Italian loudspeaker maestros Sonus Faber have today announced the latest upgrade to their popular Homage collection. The new range includes reimagined versions of the Amati, Serafino and Guarneri loudspeakers as well as the Vox centre speaker.
The story of the Homage collection begins in 1993 with the creation of the Guarneri, a timeless and innovative 2-way design custom made for the “Museo Del Violino” in Cremona.
With its solid wood, lute shaped cabinet, silk tweeter, pulp mid- woofer, and details inspired by the works of the great luthiers, it not only served its purpose at reproducing the nuanced tonality of the various pieces in the world-renowned stringed instrument collection on display at the museum, it marked the first step in a journey which would guide and elevate the brand ever after.
Five years later, the Guarneri was joined by its floor standing companion, the Amati. A commanding and bombastic design based on the shapes, materials and principles of the Guarneri, Sonus faber’s first full-range loudspeaker design became a leader in its class and demonstrated the brands commitment to its ideals of natural sound, high performance and constant research.
Both now in the 5th generation the Guarneri and Amati are joined by the Serafino which is entering into its 2nd iteration.
The Homage series has seen a number of key technologies added including the new Intono technology.
While a dedicated midrange driver benefits from a sealed enclosure it will naturally exhibit impedance spikes to the rise in air pressure inside of the enclosure whereas ported systems will have a tuning frequency at which the mass of moving air inside of the port collides with the driver exactly out of phase and the driver loses output.
These are both troublesome yet common issues for which the industry has developed various imperfect solutions, the most common of which is to use damping material to restrict airflow which itself reduces efficiency.
Intono is truly a best of both worlds solution. The midrange driver is ducted into another sealed enclosure which is tuned just above the frequency of peak pressure.
When the port unloads, or goes below its tuning frequency, the pressure is equalized into the alternate chamber significantly reducing the impedance peak. The tweeter remains unhindered due to its laser etched resonance-free rear labyrinth which in addition to its acoustic reinforcement function, serves to restrict airflow.
Intono is a more efficient system with the benefits of a sealed enclosure and the benefits of a port. It allows for a simpler crossover design with fewer restrictive parts.
All three models feature new drivers, phase plug and crossovers to take the material design to the next level.
The new hybrid crossover system uses the finest components available on the market today. Hand selected through various listening tests, Jantzen inductors and custom spec Clarity Caps and Mundorf capacitors and resistors are hand soldered on custom PCBs to ensure maximum clarity, high power handling, low noise floor and long life.
The cabinets themselves have seen upgrades also with increased rigidity and reduced rigidity. The metalwork has been modified, replacing the angled edges with a smooth rounded ones. The colour of this metalwork too has changed, replacing a choice of black and brushed aluminium with a single anodized grey offering leaving the moving parts brushed.
The graphite finish is making its return to the collection, meaning the Homage range is available in three finishes – wenge, red and graphite.
We will have all three models on demonstration in our Central London showroom. Get in touch to arrange a demonstration.