Sonus Faber Olympica III G3 floorstanding speakers

As its name suggests, the Olympica III G3 is the third generation of this floorstanding speaker in the Olympica range. These speakers feature all the hallmarks of the Olympica range and deliver ultra-high-performance sound in medium-sized rooms.

Sonus Faber Olympica III G3: Design

The Olympica speaker stands out with a herringbone wood veneer covering its entire surface, a pattern inherited from the iconic Stradivari design. Angled at 45 degrees, this veneer gives the whole cabinet visual continuity, showcases Sonus Faber's exceptional woodworking craftsmanship and gives each speaker a refined, unique presence.

The top plate of the Olympica III G3 has been redesigned. It now offers a more distinctive and elegant identity. The Sonus Faber logo on the top plate and the surround provide a refined signature that reinforces the luxurious, contemporary expression of this new Olympica. The speaker rests on a cast aluminium base fitted with 4 large adjustable cones. These fully decouple the speaker from the floor to eliminate any mechanical interference.

Sonus Faber Olympica III G3: Drivers

At the heart of the Olympica III G3 is the 16.5 cm Camelia midrange driver. Originally developed for the Sonus Faber Suprema, it is designed to reproduce the most essential part of the acoustic spectrum with exceptional resolution. Inspired by the natural geometry of the camellia flower, its non-circular cone helps reduce unwanted resonances while offering the listener the largest possible radiating surface. The result is remarkable transparency, striking vocal realism and Sonus Faber's inimitable natural sound. High frequencies are handled by a superb DAD Arrow Point tweeter with a 28 mm silk dome. The crossover frequency is set at 2,460 Hz. In the Olympica III G3, the tweeter and midrange driver are housed in a dedicated closed acoustic chamber designed to optimise driver performance. This internal volume is damped by a specific cork structure, developed through computer simulation and shaped in an organic form. Natural and sustainable, cork plays an essential role in improving resolution and preserving the natural character of the midrange.

From 365 Hz downwards, the midrange driver is supported by two 16.5 cm cellulose woofers. The bass is loaded in bass-reflex via a vertical laminar port located on a rear corner. This port can therefore be positioned facing towards or away from the listening area.

These drivers deliver a linear frequency response from 42 Hz to 40,000 Hz!

The Olympica G3 speakers feature superb speaker terminals that allow bi-wiring or bi-amping.

Sonus Faber Olympica III G3: Positioning

Where possible, it is recommended to place both speakers away from the room's corners, at a distance of at least 80 cm and at least 60 cm from the rear wall.

The two speakers should be at least 2.2 metres apart. The ports can face inwards or outwards. This has a significant influence, and we will advise you on this position depending on your room and what you prioritise in terms of sound reproduction.

Sonus Faber Olympica III G3: Listening

From the very first tracks, the Olympica III G3 reproduces voices with remarkable realism and presence. They are rendered with beautiful texture and in an organic way. The same goes for acoustic instruments, which benefit from remarkable realism. This is due to the new Camelia driver, but also to a treble register that favours finesse and fluidity over artificial brightness. Definition in this register is remarkable.

Bass is also reproduced with impact and rhythm. Compared with the previous model, articulation is better and transparency is superior.

The Sonus Faber Olympica III G3 offers a three-dimensional stereo image that extends well beyond the speakers. Add to this superb instrument separation and very precise placement of musicians in space.

The Olympica III G3 delivers expressive, nuanced and subtle sound with remarkable scale.

It favours tonal quality, emotion and musicality, highlighting refinement and subtlety.

Our favourite!

FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Sonus Faber Olympica III G3 floorstanding speakers

How much amplifier power does the Olympica III G3 need?

This 4-ohm, 90 dB floorstander accepts 50 to 300 W. It is designed for medium-sized rooms; a larger room will require more power. Our experts pair it with the McIntosh MA352, and our guide How do you choose the amplifier? will help you refine your choice.

Which speaker cables go best with this floorstander?

Its terminals support both bi-wiring and bi-amping. To preserve the definition of its treble and the articulation of its bass, our experts recommend Audioquest Rocket 88 or Transparent The MusicWave Plus cables.

Should the ports face inwards or outwards?

The laminar ports, located on a rear corner, can face towards or away from the listening area. This choice has a significant influence: we advise you based on your room, and you can listen to the Olympica III G3 by appointment in our auditorium in Rennes.

How is the Olympica III G3 decoupled from the floor?

It rests on a cast aluminium base fitted with 4 large adjustable cones that fully decouple it from the floor to avoid any mechanical interference. To build the rest of your setup, see our guide How to build a complete Hi-Fi system?.