Sonus Faber Venere 2.5

[gowiththeflow]

Speakers I've been looking at and started to demo.

KEF R500 & R700

PMC Twenty-23 & Twenty-24

Next up will be the Venere 2.5 followed by a step up to the new ATC SCM 40's.

I realise I'm moving up into different territory from the £1500 - 2000 range that I started out with, but having obtained an upgrade in amp capability, it has become an exercise I feel I need to carry out, if only to discover what sort of sound and presentation i'm happiest with.

Any views on the Venere 2.5's ?

.

 

[hifikrazy]

I would also make sure that the new B&W CM series 2 should be on your audition list as well.

 

[gowiththeflow]

 

[matt49]

Yes, they're quite attractive speakers. I really wanted to like them. I'm an SF fan, and when I auditioned the Venere 2.5s, I already had a pair of the 1.5s. However, I found the 2.5s too dark and lacking in dynamics. In that particular demo they were easily beaten by the Harbeth SHL5s.

Matt

 

[gowiththeflow]

Yes, they're quite attractive speakers. I really wanted to like them. I'm an SF fan, and when I auditioned the Venere 2.5s, I already had a pair of the 1.5s. However, I found the 2.5s too dark and lacking in dynamics. In that particular demo they were easily beaten by the Harbeth SHL5s.

Matt

Thanks Matt.

My understanding is that they ideally require a more powerful and open amp, with a very good top end, to get them going properly and to overcome their bias towards the dark side.

They are supposed to work a treat with the Devialet 120/200 (they're SAM'ed now as well) and are said to work with Naim (XS pre/power, SuperNait 2 & SuperUniti), where they supposedly counter and tame the strident and forward character (coloured in my view). Although Naim won't be featuring in my plans.

I'm expecting these to be the complete antithesis of the new range ATC SCM40's.

.

 

[matt49]

When I heard the 2.5s, the amps were: Krell S-550i and Lavardin IT. The 1.5s I use at home were originally driven by a Cyrus X Power, which sounded really good IMO. I'm now using a Peachtree Decco, which also works well, though the Cyrus was marginally preferable.

I'd say a powerful SS amp would be essential. I'm sure a Devialet would be outstanding -- speaking as a Devialet owner

 

[Frank Harvey]

Speakers I've been looking at and started to demo.

KEF R500 & R700

PMC Twenty-23 & Twenty-24

Next up will be the Venere 2.5 followed by a step up to the new ATC SCM 40's.

I realise I'm moving up into different territory from the £1500 - 2000 range that I started out with, but having obtained an upgrade in amp capability, it has become an exercise I feel I need to carry out, if only to discover what sort of sound and presentation i'm happiest with.

Any views on the Venere 2.5's ?

For those that feel the R Series is a little on the bassy side, the Venere range is a step in the right direction without drastically moving away from the R Series sound, as would be the case with the PMCs and ATCs. They're a little more forthcoming in the midrange and treble (not excessively) which I think is partly due to reigning the bass in a little. As mentioned, the other range to look at will be the new B&W CM S2 range.

 

[CnoEvil]

I'm expecting these to be the complete antithesis of the new range ATC SCM40's.

You have a list of excellent speakers, with ATC / PMC at one end of the spectrum and SF at the other...and with Kef R Series somewhere in the middle.

As you have stated, amp matching is absolutely crucial to get the most out of them...ie. Slightly less analytical amps for ATC/PMC and clean powerful amps for SF/Kef.

I look forward to seeing how this all pans out.

 

[gowiththeflow]

I'm expecting these to be the complete antithesis of the new range ATC SCM40's.

You have a list of excellent speakers, with ATC / PMC at one end of the spectrum and SF at the other...and with Kef R Series somewhere in the middle.

As you have stated, amp matching is absolutely crucial to get the most out of them...ie. Slightly less analytical amps for ATC/PMC and clean powerful amps for SF/Kef.

I look forward to seeing how this all pans out.

From what I've gleaned so far, the R-series are in a class below, but I'll have to judge for myself when i hear them for myself against the 2.5's.

The amp I'm intending to use is a NAD M2, which I managed to grab before they vanished from stocks. However, I can always use that amp in another system I intend to build for another room, if needs be.

 

[CnoEvil]

I'm expecting these to be the complete antithesis of the new range ATC SCM40's.

You have a list of excellent speakers, with ATC / PMC at one end of the spectrum and SF at the other...and with Kef R Series somewhere in the middle.

As you have stated, amp matching is absolutely crucial to get the most out of them...ie. Slightly less analytical amps for ATC/PMC and clean powerful amps for SF/Kef.

I look forward to seeing how this all pans out.

From what I've gleaned so far, the R-series are in a class below, but I'll have to judge for myself when i hear them for myself against the 2.5's.

The amp I'm intending to use is a NAD M2, which I managed to grab before they vanished from stocks. However, I can always use that amp in another system I intend to build for another room, if needs be.

I don't think that the R Series are a class below the Venere. They both have Standmounts around £1k and a range topper at around £3k. The R700 is the equivalent of the Venere 2.5.

I think they will both sound well when driven by the M2.

 

[Native_bon]

Yes, they're quite attractive speakers. I really wanted to like them. I'm an SF fan, and when I auditioned the Venere 2.5s, I already had a pair of the 1.5s. However, I found the 2.5s too dark and lacking in dynamics. In that particular demo they were easily beaten by the Harbeth SHL5s.

Matt

My observations are same as above. They sounded flat & were lacking in bass depth. Easy on the ear put lacked the close to the music appeal.