About The Sonus faber Olympica Nova 1 Speakers
The Sonus faber Olympica Nova I enhances and updates the original Olympica I and takes the sound and construction to the next level. Either used on their matching stands or placed on a suitable cabinet or bookshelf, the Olympica Nova I's will give immense musical satisfaction in a small to medium size room. They also play well with a REL subwoofer or two to fill an even larger room with full spectrum sound.
Since 1983, many moments have marked the history of Sonus faber; the launch of the Olympica Collection in 2013 is one of them. One of the first lines presented as a complete family of products, but above all, the very first one to feature original drivers, entirely designed in-house at Sonus faber. Olympica Nova is the second generation of this iconic family, improved in its form and substance, imbued with the timeless values that inspired Sonus faber to create the original line. The result is a new Collection that embraces the most advanced technologies that already enhance Sonus faber's most prestigious creations.
Organically Shaped
The lack of flat and parallel walls improves enclosure performance and maintains the typical asymmetrical Lute shape of the first generation Olympica. The asymmetrical shape of the cabinet is an original design concept that allows versatile positioning of the speakers to tune the bass response in any room. Inspired by nature, the lines follow the flow of a circular spiral motion, achieving a more organic cabinet structure. No longer just a functional element added to handle airflow, the reflex duct is now fully integrated into the cabinet, further improving the speed and transparency of sound.
A Closer Look
Wood: Just like the cabinet sides, the front baffle and the top are made in walnut or wenge hand finished natural wood which sits in a solid die-cast aluminium plate. The designers wished to pay homage to Sonus faber's most representative material, making it even more of a standard bearer.
Tweeter: The 28 mm silk soft dome tweeter features the DAD™ technology (Damped Apex Dome™) that enhances the smoothness and extension in the high frequencies by applying local dampening to the apex typically responsible for anti-phase behaviour of soft dome diaphragms. The DAD™ structure has been totally redesigned and is now a solid piece of diecast aluminium that forms an arch and ring over the dome to increase the strength and accuracy of the system.
Midwoofer: This follows the same construction as its Olympica Nova siblings, with two main differences. The dust cap is coated in fabric to provide an airtight seal to maximise the moving surface, increasing air movement without distortion. The moving coil, optimised for bass performance with a much longer throw, improves driver excursion and the overall magnetic field.
Crossover: The crossover network implements Paracross Topology™, making the crossover less sensitive to radio frequency interference, improving transient response and lowering the noise floor. The filtering topology features new exclusive Clarity Cap capacitors, customised for Sonus Faber.
Reflex Port: The solid piece of extruded aluminium that completes the Stealth Ultraflex™ system, an extremely low turbulence porting system, is inherited from Homage Tradition models. Favouring the profile of sea waves, the structure facilitates airflow through the duct while controlling its speed and reducing any distortion causing turbulence.
Structural Rigidity: The entire structure of the acoustic enclosure has been redesigned. Similar to the Homage Traditional and Reference Collections, the side walls are constructed with eight layers of bended wood, providing the cabinet with extreme rigidity.
Natural Leather: The natural leather embellishes the Voice of Sonus faber, the brand's iconic configuration of tweeter and midwoofer. Genuine Italian leather that, as per Sonus faber's tradition, is applied by hand in the production department in Vincenza.
In The News
The Olympica Nova I may be small and relatively affordable, but it delivered a large amount of musical satisfaction. It didn't play extraordinarily loud or pump out the deepest bass. Its strengths resided in its imaging, its midrange richness, and the absence of fatigue in this listener. My appreciation grew over the time I lived with the speaker. Stereophile
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: 2 Way, 2 Driver, full para-aperiodic vented box "Stealth Ultraflex", stand mount loudspeakers
- Drivers
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Tweeter: H28 XTR3 Silk dome 28 mm moving coil driver with DAD™ (Damped Apex Dome™) technology and vibration optimized mechanical interface. The ultra-dynamic linearity is provided by the Neodymium "cup design" motor system.
- Midwoofer: MW15 XTR2-04 150mm cone driver. CCAW wire is used on a composite former "eddy current free" voice coil. Special custom diaphragm made with a real time air dried non pressed blend of traditional cellulose pulp and other natural fibres, developed according to the most natural sound. Ultra-dynamic performance and high linearity. Designed in-house at Sonus faber.
- Crossover: Anti-resonant design, optimized amplitude/phase response for optimal space/time performance. "Paracross topology". Impedance compensation at low frequencies for a clear and friendly amplifier performance. Highest quality is used in terms of the components: Jantzen inductors and a new generation of Sonus faber capacitor designed in partnership with Clarity Cap.
- Crossover Frequency: 2,500Hz
- Frequency Response: 45 Hz – 35,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 87 dB SPL (2.83V/1 m)
- Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms
- Suggested Amplifier Power: 35 – 250 Watts, without clipping
- Stands: Optional Olympica Nova Stands available
- Finishes: Walnut, Wenge & Piano Black
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 199.5 x 355 x 395mm (282 x 1,078 x 395 optional stands included)
- Weight: 10.5 kg each (17.8 kg each with optional stand included)
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 5 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.