93%
Sonus Faber Sonetto viii
POWER AND ELEGANCE
Inspired by Italian poetry, brought to life by Sonus faber’s core technologies. Sonetto VIII stands as the flagship model of the new Sonetto G2 collection, representing a meticulously crafted tribute to audio excellence
A REPRESENTATION OF OUR ROOTS
Sonetto VIII represents the organic legacy of the Suprema system into a 3-way floorstanding speaker. The iconic elements of Sonus faber converge in this exemplary piece. A design philosophy based on Natural Sound and natural materials as well as a visionary pursuit of sonic excellence are imbued in this high-end luxury speaker, hand-crafted in Italy.
An elevation of sound
Sonetto VIII is the most powerful 3-way speaker of the Sonetto collection. The unique pairing of tweeter and midrange in Sonetto VIII is encased in a bespoke cork chamber, meticulously designed to optimize internal volume and enhance driver performance. Borrowed from the flagship Suprema speaker, the acoustic properties of cork play a pivotal role in enhancing midrange clarity and delivering a natural, organic sound output.
the voice of Sonus faber
The use of organic materials and designs inspired by nature defines the Natural Sound philosophy that embodies "The Voice of Sonus faber."
VISUAL AND AUDIO ELEGANCE
Sonetto brings together Sonus faber’s core design principles in an elegant silhouette.
CORK
The special combination of tweeter and midrange drivers is housed within a distinctive cork chamber specifically tailored for internal volume, aiming to elevate the drivers' performance. Inherited from the flagship Suprema speaker, the acoustic characteristics of this material significantly contribute to the clarity and organic sound of the midrange output.
CAMELIA MIDRANGE SPEAKER
Initially developed for Suprema, the Camelia midrange speaker features the organic basket with a membrane inspired by the shape of the camelia flower. Its shape, with its five cuts, avoids the resonances found in typical circular shapes and enhances the Natural Sound signature to Sonus faber. The membrane is left unpainted to ensure total sound purity.
CONCRETE BASE
With the introduction of a new concrete base, the Sonetto G2 series not only enhances the stability of its speakers but also reinforces their structural integrity. This innovative addition provides a solid foundation that minimizes vibrations and ensures optimal performance, particularly in demanding listening environments
phase coherent
The Phase Coherent Crossover design philosophy implemented in the Sonetto G2 Collection ensures precise synchronization of the drivers' phase rotations, striving for maximum parallelism. This meticulous alignment results in an immersive soundstage that is incredibly defined and palpable, allowing audiophiles to experience music with a heightened sense of realism.
Dealers selling Sonus Faber near you
Sonetto viii delivers commanding, deep, controlled bass with a transparent midrange and an expansive soundstage, marrying Italian craftsmanship with reference-class dynamics. Reviewers at HomeTheaterHifi — Craig Chase and Glenn Young — praise its tuneful low end and see‑through vocals, while The Ear highlights its musical transparency for both music and film.
Pros
- Powerful, well-controlled bass that extends into the low‑30Hz region and integrates tightly with the cabinet/port design.
- Transparent, neutral midrange (Camelia driver in a cork-sealed enclosure) that renders vocals and instruments with clarity.
- Smooth, refined treble that stays detailed without harshness, preserving long listening comfort.
- Premium Italian build and finishes (concrete plinth, leather top pad, high‑grade veneers) that match the speaker's sonic pedigree.
&
Cons
- Needs a quality amplifier to fully reveal its dynamics and speed; budget AVRs or weak amps can mask performance.
- Large, heavy cabinets and bottom‑firing ports demand careful placement and floor protection (spikes/discs), which can complicate setup in some rooms.
Sound Quality
93/100
Bass
95/100
Dual 8" woofers and down-firing port yield deep, controlled bass to ~30 Hz in-room per multiple reviews; reviewers described 'mighty 8s', 'solid to the 30 Hz range' and preferred them without subs. Placement/room sensitivity mentioned but control and authority are repeatedly praised, supporting an 'excellent' large-tower bass rating.
Mid
94/100
Camelia 6.5" mid in a cork-sealed enclosure and flagship-inspired design produce neutral, see-through, natural vocals per reviews. Multiple reviewers call the midrange transparent, non-harsh and coherently integrated with woofers/tweeter, justifying a very high score.
Treble
93/100
1.1" DAD Arrow Point tweeter delivers extended, refined treble that reviewers say is 'invisible' (no harshness) and 'clean without sounding bright.' High-quality crossover and diffuser contribute to smooth, detailed high frequencies.
Soundstage Imaging
93/100
Reviews describe a wide, deep soundstage with precise imaging ('almost see the drummer', fluid panning and accurate front-center cohesion). Toe-in and room placement affect focus but overall staging and depth are strengths.
Dynamics
91/100
Speakers show strong macro- and micro-dynamics and slam when driven by good amplification; reviewers note startling dynamics and ability to handle cinematic transients. Some dependence on amp quality is noted—excellent with the right electronics.
Show Less
Build Quality
95/100
High-quality Italian cabinetry, concrete plinths, leather top pads, excellent veneers and inert enclosures are repeatedly praised. Crossovers and driver construction are described as substantial and well-executed, reflecting premium build standards.
Features Connectivity
80/100
Passive tower baseline applied. High-quality five-way binding posts with bi-wire/bi-amp capability and bottom-firing port with outriggers are provided; no DSP/streaming expected or penalized.
Value for Money
90/100
Reviewers characterize the Sonetto VIII as strong value relative to higher-end Sonus faber models and competitors in the $6.5k–8k range, calling it 'excellent value' and 'challenges speakers up to $10k.' Price points vary among reviews but consensus is favorable for performance-to-cost.
Reviews
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
FAST, EASY & NEAR
Find Sonus Faber Verified Dealers Near You
Sonus Faber dealers in the map