The Sonus Faber Concertino G4, celebrating its 30th anniversary, arrives as a reimagined masterpiece blending captivating audio performance with a strong commitment to sustainability. This review delves into the redesigned model, examining its innovative use of eco-friendly materials like cork and plant-based leather, contributing to both its unique sonic character and its reduced environmental impact. We'll explore the Concertino G4's sonic signature, analyzing its frequency response, impedance, and overall listening experience with various amplifiers.Beyond its sustainable design, we'll assess the speaker's performance against competitors in its price range, comparing its sound quality, build, and overall value. This review will highlight the Concertino G4's strengths and weaknesses, ultimately determining whether it justifies its premium price point for discerning audiophiles seeking a blend of exceptional sound and environmentally conscious luxury. We'll consider its suitability for various listening spaces and explore the impact of its compact design and recommended placement.
Pros And Cons
- Sustainable design using cork enclosure and plant-based leather
- Thoughtful enclosure design
- Good treble extension without fatigue
- Smooth and natural sound
- Good weight and focus in bass despite compact size
- Excellent imaging
- Handles volume and dynamic shifts well without distortion
- Composed, neutral, and refined sound
- Easy to listen to and enjoy
- Solid center imaging
- Not full-range (60 Hz to 25 kHz)
- Requires a robust amplifier
- Bass is limited, subwoofer recommended for full-range playback
- Soundstage is composed and slightly recessed, not expansive
- Maestro Edition plaque is a minor, arguably uninspired, feature differentiating the first 300 pairs from later releases.
- Relatively expensive ($5000 for the pair, plus $1500 for optional stands)
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Design and Sustainability
The Sonus Faber Concertino G4 celebrates its 30th anniversary with a redesigned model emphasizing sustainability. The use of cork in the enclosure is a key feature, showcasing the brand's commitment to eco-friendly practices. Cork is a renewable resource, harvested without harming the tree, and its natural properties reduce internal resonances, minimizing the need for additional dampening materials.
The G4 incorporates a 1-inch silk dome tweeter with DAD technology and a 5-inch long-throw paper mid-bass driver. This combination, housed within the unique cork enclosure, contributes to the speaker's overall sound quality and environmental consciousness. The plant-based leather exterior, made from Sicilian oranges and pears, further underscores Sonus Faber’s dedication to sustainable luxury.
Sound Performance and Listening Tests
The Concertino G4 boasts a frequency response ranging from 60 Hz to 25 kHz, delivering a detailed and captivating audio experience. However, its nominal impedance of 4 ohms and sensitivity of 85 dB necessitate a robust amplifier for optimal performance. Testing with various amplifiers, including the McIntosh MC312 and Musical Fidelity New Vista 600.2, revealed the latter two produced the most immersive and enjoyable sound.
The speaker’s sound signature is smooth and natural, with a mellow yet detailed presentation. While not overly bright, it possesses sufficient contrast in the upper mid-range and treble to maintain interest. The mid-range is particularly easy to listen to for extended periods. The speaker handles volume well, scaling up without distortion or tonal shifts.
Compact Design and Placement
Despite its powerful sound, the Concertino G4 maintains a compact form factor. Its asymmetrical design helps minimize its visual footprint, making it suitable for various listening environments. Sonus Faber recommends placing the speakers approximately 3 feet from boundaries and at least 6 feet apart for optimal sound staging.
The review utilized optional stands, adding to the overall cost. While these stands offer a premium look, the reviewer used isolation feet to protect the floor. The compact design allows for flexible placement even in smaller rooms, achieving a respectable in-room response with bass rolling off between 40 and 50 Hz.
Comparisons and Conclusion
Compared to the more affordable Luminina 2, the Concertino G4 sounds more composed and refined, though slightly less lively. While both are excellent speakers, the Concertino offers a superior objective sound quality. However, the Luminina 2 provides a greater value proposition and a more dynamic, engaging listening experience.
The Concertino G4 also stands against other speakers like the Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2s and the BMW 705 S3 Signatures. While the Radiant speaker might offer superior low-end extension, the reviewer preferred the Concertino's tonal balance. The BMW 705 S3 offers a more exciting and engaging sound, but the Concertino boasts superior craftsmanship and materials. For those seeking a balance of performance, build quality, and sustainability, the Concertino is a strong contender.