Review of Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26: Stylish and Powerful Speakers

Explore the stylish and powerful Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26 speakers that redefine audio elegance.

Introduction to Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26

Not many speaker manufacturers can compete with Sonus Faber in terms of visual elegance. In recent months, our testing room has seen a slew of high-end floor-standing speakers, but none have looked as stylish as the new Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26 from the Italian company.

Standing at nearly 43 inches tall, these boxes are relatively large. However, the combination of curved sides, thoughtfully selected finishes, and some exquisite details makes them far less noticeable in our listening room than expected.

These speakers are part of a lineup of seven models, which also includes a pair of floor-standing speakers, larger and smaller floor-standing options, a dedicated center speaker, and a wall-mounted speaker. We decided to test the Sonetto V G2, as it is the most affordable stereo model in the lineup, featuring Sonus Faber's new Camelia midrange driver technology.

Previously, this technology was only available in the brand's flagship Suprema speaker, which costs around $8000, so you can understand why we couldn't wait to listen to it.

Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26: Design

If you’re an avid gardener, you know that camellia (often spelled with two "l's") is quite a beautiful flower. The unpainted white paper midrange diaphragm of the Sonetto V G2 resembles its namesake.

This distinctive geometry is said to prevent resonances typical of a conventional round diaphragm, resulting in a cleaner and less distorted sound. The 6.5-inch driver features a solid aluminum phase plug at its center, enhancing dispersion in the upper range.

When you extract the power unit from the Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26, you’ll find that it also has its own separate casing. Instead of being merely divided by a wooden shell as usual, it boasts a reinforced, curved cork enclosure. The curved shape and material choice minimize internal standing waves and structural resonances.

Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26: Specifications

• Type: Three-way floor-standing
• Drivers: 28mm D.A.D tweeter, 6.5-inch Camelia midrange driver, 2 x 6.5-inch woofers
• Ports: Yes
• Bi-wirable: Yes
• Impedance: 4 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 89 dB
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 42.8 x 12.1 x 16.3 in
• Weight: 73.7 lbs
• Finishes: 3 (walnut, wenge, black)

As the signal frequency increases, the midrange driver of the Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26 transitions to the 28mm dome tweeter at a fairly standard frequency of 2.5kHz. This tweeter employs Sonus Faber's unique Damped Apex Dome (D.A.D.) technology, where the movement of the dome's center—its least controlled part—is limited by a small damping cone supported by a metal ribbon vertically above the driver. The advantage of D.A.D. is its reduction of distortion and high clarity.

The imposing-looking twin 6.5-inch woofers reproduce frequencies below 280Hz. They also use paper diaphragms, shaped like the camellia flower, much like the midrange/bass drivers. Aesthetically, this design is appealing, providing better-controlled resonance and improved sound dispersion.

The Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26 is tuned with a large port directed downward, exiting into the space between the cabinet's base and the impressively rigid concrete pedestal of the Sonetto V. This port placement makes the speakers less demanding regarding room positioning compared to speakers with typical rear-port designs. This is confirmed in practice: The speakers sound relatively balanced in our testing room of 10 x 23 x 16 ft when positioned 12 inches from the back wall.

However, the Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26 still performs best with more space to "breathe." They shine brightest when positioned about 3 feet from the wall and away from the side walls, with a slight toe-in towards the listening area to enhance the stereo image.

Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26: Build Quality and Compatibility

The overall build quality is excellent. These speakers feel robust and are crafted with evident care. We appreciate that Sonus Faber has paid attention to details like the inlaid badges on the top panel or the offset logo on the side of the Camelia midrange module—they look incredibly stylish. The Sonetto V G2 is available in three finishes (walnut, black, and wenge), and we love them all.

The Sonetto V G2 isn't the easiest electrical load to drive. Their nominal impedance of 4 Ohms suggests that a sufficiently powerful amplifier is needed, although the specified sensitivity of 89 dB/W/m is quite acceptable. Their sonic character isn't particularly sensitive to recording quality or partner systems, so we recommend pairing them with smooth and refined electronics. If you're not careful, these speakers can sound a bit aggressive and harsh.

During testing, we primarily used our reference combination of Burmester 088/911 MkIII amplifier, but we also had good results with PMC’s Cor speakers. Main sources included the Naim ND555/555 PS DR music streamer and the Vertere SG-1/XtraX turntable, with premium interconnects from Chord Company and Vertere.

Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26: Sound Performance

The Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26 is easy to love. They are clear and detailed, particularly in the midrange, yet powerful enough to effortlessly reproduce Hans Zimmer's soundtrack to "The Dark Knight." The two woofers and the impressive cabinet size promise plenty of bass, and we were not disappointed.

Listening to "Like a Dog Chasing Cars," we can't help but admire the low-end range and power of the Sonetto V. These floor-standing speakers deliver seismic bass with grace and sufficient intensity.

The Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26 can also play loudly. Provided that the amplifier they are paired with has enough power, we doubt these speakers will struggle to produce the necessary volume level in a home setting. We gave out before they did in our testing room of 10 x 23 x 16 ft.

"The Dark Knight" delivers sharp dynamic shifts with enthusiasm, while subtler, smaller changes in intensity are still conveyed with care. Although they aren't the type of speaker that only reproduces the broad strokes, comparisons with our reference ATC SCM 50 speakers and more compact, affordable alternatives like Epos ES-14N demonstrate that greater accuracy and understanding can be achieved in reproducing instrumental textures and dynamic nuances.

Of course, the standout technical feature of these speakers is the Camelia midrange driver, and we are glad to report that it does not disappoint. When we listen to "Mount The Air" by The Unthanks, it is easy to appreciate the clarity and smoothness of the band’s signature vocals. They contain a wealth of information, all sounding cohesive and musical.

As a result, we find ourselves immersed in the performance and emotions associated with the music rather than dissecting it in a cold and calculated manner.

Provided that the Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26 is used cautiously, they possess a good level of detail, although they may have too many sonic characteristics to be labeled strictly neutral in tone. We don't mind this as long as they convey the emotional message of the music, which they generally succeed in doing.

Yes, their stereo imaging isn't the most “out-of-the-box,” and they don't lead in conveying the rhythmic drive of songs like Michael Jackson's "Jam," but these shortcomings are relatively easy to forgive, given that we still have a blast.

Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26: Verdict

While the Sonus Faber Sonetto V G2 isn't universal, they offer enough versatility to be worth considering. The Sonetto V G2 are speakers with beautiful design and style, envied by few competitors. Add to that their sonic range, powerful bass, and a rather pleasant midrange, and you have a serious contender.

Scores:

• Sound: 4
• Build Quality: 5
• Compatibility: 4

Whether you're setting up a new listening space or looking to upgrade, the Sonus Faber Sonetto V G26 speakers are an excellent choice. They promise to elevate your audio experience with style and substance.

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