The new Duetto speakers from Italian specialist Sonus faber combines the latest wireless and multi-format playback technologies with the company’s “decades old philosophy of the most natural sound reproduction”.
Take a look at the new Duetto speakers and you’ll immediately recognise the Sonus faber design language – it’s a thing of pure beauty. Duetto’s diminutive stature sees Sonus faber’s tapered lute shape (recognised throughout the company’s high-end speaker offerings) enhanced with fine leather lining across the top panel where you’ll find the new ‘SENSO’ interface. SENSO uses LED back-lit tactile sections which can control a number of functions including volume up/down and input switching with the stroke of a finger (the system works exceptionally well as we found at a special media preview at High End Munich 2023).
The connection panel at the rear features left/right RCA inputs configurable for Line or Phono (Moving Magnet), a single RCA output for a subwoofer and digital connectivity via Optical and HDMI (ARC/EARC). The in-built digital-to-analogue converter features Sabre/AKM circuitry. Further playback options are provided by Duetto’s ‘WiFi Certified’ streaming compatible with AirPlay, Chromecast while also streaming services like Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify and more. Duetto is Roon Ready and Bluetooth (aptX HD) compatible. The wireless communication between each speaker is conducted via Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology which avoids signal latency and interference.
Duetto is a two-way vented box design featuring an 18 mm (0.7 inch) silk dome tweeter and a 135 mm (5.25 inch) long excursion paper-pulp mid-bass driver. The drivers feature a dedicated amplification system, with the tweeter being driven by a 100 watts Class-A/B unit and the mid-bass driver controlled by a powerful 250 watts Class-D amplifier. Duetto’s rear panel features extensive heatsinking provided for amplification cooling purposes.
The tweeter sits in a bespoke waveguide for improved dispersion/off-axis characteristics and features a powerful magnet system with copper cap. For the mid-bass driver, Sonus faber has employed a neodymium magnet system which is also copper capped while the new ‘Organic Basket’ promises better air-flow/cooling and lower resonance distortions. The drivers are crossed-over at 1900 Hz.
Sonus faber quotes the Duetto’s frequency response as spanning from a low (for the size) 37 Hz to 30 kHz with no parameters given. Maximum SPLs are said to be 105dB at 1m.
Sonus Faber’s Chief of Design Livio Cucuzza told SoundStage! Australia, “Our intention behind expanding into the wireless speaker category is to provide our consumers with the Sonus faber authentic sound quality they know and love combined into one versatile package. Duetto is a true Sonus faber stereo system, blending 40 years of premium speaker design, Italian style and materials with the modern technology and streaming features.”
The new Sonus faber Duetto speakers are “available to ship” to Australia and can be purchased with a dedicated stand at extra cost (TBA) via importer Synergy Audio’s established specialist audio dealers around the country.
Sonus faber Duetto Active Wireless Loudspeakers
Price: AU$6995
Australian Distributor: Synergy Audio
+61 3 9459 7474
www.synergyaudio.com
