Six months after the launch of the Stradivari V2, Sonus Faber presents one of the world’s most ultimate loudspeaker systems. Named Suprema and designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Italian brand that first appeared in 1983 in Arcugnano – not far from Venice -, this new project consists not only of two columns, necessarily linked to one or two large subwoofers and an active crossover placed in an independent box. Already more than enough to compete in the category of the best loudspeakers ever made, the two columns measure 1.9m (6.25 inch) high with a maximum width of 65cm (2.13 inch) and a depth of 88cm (2.88 inch) ; they weigh no less than 110kg (242.5lb) each. Designed as four-and-a-half-way speakers, they feature ten drivers, with a 0.8″ (20mm) silk-dome super tweeter, a 1.5″ (38mm) silk-dome tweeter, a 6.5″ and an 8″ midrange, and four 8″ woofers with sandwiched paper cones. At the rear, a 1.10” (28mm) silk dome tweeter and a 4” paper cone for the midrange are added. All these drivers are energized by neodymium magnets, with frequencies cut at six points to offer an already ample response range without the addition of subs, from 45Hz to 40kHz.
But to take things even further, the Italian luthier adds one or two subwoofers with two 15″ (38cm) carbon-fiber membranes, integrated into a natural wood cabinet for a total of 103kg (227lb) to choose from in four colors: intense red, graphite, wenge or walnut – colors also found on the two main speakers behind a luxurious black leather front panel, as well as on the active crossover box. With these elements, frequency response goes down to 16Hz, and cuts are then managed with active and passive crossover technologies, which always consist in freeing each diaphragm as much as possible from any non-reproducible pressure. Recommended to be amplified by power amplifiers from 100 to 2000 watts (this system is presented on the same time than an ultimate power amp system from Sonus Faber’s parent group, McIntosh), Suprema is available with a choice of one or two subwoofers and fit into the category of the ultimate high-fidelity products, with prices of €725,000/$680,000/£625,000 (Suprema 2. 1) or €800,000/$750,000/£695,000 (Suprema 2.2).
