Olympica Nova
 

Anybody else noticed the Sonus Faber Olympica *Nova* ad in the latest Stereophile? A completely re-designed line that looks essentially like a cross of the original Olympicas and the latest Tradition line.

It's not the first time they do this, of course. The Cremonas and Cremonas M come to mind, and, of course, the "tradition" line is the fourth incarnation of the original Homage series. Not crazy about the Nova aesthetics, however, since it looks like most of the leather is now gone. I had a soft spot for the look of the original Olympicas, and I considered them the best looking SF line since the brand changed hands (yes, I think they look better than the Aida, etc... I thought the side/vertical ports looked terrific, and the leather on the top was a genius idea).

Overall, it looks like they are trying to use the new Amati as the starting point, which I assume simplifies the manufacturing/assembly process and saves on cost.

There is no mention of this revamped Olympica anywhere else, however. At least none that I could find.

I received a call from my dealer last month to let me know they were coming out with a revamped Olympica line so this fits with what I was told. If there are pictures I would love to see a screen shot or photo if you can share one.

I think the Olympica is one of the best Sonus Faber made - enjoyed it far more than any of the newest Tradition series. Everything is boosted too much in the upper midrange and treble... It's as if then entire tonal balance was shifted toward the treble. I did a long demo of the Olympica 3 and the Serafino Tradition, and enjoyed the Olympica series far more. I was a fan of all Sonus Faber speakers, but now don't care for any of the latest Tradition series (Sonetto, Tradition series, and I guess now the Nova I presume).... Guess I will have to find a new brand unfortunately. I always loved the Sonus Faber tonal balance but no longer.

That’s a different perspective from mine.

I liked the old Amati. I liked the old Cremona M.

I didn’t like the Olympica as much. Nor the Venere. They were too laid back for me.

But the new Amati Tradition brought the sound back. And the Sonetto is in the same vein.

That’s why I’m looking forward to the new Nova.

I’ll leave my thoughts regarding the Olympica out of it as I posted about it elsewhere, but agree with you that I find the new Tradition series a bit too bright and tipped toward the treble for my tastes and this was during a demo at my dealer put on by Sonus Faber, Audio Research, and Shunyata. The main demo was of the I’l Cremonese which I found to have the same tonal balance too. I wasn’t the only one at the demo who thought so. Maybe it wasn’t the speakers to blame, but perhaps the simultaneous streaming that they were using in all their listening rooms that day? That being said, to my ears all the new SF had the same tonal balance on that occasion.

Interesting, I’ve never heard Olympica’s described as laid back. Their predecessors perhaps but I guess that is what makes this hobby so fun. All that matters is that you find what is best to your ears.

The Olympica Nova is out now.

“The high frequency performance of the Olympica Nova Is was utterly romantic and alive.”
Quote from the review that just came out on the part-time audiophile site.

I absolutely am not disputing anyone’s opinion as I’ve only ever heard the Liuto and Memento speakers fom Sonus Faber. I just wanted to provide data for the discussion. :tiphat:

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2019/...eakers-review/

ron

SoundStage! Insight - Sonus faber Olympica Nova at World of McIntosh Townhouse (October 2019) https://youtu.be/TBJRoH5uGQE

:thumbsup:

Ron

I saw the article and video as well. I was initially disappointed that SF went away from the leather front look but I have to say the Nova’s are growing on me now. I’m probably going to bite on the Center 2 first and go from there.

They were featuring the new Nova at RMAF last week, and it sounded very good: articulate, fast bass and very well balanced overall.

I was always 'put off' with the over-the-top leather highlights of Sonus Faber (to say nothing of the their "old" sound (to my ears)), which served no purpose. For one, I think it has taken Sonus Faber longer than about any high-end equipment supplier to move into the 21st century. I now find their design, fit & finish second to none these days (on the two higher tiers of speakers) and their SQ thoroughly 'modern' in providing excellent sound.

With the new Olympica Nova III out the predecessor III is hitting the market with some great pricing. Am kicking tires on new speakers and was very impressed with the Olympica IIIs.

Sopra 2s, Wilson Sophia, Canton Ref 5K, Treo CT, JA Perspective ......... so many excellent speakers in the <$10K price range. May even stretch and listen to the Serafino if I run across a pair while shopping. Lots of listening to do over the next several months. The sad part of it is that I will likely never have the opportunity to A/B any of them as they will all reside at different dealers.

Olympica Nova
 

I’ve set up a couple of pairs of O III’s for friends. You can extract some magic from them. :)

A friend has just purchased the Nova, I have seen and heard them first hand. I own the O3's and find the new Nova better in every way!!!

Tom - Do you listen to your Futura in 2-channel? If so, how would you compare them to the O III's?

Yes, I do. I would say the OIII’s have a strong family resemblance with the Futuras. I never had them side by side in the same space, so my observations are colored by that fact.

I’d say the Futura’s have deeper and better defined bass, and they have a more refined midrange. Overall tonality is very similar, and both speakers benefit from careful setup.

I look forward to lower prices on the OIII’s as that may enable me to add them to our lake house system.

Glenn - What is ‘old’ or ‘modern’ sound?

Tom - thank you for your thoughts.

Craig - Old for me is warm & slow. A rather warm & languid presentation, if you will. Horn & planar speakers were the early providers of a 'faster' sound (with noted deficincies - lack of bass, shrill treble, etc., in many cases). The refinements of box speakers starting in the '90s (computer design & analysis was likely a very big help) and they have pretty much caught up to horn & planar speakers, which have also benefited from computers. To my ears, Sonus Faber was one of the laggards in this regard and did not really turn the corner on same until some years into this century. I can't really say when or what model, as I no longer bothered to listen to them until the last year, or so. However, Sonus Faber had an established 'house sound', as did McIntosh, and were likely much influenced in not wanting to make a big 'step-change' that would result in unhappy long-term customers. As we all have our own ears, YMMV.

I understand. Would you say B&W or Magicos are modern?

By your definition, all I have ever heard from those manufacturers (limited sampling) has been on the modern or brighter side to my ears.

Hmmmm......... I would pretty much put B&W in the same boat as Sonus Faber. The newer the better. Like with SF, I stopped listening to B&W until about 2005 (or whenever the 'Diamond' tweeter first arrived). I was pleasantly surprised with the improvement in sound with that series and they've been good, if not great, to my ears since. I would not call them bright, but have only listened to them with McIntosh gear, which tends to not be bright. I've never heard a Magico speaker, so cannot comment on them.

However, I was very pleased by the SF O IIIs as I was with the Sopra 2 and Quattro CT and will do considerable listening between now and next May (decision time). Size is one of my considerations and I want the best SQ from the smallest tower. You know.......... an Aida 2 that's only 38"x8"x10". The impossible............ The O III is at the upper limit of size & weight for me. Plus, I find its finish to be so good that it enters into the equation, which I usually try not to allow.

has anyone some hours in his Novas yet? any first hand review? the only review i find online is the parttimestereo one, which is just for the bookshelves.

thanks!

Curious as well!

Shocked no one here on AA has a pair yet!

Most recent Stereophile reviewed the Nova 1. My reading of the review (both subjective & measured) was "damned with faint praise............." on the performance end of things. YMMV.

Listened to some Nova II’s and Dynaudio Confidence 30’s side by side at a local dealer. I thought the Dyn’s were a bit muted compared to the Nova’s. I’m a Focal fan, so I think the Nova’s were more like the Focals I’m used to vs the Dyn’s.

At 1/2 the price, I think the Nova II’s were a better buy for sure.

I own the Nova III and really am enjoying them. After 100 hours of break in the bottom end came alive.
I hear that Sonus Faber just raised the price on these by $500.
Good listening.
Trailmusic

Serafinos vs Nova III
 

I own Nova IIIs and love them.
Has anyone compared the Nova III and Serafinos side by side?
Is the sound difference worth $7500 difference?
My dealer does not carry the Serafinos.....just the Amanti Traditions.
Good listening. Trailmusic.

System: Nova III, Lumin A1, Esoteric F-05, Valhalla 2 cabling.

Olympica Nova
 

The same question is asked in the comment section of this YouTube link. You can find the answer there also.

https://youtu.be/2x3BG-eRUzM

I personally heard them both in the same store on different occasions.
First i heard the Serafino, which made my jaw drop.

A week or so later i heard the Olympica Nova 3.
I was hoping for a similar experience, but it didn’t.

The Nova is very nice but not in the same league.

I guess there is a reason for the price difference.
It almost always does.

Nova CII
 

Finally got my Nova CII. It took over two months to get in. It’s a significant improvement over the Olympica Center.

It was the one area of my system I was never fully satisfied with. I’m glad SF came out with a better offering in the Nova line.

Karl