Sonus faber Chameleon speakers NEW

[Venere]

Totally agree with your comments. I dislike these trends as much as you do, and "get used to it" was a poor choice of words. What I should have said is that it is inevitable. Companies now days are so in love with diversification and filling market niches that their slogans should Jack of All Trades, Master of None. I agree, its a shame to see Sonus Faber go down that path, and yet my purchase of Venere 3.0s from Magnolia sadly makes me one of their marketing guys stats in support of going downmarket. I simply couldn't afford one of their Italian-built models. Been wanting SFs since the first time I heard Electa Amators more than 20 years ago. I totally understand why many SF fans see the company losing their focus, but its the reality of the marketplace. Btw, now that Monty is out at Ferrari i can guaranty you that a Ferrari sedan and SUV are already on the drawing boards. If you think the SF fans are disappointed wait til the Tifosi see a Ferrari SUV. Tears will flow. Thanks for the chat. This is a wonderful forum. Cheers.

[esteban]

Thank you for your comments, Venere. I appreciate them and agree with your observations as well. Inevitable, yes. Regrettable, yes. Irreversible? I hope not!

I'm on the same boat, in fact: as you will see from my signature, I own the Toy Towers and, like you, have been an admirer of Franco Serblin's work since I heard the very first Concertino (also about 20 years ago), and always "aspired" to one day own a Cremona, an Olympica (although I do prefer the original Cremona floorstander), maybe even an Elipsa SE or a Guarneri Memento. What's sad is that little by little, with all of these new "lifestyle" and "jack of all trades" choices, I'm not so sure I would want to buy any of the above speakers anymore. I do have to vote with my pockets and I'm not sure I would want to support a brand that seems to be losing its identity and whose "mission statement", so to speak, seems to get blurrier, greedier and shadier by the minute...

[frequentflyer]

Prices?

[tompj]

I'm really sorry that Sonus faber, after the takeover, has chosen a more mainstream route. From a business standpoint I wonder if it will be successful, but it might. But from the standpoint of a long standing fan of the brand (I currently own my fifth pair) I really dislike what I see.
Speakers as the Guarneri Futura I still like although they are moving away form the house sound to a more blended sound that leans more towards the mainstream. But still works of art and sonically superb. These new ones, from their appearance alone, I really dislike. I would say, get your 'old school' Sonus fabers as soon as you can; things aren't getting better here.

[esteban]

Originally Posted by tompj

I'm really sorry that Sonus faber, after the takeover, has chosen a more mainstream route. From a business standpoint I wonder if it will be successful, but it might. But from the standpoint of a long standing fan of the brand (I currently own my fifth pair) I really dislike what I see.
Speakers as the Guarneri Futura I still like although they are moving away form the house sound to a more blended sound that leans more towards the mainstream. But still works of art and sonically superb. These new ones, from their appearance alone, I really dislike. I would say, get your 'old school' Sonus fabers as soon as you can; things aren't getting better here.

100% agree.

[esteban]

Originally Posted by frequentflyer

Prices?

Prices are available at the bottom of the link on the first post of this thread. Surprisingly, these are cheaper than the Veneres.

[Still-One]

I thought I heard that SF was going to allow on-line sales of some of their lower lines. Maybe this is the thought behind this. I am just guessing.

[esteban]

[Venere]

Nope. Says available thru their dealers in April. I have to say I am amazed they can produce a speaker in Italy at this price point. Makes me wonder why they needed to build the Venere line in China. Perhaps the cabinet and drivers of the Chameleon are significantly less expensive which allows for some Italian hand-finishing. Personally i dont like their appearance nearly as much as the Veneres, but it will be interesting to hear how their sounds compare. In any event, my aspirational speakers are still the Olympicas or higher, not these.

[Capcom]

I think i would reserve passing final judgement on these until someone has had a chance to do an in depth listen and review.
Best not to judge a book by its cover.