Sonus faber Launches Suprema

Sonus faber Launches Suprema, its most aspirational loudspeaker system yet, in celebration of the brand’s 40^th Anniversary.

Sonus faber has announced the launch of Suprema, described as a ground-breaking loudspeaker system rooted in luxury, unparalleled audio excellence and meticulous craftsmanship. Marking the brand’s 40^th anniversary, the Suprema system, featuring two main columns, two subwoofers and one electronic crossover, represents the future of the iconic audio brand and Sonus faber’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of audio excellence.

 The Suprema loudspeaker systemis undoubtedly the most ambitious project ever crafted by Sonus faber, says the maker. Born from a legacy of relentless pursuit of perfection, Suprema is said to be the epitome of audio excellence, redefining the boundaries of sonic immersion. The offering represents the pinnacle of the 40th anniversary year of the brand, where exquisite detailing, luxurious materials and quality craftsmanship elevate the project beyond the concept of a loudspeaker system.

 Priced at $750,000for the full loudspeaker system, Suprema embodies the peak of luxury and the ultimate experience for audio and design enthusiasts. It is available to order worldwide from now.

The Aesthetics

 Suprema’s four columns were designed as a callback to the brand’s genuine heritage. The twomain columns feature lute shape as a nod back to the first Guarneri, which ensures seamless integration and the ability to disappear from the virtual soundstage, while the two subwoofers feature an elliptical shape, pulled from the Stradivari, which allows the two pieces to host large transducers and energy impact.

The variety of materials were chosen based on each’s individual characteristics and ability to complement one another to enhance their best properties – carbon fiber for its exceptional resistance, wood for its harmonic qualities and solid aluminum, CNC machined for its static qualities. Lending to the sophistication of Suprema, multilayer wood used for the side panels of the main columns to create the illusion of ‘wings’ via a unique 3D bending shape.

Suprema features a leather front panel in true Sonus faber tradition, however, for this special project, the brand partnered with renowned luxury furniture brandPoltrona Frau. Each Suprema speaker system will feature genuine Italian leathermanufactured by the most talented craftsmen in the country, adding a further touch of ingenuity to the product.

The Technology

In addition to Suprema’s sophisticated four column system, comprised of two main columns and two subwoofers, the system includes an external electronic crossover. The design of Suprema’sconfiguration system aims to extend beyond the conventional limits of the frequency band coverage and enhance acoustic performance to new levels of excellence.

Each main column of Suprema is a 4/5-way system and features eight front-firing speakers, in addition to two back firing drivers. The Voice of Sonus faber, the configuration of tweeters and a midrange, boasts three new, innovative elements – one brand new Camila midrange with cellulose pulp diaphragm, one new mid-tweeter with treated silk dome, one new super tweeter with treated silk dome. While the materials are in line with Sonus faber tradition, electroacoustic elements have been completely redesigned as outlined below.

• The new Camelia midrange, responsible for the most important part of the acoustic spectrum, was developed by a team of electroacoustic engineers to ensure maximum resolution, while maintaining the legendary natural sound of Sonus faber. Inspired by nature, the new membrane is not circular, nor is it masked by the suspensions, offering its entire surface to the listener and avoiding the formation of resonances associated with circular shapes.
• The new dual-drive magnetic system of the midrange ensures control and even dynamics, air flow management is held by the organic basket. Previously implemented on Stradivari woofers, this original design by Sonus faber will be featured in all next generation Sonus faber speakers.
• A special combination of the Camila midrange and tweeters are loaded in a unique dedicated internal volume, designed to enhance the performance of the drivers. By leveraging simulator technology, this chamber and its inner walls maintain an organic shape, which is made entirely of recycled cork – making Sonus faber the first to use the natural and sustainable material to create acoustic volume, while enhancing the resolution and naturalness of the midrange performance.
• For the optimal reproduction of infrasonic frequencies, a separate subwoofer system has been engineered to optimize low range response regardless of the position of the main columns in the listening environment.
• The subwoofer uses two powerful 38cm transducers featuring forged carbon fiber membranes and a neodymium magnet motor system to ensure undistorted pressures up to 16hz.
• Controlling the coupling between the speaker and the ground is crucial to achieving the purest level of silence within musical texture. A decoupling system, created in collaboration with IsoAcoustics, allows Suprema to reach unparalleled levels of dynamics and power, while preserving energy content and avoiding the propagation of unwanted vibrations within the listening environment.

The Crossover Networks

• Time and Balance: The crossover filters, partially visible on the sides of the main column, use the best mix of electroacoustic configurations experienced by the R&D team in the last decade.
  • Through various iterations of simulation, testing and listening, Sonus faber aims to achieve the perfect tonal balance and most rigorous control of the acoustic phases, responsible for impeccable timing and perfect soundstage performance in all three dimensions.
• State-of-the-Art Electronics: The electronic crossover, dual mono and fully balanced, manages the integration between the Suprema main columns and subwoofers and offers versatility of use with maximum respect for the electrical signal.
  • All phase cutting and control circuits are 100% analog and created using selected discrete components, while the cabinet mirrors the dual essence of this piece – the power supply is enclosed in a solid aluminum case and the audio signal is guarded in a precious lacquered wooden enclosure.

Technical Specifications

Main Column:

• System: 4-way sealed box
• Loudspeakers:
  • SUPER TWEETER: 20mm silk dome with dedicated waveguide, neodymium magnet
  • TWEETER: 38mm silk dome with dedicated waveguide, neodymium magnet
  • MIDRANGE: 6.5in dual driver motor system with neodymium ring magnet,
  • LINK MIDWOOFER: 8in neodymium slug magnet, Ø 65mm voice coil, sandwich paper cone
  • WOOFERS: 4 x 8in dual driver motor system with neodymium ring magnet, Ø 50mm voice coil, sandwich paper cone
  • BACK EMISSION TW: 28mm silk dome, neodymium magnet
  • BACK EMISSION MD: 4in paper cone driver, neodymium magnet
• Crossover Points:
  • FRONT EMISSION: 360, 430, 1700, 6700 Hz
  • BACK EMISSION: 500, 2300 Hz
• Frequency Response:
  • FRONT EMISSION: 45Hz – 40KHz
  • BACK EMISSION: 500Hz – 20KHz
• Sensitivity: 91dB 1m/2.83V
• Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohm
• Suggested Amplifier Power Output: 100 W – 700 W
• Dimensions (HXWXD): 1905 x 650 x 880mm // 75 x 25.6 x 65 in
• Weight: 110 kg/pc // 242.5 lb

Subwoofer:

• System: Sealed box loading, passive subwoofer
• Loudspeakers:
  • WOOFERS: 2 x 38 cm carbon fiber sandwich cone
• Frequency Response: 16 to 30/80 Hz – variable based on the setting of the electronic crossover
• Sensitivity: 92dB 1m/2.83V
• Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohm
• Suggested Amplifier Power Output: 500 W – 2000 W
• Dimensions (HXWXD): 1451 x 850 x 525 mm // 57.1 x 33.46 x 23.42 in
• Weight: 103 kg/pc // 227 lb

Crossover:

• System: Full discrete – pure analog stereo/mono active crossover
• Input Channels: 2 Unbalanced – 2 Balanced
• Output Channels: 8 Unbalanced – 8 Balanced
• Frequency Response:
  • MAIN: 25Hz – 150KHz
  • PROC: 5Hz – 150KHz
• Input Impedance:
  • UNBALANCED: 20 kΩ
  • BALANCED: 10 kΩ
• Output Driving Capacity:
  • UNBALANCED: 6 V rms (+15,5 dBv) @ 490 Ω
  • BALANCED: 11 V rms (+20 dBv) @ 980 Ω
• Mains Voltage (Frequency): 115V (60 Hz) or 230V (50 Hz), factory-set
• Dimensions (HXWXD): 110 x 451 x 424 mm // 4.3 x 17.7 x 16.7 in
• Weight: 17 kg // 37.5 lb

Retail Prices

• Suprema 2.2: $750,000 (two main columns, two subwoofers and one electronic crossover)
• Suprema 2.1: $680,000 (two main columns, one subwoofer and one electronic crossover)