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Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors or Olympica I

I am looking to buy a pair of Sonus Faber monitors to go in my living room, a less than ideal listening space. On the used market the cost of a pair of newer Olympica I are slightly more than the cost of the older Cremona (or Cremona M) Auditors. Right now I have a pair of full-size Liutos that I really like but I think they’re a little too big for the space. My associated equipment is all PS Audio (Memory Player transport, DSD DAC, BHK Preamp, BHK amp).

I am looking for recommendations/insights into the strengths and weaknesses of one vs the other. My understanding is that the Olympica is a different sound from the Cremonas. Some have said that the Cremonas sound a lot like the Guarneri Mementos at half the price. I listen mostly to jazz and vocalists (Sinatra, Bobby Short, Diana Krall, James Taylor, etc.)

Thanks!
ihmeyers
kelvinr2004
11 posts
 
Hi
I Listern to a pair on the weekend that a person was selling, at first I thought it was my hearing as I had just driven 3 hrs and feeling a little tiered, but they where allful, sounded like fingers on a chalk board, I stop the audition after about 10 minutes, I had a friend with me he said the same, not sure if it was the set up or the room, I have heard Sonus Faber before and was very impress, I knew the speaker could of been better positioned and the person offered to let me play with them ,I declined, to many issues to contend with, if I could of got them for a price that allowed me to flip them I might of gave them a go in my room. Moral is listern to them first.
ihmeyers OP
61 posts
 
Kelvin, are you talking about the Cremona Auditors or the Olympica Is?  I wasn't sure.

Has anyone heard the Lawrence Audio Violin SE?  If not can you recommend a used monitor in the $3k-$5k range (current used price)?

Thanks !
excelit
11 posts
 
I have the original auditors. If I'm not mistaken, they're one of the last speakers that Serblin designed himself. I've read that it's one of his favorite design aside from the Minima.
I run it with a Jadis Defy 7. 
It took a while for me to acquire it here in Audiogon because if it's priced below $3000 for the original or M, it's gone fast. They rarely appear for sale.
I have'nt heard the Olympica, but I've heard some other current SF models and they do sound more modern. The original Serblin designs were definitely colored but for me more involving and moving.
They need to be set up at least 4 feet from rear wall and 3 feet from side
I have them raked up a bit because I listen nearfield in a small room.
After attending THE show and listening to speakers like gamut 2 way monitors costing $20,000, (both have scanspeak revelator drivers),
I believe the auditors sounds almost as good


kelvinr2004
11 posts
 
Sorry the monitor the original ones

kel

ihmeyers OP
61 posts
 
Excel, I am pretty sure that was Serblin's last SF design.  I didn't realize they were that setup dependent.  The best I can do is a regular living room as opposed to a dedicated music room.  I'll never manage to get them that far away from the back and sidewalls.  I've got maybe 3 feet behind and 2 feet on the sides.  Maybe that won't work well.

The Liutos (full-size) are fine in that room.  Probably not as good as they could be in a better room but certainly OK.  Maybe the Auditors won't work in the space I have.  I believe the Cremona M Auditors are less finicky about setup though they sound more 'modern' than the originals.
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