Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2 - Walnut - Black - White - Wenge

Description

The Lute Shape Heritage

The Sonetto VIII G2 is the flagship floorstanding model of the second-generation Sonetto collection, bringing acoustic innovations inherited from the flagship Suprema system into an elegant floorstanding format. It retains the classic lute-shaped wooden cabinet that defines Sonus faber's visual identity, a form designed not just for aesthetic appeal but to explicitly break up parallel internal surfaces. This geometry manages standing waves effectively while presenting an organically curved silhouette that integrates naturally into modern living spaces. 

Cork Intonation Chamber and 6.5-inch Camellia Midrange

Derived directly from the flagship Suprema system, the tweeter and midrange are housed in a dedicated sealed internal cork chamber. Unlike standard MDF enclosures, cork is a purely organic material that lacks regular geometric walls. This unique shape prevents the formation of internal standing waves and resonances, allowing the 6.5-inch Camellia midrange driver (with copper shorting ring) to articulate voices and acoustic instruments with strong clarity, resolution, and natural tonal balance. An aluminum phase plug further aligns the sound waves, ensuring that the critical midrange frequencies disperse smoothly across the listening area.

Concrete Foundation and Dual 8-inch Down-Firing Woofers

To support its dual 8-inch woofers (with aluminum demodulation rings), the Sonetto VIII G2 sits on a newly engineered solid concrete base. This substantial mass lowers the speaker's center of gravity, anchoring it firmly to the floor and damping mechanical vibrations that could smear low-frequency detail. Combined with a down-firing reflex port, this heavy foundation ensures the low end remains articulate and authoritative — measured response down to 33 Hz. This architecture also makes room placement significantly more forgiving than rear-ported alternatives, allowing the speaker to sit closer to boundaries.

1.1-inch DAD™ Arrow Point Tweeter

High frequencies are handled by the signature Damped Apex Dome (DAD) tweeter, a 1.1-inch (28 mm) Arrow Point configuration with a copper shorting ring. By applying localized dampening to the apex of the silk dome, this specialized design prevents the anti-phase behavior commonly found in standard soft dome tweeters at high excursions. The result is an extended frequency response reaching up to 40 kHz, delivering the spaciousness and air of high-resolution audio formats. It resolves complex cymbal decays and acoustic room cues without introducing the harshness or listening fatigue often associated with heavily detailed high-frequency drivers.

Common Questions

How does the Sonetto VIII G2 differ from the Sonetto V G2?

The primary distinction lies in bass scale and room-filling capacity. Both models share the cork internal chamber and Camellia midrange, but the VIII G2 steps up to dual 8-inch woofers (versus the V G2's smaller drivers). This allows the VIII G2 to move significantly more air, resulting in deeper frequency extension (33 Hz measured) and less compression at high volumes. It is the appropriate choice for rooms exceeding roughly 28 m² (300 sq ft) or for dedicated theatre spaces.

What acoustic benefit does the internal cork chamber provide?

Standard speaker cabinets rely on dense, rigid materials with parallel geometric shapes that can trap standing waves behind the drivers. The sealed cork chamber creates an organic, purely asymmetrical acoustic volume for the tweeter and Camellia midrange. This material naturally absorbs unwanted internal resonances without over-damping the sound, allowing vocals and stringed instruments to sound significantly more open and uncolored. It is the same architecture used on the flagship Suprema system.

Does the down-firing port make room placement easier?

Yes, significantly easier. Rear-ported speakers typically require substantial distance from the front wall to avoid bloated, booming bass. Because the Sonetto VIII G2 vents low frequencies downward toward its concrete base, the acoustic interaction with the room boundaries is far more predictable. You can position these large speakers closer to walls without triggering severe low-frequency room modes. Format to plan for: 119 cm tall and 45 kg per speaker.

What's in the Box

Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2 Floorstanding Loudspeaker

Concrete base

Floor spikes and protective shoes

Magnetic grilles

Cleaning cloth

Owner's manual