Italy-based Sonus Faber is slowing working its way into my short list of favorites in high end audio. Our listening sessions to the flagship Aida and all sorted products from the diverse palate of loudspeakers creations have always been richly rewarding. Now the brand is launching two new lines of custom install products (Level 5 and Level 6) under the Palladio Collection to compliment existing options or create new ones.
Level 5 is set to coincide with the Sonette speakers and Level 6 Olympica. The new in-wall models are designed to cover left/right/center placements, as an add on to an existing two channel rig or as a standalone option for those who want a more discrete (but still extremely high end) system. Level 6 cabinets can be installed with either sealed (less house bleed) or open to the wall. Both sets can be painted for concealment, but if you would like to keep the Sonus Faber aesthetic, the Level 6 offers a leather surround for the mid and silk dome tweeter laid into an optional walnut wood panel. Spicy.
Pricing for the new custom in-walls is still TBD, but expect shipping to start in the Q3 of this year. Full presser below.
“Design Your Harmony
THE COLLECTION – Sound is everywhere. Make it perfect.
Sonus faber is excited to make their debut at the 2019 ISE Show in Amsterdam February 5 – 8. Remaining committed to our mission of creating an immersive and realistic listening experience and eager to enhance the Voice of Sonus faber, our engineers have pushed the limits of their existing technical knowledge to bring to life a new project. The result is the Sonus faber Palladio – a collection of custom installation speakers, In-Wall and In-Ceiling loudspeaker systems that stay true to the Sonus faber heritage.
Choosing a name for a new collection is a process Sonus faber approaches with serious consideration. Our team always looks for meaningful ways to present new models and the Palladio Collection was no different. Our intention was aimed at paying homage to our Italian roots and Vicenza’s artistic heritagewhich is why our new collection bears the name of the Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, considered to be one of the most influential figures in the Western architecture history, a master whose work is still an unsurpassed reference for the definition of classical proportions rules.
With Palladio’s design rules, all the neo-classical and modern architectures, although studied in detail, are extremely natural. Most of Palladio’s creations are concentrated in Vicenza and its surrounding territory and the city is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We recognize the privilege of this special site holding our roots which ultimately guided the decision to dedicate this collection to Palladio; a line of speakers designed for perfect integration into any architectural environment, carefully studied, and always natural.
The Sonus faber Palladio collection features two lines: Level 5 and Level 6, ideal complement of Sonetto and Olympica collections respectively with 13 models in total. Level 5 offers 2 In-Wall and 4 In-Ceiling speakers and the Level 6 includes 2 In-Wall and 5 In-Ceiling speakers. Additionally, both lines boast the option to add a versatile passive subwoofer (PS-G101).
For 36 years, Sonus faber has been creating loudspeakers like musical instruments with the goal of bringing the emotion of a live performance into every home, while adding to a beautifully designed home aesthetic. Through the Palladio collection, we aim to extend Sonus faber products range, offering a complete solution for every listening occasion and environment. With extreme discretion, music becomes part of your everyday life.
Designed to bring the emotion of listening anywhere, to transport the listener into a limitless sound immersion, Palladio custom installation speakers utilize the advanced technology featured across our high-end speaker ranges.
Silk dome tweeters are characterized by DAD (Damped Apex DomeTM) technology and mid-ranges and woofers are equipped with natural fiber and cellulose pulp diaphragms. These two elements give life to the recognizable and iconic “Voice of Sonus faber”.
The Crossover network is designed for better definition and purity of sound featuring the Paracross TopologyTM circuitry.
Each line has two angled models (PC-562P and PC-563P for Level 5, PC-662P and PC-664P for Level 6) that increase the versatility of the collection allowing users to easily complete any home theater or stereo system, in any environment, even those difficult to access.
Whenever front speakers cannot be placed on walls, these models are designed to be mounted in the ceiling. Drivers have been positioned at an optimal angle to aim the sound towards the listening position, guaranteeing the same performance of a front firing speaker.
Both lines have an In-Wall LCR (Left/Center/Right) model (PL-563 for Level 5 and PL-664 for Level 6), designed to cover multiple roles according to different needs. For example, thanks to their high-power capabilities, the wall speakers can turn any room into a fully capable movie and music theater environment.
In Level 6, 3 models (PC-664P, PL-664, PW-662) come with a wooden sealed box, designed to be used when sound isolation is required. The back sealed box is the ideal solution to avoid sound pollution to other floors and, at the same time, allow a precise control of the speaker load.
However, it is possible to open the boxes to allow greater acoustic loading using the internal space inside the plasterboard. Finally, all the Level 6 loudspeakers feature die-cast aluminum baskets, designed by the Sonus faber laboratories.
Extremely compact and equipped with authentic sound, the Sonus faber Level 5 and 6 are easy to install and versatile to be positioned in any setting. Thanks to the swing out dogs fixing system, all Palladio speakers can be secured quickly and effectively to plasterboard.
Building on the profound evolution process of Sonus faber in the last year that brought us to explore new design solutions and manufacturing methods, as well as use of new materials, our goal remains to highlight Italian design and creativity, extending through the launch of the Sonus faber Palladio collection. The line of custom installation speakers remains true to our brand and style, weaving the Voice of Sonus faber with iconic elements on drivers, wood inlays and aluminum inserts.
The two levels draw inspiration from two successful Sonus faber collections: Sonetto and Olympica, which inherited the mid-high frequencies section design known as the “Voice of Sonus faber”. In the Level 5, the silk dome tweeter is framed by a flange made in aluminum, an element that is also found in the woofer’s aesthetic rings.
Separately, the Level 6 is characterized by the presence, in smaller dimensions, of the entire front baffle of Olympica, in which tweeters and mid-ranges are placed on a support covered in natural leather. Regarding the front panels, we referenced our past collections to integrate the string pattern design explicitly reminiscent of the Sonetto bookshelves’ stand. The Level 6 features the optional walnut wood front panels with maple inlays derived from the typical Olympica finish and creating a highly distinctive design in the In-Wall speaker market.
All Palladio series models are equipped with a magnetic metal grille, designed to make each model as discreet as possible and ready to be paint. For Level 6, however, an extra option is offered: For those who do not want to relinquish the Sonus faber style, PL-664 and PW-662 models can be upgraded with classic elastic grilles masks, iconic design element and a tribute to stringed musical instruments that have guided the fortune of our brand.
Sonus faber Palladio products will be available in the 3rd quarter of 2019 and pricing information will be confirmed in the 2nd quarter.“