Sonus faber Olympica G3 III - Walnut - Wenge

Description

The 3-Way Floorstander of the New Olympica G3 Generation

The Olympica G3 III is the mid-tier 3-way floorstander of Sonus faber's new Olympica G3 generation, a complete redesign of the Olympica lineage that succeeds the Nova series. The Olympica G3 range consists of five models derived from technologies developed for the Suprema reference system: the G3 I (stand-mount), the G3 II and G3 III (floorstanders), the G3 V (flagship), and a center channel. Hand-built in the historic Vicenza workshops.

28 mm DAD Arrow Point Silk Tweeter with Extended Frequency Response

High frequencies are handled by the 28 mm Damped Apex Dome (DAD) tweeter in Arrow Point configuration, in its extended-frequency version reaching 40 kHz — 5 kHz higher than the previous Olympica Nova generation. Localized damping applied to the apex of the silk dome prevents the anti-phase behavior that affects soft domes at high excursion, without hardening the top-end character.

165 mm Camelia Midrange in Sealed Cork Chamber

The midrange is handled by the 165 mm Camelia driver, developed by Sonus faber for the Suprema reference system and integrated in the higher Homage models. Its treated paper membrane, inspired by the geometry of the camellia flower, deliberately breaks the circular resonance modes that affect standard cones. This driver is housed in a sealed acoustic chamber lined with cork, an organic material with superior damping properties that isolates the midrange from the pressure generated by the woofers. Result: voices and acoustic instruments reproduced with a natural timbre, without contamination from the bass register.

Dual 165 mm Woofers in Stealth Ultraflex

Low frequencies are driven by two 165 mm treated paper cone woofers (same diameter as the Camelia midrange, which simplifies acoustic coupling at the 365 Hz crossover). They are loaded in the Stealth Ultraflex bass-reflex system, an optimized-profile port integrated into the rear spine of the cabinet that minimizes audible turbulence. Measured result: extension down to 42 Hz with improved transient control compared to the 180 mm sandwich-cone woofers of the previous Olympica Nova III.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Olympica G3 III and the Olympica Nova III (previous generation)?

The G3 generation is a complete redesign of the Olympica range, derived from the technologies of the Suprema reference system. The main differences: (1) 165 mm Camelia paper cone midrange in a sealed cork chamber instead of the Nova's 150 mm CCAW voice coil; (2) 165 mm paper cone woofers instead of the Nova's 180 mm sandwich-cone woofers; (3) DAD Arrow Point tweeter in extended-frequency version reaching 40 kHz instead of 35 kHz; (4) crossovers at 365 Hz and 2,460 Hz instead of 250 Hz and 2,500 Hz — the Camelia midrange takes on a larger portion of the lower midrange; (5) frequency response 42 – 40 kHz instead of 35 – 35 kHz — the G3 III trades some low-bass extension for extended treble and improved transient control.

What amplifier is appropriate?

The Olympica G3 III presents a nominal 4 Ω load and a high 90 dB sensitivity (2.83 V at 1 m). Sonus faber recommends a power range of 50 to 300 W per channel. The high sensitivity means a quality integrated amplifier from 50 W is well-suited to a medium-sized room; however, the 4 Ω load combined with the dual bass drivers benefits from an amplifier with good current reserve. Medium-power tube amplifiers with dedicated 4 Ω output taps also make an excellent musical match. 

Do I need a subwoofer with these speakers?

No, a subwoofer is not necessary for two-channel music listening. The extension to 42 Hz covers the fundamentals of the double bass, the grand piano, the bass drum, and most acoustic and electronic instruments. For a demanding home theater use case (action films with pronounced LFE channel), adding a dedicated subwoofer (for example a Sonus faber Gravis II or III) allows the Olympica G3 III to offload frequencies below 40 Hz and reserve their energy for midrange and treble reproduction where they excel.

How does it sit in the Olympica G3 lineup?

The Olympica G3 range consists of five models: the G3 I (2-way stand-mount), the G3 II (compact 2.5-way floorstander), the G3 III (mid-tier 3-way floorstander, this model), the G3 V (flagship 3-way floorstander with more bass drivers), and a center channel for home theater installations. The G3 III is the first model in the range to offer the dedicated Camelia midrange in a sealed cork chamber, which represents the most significant acoustic step-up within the range. It is particularly suited to medium to large rooms, as the main channels of a high-quality home theater or as a dedicated stereo system.

What's in the Box

Sonus faber Olympica G3 III Floorstanding Loudspeakers

8 decoupling spikes, 8 under-spikes, 8 spike locks

2 speaker grilles

2 dustproof fabric covers

4 jumpers

Photo book

Owner's manual