Listened to the Olympica I today...

[Bavarian05]

My dealer here in the Twin Cities just received a pair in Graphite. They only have around 20 hours of play thus far, so likely need to go back in a week or so to hear them at their best. I was thoroughly impressed by this speaker. Aesthetically speaking, it is second to none in my experience. The level of finishing, hardware, veneers, leather, binding posts, etc. are enthralling to Admire. The matching stands are really nice looking and have what appear to be really high quality stainless spikes. They had it running through a full Electrocompianet system (not one of my favorites historically) using their CD player, pre and 200 watt amp. I was blown away by how large they sounded. Imaging was stunning. The top end was considerably edgier than I anticipated, though I have to believe that some of that will subside with another 70 or 80 hours of use. I am really anxious to see them in Walnut finish as well. Beautiful speaker! May have to look at selling my B&Ws... Very tempting indeed.

I had a good day! Also found pristine vinyl copies of Houses of the Holy, Waltz for Debbie (Japenese) and Classic Records two slab reissue of Kind of Blue.

[Ch1mera1989]

Hmm. Sounds good. Sonus Faber always manages to make speakers with a very nice price/performance ratio. I absolutely love the brand have you taken any pictures of them?

[bachrocks]

Thanks for this update Bavarian05. I heard the Cremona auditor and thought they sounded just magical. I bought the Liuto floor standers: they are nice speakers, but not profound. I totally lust after the red-stained Guarneri, but I can afford the Olympica I or II. I wonder if your dealer carries these other bookshelf speakers as well? I would love to hear your thought on the relative merits of these SF gems.

Oh, I am curious: Kommen Sie aus Bayern? (Are you from Bavaria?)

Thanks,
ron

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by Ch1mera1989

Hmm. Sounds good. Sonus Faber always manages to make speakers with a very nice price/performance ratio. I absolutely love the brand have you taken any pictures of them?

Sorry, didn't take any photos.
The graphite was clean and classy looking, though I think I would go with the Walnut judging from the photos I have seen.

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by bachrocks

Thanks for this update Bavarian05. I heard the Cremona auditor and thought they sounded just magical. I bought the Liuto floor standers: they are nice speakers, but not profound. I totally lust after the red-stained Guarneri, but I can afford the Olympica I or II. I wonder if your dealer carries these other bookshelf speakers as well? I would love to hear your thought on the relative merits of these SF gems.

Oh, I am curious: Kommen Sie aus Bayern? (Are you from Bavaria?)

Thanks,
ron

I hear ya on the red Guarneri. To my ears, the Olympica represents a small shift in the Sonus Faber house sound. They are a little more resolving and not quite as warm overall. Compared to other speakers, they are still on the smooth and warm side, just not as lush. Though keep in mind the Graphite Olympica I was not broken in yet. Still needs another 70-90 hours I would guess to really sing.

As nerdy as it sounds, my name comes from one of my previous cars, a 2005 BMW 330Ci ZHP - I really miss her!
I'm from Minnesota, though German and Irish descent. :-)

[Apexorca]

Originally Posted by Bavarian05

I hear ya on the red Guarneri. To my ears, the Olympica represents a small shift in the Sonus Faber house sound. They are a little more resolving and not quite as warm overall. Compared to other speakers, they are still on the smooth and warm side, just not as lush. I'm from Minnesota, though German and Irish descent. :-)

Agree!

[Still-One]

I thought the Olympica 1's sounded and looked very good at RMAF playing via the Wadia Intuition.

[demans]

Bachrocks - Did you recently buy the Liuto towers and you picked them over the Olympica?

[Alexatpos]

These photos are from Audio Video Show, that was held in my country couple of weeks ago, Olymica with Wadia, and the overall result would not make you want to buy any of two. What is the reason, we can only guess

[Bavarian05]

Originally Posted by Alexatpos

These photos are from Audio Video Show, that was held in my country couple of weeks ago, Olymica with Wadia, and the overall result would not make you want to buy any of two. What is the reason, we can only guess

Thanks foe the pics. I know I am in the small minority with this thinking, but I have never been a fan of the Wadia sound. Seems to be over processed and overly dynamic.
I have not heard this new integrated, but judging by the high price and my past experiences with the brand, I am guessing the amp wasn't doing the speakers any favors.