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Sonus Faber Maxima Amator
EMBRACING THE PAST TO ILLUMINATE THE FUTURE
Guided by passion, knowledge, and tradition.
A DREAM DECADES IN THE MAKING
Maxima Amator marks the fruition of a concept born in our past that waited for the technology capable of realizing it. An idea almost abandoned as impossible, the Maxima Amator is Sonus faber’s first two-way floorstanding speaker crafted from a solid wood cabinet.
MODERN INGENUITY WITH TIMELESS FINISH
Although current computer simulation technologies played an instrumental role in development, Sonus faber’s value on the Human Touch guides the belief that a skilled ear is still the ultimate judge of perfection. The final stage of the fundamental ‘tuning by ear’ process was performed in Sonus faber’s Research and Development listening room, leading the team to identify the perfect tonal balance of the project.
A MULTI-FACETED CABINET
In crafting the Maxima Amator, meticulous attention was given to the cabinet's interior, which is divided into three distinct chambers. In the first, acoustic volume is precisely optimized using advanced simulations and a new damping material. The second chamber enhances stability and minimizes unwanted resonances by lowering the system's center of gravity. The third chamber, located externally, houses the crossover, shielding it from any vibrations generated by the speakers in the acoustic chamber.
A CELEBRATION OF PRECIOUS MATERIALS
Maxima Amator brings together a beguiling combination of natural materials
KNOWLEDGE, BEAUTY, AND COMMITMENT TO TRADITION
The third member of the Heritage family brings forward the dream of creating a two-way floorstanding speaker with a solid wood cabinet. Achieving this ideal relied on modern innovations as well as the Sonus faber’s commitment to the Human Touch.
ACOUSTIC VOLUME
The first chamber of the cabinet optimizes acoustic volume using software node simulators and a brand-new damping material made of three layers: two external layers of recycled carbon fiber and one layer of silica fiber in between.
SUPERIOR STABILITY
The second chamber of the cabinet is filled with inert material that increases weight, thereby lowering the system’s center of gravity to increase its stability as well as minimize unwanted resonance.
EXTERIOR CABINET
The third chamber, visible from outside the speaker, is dedicated to hosting the crossover, shielding it from any possible vibration generated by the speakers in the acoustic chamber.
IFF CROSSOVER
This network design allows the two drivers to work together in a maximally connected and organic way. The IFF Crossover “Interactive Fusion Filtering” reimagines the principles of the classic Paracross Topology, featuring non-academic transfer functions based on our accelerated progressive slopes. The result is an extremely natural and fluid sound reproduction.
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Professional Reviews 93/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
96/100
Value for Money
94/100
The Sonus Faber Maxima Amator turns its elegant two-way design into a spellbinding musical experience: natural vocal tone, holographic imaging, deep, controlled bass and airy detail emerge from a handcrafted solid-walnut cabinet. HomeTheaterHifi admired its disappearing act, while The Ear highlighted its engaging timing and tonal poise. Leather, marble and brass complete a genuinely heirloom-grade floorstander.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally immersive imaging and soundstage depth let the speakers disappear, with voices and instruments precisely suspended in space.
Refined, natural midrange and detailed treble deliver expressive vocals, acoustic texture and clarity without harshness.
Tight, surprisingly weighty bass reaches convincingly into the mid-30Hz region for a compact two-way floorstander.
Exquisite solid-walnut, leather, marble and brass construction delivers genuine furniture-grade, artisanal finish quality.
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Cons
Does not deliver meaningful sub-30Hz bass; listeners seeking the lowest octave may prefer a subwoofer.
Sustained high-volume, bass-heavy rock playback can expose dynamic limits, with less clarity as intensity rises.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers consistently describe an unusually coherent, refined and involving two-way presentation, combining rich tonal color with high resolution and a remarkably large, layered acoustic picture. Its strengths are most apparent with vocals, acoustic instruments and well-recorded material; very deep bass and all-out rock-level output are the principal limitations noted.
Bass
91/100
Bass is widely praised as tight, quick, controlled and surprisingly substantial for a two-way with a single 7-inch mid-woofer. Several reviewers found convincing output into the mid-30Hz region and satisfying room loading, though HomeTheaterHifi notes the lowest octave is missing and TONEAudio wanted more 50-60Hz kick-drum fundamental weight; high-level, bass-heavy material can also reveal its limits.
Mid
94/100
The midrange is a standout: reviewers repeatedly praise natural vocal tone, rich but uncolored instrumental body, and an organic integration through the crossover region. Voices are described as present and stress-free, while string tone, piano and close-miked acoustic performances retain exceptional texture and realism.
Treble
91/100
The treble is detailed, airy and delicate without the harshness or sibilance that can accompany an energetic top end. Some reviewers note an elevated or tipped-up balance and SoundStage found it less silky and effortless than the best exotic-dome alternatives, but it remains lively rather than hard or fatiguing.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
The Maxima Amator's ability to disappear is a repeated theme, with reviewers hearing stable images, voices hanging convincingly in space, and expansive room-filling scale. Depth and layering receive especially strong praise; TONEAudio found the stage less exceptionally wide than its depth, while other reviewers heard impressive width as well.
Dynamics
89/100
Reviewers admire its timing, transient snap, musical momentum and ability to make percussion and crescendos feel alive. It responds well to more amplifier power, but Hi-Fi News found that clarity and sharpness could diminish as momentum builds and cautioned that it is not intended for listeners seeking roof-raising rock playback.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
96/100
Construction and finish draw near-unanimous admiration. Reviewers cite the handcrafted solid-walnut enclosure, flawless leather baffles, substantial marble plinth, brass detailing, carefully executed cabinetry and visible premium crossover work; SoundStage found no gaps or imperfections and described it as artisanal hi-fi built to remain handsome for decades.
Value for Money
94/100
At its original US price of about $15,000 per pair, several reviewers explicitly call the Maxima Amator a bargain or say it delivers value on all counts, despite recognizing that it is expensive. One reviewer says they would choose it over other options at roughly $16,000, while current listed pricing around $17,500-$19,000 makes its exceptional materials, finish and distinctive musical appeal central to the value case.
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Authorized dealers for Sonus Faber Maxima Amator
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Absolute Sound (SG) — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
- Acoustic Designs Inc. — in-store — Scottsdale, Arizona, United States (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Anquan — online and in-store — Glika Nera, Greece (website)
- Arctic Audio — in-store — Fargo, North Dakota, United States (website)
- Area 51 Audio Visual Engineering — in-store — Tucson, Arizona, United States (website)
- Area Hifi — online and in-store — L'Eixample, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
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