How much of an upgrade are the Sonus Faber Concerto Grand Piano speakers?

Mystery

Anyone here have these?
How do they sound compared to smaller Polk SDA's?



Pretty high on my budget but could be a possibility if things work out.
Thanks for comments.

nguyendot

Give my left nut for those!

deronb1

Id give his left nut for those too

Mystery

I'm not giving nut for them. Too valuable, need more kids first.

They look nice but are pretty small for the $3.5k price tag.
May be because they are hand made in Italy.

I read about them and looks like they are very picky on the amp otherwise sound harsh.
I don't want to replace or buy everything upstream for these to sound okay.
Let's see how it goes...

Mystery

I got them without giving any part of my body but there is good news and bad news.
Bad:
Both tweeters are kaput. <--
One mid driver has small ding, not a hole so not too bad.
Cabinet has scratches on the bottom sharp/round corners where black paint is gone.
One jumper is missing but there is a copper speaker wire instead.
Grill cloth has few snags and holes.
Few grill pegs are broken.

Good:
Mid and woofer both work even though there is slight orange haze like in Polk drivers.
Even without tweeter sound is very smooth so definitely worthy of fix.
Price is good even if I have to buy two tweeters but really depends upon how much they are.
Can still return it to the PO as I bought them untested.

Any idea on what tweeters cost?
I heard someone saying exact same tweeter is available at parts-express.
This is my 1st over the mid line gear and would like to make it work.
What say you?
Thanks for suggestions.

Here are few pics:

tonyb

I dunno man, how do you know it's not something in the crossover that's Kaput ? Worthy of a look see imho anyway. I would be more incline to take them back for a refund if possible....seems like they may have been abused to some extent.

Mystery

tonyb wrote: »

I dunno man, how do you know it's not something in the crossover that's Kaput ? Worthy of a look see imho anyway. I would be more incline to take them back for a refund if possible....seems like they may have been abused to some extent.

I'll check crossover.
Need to research little bit.
Hopefully, not too difficult.

For the price I paid, I think I will be still better off as long as the tweeters don't cost too much.
I'd return them but I don't think I'll have budget to buy a fully working pair on my budget.

Do you have any information on the tweeters used in these?
Thank you.

Mystery

Found exact tweeter online. Well the model is same at least.

It's a Seas 3/4" tweeter.
I took the tweeter out from one speaker and it looks like this:





Then I searched the part # 19TFF and this came up:
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/seas-soft-dome-tweeters/seas-prestige-19tff1-h0737-3/4-textile-dome-tweeter/

It's the same model tweeter less the 'Sonus Faber' label in the front.
The back has few numbers different.
Instead of 827-8 Ohm 17/99, madisoundspeakerstore has 737-8 Ohm 8/10.
Not sure what those numbers mean.




BTW, I tested with a spare SL2000 on Seas' place and tweeter works so crossover is fine on that one and I assume same with other.
Even SL2000 made them sound pretty good during test.
So they are not going back.

Mystery

17/99 and 8/10 are dates.

H827 vs H737 is the remaining mystery.
I emailed them so hopefully, will get more info.

Mystery

Anyone has better idea on cleaning the surround oxidation besides Windex?
Thanks

Mystery

Yay... the tweeters are on their way...

zarrdoss

Those look pretty sweet, I told you the Vandersteens would not last long, LOL. Another pair of those in Broomfield for 1400. You can use mink oil to clean rubber surrounds. You can get grill cloth at Joann's. Good luck.

Mystery

zarrdoss wrote: »

Those look pretty sweet, I told you the Vandersteens would not last long, LOL. Another pair of those in Broomfield for 1400. You can use mink oil to clean rubber surrounds. You can get grill cloth at Joann's. Good luck.

Vandersteens are still here but if Sonus Concerto GP sound good enough, I have to let the Vandy's go as they need to be too far out in the room that I no can do.

Mink oil? Hmm... never heard of that.
So okay to use on rubber surrounds?

DSkip wrote: »

Did you sell your Vandy's?

No. They are the only speakers right now in my living room against the long wall.
Sound very good but I have to put them against the wall because they are already almost 2 feet deep with the sound anchors and they need even more space to sound better.

tonyb

I see a Klipsch speaker in the corner.....wow, 2 totally different sounds between the 2 speakers.

Mystery

DSkip wrote: »

Either one of those will be stellar pieces to build around. My guess is you will like the Sonus Fabers better after seeing your room.

I'm pretty sure Sonus doesn't have the bass and big sound of the Vandersteens but I have subwoofers if needed.

tonyb wrote: »

I see a Klipsch speaker in the corner.....wow, 2 totally different sounds between the 2 speakers.

Yes, that is my family room where we watch TV/movies. Sonus was there just for testing if it works or not.
Family room has Klipsch RF3 set and I like it because my A/V receiver has no trouble pushing them to ear bleeding level and they sound really good and clear for understanding movie dialogues, even for songs.
I had a JBL set before and my A/V receiver was distorting when pushing those power hungry suckers.
Who needs power amp when speakers are 98 db efficient.
That's my old receiver. I'm now using even older Pioneer Elite that most of the time never goes above 9 O'clock.
And don't worry, the towers have around 9 inches behind them in the built in cabinets.
I thought of getting Klipsch bookshelves in there but towers are working great and it's matching LCR so no hurry to change.



Living/music room: This is where Sonus will reside if it proves itself.

ZLTFUL

I don't know about YOU but *I* am glad to see you narrowing things down a bit. I always cringed when you added another pair of speakers to the "wall of sound" you had going on there for a while.

Don't get me wrong, it was aesthetically fun but sonically, it drove me bonkers (I am speaking metaphorically as I had never heard your system in that state LOL)

Mystery

ZLTFUL wrote: »

I don't know about YOU but *I* am glad to see you narrowing things down a bit. I always cringed when you added another pair of speakers to the "wall of sound" you had going on there for a while.

Don't get me wrong, it was aesthetically fun but sonically, it drove me bonkers (I am speaking metaphorically as I had never heard your system in that state LOL)

You my friend, sound just like my wife.
I'm not totally narrowing but relocating.

Yes, I like clean look as well. Now flooring is almost done and I have hardwood there, I want to make the living room at least presentable when guests come.
Other speakers are crammed in the guest room and basement where she (wifey) doesn't mind as much.
Funny thing is she thinks Vandersteens are better but still wants Boston A400's in there as they can be pressed against the wall, flat, taking almost no space in the room.


Even I feel crowdy with this picture.
Remember, it's the same wall.


Even worse:

tonyb

As long as the Klipsch work for you, roll with it. Agree on the other comments though about your past....um, hording. LOL

Buying pieces to build around as Skip said....that's the ticket.

Mystery

DSkip wrote: »

I've been preaching to him for a year now. I think I might be happier than anyone on the forum. Collecting is fun, but when the pieces come that you can build around, it sucks you in more than any amount of decent speakers can.

Yes, getting there...

There is an old Hindu proverb that goes something like this:

Samay se pehle aur bhagya se adhik kissi ko kuchh nahi milta….

Roughly translated as:
"You cannot get anymore than what was destined for you nor at any time before it was destined to be yours"...

So my time will come... even though it seems it's past due.

And thanks for your suggestions, subtle or direct.

tonyb

Hmmm....here's an Italian proverb....

STFU and get what you want.

We Italians are more.....direct. lol

Mystery

tonyb wrote: »

Hmmm....here's an Italian proverb....

STFU and get what you want.

We Italians are more.....direct. lol

Hahaha... that may be the trick to get it sooner than what destiny has for you.

tonyb

Destiney ...schmestiny, you make your own destiny....nobody hands you one. If I had waited for destiny, I'd still be living with my parents spanking the monkey listening to old Neil Diamond albums on a Zenith record player.

Mystery

tonyb wrote: »

Destiney ...schmestiny, you make your own destiny....nobody hands you one. If I had waited for destiny, I'd still be living with my parents spanking the monkey listening to old Neil Diamond albums on a Zenith record player.

Hey, spanking monkey sounds good though.

Polkie2009

tonyb wrote: »

Destiney ...schmestiny, you make your own destiny....nobody hands you one. If I had waited for destiny, I'd still be living with my parents spanking the monkey listening to old Neil Diamond albums on a Zenith record player.

There's a "Saving Silverman" joke in there somewhere,lol.

FTGV

Mystery wrote: »

Well the model is same at least.



It's the same model tweeter less the 'Sonus Faber' label in the front.
The back has few numbers different.
Instead of 827-8 Ohm 17/99, madisoundspeakerstore has 737-8 Ohm 8/10.
Not sure what those numbers mean.

Looks like a custom face plate version made for SF thus the SEAS reference number change from H737 to H827.The 17/99, 8/10 is a date code wk/yr.( ie. week 17/1999,week 8/2010.)SEAS drivers tend to have good consistancy from batch to batch but replacing both with ones from the same or similar production lot should result in reasonably close matching between them.

Mystery

FTGV wrote: »

Mystery wrote: »

Well the model is same at least.



It's the same model tweeter less the 'Sonus Faber' label in the front.
The back has few numbers different.
Instead of 827-8 Ohm 17/99, madisoundspeakerstore has 737-8 Ohm 8/10.
Not sure what those numbers mean.

Looks like a custom face plate version made for SF thus the SEAS reference number change from H737 to H827.The 17/99, 8/10 is a date code wk/yr.( ie. week 17/1999,week 8/2010.)SEAS drivers tend to have good consistancy from batch to batch but replacing both with ones from the same or similar production lot should result in reasonably close matching between them.

Yes, I figured out most of what those numbers mean.
I talked to SEAS dealers and manufacturer both as well as Sonus and they can't give information on Sonus tweeters due to privacy/non compete agreements.
I ordered two units so both will be replaced at the same time.

Now I need to find a pair granite of granite bases as my pair doesn't have them neither the stabilizer feet for spikes.
The ones like these in this picture from the web:


Something like this:

Mystery

tonyb wrote: »

I see a Klipsch speaker in the corner.....wow, 2 totally different sounds between the 2 speakers.

That was during initial test and this is now during proper testing with new tweeters for Sonus.
However, a pair of Klipsch still lurks around even in the guest room.

Poor Sonus looks like a wimpy skinny kid next to KLF's.
Testing with Luxman R-114 and even though Sonus is inefficient, it's plenty loud at 10 O'clock.


Oh, the replacement tweeter fits like a glove and is exactly same inside out minus the Sonus logo.

zarrdoss

Looks good, yeah hard to beat the efficiency of Klipsch. Yeah those surrounds need cleaning, This is what I used on all my rubber surrounds that looked like that and it made them look new and I have never had any problems with using it. I don't even remember where I got mine at. http://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Glass-Leather-Rubber-Protectant/dp/B0007ZDRSU

There is a base shop right across the street from my work that can cut any size granite you would want, might be pricey though. http://www.thebaseshop.com/
Those feet would be easy enough to make with some aluminum stock from Home depot a drill press, tap and some black spray paint. Then you could get spikes with 1/4 20 thread from parts express. I would at least do that before any serious listening on carpet anyway.

Mystery

zarrdoss wrote: »

Looks good, yeah hard to beat the efficiency of Klipsch. Yeah those surrounds need cleaning, This is what I used on all my rubber surrounds that looked like that and it made them look new and I have never had any problems with using it. I don't even remember where I got mine at. http://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Glass-Leather-Rubber-Protectant/dp/B0007ZDRSU

There is a base shop right across the street from my work that can cut any size granite you would want, might be pricey though. http://www.thebaseshop.com/
Those feet would be easy enough to make with some aluminum stock from Home depot a drill press, tap and some black spray paint. Then you could get spikes with 1/4 20 thread from parts express. I would at least do that before any serious listening on carpet anyway.

I'm afraid to use car product on speaker surrounds.
windex cleaned them much better but still has slight rusty haze.

I read about granite bases and looks like it doesn't do much so I'll either go with diy stabilizer feet or small stand or nothing.
Upstairs has carpet but these may go downstairs on hardwood floor unless I decide to make this guest room my 2-channel room. Hmmm...

zarrdoss

Its the chemicals in car cleaners that's no good, this just uses mink oil instead. You can also find just 100% natural mink oil, works great. I could not bring myself to use windex for cleaning rubber speaker surrounds. I cant imagine how ammonia D would be good for rubber, but to each his own.
I was skeptical about those granite basses making a difference, I am sure some will swear by them though. I would make the feet like I mentioned earlier because you can use spikes on hardwood and put the discs under them for leveling. and spikes on carpet is a no brainier.

Mystery

I see.

Granite bases are okay if they use spikes as well.
So basically it's just acting as a raiser. I'd rather use taller spikes.

The tweeter is same as original.
Looks like they had to add a different number/designation on the tweeter when they added the logo to make it different than the stock ones.
Even the authorized dealer said they are almost same further adding that they are same but they can't say it's the same officially.

As for sound, amazingly smooth.
I had these ready and playing at 9 pm last night.
I usually go to bed before 11 pm but was up until 1 pm listening to them.
I hardly ever do that with any speakers.
And that's also from my phone's headphone out to RCA in without any good source or DAC and just placed without tinkering with proper placement.
I'll enjoy little more and post how I feel but I guess you got the idea.