Goodbye LSi-15, Hello Sonus Faber Cremona

Jetmaker737
Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,051
edited April 2013 in Speakers
I got my LSi's back in 2008. They were the first audiophile grade speaker I ever had and I've been extremely happy with them. But in the last few months I've been thinking that it's time for an upgrade. Today I picked up a pristine set of Sonus Faber Cremonas in a local Agon sale. These are original Cremonas, not the M. Been listening to them now for a few hours. These speakers are absolutely phenomenal. The more I listen the more astounded I am. They are also drop dead beautiful. Never, ever thought I'd drop this much coin on a set of speakers, but glad I did. Now I'll have to put my beloved LSi-15's out to pasture. Thank you Polk for building such a fine, affordable speaker as the LSi-15 so guys like me can get into in this hobby.
SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,735
    edited April 2013
    If I didn't own SDA's, I'd own me some SF. Congrats on your purchase.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • RamZet
    RamZet Posts: 792
    edited April 2013
    Pictures!
    B&W CM9Classé Sigma
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,051
    edited April 2013
    Pics as requested!

    IMG_5287_MOD1.jpg
    IMG_5291_MOD1.jpg
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,329
    edited April 2013
    I love SF...

    Congrats!!!!!
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2013
    Enjoy!
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,228
    edited April 2013
    Congratulations. They are beautiful looking speakers and I can only imagine what they sound like!
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
    edited April 2013
    gorgeous, i bet they sound great as well!
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    edited April 2013
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    Pics as requested!

    IMG_5287_MOD1.jpg
    IMG_5291_MOD1.jpg

    Beautiful. Love the style!
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
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  • indyhawg
    indyhawg Posts: 1,646
    edited April 2013
    Congratulations on the new speakers. I heard a pair two weekends ago and was very impressed. Hopefully one day, I will own some SF.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited April 2013
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    Pics as requested!

    Hey, that's my sweet spot recliner! Also, I see Mapleshade Isoblocks. Good job, and nice speakers.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,051
    edited April 2013
    Thanks guys. I'm really loving these speakers. The LSi's are very good and I knew I'd have to spend some serious dough in order to get the quantum leap I was looking for. The grills on these speakers are interesting. They are silk covered elastic strings. What's cool about them is they vibrate with the music like a string instrument.

    IMG_5293-MOD1.jpg
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,394
    edited April 2013
    Very nice speakers. I always felt they were polks on roids, ranging from design to materials. I have spent a great amount of time with them. The speakers grills are amazing and an art themselves. Congrats on your new setup!
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited April 2013
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    . They are silk covered elastic strings. What's cool about them is they vibrate with the music like a string instrument.

    You could probably get an isolator from some where to fix that.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • jumpindick
    jumpindick Posts: 428
    edited April 2013
    Very good looking speakers. I bet they must sound good as well. Enjoy!!
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited April 2013
    jbooker82 wrote: »
    You could probably get an isolator from some where to fix that.

    I was thinking along that line. It would seem that if the grill vibrates with the music then it is adding distortion. Grills should be neutral and transparent. Then again, it is theoretically possible to design speakers where the grills are active components. Whether it is a good idea or not is another discussion.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,051
    edited April 2013
    I'm not worried about it. It's the same grill concept used on the higher end SF speakers. I trust Franco Serblin not to do anything to disturb the sound.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,002
    edited April 2013
    Congrats man, lookers to boot. Now that you officially dipped your toes into the higher end pool, watch your wallet pal. It's very easy to get those speaks some nice buddies to play with it.:smile:
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Tankman
    Tankman Posts: 419
    edited April 2013
    Great pickup!...One day,someday,one can hope right.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited April 2013
    Once you match the new towers to a full SF HT setup then your wallet is in for a beating. How would you describe the highs in your new towers ?
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,051
    edited April 2013
    tonyb wrote: »
    ...watch your wallet pal. It's very easy to get those speaks some nice buddies to play with it.:smile:
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    Once you match the new towers to a full SF HT setup then your wallet is in for a beating. How would you describe the highs in your new towers ?

    Yes, I have a feeling this is not the last time I will be emptying my wallet! But my best intentions are to take a breather. Just bought a Rega DAC a month ago and now these speaks. Ouch.

    The highs are very smooth. The Cremonas have a ring radiator like the LSi's, which I really loved and one reason I chose these. Maybe not the best for HT but I do about 80% 2 Channel on my system.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2013
    I love the use of leather on their speakers; it gives them a very cigar and mahogany look.

    Are you running them with a subwoofer?
    Jake
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,051
    edited April 2013
    zingo wrote: »
    Are you running them with a subwoofer?

    Nope... no sub. That might be a purchase to look into!
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2013
    Look into Velo, REL or JL.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • blehmbo
    blehmbo Posts: 179
    edited April 2013
    Also consider Rythmik when you decide to look for a subwoofer.

    Enjoy your new speakers!
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited April 2013
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    IToday I picked up a pristine set of Sonus Faber Cremonas in a local Agon sale.

    Congrats. They are beautiful speakers.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • amgala
    amgala Posts: 111
    edited April 2013
    I hope to have an opportunity to hear speakers like this at some point in my life!
    Front Speakers: Polk Audio LSi15 x 2
    Center Speaker: Polk Audio LSiC
    Rear Speakers: Polk Audio LSiF/X x 2
    Subwoofers: Polk Audio PSW505 x 2
    AVR: Denon AVR-3313CI
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-5
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited April 2013
    Awesome speakers , we just picked up Sumiko and I'm very excited to be working with them again. Rel got some new interesting subs as well as SF got some really cool new designs.
    I can see a new SF and REL system in my future.

    Congrads
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • plainoledave
    plainoledave Posts: 408
    edited April 2013
    I don't even want to know what a pair of speakers that expensive sound like. Congrats on your purchase, however! :mrgreen:
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2013
    Jetmaker737 wrote: »
    Nope... no sub. That might be a purchase to look into!

    Good man. :cool:
    Jake
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,051
    edited April 2013
    Appreciate the compliments and kind words guys. Highly recommend you get your ears on some SF if you ever have a chance. Regarding a sub, I think my wallet is still feeling pretty light! But I'm curious if it would be for HT only or music too?
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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