openness linearity musicality beautiful cabinetry (this is important!)

Deep bass is lacking, but this is so with all small speakers. They are comparatively expensive, until you realise how good they are, then the price seems reasonable.

I've only just taken delivery of these speakers, so this review is based on my impressions of them compared to the other brands I auditioned recently. My primary requirements were for high quality speakers which will be easy to move (so no big floorstanders), produce great music which will make me want to dance around the house, be possessed of GOOD BASS, and be a pleasure to listen to for hours at a time. Firstly, Concertos are refined, linear and musical speakers. Their design focuses on accurate and balanced sound reproduction within the necessary limitations of the "compact" speaker format. They are not as "fast" a some other speakers and at first may sound a little laid-back or woolley, particularly if you are used to listening to a brighter pair of speakers. I also listened to similar speakers by Triangle, B&W, Tannoy, KEF and Acoustic Energy - some of these surpassed the Concertos in one or another area (better extension on the B&Ws, better dynamics on the Triangles, etc) but none had the strengths of the Concertos. As well as being linear they are largely devoid of cabinet colourations. I have owned bipolar, screen and open baffle speakers and the Concertos present music in a similar way, with no boxiness or other cabinet induced problems. Although not "fast", of all the speakers I listened to the Concertos were the ones which made me feel the music most effectively - it seemed to become more believable and involving on the Concertos. This was due to the speakers' ability to reproduce the very subtle dynamics in music which convey a sense of timbre, and also to their ability to portray a very detailed and focused soundstage. Consequently, a trumpet does not sound like a trumpety noise somewhere in front of the listener, it is a strongly localised image that really sounds like human lips blowing air down a metal horn. Violins sound like taught strings being brushed by bows, and percussion sounds dynamic and powerful, with strong transients. Electronic music gains "body" and voices convey more passion and are more distinct. The Concertos compare favourably in this sense of creating a believable musical image with other hi quality speakers I have heard: Von Schweikert, Alon, Martin Logan, VAF, and Infinity. The only weakness I could think of is the lack of very deep bass (effective bass goes down flat to about 60Hz) and a slight los of sparkle from the high frequencies as compared to the Concertino, the Concertos' younger sibling. The two speakers are similar, but overall the Concertos are bright and dynamic, whereas the Concertos are more open and relaxed. The lack of bass is compensated for by the addition of a high quality subwoofer, which I would consider mandatory for these speakers if you listen to electronica, house, dance or louder and bassier rock. In fact, I'd recommend a sub to any owner of Concertos or Concertinos - you will enjoy the music more. I chose a REL Storm III sub as the best match for the Concertos. The REL has great flexibility with upper cutoff and slope and can be set to integrate with main speakers easily. It is also a very musical and involving sub which supports the small main speakers perfectly. It is not primarily a cinema effects sub, and is run from the high level amp speaker terminals, effectively bi-wired with the main speakers. I found that I was able to achieve remarkably lifelike and enjoyable music with this combination of speakers - it outperforms most floorstanding speakers I have heard, but the sub is essential. I also listened to the Gravis, Sonus Faber's own subwoofer. It is a fine performer, about the same price as the REL Storm III, and with certain strengths not possessed by the REL. Very deep bass was better, as was general articulation - this is absolutely not a "one note bass" sub - and plucked upright bass sounded the best I've heard. The REL did not perform quite as well, BUT what it does do is enhance the music from the Concertos overall - they "bloom" with the REL - it is simply a partnership which works.

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Have previously owned Tannoy and B&W bookshelf speakers. Good value, but definitely on the Sonus Faber class.

Looks. Looks. Natural sounding. Vocals. Instruments. Looks.

The punch and kick required for hard music.

I bought these used because I couldn't afford a new pair. I think I was sweating bad from excitement and 100% humidity when I first unpacked my Concerto Homes. In terms of looks, pictures don't do these justice. I've got them sitting on Sonus Faber Adjustable Iron stands, and I want to buy new furniture to match these now. Wow. These are musical instruments. They blew away my old Infinitys the moment I hooked them up...before I took another 6 weeks to find good placement. I haven't upgraded my center yet, and even my tone-deaf buddy uttered, "Wow...it sounds better without the center channel. Go back" when I fiddled between 2-channel and DTS. My center now sounds like noise people in a box to me. Soundstaging is excellent. These in no way sound boxy. I sit 11 feet away, and they're spaced 6.5 feet apart, slightly toed in so they intersect a couple yards behind me. The tweeters are level with my ear while seated. My main room is FAR--imagine walking to the Sun--from ideal, but they still sound wonderful. Female voices are rich and lush; male voices sound full like they've got a pair; instruments sound real. It sounds there...refined. The bass is outstanding for a monitor. Keep in mind I bought these because I like the decoupled-from-the-floor sound of stand mounters. Lately, I find my subwoofer off because it desecrates the Concertos, but Looking to upgrade to a REL. I will agree all music sounds great, but you don't get the kick of Dynaudio or B&W--metal tweeters AHHHHHHHH--if you like hard or harsh music, so don't expect to head-bang to these. If you've got a favorite sweetspot (the one your buddies claim is a probable sinkhole or couch defect) and want to close your eyes and enjoy some music, buy these. Make sure you open your eyes every now and then to look at them...they really are gorgeous. Would I pay full price for these? I'm not that obsessive (though my friends claim otherwise), but they're well worth my investment.

Human voice, live and acoustic music. Placement of sound.

You may notice flaws and shortcomings in the recording process on albums you adored a few weeks ago....

"It's disturbing, listening to your speakers. Every sound has such a distinct location, I've never seen this before." One of my friends had this to say after his first experience with the concertos. (He's used to a home theatre cosisting of a 5.1 cambridge soundworks set-up, based around their towers w/ twin 8inch woofers). From music to movies to plain old tv, the placement of sounds is amazing. I don't think a blind man would be able to find these speakers as the sound does not seem to be connected to them at all. It seems more like there are a thousand speakers on the wall infront of you, from floor to ceiling. This gives every instrument every voice every sound its own place on my wall. I regularly watch tv using only 2 concertos (no center channel, tv volume muted) and have not noticed any sounds or voices to be out of place. I have a very diverse music collection ranging from hip-hop to Grateful Dead to trance to jazz to classical and have no complaints about the reproductions of any gere. The concertos certainly excell in their reproduction of the human voice (especially the female voice) and live & classical music (I never appreciated the piano so much before). Lately I've been listening to more trance than anything else and the concertos are always up for the base and energy of Oakenfold... Music is free of clutter, one instument does not compete with another for the same space (an interesting side effect of this is that you can hold a conversation through music at considerable volume without raising your voice). You'll be sure to notice details and complexity in recordings you never knew were there but you will also notice things like poor microphone placement in some of your favorite recordings. You will experience a true live feel, like you're witnessing the music being made. These speakers a for music lovers. Just a side note. I am only using a Denon AVR-2802 receiver. No additional amplification. I'm sure it would be nice but it is not required to enjoy these speakers.

Extended treble, Lovely mids with lots of body, tight bass.

Can sound harsh on the ear in some constellations, select equipment carefully!

I have used these speakers for more than 1 year now, and the first thing that i would mention is that these speakers are very musical for mostly all kinds of music. I listen to everything from jazz to electronica, and the music is always engaging from the Sonus Fabers. Treble is very extended, but can be a little harsh with some amps. Mid is lovely, very open and clearly defined. This speakers is a ladykiller, cause it loves to deliver womens voices on good records. Bass is tight and heavy, but it requires a good amp to control it. Positioning can be tricky, the Fabers need much space from the side walls. Setup: Sonus Faber Concerto Home speakers Classé Cap-151 integrated amp. Accuphase DP-55 CD-player Rega P3 turntable/Goldring Eroica

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Avance Dana 2

Bass and mids. Also speaker is warm and very smooth with a sweet sound. Can listen to speaker for very very long periods.

Has a slight dull sound at first and will throw you off but after you do serious listening I promise you will love. Its hand made from Italy. What can I say.

Excellant speaker with excellant build. A different kind of sound at first but after a while of really serious listening you will fall in love with it.

At this price??? All

If you like tum-tum-tum, probably it''s not for you.

A nice, nice loudspeaker. I did listen them in order to replace a pair of old loudspeakers, when I bought a new ampli (Rotel 991). Old louspeakers (ESB Gold Two), that were perfect when I had a Carver m500t, became too aggressive. But in my new home I''ve only a really small room for listening: will my favourite Sonus Faber Electa Amator II play well in it? Think and re-think (also if in Italy obiously S.F. costs many money less than in States - my dealer says that half of SF that sells are for american tourists that sends them at home in the States - , Electa are still expensive for me), I decided to try these before buying EA. Well, certanly they don''t pump bass like big floorstanding models, but quite to be good. Expecially for me, that I''m not interested in HT and subwoofers. Nice voices, expecially for females. They don''t make me tired to listen after five minutes, and scene is correct also in my small room. A great buy...

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B&W, ESB and Mordaunt-Short

"very good"

Soundstage; Midrange

price; need a sub

I listened to the new Concerto Home after having owned
the old Concerto. Compared to the new Concerto Home,
the old Concerto sounds rather thin. The new Concerto Home
has a much wider soundstage, and the midrange is more
detailed. There are enough improvements made on the new
Concerto Home that I have already upgraded to these
wonderful sounding and beautiful speakers. If you loved
the old Concertos, then do yourself a favor and go
listen to these new Concerto Homes; you may decide to
upgrade as well. During the audition, I also listened to
the new Grand Piano Home speakers. They are one level
above the Concerto Homes, but they cost a lot more too.
I may upgrade to these later.

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SF Concerto (old 2000 model)

Beautiful sound and looks

None with a good subwoofer

I got my first HT system after much searching:

Front and rear Sonus Faber Concerto Home with iron stands
Center Sonus Faber Solo Home
Subwoofer REL Strata III
DVD Arcam DV-88
Receiver Onkyo 787
TV Loewe Vitros

I couldnt believe the improvement over my previous McIntosh, KEF 104/2 system... even with CDs... and with a budget receiver...
These speakers sound as good as they look, the voices, violins, even motorcycles, sound as real as if they where in my living room...
With a good subwoofer, like the REL, they sound better than any floor standing speaker I ever heard, and they are much easier to place... forget the mith that subwoofers are only for HT...
Thanks for your reviews, they really helped my choice.

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KEF 10472

Musical, smooth sound, looks

dynamics, scale.

This speaker is an excellent choice to enyone who likes music. However it not so good in an home cinema system, it is short on dynamics, speed and scale to do justice to the most demanding film soundtraks. But for music is a bargain, an overall excellent speaker that only needs a good amplifier.