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Sonus Faber Amati Homage vs Thiel 7.2

I currently own the SF Amatis, and a pair of 7.2 have come up for sale. I know the Amatis are worth more retail than the 7.2s. But for me the retail value dosen't always reflect how much I like the sound. I understand the 7.2 are Thiel's top flagship speaker and the Amatis are SF's 2nd. I am unable to audition the 7.2's because there's not any retailers selling them, and I don't know anyone with a pair.
Has anyone compared these 2 speakers? I know it's hard, but can someone please describe the sound of the 7.2s to me.
After reading a Sterophile review of the Amatis back in 99, I knew I had to have a pair, and after getting them, I was pleased, but still think that speakers could sound better. My main problem with the Amatis is that although they're clear, very dynamic (can hear every sound), have exceptional imaging, and can be played very loud, I find the mids quite thin. Thin in that everyone's voices seem higher than they are. I guess I lik the dark rich Barry White sytle vocals.
Because of my percieved lack of mid range in the vocal abilities of the Amatis, I thought the 7.2s might do better in this category.
Your comments are appreciated.

Thanks
puunda
audiolui
280 posts
 
I listened to the Amatis in a dealer set up. I think Air-tight tube amps were used and the sound was quite good with actually very nice midrange as well. It wasn't thin at all. I guess you just have some system matching issues.

That said, I am currently using 7.2. Thiel 7.2's sound is different. Overall, it is a very balanced speaker. It has better dynamics and bass impact IMO. Yes it can sound analytical depending on components upstream as it is also a very revealing speakers.

I agree with others that you should try different electronics first and dont' buy the Thiel without audition. You either love or hate Thiel sound, but not in between.
henry_chinaski
1 posts
 
Did you set them up, or the dealer? The reason I ask is that proper placement really makes them shine. Sumiko, the importer of the sonus faber speakers teaches their dealers how to how to set them up according to the room they are in. It takes a little while, but is well worth the time. If not, give Sumiko a call. I can speak from experience. They really dialed mine in. Good luck.
kops's avatar
kops
478 posts
 
Puunda,
one thing that Amati's are famous for are the Midrange!
IMHO you should get 1) Tube preamp, caryslp05 mentioned before is a good choice among others and 2) Yter speaker cable made from Sonus's master Franco Serblin. Then experiment with the room and placement a bit. Finally in the future if you can upgrade to a better digital source.

As for the Ursa major you mentioned, theese are by far dark, veiled, hollow sound speakers very romantic and a good match with razor solid state amplifiers on the other hand Amati is hall of fame speaker for life (IMHO).

So the message is ----> fine tune them a bit and good matching, start with the pre unless you use your theta processor as pre then upgrade to tube amplifier(Cary 211, Bat, CJ,....etc).
puunda OP
9 posts
 
Henry_chinaski: I set them up myself. I should've made it clear that I bought them used here in New Zealand. I have tried different positions, but hasn't helped.
Sounds like the Amatis really need a tube amp. I have a big dislike for tube amps. Sorry, didn't mean to offend anyone, but personally I much prefer a SS amp to tube. Having said that, if this is the case with the Amatis, then it looks like I may have bought the wrong speakers. But from the replies, it looks like the Thiel 7.2s would actually make things worse not better ... Audio bliss is hard.
gregm
3,021 posts
 
Henry_chinaski: I set them up myself. I should've made it clear that I bought them used here in New Zealand. I have tried different positions, but hasn't helped.
Adjust speakers according to midbass energy (if you haven't already). Start by bringing them close together (~35% of room width, centre of woof-to-woof) until you hear bass energy, not muddiness.
Then start playing with toe-in carefully focusing on upper-midrange reproduction quality. (i.e. if the sound is "hard", spitting, hi-end ear-piercing, you're off.)
Normally, you should be able to get a reasonably seemles sound with some low-mid /upper bass prominence.
The spkrs go loud with low distortion -- but NOT very loud (distortion starts setting in + the required energy fm the amps is high).

The 7,2 are nice spkrs -- but I heard them on the fly, and certainly not in comparison to the SF. Can't say much. They weren't playing very loud either, I assume by owner's choice rather than ability... Cheers
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