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Sonus faber Suprema 5 box speaker system

Sonus faber celebrates 40th anniversary with Suprema

Sonus faber celebrates 40th anniversary with Suprema

Sonus faber is proud to announce the launch of Suprema, a groundbreaking loudspeaker system rooted in luxury, unparalleled audio excellence and meticulous craftsmanship. Marking the brand’s 40th anniversary, the Suprema system features two main columns, two subwoofers and one electronic crossover, representing the future of the iconic audio brand and Sonus faber’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of audio excellence.

The Suprema loudspeaker system is undoubtedly the most ambitious project ever crafted by Sonus faber. Born from a longstanding and relentless pursuit of perfection, Suprema represents the epitome of audio excellence, redefining the boundaries of sonic immersion. The first-of-its-kind offering is the pinnacle of the 40th anniversary year of the brand, where exquisite detailing, luxurious materials, and craftsmanship of the highest quality elevate the project beyond the concept of a loudspeaker system.

Priced at £695, 000 for the full loudspeaker system, Suprema embodies the peak of luxury and the ultimate experience for audio and design enthusiasts. It is available to order worldwide as of today, January 9th 2024 and will be produced upon request.

The aesthetics

Suprema’s four columns were designed as a call back to the brand’s heritage. The two main columns feature a lute shape nodding back to the first Guarneri, which ensures seamless integration and the ability to disappear from the virtual soundstage. The two subwoofers feature an elliptical shape, pulled from the Stradivari, which allows the two pieces to host large transducers and energy impact.

Sonus faber celebrates 40th anniversary with Suprema

The variety of materials were chosen based on their individual characteristics and ability to complement one another to enhance their best properties – carbon fibre for its exceptional resistance, wood for its harmonic qualities and solid aluminium, CNC machined for its static qualities. Lending to the sophistication of Suprema, multilayer wood is used for the side panels of the main columns to create the illusion of “wings” via a unique 3D bending shape.

Suprema features a leather front panel in true Sonus faber tradition. However, for this special project, the brand partnered with renowned luxury furniture brand Poltrona Frau. Each Suprema speaker system will feature Poltrona Frau’s Pelle Frau® Impact Less leather, a chromium-free tanning process leather launched in 2022.

The technology

In addition to Suprema’s sophisticated four column system comprising two main columns and two subwoofers, the system includes an external electronic crossover. The design of Suprema’s configuration system aims to extend beyond the conventional limits of the frequency band coverage and enhance acoustic performance to new levels of excellence.

Each main column of Suprema is a 4/5-way system and features eight front-firing speakers, in addition to two backfiring drivers. The Voice of Sonus faber, the configuration of tweeters and a midrange, boasts three new, innovative elements – one brand new Camila midrange with cellulose pulp diaphragm, one new mid-tweeter with treated silk dome, and one new super tweeter with treated silk dome. While the materials are in line with Sonus faber tradition, electroacoustic elements have been completely redesigned as outlined below.

Sonus faber celebrates 40th anniversary with Suprema

The new Camelia midrange, responsible for the most important part of the acoustic spectrum, was developed by a team of electroacoustic engineers to ensure maximum resolution, while maintaining the legendary natural sound of Sonus faber. Inspired by nature, the new membrane is not circular, nor is it masked by the suspensions, offering its entire surface to the listener and avoiding the formation of resonances associated with circular shapes.

The new dual-drive magnetic system of the midrange ensures control and even dynamics. Air flow management is held by the organic basket. Previously implemented on Stradivari woofers, this original design by Sonus faber will be featured in all next generation Sonus faber speakers.

A special combination of the Camila midrange and tweeters are loaded in a unique dedicated internal volume, designed to enhance the performance of the drivers. By leveraging simulator technology, the chamber and its inner walls maintain an organic shape, which is made entirely of recycled cork. It makes Sonus faber the first to use the natural and sustainable material to create acoustic volume, while enhancing the resolution and naturalness of the midrange performance.

For the optimal reproduction of infrasonic frequencies, a separate subwoofer system has been engineered to optimise low range response regardless of the position of the main columns in the listening environment.

The subwoofer uses two powerful 38cm transducers featuring forged carbon fibre membranes and a neodymium magnet motor system to ensure undistorted pressures up to 16hz.

Controlling the coupling between the speaker and the ground is crucial to achieving the purest level of silence within musical texture. A decoupling system, created in collaboration with Isoacoustics, allows Suprema to reach unparalleled levels of dynamics and power, while preserving energy content and avoiding the propagation of unwanted vibrations within the listening environment.

The crossover networks

Time and Balance: The crossover filters, partially visible on the sides of the main column, use the best mix of electroacoustic configurations experienced by the R&D team in the last decade.

Sonus faber celebrates 40th anniversary with Suprema

Through various iterations of simulation, testing and listening, Sonus faber aims to achieve the perfect tonal balance and most rigorous control of the acoustic phases, responsible for impeccable timing and perfect soundstage performance in all three dimensions.

State-of-the-Art Electronics: The electronic crossover, dual mono and fully balanced, manages the integration between the Suprema main columns and subwoofers and offers versatility of use with maximum respect for the electrical signal.

All phase cutting and control circuits are 100% analog and created using selected discrete components, while the cabinet mirrors the dual essence of this piece – the power supply is enclosed in a solid aluminum case and the audio signal is guarded in a precious lacquered wooden enclosure.

Poltrona Frau

Poltrona Frau has been a leader in the world of Made in Italy furnishings since 1912. As a brand, it values artistic aptitude and meticulous construction, using only the highest-quality raw materials, like Pelle Frau® leather, making it the ideal go-to for high-end furniture for the home and office. The search for style has led Poltrona Frau to create classic pieces that express a unique elegance that is as universal as it is intimate and personal, from Chester and Vanity Fair, designed by company founder Renzo Frau, to Dezza by Gio Ponti and Titano, a project by Pierluigi Cerri that won the brand its first Compasso d’Oro industrial design award. Not forgetting the brand’s more recent successes, including the collections expertly designed by Jean-Marie Massaud, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba, Roberto Lazzeroni, GamFratesi and Neri&Hu.

Poltrona Frau also fosters an exquisite blend of tradition and innovation through two additional business units. Firstly, we have Interiors in Motion, which specializes in the furnishing of exclusive interiors for cars, luxury yachts, rail and air transport. This division proudly collaborates with some of the most renowned luxury brands, including Ferrari, Porsche and McLaren in the automotive sector, and Ferretti Yachts, Pershing and Riva in the seafaring sector, to name but a few.

Secondly, there is the Custom Interiors division, which focuses on creating purpose-designed seating for auditoriums, theatres, airports, public spaces, office and store showrooms, hotels and yachts, working very closely with the very best names in the fields of architecture and international design. It has partnered with the likes of Renzo Piano, Foster + Partners, Frank O.Gehry, Jean Nouvel, Zaha Hadid Studio and David Chipperfield to produce some of its most iconic design projects. The beating heart of the operation has always been the production site in Tolentino, located in the Marche region of Italy, an expert factory with roots in the local area. The Tolentino site is at the forefront in the area of environmental sustainability certifications, as well as in regard to the health and safety of its employees.

Pricing and availability

The Sonus faber Suprema will be available on request through select authorized Sonus faber dealers beginning in January 2024 and will retail for: Suprema 2.2: £695,000 / $750,000 USD / €800.00 (two main columns, two subwoofers and one electronic crossover). Suprema 2.1: £625,000 / $680,00 USD / €750.00 (two main columns, one subwoofer and one electronic crossover)

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