The Sonus Faber Snail, Reloaded

[esteban]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx3wpPnHrPg"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx3wpPnHrPg[/ame]

So many subliminal and oh-not-so-subtle things in that video that are all kinds of wrong... It's frankly laughable, frustrating and vomit-inducing, all at the same time... I sincerely believe I've had it with Sonus faber at this point. I love my Elipsas, but if I ever "upgrade" (I more than likely won't), I do not think it'll be with a Sf model... At least not a new one.

[frequentflyer]

Originally Posted by esteban

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx3wpPnHrPg

So many subliminal and oh-not-so-subtle things in that video that are all kinds of wrong... It's frankly laughable, frustrating and vomit-inducing, all at the same time... I sincerely believe I've had it with Sonus faber at this point. I love my Elipsas, but if I ever "upgrade" (I more than likely won't), I do not think it'll be with a Sf model... At least not a new one.

Nice video, its products like this that brings in serious cash flow. B&W mentioned as much regarding their Zeppelin, its very profitable. Bravo to SF for innovating in an industry that's usually a follower of mainstream products.

[esteban]

Originally Posted by frequentflyer

Nice video, its products like this that brings in serious cash flow. B&W mentioned as much regarding their Zeppelin, its very profitable. Bravo to SF for innovating in an industry that's usually a follower of mainstream products.

I respect your opinion, but how are they innovating? You said yourself that B&W has already been there and done that, and so have McIntosh, Marantz, Martin Logan, Musical Fidelity, etc., etc., It is, after all, just a glorified all-in-one tabletop system. However, you do not see the likes of Wilson, Magico, YG, Rockport, etc., etc, following in those same steps, and yet those are all financially solid companies with values that are just as solid. I personally found the video cringe-worthy, preposterous, and just plain silly, and the sexual overtones in poor taste. To each his own, I suppose...

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by esteban

I respect your opinion, but how are they innovating? You said yourself that B&W has already been there and done that, and so have McIntosh, Marantz, Martin Logan, Musical Fidelity, etc., etc., It is, after all, just a glorified all-in-one tabletop system. However, you do not see the likes of Wilson, Magico, YG, Rockport, etc., etc, following in those same steps, and yet those are all financially solid companies with values that are just as solid. I personally found the video cringe-worthy, preposterous, and just plain silly, and the sexual overtones in poor taste. To each his own, I suppose...

Esteban, I think the design is innovative but you are correct, they are following the leaders in this product segment. Craig

[rscotth]

$9K and only 200 made. Source Tone Audio FB page. Jeff was there for the unveiling.

[rscotth]

"The new Sf16 from Sonus faber combines everything they know about speaker design and fabrication in a compact, desktop system that pumps out 1400 watts. It has an internal DAC and DTS Play-fi technology. Built like a bespoke watch, this sets the standard for all in one systems. It's priced at $9,000 USD and there will only be 200 worldwide produced per year.
Quite the collaboration from the World of McIntosh group!"

[esteban]

Originally Posted by rscotth

$9K and only 200 made. Source Tone Audio FB page. Jeff was there for the unveiling.

$9K????

[gerzom]

Originally Posted by esteban

$9K????

Between 6 and 8K according to Analog Planet, but still...........

[esteban]

For $9K, one might as well buy a pair of Olympicas I or II's and a $1K integrated amp... A gorgeous system that would also be compact and decor and WAF-friendly.

I hope this new marketing and life-style nonsense works for the WOM bean-counters, but I know (as the owner of Elipsa SE's) that I will never consider the brand again. So my question is: if you alienate a lot of the "core", old-fashioned and hard-headed audiophiles such as me (and I am only 38), and you fail to reach the mainstream as well with a $9K glorified table-top radio, what would that do to the brand?

[crwilli]

$9k is absurd for sure unless you live in a concrete house with the exact same design motif and don't want wires.