Sonus Faber Olympica Nova I bookshelf speakers

The Sonus Faber Olympica Nova I bookshelf speaker pays homage to the famous Italian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580), known for constructing the Teatro Olimpico during the Renaissance. This "monitor" version of the Olympica Nova series continues Sonus Faber's tradition of excellence in 2-way floor-standing speakers, following in the footsteps of iconic models like the Minima Amator, Amati, Accordo, Liuto, and more recently, the Sonetto II and the stunning Extrema.

SONUS FABER OLYMPICA NOVA I: MANUFACTURING

The Olympica Nova I features an even more refined and complex asymmetrical "lyre" shape compared to its predecessor, the Series 1. It is available in Walnut (light wood) and Wenge (dark wood) finishes, both impeccably crafted without room for criticism. The cabinet is constructed from four carefully joined pieces of wood, reminiscent of the hulls of stylish Italian Riviera boats. A satin varnish enhances the natural beauty, while hexagonal leather accents surround the drivers. The top and bottom edges are elegantly ringed with brushed aluminum.

SONUS FABER OLYMPICA NOVA I: SPEAKERS

The speakers are meticulously designed and manufactured by Sonus Faber.

The high-frequency duties are handled by the 28mm silk dome tweeter, the new H28 XTR3 (Dampex Apex Dome). It features a powerful neodymium magnet for perfect linearity and excellent dynamics. A phase alignment device ensures reduced directivity and linear response.

The midrange/woofer MW15 XTR2 sports a 150mm cone made from a blend of cellulose fiber and natural fibers like Hemp and Kapok, providing neutral and linear behavior.

The crossover is a progressive slope design, optimized to minimize phase shifts between the two drivers, set at 2,500 Hz. Components include air core inductors, Mundorf capacitors, and silver copper wiring, all reflecting Sonus Faber's commitment to quality.

The bass is channeled through a Stealth UltraFlex system rather than a traditional port. This internal blade vents vertically from the top to the base of the speaker, aided by a perforated stainless steel grille. The symmetrical placement allows for venting inside or outside the listening zone, acting almost as an acoustic "doublet" in the mid/high frequencies.

SONUS FABER OLYMPICA NOVA I: TERMINALS

The terminals, unique to the series, feature exemplary craftsmanship and finishing. They accept banana plugs, spades, and allow for bi-wiring.

SONUS FABER OLYMPICA NOVA I: INSTALLATION

To fully experience the Olympica Nova I's capabilities, Sonus Faber recommends pairing them with high-quality speaker stands, specifically designed to complement both the acoustic and aesthetic aspects of these bookshelf speakers.

SONUS FABER OLYMPICA NOVA I: TESTING AND LISTENING

After a break-in period of around thirty hours, we thoroughly appreciated the qualities of the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova I.

The standout feature is the presence and quality of the vocals, portrayed with stunning realism and substance. These speakers maintain Sonus Faber's trademark smoothness, yet offer increased transparency and neutrality compared to previous models, prioritizing realism over hyper-definition.

The strength lies in the soundstage, which impresses with its breadth, width, and depth, alongside astonishing precision in instrument placement.

The designers clearly aimed to create bookshelf speakers that deliver non-fatiguing listening experiences for hours on end, with exceptional bandwidth (45-35,000 Hz) and realism.

The bass is articulate and impactful, never leaving listeners wanting for more.

Regardless of musical genre, the playback is clean and distortion-free, even at higher volumes.

At its price point, few Hi-Fi speakers offer such balanced and rich tonality as the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova I bookshelf speaker.

While the Focal Sopra 1 may be more monitoring-oriented and easier to drive, the Olympica Nova 1 adds a soulful dimension that will appeal to melomaniacs seeking sensuality.

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