Excellent vocal, mid range and tight bass, an cool all-rounder

Need precise positioning to get the best out of it

It just sounds excellent. Have read about that somebody commented the speaker without bass, it would be absolutely wrong to say so. The speaker doesn't need too expensive equipment to fire up the sound. For your ref my system setup as follows:

- Electrocompaniet ECM-1 CDP
- YBA DT Integre Amp (50w x 2 at 8 ohms)
- CDP to Amp using Audio Note AnVx interconnect
- Amp to speakers using 2 pairs of Audio Note AN-L each channel
- Hifi Rack - local made sand filled with MDF boards
- CDP sits on three Solid State Feet of Silence
- Amp sits on three DH cones, large size

Total equpipment cost when new about S$10,000 (US$6,000) excl the speakers.

The speakers just rock and roll in pop, classical, jazz music. I love it so much.

Similar Products Used:

None

sweet treble, enormously detailed and athmospheric midrange, build quality

bass performance (in small rooms a weakness that, unfortunately outweighs its benefits)

after reading the reviews here I finally bought the concerto GPs at a closeout sale from a specialised german second-hand-audio retailer (www.springair.de) for a low 1100$. I could not wait to get them installed - and when I did, I was surprised in two ways

1) they have an incredible potential to create athmosphere in chamber-music-like recordings (jazz/classical/acoustic) - the typical audiophile cds. This, in my opinion has to do a lot with the treble/midrange quality, they sound sweet, slightly laid back, never annoying like my (old) virgos. yet they are quite detailed, maybe not as transparent as the best of the pack, but then, these speakers tend to be a lot more expensive... I instantaneously fell in love with them.... until

2) yes, until I put on a pop cd (massive attack): I did not want to believe my ears then, the bass was lumpy, resonant, actually slow (in the verbal sense of being there while the rest of the instruments already begin the next note). there seemed to be a strong resonance at around 40 Hz (test cd), which, in one of the massive attack tracks turned the heavy hitting bass line into a 3 minute oooooooompf. this is what i have last heard from a pair of infinity kappa speakers. even my also oversized virgos do not exhibit this behaviour...this was definitely not what i had in mind after reading the reviews here, where bass, or lack of thereof was often described as a problem.

3) why? this is the one thing that ran through my head during the weekend when I auditioned them.

a) run-in-time: I can already hear my critics rage - yes, I know, they are supposed to sound like c--p when you first install them, but: I kept them hooked up to my cd player in repeat mode for some 20 hours: no huge improvement in the bass region (the rest really became even better)

b) room size: got me there, my listening room is just some 14sqm large (10 by 13ft). maybe they do sound better in larger rooms

c) placement: believe me, i DID move them around... no avail.

Finally, what can I say, I try to return them now, anybody looking for a pair of GPs at a good price :)

To be fair: if it were not for the sloppy bass, this would be one of the best speakers I have ever heard, but at this price level (at least in the US) you can expect more.
If you have got a larger room, you should have them on your short list. if you`re living in a small apartment, don`t even think about it.

Cheers,
Uli

My equipment:

Amplifier: Electrocompaniet ECI-1
CD-Player: AH-Tjoeb 99
Vinyl: Thorens with Denon DL160 cartridge

Similar Products Used:

audio physic virgo

Seductive midrange, excellent bass in small/medium room, can handle high SPL without strain, equally capable from classical to rock. Nice timbre. Very rich and full sounding.

Slight euphoric HF but who cares when the rest sounds so good? Won't "disappear" as well as Maggies. Need tube amp and top notch equipment to sound best.

Very sexy looking floorstanding speakers from Sonus Faber. Sounds very good already with SS mid-fi amps but you won't get the best out of them until you use a tube amp with at least 50W/ch. (SF only works with tube gears) Got the midrange right. Nice imaging Perfect speakers if you like vocal and jazz. If tube sound is your thing, they won't disappoint! Don't forget to bi-wire. It makes a huge difference.

Similar Products Used:

Maggie 1.5, Martin Logan SL3, ProAc, AE

Wide soundstage, yet have pinpoint imaging
Mid and hi freq as sweet as its looks
Build quality

Having the Grand Piano for about a months I still amaze with its sound. I believe I will enjoy this baby for a long-long time.

There are three characteristic I like the most from the Sf GP. Its wide and deep soundstage, pinpoint imaging and sweet mid and hi frequency.

Do listen to them and you'll see how this baby can sing..

Vocals, imaging, musicality, natural, excelent bass, WOW

None

Well enough has been said here. This product is out of this world in terms of performance. The looks well they wrap up a compliment of an excelent product. It changes character with every cd you listen to with an impresive style. Jazz, vocals, classical, tropical music sounds warm and airy all around, a definate natural sound that when compared to others just made the diference. Not to forget that the other products that I reviewed and have owned all had something special and are very good also.

Yes, It requires good amplification. And Remember a high-end speaker definately deserve a high-end amplifier.

Classe CA-200
Classe CAV-75
Lexicon Procesor
Marantz DVD-930
Cardas Quadlink Speaker Cables (not bi-wired)
Tributaries Interconnects)

Good Job Sonus Faber !!!

Similar Products Used:

Monitor Audio, Vienna Acoustic, B&W, Joseph Audio, Rel and others.

Female vocals, strings

none that I see

I have been on the speaker audition trail for some time now. I have gone armed with a CD-R compilation of the music I like and listen to: Miles, Cassandra, Mozart, The Who, Neil Young, Bach. I know, all over the place, but that's how it is! I listen to jazz, rock, classical (chamber, orchestral and choral) in about equal parts. Love them all! My CD-R made it possible (and very convenient) to listen to the same music on all speakers. Great way to go and i highly recommend it!
Broad musical range does demand a lot from a speaker.

I listened to Vienna Mozart, Dunleavy SM, Hales Rev 3's,
PSB Stratus Gold, ML Aerius i, Aerial Acoustic 6. In this price range (2200---3500) there was a lot to like but the ones I loved were the Theil 2.3's and the SF Grand Piano.
I listened to the GP's with an all Proceed cd player/amp/preamp combo.The Theil's I heard with a Wadia CD player hooked directly into a 200wpc Classe amplifier.
Both speakers were very fine. I found the bass in the Theils quite satisfactory and was surprised at the decent bass the 2-way/passive radiator GP was able to produce. I was torn, but decided on the 2.3s. Both speakers sounded good on female vocals, violins were sweet, airy but without screech. Soundstaging was excellent on both and picking out the four solists positions in Beethoven 9 finale was a cinch. I thought the Theils could rock and roll better than the GPs.
[slight digression---if your interest is all or mostly rock---give those PSB Stratus Golds a listen!]

Now comes the rub.----the associated equipment for the auditions was WAY better than what I have. I am a mid-fi guy trying to upgrade one component at a time, starting with the speakers. I have a 5ch Yamaha 850 receiver ($950 when new)
and a Sony ES cd changer. Theil has an extremely complex crossover and a 4ohm rating. Sonus Faber dealer suggested the Theil was too much for my amp. Theils dealer thought the Yamaha would do fine with the Theil (surprise! ;-))
Found a dealer in Santa Fe who sells BOTH Theil and SF who said Theil no, SF yes.
I e-mailed Theils who said I could use my amp but there would be a "reduction in quality." Nature and degree of the reduction was unspecified. They also warned the 2.3's would not play loud with only 80wpc.
I noted that Chip Stern, a reviewer for Stereophile magazine was familiar with both. He promptly and graciously answered my e-mail. Unfortunately, he said it would be a travesty to use either speaker with my lousy 5channel amp and that I'm an idiot to consider it. Not a big rear channel DSP fan!

Sorry, but: Bottom line, this idiot is getting the Grand Pianos. I feel quite comfortable and happy with my choice. I really like the GPs and feel they won't present a difficult load for my amp. There is no way I'm going back to 2-channel stereo.
BTW, my four star, rather than 5, rating does not indicate a dissatisfaction with the speakers simply an acknowledgement of the limitations at my price point. (I've heard 5's---just can't afford 'em.)

Everything.

Well I found these selling as a last pair (demos) at a local hi-end store and bought them immediately. I was looking for a pair of these for a long time. To my disappointment they have replaced these with an updated model.
To my ears these are the most involving and musical satisfying pair of speakers I’ve ever heard. They have sweet mesmerizing beautiful detail that is 3D sounding. Soundstage is nothing less but superb. Some of the other reviewers mentioned that the bass was on the light side. On my system I get nothing but deep (not overwhelming) and adequate bass, just the amount you expect to hear coming out of a 7” midwoofer and 7” passive radiator, and the looks....
I listened to the replacement model of these, the Grand Piano “Home” (which I guess the “Home” stands for home theater) and let me tell you there is no comparison. I listened to them in different stores, on well burned-in speakers (so that wasn’t the problem) and with different electronics. I just could not find the same enthusiasm as I got with the older model. The new models (to my ears) compared to the old, sound plain awful. They have a bloated mid bass and the mids sound bright and very unpleasant. In addition the tweeter is not nearly as sweet as the old models, not even close. What was Sonus Faber thinking?? They do have a tad deeper bass however, only a tad. But I think the highlight of the old models was the highs and mids and not the bass. So if they wanted to improve the speaker why not improve just the bass (which I thought was acceptable to begin with) and leave the rest as is. Instead the highs and mids on the replacement model in my opinion are downgraded. Not at all as sweet, detailed and just plain magical as the old model. I don’t understand it. That’s ashame. The only speaker that’s currently being produced by Sonus that has that same precise sound as the old Grands (and is somewhat affordable), is the Amator Electa II. But that’s for another review (another fine speaker in its own right). I just hope they won’t tinker with that one too (please leave it alone)!! 5 stars for these are not enough!

Exquisite mid-range, Silky highs, Build quality

Below 80 Hz bass under heavy demand

First off, I was taken by their piano black finish and leather accent. Admittedly, I already had a weakness for piano black, or Murishi finish as some call it due to my Pioneer Elite PRO-119 and matching audio cabinet. So, right away, I knew these speakers would blend perfectly with my setup. But they had to perform, and perform well, as I was for all intent and purpose very happy with my Kappa 7.1s which I had obtained for a bargain price about a year earlier. In fact, I really wasn't even in the market for a set of speakers.

I started with the Solo center, and really planned to be happy for a while, replacing my Energy RVS with what I thought was the sexiest center speaker that ever graced the top of an RPTV. Well, I lasted about a month I think before I strolled back in to the Sonus Faber dealer weilding plastic in one hand, and a little tax return money in the other. But I was determined in my effort, to get a real deal on the speakers. I walked out with them for 2800 bucks, and 350 for the Stones. I did get a bonafied bargain. But little then did I realize just how sweet a bargain.

Now to my review. The Sonus Faber actually only moderately impressed me with their sound in the audio shop. Maybe the room was to big, or to many reflections, I don't know. But I trusted my local dealer that what they told me about these speakers was the truth from the time I first bought the Solo center. I also knew that if I wasn't satisfied, they would make good on it for another speaker.

When I got them home, these speakers immediately showed me their stuff. I didn't have to go through the break in period, because I bought the demos right off the floor. Ordinarily, I would want them to be NIB, but for 700.00 savings, I made an exception.

Initially, I drove my Sonus Faber Concerto Grand Pianos with a Lexicon DC-1, and Proceed HPA-2. Then a couple of months later, I upgraded the DC-1 to the MC-1. My setup is first and formost a theater setup. But to me, a speaker that performs well at music, is also a good theater speaker. The Sonus has proved this to be true for me. For music such as Sarah McLachlan "Fumbling Towards Escacy", they can be as delicate as a morning flower. But for theater, fire up a litle T2, 5th Element, or SPR, and these speakers can be very dynamic indeed. I am perhaps overdriving my speakers just slightly with the HPA-2. And ran at 40 Hz or lower, strain in the lower end is possible. But run these speakers at 80 Hz, and basically you can throw at them what you wish.

Airy, detailed, and clean best described the highs. Mid range is sweet to the point of making the GPs perform more as a musical instrument than a speaker. In fact, Sonus Faber really treats each speaker they handbuild more as an instrument than as a speaker. Mid range is as good as I personally have heard. The mids are the hardest part to get right on a speaker, yet SF did it with the GPs. The low end can easily be filled in by a quality subwoofer, and its a sacrifice well worth making for the GPs. I gave up (moved to the rear), a speaker with 10" woofers and ribbon tweeters (emit-r), that really rocked the house, even without subwoofer support. I did it for a reason. Pure and simple, the highs and mids are so complete, holographic imaging so wonderful, and soundstage so big, that it really wasn't even a decision at all. GPs are worth every penny, and I firmly believe that nothing under 5000 a pair could dare compare.

To the person that said the mid-range wasn't there, they simply had a bad audition, or the speakers were not setup properly. Because the Grand Prix, IMO, are the consumate overachiever on mid range bass. Pick up a pair, and you will hear things you never knew existed. But please put them in a good electronics setup, cause if you don't, you surely won't realize the full potential of this italian made masterpiece.

Lexman

www.digitaltheater.com/pictures/lexman/index.html

Similar Products Used:

Infinity Kappa 7.1, Mirage M590SI

This review is based mainly on showroom listening, with some auditioning at home. I am mainly a jazz fan, although I listen to a little of everything else. I heard these speakers compared to several other speakers: Vienna Mozarts, B & W's (several models), Vandersteen 2ce's (mine), and others that sounded bad enough that I don't remember them. They were powered by a Plinius 8150 intergated. I ended up buying the Vienna Mozarts at about half the price, although this is no dis to the Sonus Faber GP's.
The bass of the GP's is deep, surprising for this size of a speaker. The mids are a little better that the Mozarts, esp. on female voices. The Plinius made all these speakers sound pretty good. The highs on the GP's are slightly rolled off, but there is a great deal of air, although not the kind you get with speakers in the really big bucks category. The Mozarts were very competitive in this area, but not quite as rolled off. Both speakers needed some watts to power them up properly, as did the Vandy's.
The Sonus Fabers are much better looking than thier little brothers. Quite Striking! The wrapped leather look of the Concertos, Concertinos, etc. doesn't do it for me.
I bought the Mozarts because of financial limitations, and I'll give them a thorough listen before I review them.
I used these disks for comparison: The Wonderful Sound of Three Blind Mice (Gold version - not really great music but the recordings are wonderful), Diana Krall's All for You (soundstage, voice), Willy Nelson's Teatro, Muddy Water's Folk Singer (Gold UCDC version), and Dire Straits/ZZ Top (for pacing). The single disk I find most usefull to take with me is the Fi Sampler. Too bad Fi went out of business.
For the money, 5 stars.

Wow, after owning ML Sequel II, Maggies MG3.3R, Kef Ref 3 and being in a muchsmaller room i've found the SF Concerto GP to be the best box speaker for
$5000 canadian.
In the 1998 Montréal audio show, where i heard them for the first time, they
stoled the show being the best sound, beating a pair of Wilson $80000 speaker
in too small a room.
The Maggies had an unbelievable open and detail treble, a transparent mid
section but a light weight quality to the bass that was not fulfilling on rock
music or anything that depends heavily on beats.
The Kef had the propulsive bass that the Maggies lack, a good mid but the
treble was lacking in naturalness.
The Sonus Faber have the bass quality of the Kef but not the quantity, the openness of the Maggies with a smaller but pinpoint soundstage, and a seamless
integration from top to bottom giving them an uncanny musicality.
Of course like the big majority of high end speakers, they demands good quality
ancillary but they reward the listener with a disapearing act that warrant the effort.