In a world where speaker design often feels like an afterthought, the Sonus faber Sonetto I G2 makes a bold statement, blending stunning aesthetics with acoustic brilliance.
This affordable speaker is a testament to Italian craftsmanship and innovation. It stands out as a celebration of music and lifestyle by Livio Cucuzza.
The Sonetto I is the baby model in the new Sonetto G2 series, which spans seven offerings: two monitors, three floor-standing speakers, a centre speaker, and a wall speaker. With prices ranging from €2,000 to €8,000, this line-up represents Sonus Faber's entry-level offering. Yet, considering the Sonetto G2 integrates technology borrowed from the elite Suprema speakers, the price feels like a bargain.
Sonus faber Suprema, The Lady of the Camellias, presentation, Munich 2024. A spectacular stage that fit the also spectacular soundstage.
The Sonetto I G2 cabinet features the signature lute shape (truncated at the back) that has defined Sonus Faber’s aesthetic for decades. Available in luxurious wood finishes (Walnut, Wenge, and Black), it’s as much a treat for the eyes as the ears, especially with its leather-trimmed baffles and copper accents.
These speakers are visually striking, perhaps best admired with a glass of Chianti. But beneath these elegant curves and satin skin lies a world of acoustic mastery.
Front bottom reflex port output.
A well-tuned instrument
The Intono technology, with its internal ducts, works much like a finely tuned wind instrument. It carefully controls internal vibrations by managing disruptive standing waves and enabling the speaker to produce clean, distortion-free sound. The front (bottom) port couples seamlessly with the air in the room without any unwanted chuffing noise. The reinforced, solid, yet fragile, concrete base provides stability, further preventing distortion of bass frequencies.
This technology was originally developed for Sonus faber’s high-end Amati and Serafino Homage models. In the G2 series, Intono technology is reserved for the smallest models (Sonetto I and II). It’s a balancing act between the benefits of closed and reflex systems. The result? Clean bass below and above the port tuning frequency, while the midrange remains pure, offering a more natural, linear sound.
The Sonetto I G2 is as much a treat for the eyes as the ears.
Imacustica - Lisboa- The Sonetto III G2 driven by Copland amplification.
Sound that defies size
While the Sonetto I is the baby of the range, don’t underestimate its sonic capabilities. Naturally, it doesn’t have the scale or depth of its bigger sibling, the Sonetto III (€4,499), which is ‘tall, slender and curvaceous with the carnation of a camellia’, as Eça de Queiroz would have described it. I heard it in Auditorium 1 at Imacustica - Lisbon, with Copland amplification, and the sound has a lot more body than the Sonetto I, which is only natural, given the internal volume and driver array.
Still, when I heard the Sonetto I G2 in action at home, driven by a HiFi Rose RS520 streamer/amplifier, it was clear this speaker’s strength lies in its ability to always create a cohesive, lifelike soundstage—immersive in every dimension, even height, yes, height!
At first, I assumed the speaker’s spatial magic was due to its internal cork chamber (manufactured in Portugal, naturally). Still, this tech is reserved for Sonus faber’s Camelia midrange driver, featured only in the higher-end models like the V and VIII.
The Sonetto I also has a distinctive mid-bass suspension rubber roll design that draws inspiration from camellia petals.
Lady of the Camellias’ baby
The smaller models, like the Sonetto I, do not feature the revolutionary ‘Camelia driver’, developed for the unattainable Suprema. Instead, the Sonetto I also has a distinctive mid-bass suspension rubber roll design that draws inspiration from camellia petals, hence the name.
This innovative shape cancels some modes of vibration propagation and enhances sound dispersion, creating a more linear and realistic soundstage.
The speaker's design is simply too beautiful to hide
A face to match the sound
The Sonetto I’s magnetic grille keeps curious fingers away from the delicate components, but I preferred to leave it off. The speaker's design is simply too beautiful to hide. The DAD (Damped Apex Dome) Arrow Point tweeter—a 1.1-inch soft dome with a copper ring—and a 5-inch mid-woofer with an aluminium demodulator ring are artfully mounted on a leather-lined, copper-trimmed rhombus-shaped baffle. A "Made in Italy" logo on a side label reminds us of its origin.
Sonus Faber’s signature crest indented on the walnut veneer finish applied at an angle of 45º.
The speaker is capped off with Sonus Faber’s signature crest, a mark of the brand’s noble lineage, indented on the walnut veneer finish applied at an angle of 45º.
The speaker cable terminals feature a round plastic cover, which is purely decorative and protects the integrity of the connections. I use cables terminated with bananas, so the cover is useless, as it can only be mounted with spades and naked wires.
The speaker cable terminals feature a round plastic cover.
Compact but mighty
Despite its small dimensions (377 x 200 x 304mm), the Sonetto I is designed to be more than just a desktop monitor. When paired with dedicated stands, it allows for a better appreciation of the integration and the resulting enveloping sound it creates due to its acoustic coherence.
Imacustica - Lisboa. The Sonetto Is on stands.
The narrow baffle reduces diffraction, enhancing the speaker's ‘vanishing act,’ so you are left with pure, undistorted music. Whether you're listening to jazz, classical, or movie soundtracks, the Sonetto I G2 transports you directly into the heart of the performance.
For a near-field experience, I placed the speakers on my desk. Despite their proximity to walls and the listener, the Sonetto I G2 maintained its coherence and clarity.
An experience that feels like an Italian aria—rich, warm, and vibrant
These speakers don’t reach deep into bass territory (down to 52Hz), so a subwoofer is recommended if you're into bass-heavy genres or cinematic soundtracks. Still, for day-to-day listening without audiophile pretensions, the Sonetto I’s smooth treble (after proper burn-in) and solid mid-bass will give you an experience that feels like an Italian aria—rich, warm, and vibrant—as well as deliver a Verdian operatic performance without too many acoustic compromises.
The Sonetto I will fit in any modern or classic living room.
Critical listening
I tested the Sonetto I G2 with dozens of tracks. Still, I chose to reveal only four well-known tracks, bypassing the typical audiophile selection to focus on music that potential buyers might actually listen to.
‘Take Five’ by Dave Brubeck: The Sonetto I G2 captures the rich tonality of Paul Desmond's saxophone, maintaining its rhythmic relationship with Brubeck's piano. The drum solo is crisp and defined, with no unwanted bass muddiness—perfect for appreciating Joe Morello’s intricate technique. Each instrument has its own space on the impressive soundstage, without losing the sense of ensemble and the complex rhythmic structure of this iconic jazz music in 5/4 time, which many larger speakers ignore due to overhang and time smearing.
‘Royals by Lorde’: Lorde’s voice cuts through with remarkable clarity, while the percussion and bass notes never overwhelm the mids, proving the Intono technology's efficacy. Even though the synthesised bass lacks the depth of a full-range speaker, every element is transformed into a cohesive whole.
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen: Sonetto I easily handles the complex operatic arrangements. Freddie Mercury's powerful and clear voice shines over the vocal harmonies. The dynamic range supports the piano and the more explosive rock segments, with the leading guitar and drums maintaining a fast pace.
‘Shape of You’ by Ed Sheeran: This song could have been dedicated to the Sonetto I:
‘Every day, discovering something brand new,
I'm in love with the shape of you’
It showcases the speaker’s ability to deliver Sheeran’s emotive voice, the lyrics, and the layered production. Everything, from vocals to percussion and synths, comes through with joyful energy.
At €1,999, the Sonus faber Sonetto I G2 offers a perfect blend of high-quality sound, stylish design, and Italian craftsmanship. This speaker provides great value and enhances your music-listening experience.
If you want to enjoy ‘La Dolce Vita’ without being a slave to your hi-fi system or endlessly chasing the Sonic Grail, visit Imacustica (or your local dealer) to experience the Sonetto G2. Choose the model that fits your budget and home and rediscover the joy of music.
Specifications
- 2,0 way: Midwoofer front vented box
- Loudspeakers: High-end quality drivers
Tweeter: 1,1" DAD™ Arrow Point extended frequency tweeter, Copper shorting ring
Midwoofer: 1x 5" Midwoofer, Aluminum demodulation ring - Crossover Points: 2100 Hz
- Frequency response: 52 Hz - 40.000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 86 dB SPL (2.83 V/1m)
- Nominal impedance: 4 Ohm
- Recommended power amplifier: 30 W - 150 W
- Product dimensions (HxWxD): 377 - 200 - 304 mm / each
- 8 - 7.87 - 11.97 in / each
- 687 - 355 - 406 mm (stand dimensions)
- 1 - 13.2 - 16 in (stand dimensions)
- Weight: 8,4 kg / each
- Price: 1,999 €