Aida 2
 

Looking forward to hearing the premier of the Aida 2 at Paragon on the 22nd of this month. :yes:

Jim... looking forward to your impressions.

Here is an explanation of all the internal upgrades;

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2017/...io-video-show/

Personally, I think they should have also made additional outward cosmetic changes.

I think I like the look of the older version a bit more.

Me too! :)

Jim,
I had a brief demo last weekend down here (maybe Paragon's getting the same pair since they're on loan at the dealer here). Just incredible clarity and realism; when you closed your eyes, they did not seem to be "big", but felt like more like a live venue to me than anything else I've ver heard. They were driven by C1100 / MC1.2 combination. The dealer told me they don't do trade ins, but could make an exception for my Amati Futuras, LOL.

Ivan, you should venture out to the Midwest to hang with Jim on this one! :beerchug:

This is one of the important things about good big speakers. A lot of big speakers sounds big all the time even if the instrument is small. A good big speaker sounds big and pictures a big scene when it is like that, but makes a small instrument sound as small as it is. Sonus fabers big speakers have this ability. Never heard the new Aida but the former Aida and Lilium, Il Cremonese and The Sonus faber are doing this right, due to my taste at least.

+1!

Well several of us AA'rs are heading over for tonights Paragon Event for the Aida 2. Unfortunately I think they will be using the AR 750's which are nice but not my favorite amps. I will only staying about two hours at most as I want to get back to watch the Sweet 16 games tonight. All in all a good night.

Jim... let me know if I need them. :)

:lurk:

The social, culinary, and beverage aspects of the event at Paragon last night contributed to their usual superbly wonderful holistic experience. Bravo to Larry and the Paragon staff! The event was worth the 4 hour round trip for several reasons. Unfortunately the Aida demo wasn't one of them. The demo was based upon mostly middling jazz/rock/fusion often played far too loud beyond the point of distortion rendered in a two-dimensional sound stage. A video promoting the Sonus Faber Aida 2 was displayed concurrently providing an unwarranted visual distraction. Regrettable.

Sigh.:sigh:

Bob

If Ivan or anyone else is considering the Aida 2 they are going to need a better selection of music to help make their decision. The tracks used may have been selected by the Sonus Faber rep to show you these are not your fathers SF's. It seemed like he chose tracks that demonstrated the Aida 2's drivers could start and stop on a dime without any consideration for how they performed with classical, female vocals, strings or Americana etc. Maybe it was assumed we knew these have always been and are still the strength of the SF family.

I actually liked the video and explanation that preceded the demo. It was a bit long and having part of it continuing to scroll on the screen during the presentation wasn't a distraction to me. At least far less distracting than several of the musical choices.

What I did learn from the slide show was that everything is new in the speaker save for the exterior shape. No parts are carry over. The internal bracing is all redesigned. New crossovers. All drivers are new (?). They proved that these speakers are full range units that can rock with the best of them. On the one jazzy bass/saxophone track they reproduced those instruments beautifully. (and you guys know how much I dislike jazz)

I was in the first demo group of the night (along with Frank and Doug) so I am not sure what was played in subsequent sittings. As Bob noted above the "musicality" of the speakers was also never demonstrated in his sitting.

Bottom line. I think these speakers are more capable than the original Aida's in reproducing all genre of music. Whether current SF owners are looking for that or if this latest speaker has lost any of the musicality we are accustomed to from the brand, I couldn't tell from the selections played the other night.

Wow. What a shame. I have listened to some excellent kit over there.

Jim thanks for sharing your impression. I think sonus faber has lost its way, they may have forgotten what made the speakers desirable.

In case some of you have not seen this, here is a nice overview (not a review) of the new Aida 2 by TAS's Julie Mullins:

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...vent-part-two/

Enjoy.

Bob

David
I am not sure if SF has lost their way. As I indicated I think these may be more capable than the original Aida's. Due to the music choices the demo I sat through never had the opportunity to show whether the newer product we are accustomed to from Sous Faber. A further demo would be required to determine if SF has actually improved the speaker.

Thanks everybody for sharing your impression.
I'v followed Sf for a long time and listened quite much on every new speaker (not Aida2) in different rooms and with different gear. I'v seen the brand evolve in music presentation with every new speaker release.
What I think is good is thet they have got the good parts left there and raised the parts not as god. I think they have improved a bit clearer and higher resolution without missing the musical magic, the warmth throughout the hole frequency range and breathtaking end very real midrange.
If the Aida2 lacks this it is probably due to to few burn in hours or something else, gear etc. But thats just a guess, what it's worth.

I surely don’t care for the new exterior appearance. :sigh:

http://tas.zeitpress.com/resizer/art.../?size=648,460

That looks like a horizontal looking pinned stripped shirt --

Best Sir,

Bob

I also prefer the slightly lighter and reddish original Aida look.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/pict...pictureid=2235

Maybe I’m just partial :p

Oh Ivan, those look vintage now!! :D

I know, give me a hand and we’ll drag them out for garbage. :laughin:

In real life they are even better. :yes:

Didn't they say that the Aida2's external appearance was unchanged?

The Aidas are in my eyes one of the most beautiful speakers out there.
Would love to have one of those in my living room.

Jonas