Sonus faber Aster (pair) - Black - White

Description

The Sonus faber Natural Sound Signature Adapted for the Outdoors

The Aster is Sonus faber's answer to a question that comes up more and more often: how to get the acoustic quality of an Italian high-fidelity brand in an environment where rain, snow, sun, and dust would quickly destroy an indoor loudspeaker. The answer: a dedicated outdoor loudspeaker, designed in the Sonus faber workshops with the acoustic principles of the house, but built with the materials and sealing required for permanent outdoor use. At Fillion Électronique, the Aster is sold as a pair, ready for a complete stereo installation.

IP65 Certified: Resists Rain, Snow, Dust, and Sun

The Aster carries IP65 certification, which guarantees complete protection against dust (the "6") and against low-pressure water jets from any direction (the "5"). Concretely: rain, snow, fog, sea mist, and freeze-thaw cycles do not affect their operation. The body is a PC-ABS composite with a UV-absorbing coating to prevent yellowing and plastic degradation under prolonged solar exposure.

2-Way Configuration with Two Side-Mounted Passive Radiators

Each Aster uses a 26 mm (1") tweeter and a 134 mm (5.25") midwoofer mounted on the front baffle, paired with two passive radiators symmetrically positioned on the sides of the cabinet. Passive radiators are a smart choice for this compact format: they increase bass efficiency (as a bass-reflex port would) without an opening to the outside that would compromise the sealing. The symmetrical side placement cancels the reactive forces between the two radiators, which reduces cabinet vibration.

Aluminum Wall Bracket with Bayonet Mount

Installation is designed to be quick: the aluminum wall bracket (two included in the pair) is fixed with a single installer screw, then each loudspeaker attaches via a bayonet system — a quarter turn and the cabinet is locked in place. Tilt is adjusted via a spring-loaded mechanism that allows 15° adjustments up or down without tools, useful for aiming the sound toward a specific relaxation area.

Elliptical Format and Finishes

The cabinet adopts a modern elliptical shape: 19.5 cm tall, 33 cm wide, 15 cm deep, with a total mounting depth (bracket included) of 20.8 cm. Weight is 3.1 kg per unit.

Frequently Asked Questions
 

Why choose the Sonus faber Aster?

The Aster is Sonus faber's dedicated outdoor installation speaker, IP65 certified (resistant to rain, snow, dust, and sun). It combines the house Natural Sound signature, a 2-way architecture with two side-mounted passive radiators for bass output in a compact format, and a bayonet installation system that allows quick mounting and tool-free 15° aiming. Sold as a pair at Fillion Électronique, ready for stereo.

What does IP65 certification mean?

IP65 is an international standard that defines two levels of protection: the first digit (6) indicates complete protection against dust; the second (5) indicates protection against low-pressure water jets from any direction. In practice: the Aster resists rain, snow, sea mist, garden-hose cleaning, and freeze-thaw cycles. It is not designed to be submerged or exposed to high-pressure water jets.

Why passive radiators instead of a bass-reflex port?

A bass-reflex port is an opening that would let water, dust, and insects into the cabinet — incompatible with IP65 certification. Passive radiators fulfill the same acoustic function (increasing bass efficiency by leveraging the cabinet's internal air), but with a sealed membrane that preserves the enclosure sealing. The symmetrical placement on both sides also cancels the reactive forces, which reduces spurious cabinet vibrations.

Which amplifier is appropriate?

The Aster has 88 dB sensitivity and 6 Ω nominal impedance. Sonus faber recommends 125 W per channel of amplification. Most AV receivers and integrated amplifiers are suitable. For a multi-zone installation, a dedicated multi-zone amplifier is often the best approach. The 6 Ω impedance (higher than the 4 Ω typical of Sonus faber) is more favorable to long cable runs.

Can an installation be extended beyond one pair?

Yes. To cover a larger outdoor area or several distinct zones (patio, pool, garden), you can order multiple pairs of Aster and distribute them around the listening areas. Depending on the configuration, additional speakers can be wired in parallel to a powerful amplifier (mind the combined impedance) or driven by a multi-zone amplifier that manages each zone independently.

What's in the Box

Sonus faber Aster Outdoor speakers (pair)

Aluminum wall brackets (two)

Installation hardware

Owner's manual