Italian manufacturers have always been famous for their iconic designs. A visit to the Haynes International Motor Museum proves this. Exemplified by many, all time classics; the Bristol 401, Alfa Romeo 2000, Aston Martin DB6, Jenson Interceptor, Bentley Continental & far too many Ferraris to mention - all penned at Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera in Milan. But this Italian excellence isn’t unique to the automotive world…

Sonus Faber represent classic craftsmanship.

Here we have Italian flair - like a classic Riva Aquarama Motoscafi cruising the canals of Venice. Handmade works of art steeped in traditional virtues with modern technologies used to enhance creations. Their speaker ranges are referred to as collections, with the Olympica Nova coming in line after the Reference and Homage ranges. There is an essence of luxury boutique that exudes Italian quality, with the philosophy of Sonus Faber founder, Franco Serblin, clearly still bursting through. And beneath the veneer are solid foundations of exquisite sound.

These speakers have been brought to us by the UK distributor, Fine Sounds.

The cabinet's asymmetrical lute shape is an original design concept that allows versatile positioning of the speakers to tune the bass response in any room. Inspired by nature, the lines follow the flow of a circular spiral motion, achieving a more organic cabinet structure.

There are a number of Sonus Faber core technologies that permeate the ranges and are intrinsic to the vocalisation of their creations.

Sonus Faber’s very own D.A.D (damped apex dome) technology is a localised dampening of the tweeter. In a standard soft dome tweeter, apex anti-phase behaviour is responsible for the high frequency early roll-off. D.A.D tweeter technology allows better reproduction of high frequencies.

The “Stealth Reflex” system, is an innovative “para-aperiodic” interpretation of the tuned loudspeaker. It allows reduction of acoustic volume dimensions, providing greater extension in low frequencies response and reduction of distortions, it also eliminates spurious wind noises, typical of traditional reflex systems.

The most significant peculiarity of the Olympica Nova range regarding positioning in the environment, is that the side reflex channel is handed. This means there is a choice to position the speakers with the reflex channel outlet facing internally or externally, according to the acoustic conditions of the room used or personal taste.

Test System

Sources:
Linn Klimax DSM - Qobuz Streaming, Rega Planar 8, Audio Note CD2.1X/II CD Player

Amplifiers:
Rega Aethos, ATC SIA2 150, Rega Osiris, Naim NAP 250, NAC 282

All-In-One:
Naim Uniti Star

Accessories:
Rega Aria Mk III Phono stage, Chord Odyssey X - Speaker cable, Naim NACA5 - Speaker cable, Audioquest Cinnamon Ethernet, Audioquest Vodka RCA Interconnects, AudioQuest NRG-Z3 IEC Mains Cables

Setup & Listening

The Sonus Faber Olympica Nova I do seem to offer a wider stereo image and larger sound stage than expected. System wise - they were well handled by the Naim or Rega setups above. Personally, I found the Rega and Sonus Faber combination had a magical synergy. This could be because of their 4 Ohm rating better utilises the Rega power. However, the Naim amplification with Linn streaming brought forth a clarity and control that really is astounding.

Hifi+ writer Alan Sircom dropped a reference track in a review that runs counter to the ideals of Hi-Fi sound. His argument is best read Here, but in summary - using Electronic music to evaluate a systems performance is counter intuitive, since the synthesised instruments created have no real world equivalents and most reviews focus on 'real' world reproduction of real instruments. Trentemøller’s Chameleon on the album Last Resort, has a square wave bass that has transients impossible to create in the 'real' world. I have tried this track with a number of speakers, and whilst it is unrealistic to expect speakers to reach 20Hz (or even hear that frequency), what does materialise in ported speakers is a chuffing sound in the bass that blurs these transients - some more than others. One of two things happen with this track - the speakers give way to chuffing or the room gives up to rattling and annoying resonances. The bass speed of the Nova Olympica I is full, no port noise with complete room control. And whilst a standmount speaker, it can't reach Mariana Trench like bass - it degrades so gracefully as to not matter.

It's rare that we use a CD Player as a source for reviewing speakers, but a recent expedition to the shops meant that I had a new selection that I was eager to explore. Every Kingdom, the debut studio album from British singer songwriter, Ben Howard, features the track Old Pine. The sparse opening yielded a beautiful separation, solid deep sound stage. The transients of the acoustic guitar superbly handled. Ibrahim Ferrer, Buena Vista Social Club, Marieta- Ry Cooder's production feels alive with a real sense of the live recording space. The voice of Ferrer soaring with Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea gravitas. Moving through Moby Play, Sir George Solti Mozart Symphony 40, Bert Jansch Black Swan - no matter what the genre - the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova I show their speed and versatility to open up the emotion of the music without any colouration, but a vocalisation that is unique, rare to find and extremely accessible - there is always a great feel of grip, smoothness, relaxed, yet with great detail.

In summary

Like the inescapable magnetic draw of Italian taste, flair, design and shear drooling excitement. This is a sumptuous loudspeaker - think Italian Truffles with a full bodied red - Fettuccine al tartufo served with a smoldering Brunello di Montalcino 2007.

Thanks for reading.

Justin, Max & James - Audio T Bristol

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You can have a listen to the music we used in all our demonstrations, and test systems in our listening rooms with the constantly evolving Audio-T Bristol Qobuz Playlist - Here.

Contact Us to book an audition to hear the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova I for yourselves at Audio T Bristol.

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