeled with various names and model identifiers on a shelf.
Close-up of a circuit board with inductors and capacitors, featuring copper coils and metal connectors, placed in a container.
A box containing several neatly coiled copper wire loops, each secured with white ties.
A green plastic box containing several copper coils, resting on a wooden surface with a cardboard box in the background.
Group of people descending stairs alongside a narrow corridor with metal walls and a glass ceiling, featuring potted plants below.

Next, we toured the storage and shipping facility.

A view of a narrow corridor featuring a glass roof, surrounded by concrete walls and metal paneling, with green plants at the base.
Labels attached to wooden pallets displaying product information, including supplier name, article codes, quantities, and dates.
A wooden pallet containing multiple speakers arranged in rows, with cardboard boxes stacked in the background.
A wooden box featuring the branding for Sonus faber, labeled as 'Suprema Subwoofer,' with a note indicating it is a delicate instrument and made in Italy.
A wooden crate for a Sonus faber subwoofer, labeled with 'FRONT', 'TOP', and 'DELICATE INSTRUMENT' notices, featuring internal packing materials.
Handbuilt shipping crates.
Wooden packaging box for a Sonus faber Superna subwoofer with instructions for opening and handling.
These are massive boxes.
A large, stylish audio speaker with a glossy red finish, featuring two prominent black subwoofers. The speaker is displayed on a mobile stand in a room with wooden flooring and various audio equipment in the background.
A man working on assembling or inspecting carbon fiber components in a workshop, with additional parts visible on shelves in the background.
Supremes under construction.
A large, black carbon fiber component stands upright on a wooden table in a workshop, surrounded by boxes and shelves of various materials and tools.
A large black subwoofer speaker with a glossy top, placed on a sturdy stand in a workshop or studio setting. A person in a blue quilted jacket is visible in the background.
Two tall, black speaker enclosures with circular openings, displayed on a wheeled cart in a workshop setting.
Back view of a Sonus Faber Gravis VI subwoofer featuring various input and output connections along with a power switch.

Next up was a tour of their design and innovation lab and soundstage

A high-end audio setup featuring multiple audio components, including large speakers and amplifiers, arranged in a studio environment with dark walls and wooden flooring.
A high-end audio setup featuring multiple amplifiers and speakers arranged in a sleek studio environment, complete with soundproofing elements on the walls.
Two men standing in a modern audio studio with high-end speakers and audio equipment, featuring a sleek black and wooden interior.
Two men standing in a modern audio studio with high-end audio equipment and soundproofing panels.
Two men standing in an audio studio with high-end sound equipment, including speakers and amplifiers, in a modern setting.
A group photo of three men smiling in a modern indoor setting, with a decorative wall in the background.
Our tour guide and brand ambassador.
An audio setup featuring multiple high-end amplifiers and speakers in a sound studio, with blue-lit components and a textured wall.

Italy · Altavilla Vicentina

Wine cooler displaying various bottles of red and white wines, with a visible temperature reading of 16.4°C.
A display of various champagne bottles in a glass refrigerator, including brands like Bollinger, Dom Perignon, Krug, and Giulio Ferrari, with one bottle wrapped in gold and others in brown paper.

Photo Montage

A collection of high-end audio speakers displayed in a showroom.
A display of various vintage speakers arranged on white pedestals in a gallery setting.
Black and white image of a man with wavy hair, smiling slightly. The overlay displays the song title 'Punta Del Soul' by Dave Grusin, along with Shazam count and options to open in Spotify and concert information for October 4, 2024.
Image of Sonus Faber Suprema floor standing speakers showcasing a modern design with multiple speaker drivers and a glossy finish.
A close-up image of a Sonus Faber Concertino G4 speaker positioned on a textured surface, with a backdrop featuring various framed artworks.
Weather app display showing the current conditions in Trieste, including temperature of 57°F, rain, wind speed of 23 mph, gusts up to 51 mph, a feels-like temperature of 43°F, 2.95 inches of precipitation in the last 24 hours, 80% humidity, and 2 miles visibility.

Thanks for traveling with TheHad🩵

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