The latest generation Stradivari floorstanding loudspeakers from Sonus faber were introduced to the press at the Kempinski Hotel, in Munich. The reintroduction of this model not only marks twenty years since the original design but also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Sonus faber brand.

Sonus faber states that “Stradivari has evolved into its second generation, pushing the limits of innovation and engineering” but remains wedded to the signature organic materials of wood and leather, which, says the manufacturer, are “blended seamlessly with cutting-edge sound technology”.

The most obvious difference for those familiar with the original is the change to a 1,374x715x428 mm (HxWxD) pentagonal structure for this 3.5-way midrange sealed box design from the initial elliptical outline. This, we're informed, is designed to accommodate the latest advancements in audio technology and ensure a one-of-a-kind listening experience.

One of the most distinctive features of the Stradivari G2 is its approach to low-frequency management, with Sonus faber stating, “Its innovative engineering allows the listener to adjust the woofers to the size of the room, creating a bespoke sound experience”.

This is achieved by the two 260 mm Dual Drive Motor System woofers sitting in a vented box “Stealth Ultraflex” system and a “Low-Frequency Adjuster” that offers complete control of the ultra-low range tuning. Furthermore, Sonus faber uses what it calls “Clepsydra Technology”. Basically, a downward-firing, hourglass-shaped bass-reflex port designed to “maximise low-frequency descent performance” while simultaneously containing the length of the reflex duct.

Finally, each woofer sits in an “anti-resonant organic basket” designed to avoid vibration modes generated by the woofer membrane.

Meanwhile, the 150mm Neodymium Magnet System midrange driver benefits from the company's Intono tech, which they tell us guarantees the most natural possible reproduction of the medium frequencies, significantly reducing the size and the filter components of the crossover which, by the way, works at 160 Hz, 220 Hz and 2,200 Hz.

The driver complement is topped off by a 28mm DAD Arrow Point tweeter resulting in a claimed frequency response of 25 Hz - 35kHz and 92 dB SPL (2.83V/1 m) sensitivity with nominal impedance rated at 4 ohms.

Chief of Design Livio Cucuzza told StereoNET:

How do we recreate a product that continues to stand the test of time and has almost become an artefact? For this, we needed to figure out how to bring Stradivari into this generation of Sonus faber. We wanted to ensure that the new Stradivari represented all the advancements Sonus faber has made in sound technology to date while still keeping the brand's classic external look and feel.

At our demonstration, we were treated to Children of the Sun by Dead Can Dance - not your expected audiophile test track, but it was undoubtedly welcomed by certain old goths and goth adjacent members of our party. A richly full sound was presented with a stately soundstage projected that was wide, deep, and realistically tall. This served to give the piece presence as well as the instruments space. The second track we heard was Yuri Honing Trio's version of Walking on the Moon. A much less dense piece of music, but this choice showed the Stradivari G2's speed and ability to recreate the tonality of acoustic instruments. For me, the standouts here were the natural-sounding decay of the bass harmonics and the snap of the snare.

Sonus faber's Stradivari G2 is available for pre-order in red, wenge, and graphite from June 2023, priced at £45,000.

Visit Sonus faber for more information