SONUS FABER Olympica Nova V
Floorstanding loudspeakers
The Olympica Nova V, as a descendant of the Sonus Faber’s Olympica line, takes most construction elements from the previous models. Sonus Faber is synonymous with luxurious speaker design where ultimate craftsmanship meets exquisite materials like leather and wood. The Olympica Nova V’s leave a bit of the opulence behind and are stylistically very clean. So is their sound.
Function and form
All that Audiodrom wrote about the design of the Sonus Faber Olympica III holds true here too – so I encourage the reader to check the review.
Like with other SF’s speakers the Olympica Nova V features no parallel cabinet walls, an asymmetrical shape and an asymmetrically firing bassreflex slots in the rear. This leaves a lot of room for optimizing the speakers in the listening room because by swapping left and right speaker the way the bass excites the room changes.
Sonus Faber keeps using the 28mm silk dome tweeter (redesigned for the Olympica Nova V) and cellulose drivers (1x 150mm midrange driver and 3x 180mm woofers). The cellulose pulp is not pressed which gives a slightly rough surface with varying density to reduce the cone resonances, says manufacturer. The cellulose is further reinforced by hollow lightweight fibers like tropical Kapok and Kenaf.
Like with Sonus Faber’s Homage Tradition line the Olympica Nova V uses eight layers of pressure bended plywood to create its rigid cabinet. Inside an array of ribs is used to prevent the cabinet resonances.
The Olympica Nova V is rated 32Hz-35KHz, 4 ohms and 90dB, all that makes them quite easy-to-drive speakers.
Bass management
Unlike the Magico S1 speakers that I drove into limitation with the same electronics recently, the Olympica Nova V stayed composed at the same listening levels in a fairly big room. I was very surprised, however, that the Sonus Faber was closer to the overall Magico´s voicing than expected. Not only was the bass of the Olympica Nova V deep but it was beautifully contoured and punchy too. Gone was the soft structure of the previous Olympica, the bass of the Nova V is crisp and clear down to the declared 30 Hz. A duel of cellos and bowed double-bass got alive in the listening room, with substantial weight and resonant mass of the instruments – actually it was so good that it kept me nailed into the listening chair for over 30 minutes in a repeat mode. The improvements on the bass reflex duct are audible as if any remaining compression caused by bass cones moving has been removed.
Clarity & delicacy
I expected the Sonus Faber´s house style – a kind presentation full of forgiving warmth, smoothness and creaminess. Not here, the Olympica Nova V was like listening to Bowers & Wilkins new 800 D3 series. The sound was fast, open, dynamic and transparent with only a hint of silkiness that could be heard on drumstick hitting a cymbal, for example. This Sonus Faber follows completely different sonic philosophy than its siblings, yet with the typical Italian flair.
Tonal accuracy
Every time I thought I detected the warm signature I heard the speakers saying It’s not a signature what you hear, it’s harmonics. Indeed, the Olympica Nova V unmistakably showed the difference between Steinway and Fazioli grand pianos, across their whole keyboards. The sound was colourful but not coloured, rich and less romantic than I used to hear from SF’s speakers. The pianos were not metallic, glassy or thin, it was clear that it is a wooden instrument of substantial size. Voices were similarly saturated, like the duets of Dieter Meier and Malia on Yello’s Toy.
Spatial resolution
Ramirez‘s Missa Criolla was presented with a huge soundstage through the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova V. The massive choirs stretched far outside the room’s boundaries but it was not achieved by relegating the choral plane to far beyond the speakers. There was clear 3D perspective and the scene was actually very present with singing right in front of me, it was the perspective of 6th row in the audience. At the same time the recording’s ambience was immersive, as if the Olympica Nova V created its own microcosm with music and ambient noises that were close to real.
The Sonus Faber Olympica Nova V became a surprise for me. I expected ‘another’ Sonus Faber and got new generation sound. Yes, the Nova V is 30% more expensive than the old model, but it is at least 30% better than it. Highly recommended.
Recommended resellers
Jasyko, Brno, +420 541 210 108
Manufacturer's website: http://www.sonusfaber.com
Associated components
- Sources: Audio Research CD6
- Amplifiers: Audio Research LS28 preamplifier and VT80 SE mono power amplfiers
- Interconnects and speaker cables: InAkustik LS2404
- Loudspeakers: Magico S1
Gallery
ACOUSTIQUE QUALITY AQ Passion
Acoustique Quality has been around since early 90’s. The company’s loudspeakers were always close to what can be characterized a good value for money, with a bit of pre-2000 vibe. Speaker by speaker the guys in Acoustique Quality ...
Recommended resellers
AQ s.r.o., Červenka, tel. +420 585 342 232
ANTE Supersonic One
The Supersonics were visually inspired by Lamborghini Countach racer. The functional elegance of the Lamborghini does not come at budget costs and neither the Ante does. The price tag of €160,000 keeps the Supersonics in the company ...
Recommended resellers
Media Control, Bratislava, SK, +421 905 613 928
AQ Canto 5
An experience that moves your soul. This is how Czech loudspeaker manufacturer presents the brand-new Canto range. For the company, the Canto is a milestone, so important that they decided to dedicate a special website to it. The ...
Recommended resellers
AQ s.r.o., Červenka, tel. +420 585 342 232
AUDIO PHYSIC Avantera
The Audio Physic’s HHCM midrange drivers are fantastic. The realism of both male and female vocals through the Avanteras is nothing short of magic. The Avanteras skillfully blend a cocktail full of colors, sonority, textures, ...
Recommended resellers
CZ: High-End Audio Studio, Praha, tel. +420 224 256 844
SK: Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802
AUDIO PHYSIC Cardeas Plus+
Audio Physic's original Cardeas was like an album of a respected band that was recorded just because it had to be recorded due to a contract. Not like the album that was recorded because the band wanted to. I sighed with relief that ...
Recommended resellers
CZ: High-End Audio Studio, Praha, tel. +420 224 256 844
SK: Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802
AURUM CANTUS V6F
The Aurum Cantus V6Fs have the ability to dissapear from your ear-view - they move an orchestra to your living room instead and let you bathe in an expanding and transparent soundstage. After listening to the V6Fs you'll find ...
Recommended resellers
Hifi studio MeLissa, Brno, tel. +420 777 04 1313
AVANTGARDE ACOUSTIC Uno Fino
Should your priority is to blend the speakers with your interior and make them visually disappear, the Avantgarde Acoustic Uno Fino is not for you. I am not in favor of color lacquers on speakers and prefer natural veneers where ...
Recommended resellers
HI-FI studio TYKON, Ostrava, tel. +420 723 449 894
