Audio T Verdict
Maxima Amator is a wonderfully unusual loudspeaker. At a time when large floorstanders commonly divide the frequency range between three, four or even more drivers, Sonus faber has gone in the opposite direction: one 180mm midwoofer, one 28mm D.A.D. tweeter and a carefully developed crossover housed inside a substantial solid-walnut floorstanding cabinet.
That simplicity is deceptive. Building a two-way floorstander capable of reaching down to 35Hz places enormous demands on the bass/mid driver, enclosure and crossover. Sonus faber has responded with a three-chamber cabinet, carefully controlled internal damping, a weighted stability chamber, an externally isolated crossover compartment and its IFF Interactive Fusion Filtering network. The result is a speaker conceived around integration rather than simply adding more drive units.
Maxima Amator is also one of those products where construction is inseparable from the experience. Solid walnut, black leather, brass and Port Saint Laurent marble give each 38kg cabinet the presence of a piece of Italian furniture rather than conventional hi-fi equipment. It deserves serious amplification and a properly considered room, but its 88dB sensitivity and 25–125W recommendation mean enormous power is not required. For listeners who value coherence, natural materials and the purity of a two-way design but want the scale of a full floorstander, Maxima Amator is a genuinely distinctive proposition.
Sonus faber Maxima Amator Floorstanding Speakers
The Sonus faber Maxima Amator is a two-way floorstanding loudspeaker from the Heritage Collection, handcrafted in Vicenza, Italy from solid walnut, black leather, brass and Port Saint Laurent marble.
It represents the realisation of an idea Sonus faber had explored decades earlier: could the simplicity and coherence of a classic two-way loudspeaker be expanded into a full-scale floorstanding design without sacrificing bass extension, dynamic range or cabinet stability?
Modern simulation, CNC machining, wood-drying techniques, flexible structural adhesives and crossover development eventually made that idea practical. Maxima Amator became Sonus faber's first two-way floorstanding loudspeaker built around a solid-wood enclosure.
- Sonus faber Heritage Collection floorstanding loudspeaker
- Handcrafted in Vicenza, Italy
- First Sonus faber two-way floorstander with solid-wood cabinet
- Two-way vented loudspeaker architecture
- 28mm H28 XTR-04 high-definition D.A.D. tweeter
- High-power neodymium cup-design tweeter motor
- Soft-dome diaphragm
- Solid spruce acoustic-labyrinth rear chamber
- 180mm MW18 XTR-04 midwoofer
- 2100Hz crossover frequency
- IFF Interactive Fusion Filtering crossover
- Paracross-derived crossover philosophy
- Premium hi-fi crossover components
- Three-chamber cabinet architecture
- Optimised acoustic chamber
- Three-layer internal damping material
- Recycled carbon-fibre damping layers
- Silica-fibre damping layer
- Weighted stability chamber
- Externally isolated crossover chamber
- Solid-walnut cabinet
- Black leather detailing
- Brass detailing
- Port Saint Laurent marble base
- Iron floor spikes
- 35Hz–35kHz frequency response
- 88dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 25–125W recommended amplifier power
- Single pair of binding posts
- 1120mm high
- 300mm wide
- 350mm deep
- 38kg per speaker
The Two-Way Floorstander
Maxima Amator is unusual because Sonus faber resisted the obvious temptation to turn a larger cabinet into a conventional three-way speaker.
Instead, the entire audible range is divided between just two drive units:
- A 180mm midwoofer covering bass and midrange
- A 28mm D.A.D. tweeter reproducing high frequencies
They meet at a single 2100Hz crossover point.
Why Build a Two-Way Speaker?
A two-way loudspeaker has an appealing simplicity.
With only one crossover region, the designer has fewer acoustic transitions to integrate than in a three-way or four-way loudspeaker.
Potential advantages include:
- A simpler acoustic architecture
- One main crossover region
- Greater emphasis on driver integration
- Potentially consistent phase behaviour
- A broad frequency range handled by the same midwoofer
The Challenge of a Two-Way Floorstander
The simplicity also creates a very difficult engineering problem.
The 180mm driver needs to reproduce deep bass, upper bass, lower midrange and much of the vocal region before handing over to the tweeter at 2100Hz.
At the opposite end, the tweeter needs to integrate cleanly with a comparatively large midwoofer.
Why Not Add a Dedicated Bass Driver?
Adding additional woofers would make it easier to achieve deeper bass and higher output, but it would fundamentally change the concept.
Maxima Amator is built around the idea that two carefully chosen drivers, supported by a sufficiently sophisticated cabinet and crossover, can produce a full-scale loudspeaker while retaining the coherence associated with Sonus faber's classic two-way designs.
A Heritage Collection Idea
The Heritage Collection revisits some of the ideas that helped establish Sonus faber's identity while applying modern manufacturing and acoustic technology.
Solid wood, leather, natural stone and brass are not decorative additions placed on an otherwise conventional enclosure. They form part of the physical construction and visual character of the product.
Solid Walnut Cabinet
The main Maxima Amator enclosure is made from solid walnut rather than conventional veneered MDF.
This immediately distinguishes it from most modern loudspeakers, but solid timber introduces engineering challenges of its own.
Solid Wood Is a Living Material
Natural timber can expand and contract as environmental temperature and humidity change.
In a large loudspeaker cabinet, uncontrolled movement could potentially lead to:
- Dimensional changes
- Joint stress
- Panel movement
- Cracking
- Changes in resonance behaviour
Modern Wood Drying
Sonus faber uses modern drying processes to prepare the solid walnut before the cabinet is constructed.
Controlling moisture content helps improve dimensional stability and allows the timber to be machined to tighter tolerances.
CNC Machining
Modern CNC manufacturing allows Sonus faber to work the walnut with considerably greater precision than would have been possible when the original idea for Maxima Amator was first considered.
This is one of the technologies that helped turn the project from an abandoned concept into a viable production loudspeaker.
Internal Structural Ribs
The large solid-walnut cabinet uses internal structural reinforcement.
These ribs help control panel movement and give the enclosure the rigidity needed to support a 180mm driver operating down into deep bass.
Flexible Adhesives
Sonus faber uses flexible glues within the cabinet structure.
This allows the construction to accommodate some of the natural movement of solid timber rather than attempting to force a living material into completely rigid behaviour.
Three Separate Cabinet Chambers
Maxima Amator's apparently simple rectangular enclosure is divided internally into three distinct sections.
Each has a different role:
- The main acoustic chamber
- The weighted stability chamber
- The isolated crossover chamber
First Chamber: Acoustic Volume
The primary chamber provides the acoustic loading for the 180mm midwoofer.
Sonus faber optimised this volume using software simulation to study the behaviour of pressure and resonant nodes within the cabinet.
Why Internal Volume Matters
A driver does not operate independently from its cabinet.
The enclosure volume influences:
- Low-frequency tuning
- Driver excursion
- Resonance behaviour
- Port operation
- Overall bass alignment
Three-Layer Internal Damping
Sonus faber developed a dedicated three-layer damping material for the Maxima Amator acoustic chamber.
It combines:
- Two outer layers of recycled carbon fibre
- A central layer of silica fibre
Why Use Internal Damping?
The rear of the loudspeaker cone radiates just as much acoustic energy into the cabinet as the front radiates into the room.
Without suitable control, that rear energy can reflect inside the enclosure and interfere with the driver's behaviour.
Damping material is used to absorb and manage some of this energy.
Second Chamber: Stability
A second internal chamber is filled with inert material.
This adds mass towards the lower part of the cabinet and lowers the speaker's centre of gravity.
Why Lower the Centre of Gravity?
Maxima Amator stands 1120mm tall but is only 300mm wide.
Adding carefully positioned mass helps:
- Increase physical stability
- Lower the centre of gravity
- Reduce unwanted cabinet movement
- Provide a more stable platform for the drive units
Third Chamber: The Crossover
The third section houses the crossover network.
Unlike the main acoustic chamber, this compartment is externally visible and mechanically separated from the pressure generated by the midwoofer.
Why Isolate the Crossover?
Crossover components can themselves be affected by mechanical vibration.
Placing the network outside the main acoustic chamber helps shield it from the fluctuating air pressure and structural vibration generated by the drive unit.
The Crossover as Heart and Brain
In a two-way loudspeaker, the single crossover point is especially important.
There is nowhere for poor integration to hide: the large midwoofer must hand directly to the tweeter through a musically important region.
IFF Interactive Fusion Filtering
Maxima Amator introduced Sonus faber's IFF crossover approach, short for Interactive Fusion Filtering.
The network reinterprets principles used in the company's traditional Paracross topology with the aim of making the two drive units behave as a more unified acoustic system.
Why Call It Fusion Filtering?
The emphasis is on the overlap and interaction between the two drivers rather than treating the tweeter and midwoofer as completely independent sources.
Sonus faber uses what it describes as progressive crossover slopes rather than pursuing a purely textbook electrical transfer function.
2100Hz Crossover Frequency
The 180mm midwoofer hands over to the 28mm tweeter at 2100Hz.
This places the crossover through a frequency range containing significant vocal and instrumental information.
Why Is 2100Hz Important?
Many of the harmonics that define the timbre of voices and instruments lie around this region.
Poor integration can therefore affect:
- Voice naturalness
- Instrument tone
- Image focus
- Soundstage depth
- Perceived continuity between midrange and treble
Premium Hi-Fi Crossover Components
Sonus faber specifies premium-grade components within the network.
The physical isolation of the crossover chamber complements the electrical design by giving these components a mechanically quieter operating environment.
Why the Crossover Matters So Much
Maxima Amator's specification can look deceptively simple: one midwoofer and one tweeter. The sophistication lies in making those two very different drivers behave as one loudspeaker across a 35Hz–35kHz bandwidth. The IFF crossover is therefore central to the entire design rather than simply another component hidden inside the cabinet.
28mm High-Definition D.A.D. Tweeter
High frequencies are handled by the H28 XTR-04, a 28mm soft-dome tweeter using Sonus faber's D.A.D. technology.
D.A.D. stands for Damped Apex Dome.
What Does D.A.D. Do?
At very high frequencies, the apex of a conventional soft dome can begin moving out of phase with the surrounding diaphragm.
Sonus faber's D.A.D. system applies localised control to this central area to help maintain high-frequency extension while retaining the naturally damped behaviour of a textile dome.
High-Power Neodymium Motor
The tweeter uses a high-power neodymium magnetic motor in what Sonus faber describes as a cup configuration.
Neodymium allows a strong magnetic field to be produced from a relatively compact motor assembly.
Solid Spruce Acoustic Labyrinth
The D.A.D. tweeter operates with a rear acoustic chamber formed from solid spruce wood.
This labyrinth arrangement manages energy produced from the rear of the soft dome and forms part of the high-frequency loading system.
Why Use Spruce?
Spruce has long been associated with musical-instrument construction and forms another connection between Maxima Amator's acoustic engineering and Sonus faber's preference for natural materials.
180mm MW18 XTR-04 Midwoofer
A single 180mm MW18 XTR-04 driver handles everything beneath 2100Hz.
That means it is simultaneously responsible for deep bass, upper bass and the majority of the midrange.
A Demanding Driver Role
Few drivers in a conventional multi-way floorstander are asked to cover such a wide section of the audible spectrum.
The Maxima Amator midwoofer has to combine:
- Bass extension
- Low-frequency excursion capability
- Midrange control
- Useful dispersion at the upper end of its range
- Clean integration with the tweeter at 2100Hz
35Hz Bass Extension
Sonus faber specifies Maxima Amator from 35Hz to 35,000Hz.
Reaching 35Hz from a single 180mm midwoofer in a two-way loudspeaker is a significant part of what makes the design unusual.
What Does 35Hz Mean for Music?
Thirty-five hertz reaches well into the range required for:
- Bass guitar
- Double bass
- Kick drum
- Full-size piano
- Cello
- Large orchestral instruments
- Electronic bass
Does Maxima Amator Need a Subwoofer?
For most serious two-channel music listening, no.
The 35Hz published response gives Maxima Amator substantial low-frequency extension in its own right.
A subwoofer becomes more relevant if:
- You want strong output in the lowest octave
- Pipe organ is a major part of your listening
- Electronic sub-bass is important
- Your room is exceptionally large
- You want additional low-frequency headroom
Position Them Before Considering a Subwoofer
A floorstander extending to 35Hz will interact strongly with the room. Optimise the Maxima Amator pair and your listening seat first. Adding a subwoofer before solving basic room-position issues can simply exaggerate an existing bass problem.
88dB Sensitivity
Maxima Amator is rated at 88dB SPL for 2.83V measured at one metre.
This is useful sensitivity for a substantial two-way floorstander and means it does not require enormous amplifier power to reach realistic listening levels.
4-Ohm Nominal Impedance
The speaker's nominal impedance is 4 ohms.
This means amplifier current capability remains important even though the sensitivity figure is relatively friendly.
Sensitivity and Impedance Are Different
A loudspeaker can be reasonably sensitive while still asking the amplifier to supply significant current.
For Maxima Amator, amplifier quality is therefore more useful than simply chasing a large headline wattage figure.
25–125W Recommended Amplification
Sonus faber recommends between 25 and 125 watts per channel with an undistorted signal.
This is an unusually accessible amplifier range for a loudspeaker of Maxima Amator's physical scale and price.
Will a 25W Amplifier Work?
Yes. Twenty-five watts is the lower end of Sonus faber's official recommendation.
In a suitable room and at sensible listening levels, a high-quality amplifier in this region can work successfully.
What About 40–60W?
This can be an excellent range for a high-quality integrated or valve amplifier, provided it is comfortable with the 4-ohm load.
Would 80–100W Be Better?
Additional power provides greater headroom for:
- Larger rooms
- Longer listening distances
- Higher playback levels
- Wide-dynamic-range recordings
Can I Use 125W?
Yes. This is the upper end of Sonus faber's recommended amplifier range.
The emphasis remains on clean power rather than driving the speaker continuously at extreme levels.
Why Does Sonus faber Specify Undistorted Power?
An amplifier driven beyond its clean operating limits can clip and generate significant distortion.
A more powerful amplifier being used comfortably can therefore be safer than a smaller amplifier continually driven into clipping.
Think Quality Before Quantity
Maxima Amator does not require several hundred watts. It does deserve an amplifier with a refined preamplifier stage, strong power supply and confident 4-ohm performance. At this level, control and quality matter much more than simply finding the largest wattage figure.
Solid-State Amplification
A high-quality solid-state integrated amplifier is a natural partner.
Look for stable operation into 4 ohms, good current delivery and the level of source transparency appropriate for a loudspeaker of this calibre.
Class A Amplification
Maxima Amator's 88dB sensitivity and relatively modest 125W upper recommendation can make suitable Class A amplification particularly interesting.
The important considerations are available clean power and 4-ohm compatibility.
Valve Amplification
Valve amplification is also possible and potentially very appealing with a two-way Heritage loudspeaker.
The 88dB sensitivity is helpful, although the amplifier must still be comfortable with the 4-ohm nominal impedance.
Where multiple transformer taps are provided, follow the amplifier manufacturer's instructions.
Class D Amplification
Modern Class D amplification is entirely suitable when properly engineered for the load.
Do not assume Maxima Amator requires amplification of a particular topology simply because of its traditional construction.
Pre/Power Amplification
A high-quality preamplifier and power amplifier combination is entirely appropriate.
The speaker's resolution and price level justify taking care over the complete signal chain rather than considering amplification as an afterthought.
Good for Vinyl?
Very much so.
Maxima Amator's focus on integration, natural materials and a broad-bandwidth midwoofer makes it a natural candidate for a high-quality analogue system.
A capable turntable, cartridge and phono stage can exploit the speaker's ability to reproduce subtle differences in recordings.
Good for CD?
Yes.
A high-quality CD player, SACD player or transport and DAC can make an excellent source.
Good for Streaming?
Absolutely.
There is nothing inherently analogue-only about the Maxima Amator concept. A high-resolution streamer and DAC can provide an equally serious source.
Good for Vocals?
The simple two-way architecture is particularly relevant to voice reproduction.
Most of the vocal range is handled by the same 180mm driver before it hands over to the tweeter at 2100Hz.
That reduces the number of driver transitions occurring through the central midrange.
Good for Acoustic Music?
Yes.
Acoustic guitar, piano, strings, brass and voices all rely heavily on tonal coherence and believable harmonic structure.
Good for Jazz?
Yes.
The 35Hz extension gives double bass useful foundation while the two-way architecture maintains a simple relationship between midrange and treble.
Good for Classical Music?
Yes.
Maxima Amator combines a broad frequency range with the scale of a floorstander, making it suitable for chamber works as well as larger orchestral recordings in an appropriately sized room.
Good for Rock?
Yes.
The 180mm driver and large cabinet provide useful low-frequency weight, although Maxima Amator should be chosen for its overall coherence rather than simply maximum impact.
Good for Electronic Music?
Yes.
The 35Hz lower response covers a substantial proportion of electronic bass, with a subwoofer only necessary where the deepest sub-bass is central to the system.
35kHz High-Frequency Extension
The published upper response extends to 35,000Hz.
This sits beyond the normal audible range for humans, but reflects the wide bandwidth of the tweeter and the controlled behaviour Sonus faber aims to maintain above the audible spectrum.
Single-Wire Speaker Terminals
Maxima Amator uses one pair of binding-post connections rather than separate terminals for bi-wiring.
This suits the conceptual simplicity of the two-way design: one amplifier channel, one cable run and one crossover network per loudspeaker.
No Bi-Wiring Required
There are no high- and low-frequency terminal links to configure.
Simply connect a suitable speaker cable from each amplifier channel to the corresponding loudspeaker.
Correct Polarity
Connect amplifier positive to speaker positive and amplifier negative to speaker negative on both channels.
If one loudspeaker is connected in reverse polarity, bass response and stereo centre-image focus can be significantly weakened.
Switch Off Before Connecting
Always switch the amplifier off before fitting or changing loudspeaker cables.
Check carefully that no loose conductor strands can bridge the positive and negative terminals.
Solid Walnut and Black Leather
The combination of solid walnut and black leather is unmistakably Sonus faber.
The speaker avoids multiple colour variants in favour of one carefully coordinated material combination.
Brass Detailing
Brass is used as an accent material throughout the design.
Its warmer metallic tone complements the walnut and the darker natural stone rather than introducing bright chrome detailing.
Port Saint Laurent Marble
The base uses Port Saint Laurent marble, a dark natural stone characterised by contrasting veining.
The stone contributes both visual weight and physical mass at the bottom of the cabinet.
Natural Materials Mean Natural Variation
Solid walnut and natural stone are not perfectly uniform manufactured surfaces.
Individual pairs can therefore show variations in:
- Wood grain
- Walnut tone
- Marble veining
- Stone pattern
These variations are part of the character of the materials rather than defects.
Handcrafted in Vicenza
The Heritage Collection is handcrafted by Sonus faber's artisans in Vicenza, Italy.
Traditional materials are combined with contemporary machining, simulation and acoustic engineering rather than attempting to recreate a historic loudspeaker exactly as it would have been built decades ago.
Iron Floor Spikes
Each Maxima Amator uses iron spikes as its floor-coupling and levelling system.
At 38kg per cabinet, correct installation is important for both performance and safety.
Protect Hard Flooring
Use appropriate spike shoes or floor protectors on timber, laminate, tile, stone and other delicate hard surfaces. Each Maxima Amator weighs 38kg, so the contact pressure beneath each spike can be considerable.
Level the Speakers Carefully
Adjust the spikes so the cabinet stands completely stable without rocking.
Stable support helps:
- Maintain consistent geometry between left and right speakers
- Prevent cabinet movement
- Improve safety
- Provide a secure platform for the 180mm driver
Maxima Amator Dimensions
Each cabinet measures:
- Height: 1120mm
- Width: 300mm
- Depth: 350mm
- Weight: 38kg
Measure the Room Properly
At 1.12 metres high, Maxima Amator is a substantial floorstanding loudspeaker.
Allow space not only for the cabinet itself but also for:
- Speaker cable connections
- Position adjustment
- Rear-wall clearance
- Side-wall clearance
- Safe access around each 38kg cabinet
Room Size
Maxima Amator has the bass extension and cabinet scale to work best where it has enough physical space to develop a stable soundstage without excessive boundary reinforcement.
Medium and larger listening rooms are the most obvious starting point.
Can Maxima Amator Work in a Smaller Room?
Potentially, but its 35Hz extension means placement becomes increasingly important as room dimensions shrink.
A demonstration and careful setup are especially worthwhile where floor space is limited.
Rear-Wall Distance
Start with useful clearance behind the speakers rather than immediately placing them close to the wall.
Then adjust according to:
- Bass weight
- Bass definition
- Soundstage depth
- Vocal focus
If Bass Sounds Too Heavy
Move the speakers further away from nearby room boundaries.
Also check the listening position, because moving the seat can sometimes alter bass balance as much as moving the loudspeaker.
If Bass Sounds Too Light
Experiment with modestly reducing rear-wall clearance.
Make small adjustments and listen again rather than moving the cabinets dramatically in one step.
Avoid Tight Corners
A corner reinforces low frequencies from two walls simultaneously.
With useful output extending to 35Hz, Maxima Amator does not need excessive boundary reinforcement to sound substantial.
Speaker Spacing
The correct spacing depends on listening distance and room width.
You are looking for a balance between:
- Soundstage width
- Strong centre-image focus
- Natural image scale
- Stable left-to-right positioning
Use Vocals to Check Stereo Geometry
A centrally recorded voice is one of the easiest ways to judge positioning.
The singer should appear firmly between the speakers rather than sounding stretched across the room or attached to both cabinets.
Toe-In
Begin with a modest inward angle towards the listening position.
Then adjust in small steps while listening for changes in:
- Treble balance
- Centre focus
- Soundstage width
- Image depth
- Overall tonal balance
More Toe-In
Increasing toe-in can sharpen image focus and direct more high-frequency energy towards the main listening position.
Less Toe-In
Reducing toe-in may create a wider soundstage in some rooms.
The ideal angle depends on room acoustics rather than a universal fixed measurement.
Maxima Amator vs Electa Amator III
Electa Amator III is the natural comparison within the Heritage Collection.
Both models use closely related 28mm D.A.D. tweeter and 180mm midwoofer technology, but their scale and application are very different.
Electa Amator III
- Two-way standmount
- 28mm D.A.D. tweeter
- 180mm midwoofer
- 2500Hz crossover
- 40Hz–35kHz response
- 88dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm impedance
- 35–125W amplification
- Solid-wood Heritage construction
- Requires suitable stands
Maxima Amator
- Two-way floorstander
- 28mm D.A.D. tweeter
- 180mm midwoofer
- 2100Hz crossover
- 35Hz–35kHz response
- 88dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm impedance
- 25–125W amplification
- Solid-walnut cabinet
- 38kg floorstanding design
Choose Electa Amator III If...
- You prefer standmount speakers
- Your room is smaller
- You need greater placement flexibility
- You want the Heritage concept in a more compact format
- You are happy to use dedicated stands
Choose Maxima Amator If...
- You want deeper bass without adding a subwoofer
- Your room can accommodate a full floorstander
- You want greater physical scale
- You are drawn to the purity of a large two-way design
- You want the solid-walnut Heritage concept in its floorstanding form
Maxima Amator vs Concertino
Sonus faber Concertino provides a considerably smaller and more accessible route into the current Heritage Collection.
Concertino is intended for compact standmount installations, while Maxima Amator is a large, full-range interpretation of Sonus faber's classic two-way philosophy.
Why Not Compare Maxima Amator With a Conventional Three-Way?
You certainly can, but the design priorities are different.
A similarly priced three-way floorstander may use separate bass, midrange and high-frequency systems to maximise bandwidth, output or specialised driver performance.
Maxima Amator deliberately places greater emphasis on:
- Two-way simplicity
- A single crossover region
- Driver integration
- Solid-wood construction
- Heritage materials
- Italian craftsmanship
A Speaker to Audition Rather Than Buy by Specification
The specification tells you that Maxima Amator reaches 35Hz, has 88dB sensitivity and accepts 25–125W amplifiers.
What those figures cannot describe is the particular presentation created by combining a broad-bandwidth 180mm driver with a single tweeter and one crossover transition.
At this level, a demonstration is particularly worthwhile.
Recommended Maxima Amator Setup Routine
- Plan the final approximate position before removing the speakers from their packaging.
- Remember that each cabinet weighs 38kg and arrange assistance where necessary.
- Retain all original packaging.
- Fit and adjust the iron floor spikes carefully.
- Use suitable floor protection on delicate surfaces.
- Make sure each cabinet stands completely stable.
- Begin with useful space from rear and side walls.
- Avoid placing either speaker tightly into a room corner.
- Keep left and right boundary conditions reasonably symmetrical.
- Choose a speaker spacing appropriate to your listening distance.
- Begin with modest inward toe-in.
- Switch the amplifier off before connecting speaker cables.
- Observe correct positive and negative polarity.
- Begin listening at moderate level.
- Use a familiar centrally recorded vocal to assess image focus.
- Adjust speaker spacing in small increments.
- Fine-tune toe-in.
- Use bass-rich acoustic and electronic recordings to assess wall distance.
- If bass is excessive, increase boundary clearance.
- If bass is too light, cautiously experiment with additional boundary reinforcement.
- Listen to several musical styles before finalising placement.
- Recheck spike stability once the final position is established.
Caring for Solid Walnut
Maxima Amator is not finished like an ordinary painted MDF loudspeaker.
The solid-walnut cabinet should be treated as a piece of quality furniture.
Avoid:
- Abrasive cloths
- Strong solvents
- Alcohol-based cleaning products
- Spraying cleaner directly onto the cabinet
- Prolonged strong direct sunlight
- Positioning immediately beside radiators or other strong heat sources
- Extreme changes in temperature or humidity where practical
Caring for the Leather
The black leather should be dusted gently with a clean, soft cloth.
Avoid generic household cleaning products unless specifically approved for the material.
Caring for the Marble
The Port Saint Laurent marble is natural stone and should likewise be treated carefully.
Avoid abrasive compounds and acidic cleaning products that could potentially mark a polished stone surface.
Keep the Original Packaging
This is particularly important with a 38kg solid-wood loudspeaker.
The original packaging provides the safest means of transporting the cabinets if you move house, change rooms or ever require service support.
Product Registration
Sonus faber currently offers extended warranty coverage for eligible products registered within 30 days of purchase, subject to its current warranty terms.
Who Is Maxima Amator For?
- Listeners wanting a high-end two-way floorstander
- Sonus faber Heritage Collection enthusiasts
- Medium and larger listening rooms
- Customers who value solid-wood cabinet construction
- Listeners who prefer simple two-way crossover architecture
- High-quality vinyl systems
- High-resolution streaming systems
- Premium CD and SACD systems
- Valve amplification systems with suitable 4-ohm capability
- Class A amplifier systems
- Premium solid-state amplification
- Pre/power amplifier systems
- Jazz and acoustic music
- Vocals and singer-songwriter recordings
- Classical music
- Rock and electronic music where coherence matters as much as impact
- Customers who appreciate Italian furniture and craftsmanship
Who Might Prefer Electa Amator III?
Electa Amator III may make more sense if:
- Your room is smaller
- You prefer a standmount installation
- You want easier physical placement
- You do not require 35Hz bass extension
- The visual scale of Maxima Amator is too large for the room
Who Might Prefer a Conventional Three-Way?
A different Sonus faber floorstander may make more sense if:
- You prioritise maximum bass output
- You listen at very high levels in a very large room
- You specifically want a dedicated midrange driver
- You prefer the curved cabinet architecture of Sonetto, Olympica Nova or Homage models
- You want a broader choice of finishes
Key Features
- Sonus faber Maxima Amator
- Sonus faber Heritage Collection
- Handcrafted in Vicenza
- Made in Italy
- Two-way floorstanding speaker
- Vented loudspeaker system
- Solid-walnut cabinet
- Solid wood loudspeaker
- Black leather
- Brass detailing
- Port Saint Laurent marble
- 28mm D.A.D. tweeter
- H28 XTR-04 tweeter
- Damped Apex Dome
- Soft-dome tweeter
- High-power neodymium motor
- Cup-design tweeter motor
- Solid-spruce acoustic labyrinth
- 180mm midwoofer
- MW18 XTR-04 midwoofer
- 2100Hz crossover
- IFF crossover
- Interactive Fusion Filtering
- Paracross-derived crossover
- Premium crossover components
- Separate crossover chamber
- Three-chamber cabinet
- Optimised acoustic chamber
- Weighted stability chamber
- Recycled carbon-fibre damping
- Silica-fibre damping
- Internal structural ribs
- Flexible structural adhesives
- Modern CNC cabinet manufacture
- 35Hz–35kHz response
- 88dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 25–125W recommended amplification
- Single pair of binding posts
- Iron floor spikes
- 1120mm height
- 300mm width
- 350mm depth
- 38kg per speaker
- Suitable for vinyl
- Suitable for streaming
- Suitable for CD and SACD
- Suitable for solid-state amplification
- Suitable for Class A amplification
- Suitable for valve amplification with appropriate matching
- Suitable for medium and larger rooms
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sonus faber Maxima Amator still current?
Yes. Maxima Amator remains a current model in Sonus faber's Heritage Collection.
Is this Audio T page for Electa Amator II?
No. Despite the legacy wording contained within the page URL, the product itself is Sonus faber Maxima Amator.
Is Maxima Amator a floorstanding speaker?
Yes.
Is Maxima Amator two-way?
Yes. It is a two-way vented floorstanding loudspeaker.
Why is a two-way floorstander unusual?
Most large floorstanders use separate bass, midrange and treble drivers. Maxima Amator uses just one 180mm midwoofer and one tweeter, placing greater emphasis on broad driver bandwidth and crossover integration.
Is Maxima Amator Sonus faber's first two-way floorstander?
Sonus faber describes it as its first two-way floorstanding loudspeaker crafted from a solid-wood cabinet.
What size is the tweeter?
28mm.
What tweeter does it use?
The H28 XTR-04 high-definition D.A.D. soft-dome tweeter.
What does D.A.D. stand for?
Damped Apex Dome.
What magnetic motor does the tweeter use?
A high-power neodymium cup-design motor.
Does the tweeter have a rear chamber?
Yes. Sonus faber's Heritage technology uses a solid-spruce acoustic-labyrinth rear chamber.
How large is the midwoofer?
180mm.
How many midwoofers does each speaker use?
One.
What frequencies does the midwoofer reproduce?
It handles the bass and midrange before handing over to the tweeter at the 2100Hz crossover point.
What is the crossover frequency?
2100Hz.
What type of crossover does Maxima Amator use?
Sonus faber's IFF Interactive Fusion Filtering crossover.
What does IFF mean?
Interactive Fusion Filtering.
What is IFF designed to do?
It is designed around the interaction and integration of the two drivers through their crossover region rather than treating them as completely independent sources.
Is IFF related to Paracross?
Yes. Sonus faber describes IFF as a reinterpretation of principles from its traditional Paracross topology.
Where is the crossover housed?
It sits in its own dedicated chamber separated from the main acoustic cavity.
Why isolate the crossover?
The separate chamber helps protect crossover components from vibration and acoustic pressure generated inside the main loudspeaker enclosure.
How many internal chambers does Maxima Amator have?
Three.
What does the first chamber do?
It provides the optimised acoustic volume for the midwoofer.
What does the second chamber do?
It contains inert material that adds mass, lowers the centre of gravity and improves physical stability.
What does the third chamber do?
It houses the crossover network separately from the acoustic chamber.
What damping material is used?
Sonus faber uses a three-layer damping system with two outer recycled carbon-fibre layers and a central silica-fibre layer.
What is the cabinet made from?
Solid walnut.
Is it veneer over MDF?
No. Sonus faber specifically describes Maxima Amator as using a solid-walnut cabinet.
Why is solid wood difficult to use?
Natural timber can expand and contract as environmental conditions change, so cabinet drying, reinforcement and construction have to accommodate the behaviour of the material.
What other materials are used?
Black leather, brass and Port Saint Laurent marble.
Is the marble real?
Yes. Sonus faber specifies natural Port Saint Laurent marble.
Will every marble base look identical?
No. Natural stone varies in veining and pattern.
Will every walnut cabinet look identical?
No. Natural solid wood varies in grain and tone.
What is the frequency response?
35Hz to 35kHz.
How low does Maxima Amator play?
Sonus faber's published lower frequency-response figure is 35Hz.
Does Maxima Amator need a subwoofer?
Not necessarily for music. Its 35Hz response already provides substantial low-frequency extension.
Can I add a subwoofer?
Yes, particularly if you want stronger output in the lowest octave.
What is the sensitivity?
88dB SPL at 2.83V measured at one metre.
What is the impedance?
4 ohms nominal.
What amplifier power does Sonus faber recommend?
25 to 125 watts per channel with an undistorted signal.
Will a 25W amplifier work?
Yes. That is the bottom of the manufacturer's current recommended range, provided the amplifier is suitable for a 4-ohm load and the room and listening level are appropriate.
Can I use a 50W amplifier?
Yes.
Can I use a 75W amplifier?
Yes.
Can I use a 100W amplifier?
Yes.
Can I use a 125W amplifier?
Yes. That is the top of Sonus faber's published recommendation.
Does Maxima Amator need a very powerful amplifier?
No. The official recommendation begins at 25W, although amplifier quality and 4-ohm current capability remain important.
Can I use a valve amplifier?
Yes with suitable output power and appropriate 4-ohm compatibility.
Can I use a Class A amplifier?
Yes, provided it delivers sufficient clean power into the speaker load.
Can I use Class D amplification?
Yes.
Can I use separate pre and power amplifiers?
Yes.
Can Maxima Amator be bi-wired?
No. Sonus faber specifies one pair of binding posts per speaker.
Why only one pair of terminals?
The speaker is designed for conventional single-wire connection, consistent with its simple two-way architecture.
How tall is Maxima Amator?
1120mm.
How wide is it?
300mm.
How deep is it?
350mm.
How much does each speaker weigh?
38kg.
Does it use spikes?
Yes. Sonus faber specifies iron floor spikes.
Should I use floor protectors?
Yes on delicate hard flooring.
What size room suits Maxima Amator?
Medium and larger listening rooms are the most obvious applications, although final suitability depends on listening distance and room acoustics.
Can Maxima Amator work in a small room?
Potentially, but its 35Hz bass extension and 38kg cabinet mean placement needs careful consideration.
How far from the wall should it be?
There is no single correct distance for every room. Begin with useful clearance and adjust according to bass balance and soundstage depth.
What if the bass is too strong?
Move the speakers further from rear and side walls and avoid tight corner placement.
What if the bass is too light?
Experiment with slightly more boundary reinforcement.
Should Maxima Amator be toed in?
A modest inward angle towards the listening position is a useful starting point, then adjust by ear.
Is Maxima Amator good for vinyl?
Yes.
Is it good for streaming?
Yes.
Is it good for CD and SACD?
Yes.
Is Maxima Amator good for vocals?
Yes. Most of the vocal range is reproduced by the single 180mm midwoofer before the tweeter takes over at 2100Hz.
Is it good for jazz?
Yes.
Is it good for classical music?
Yes. Its full-size cabinet and 35Hz bass extension allow it to handle large-scale music as well as smaller ensembles.
Is it good for rock?
Yes.
Is it good for electronic music?
Yes, although a subwoofer can extend the system further into the lowest sub-bass region if required.
What is the difference between Maxima Amator and Electa Amator III?
Both are two-way Heritage models using closely related driver technology. Electa Amator III is a standmount rated to 40Hz, while Maxima Amator is a substantially larger floorstander reaching to 35Hz.
Does Maxima Amator replace Electa Amator III?
No. They remain different models serving different room sizes and installation requirements.
Is Maxima Amator part of the Heritage Collection?
Yes.
Is Maxima Amator made in Italy?
Yes. The Heritage Collection is handcrafted in Vicenza, Italy.
Should I audition Maxima Amator before buying?
Yes. At this level, the relationship between the loudspeakers, amplifier, room and listening position is important enough that a proper demonstration is strongly recommended.
Related Sonus faber Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy Sonus faber Maxima Amator From Audio T?
Maxima Amator is not the sort of loudspeaker that should be chosen purely from specifications. Its unusual two-way architecture, 4-ohm load, substantial 35Hz bass extension and 38kg solid-wood cabinet all make the relationship between speaker, amplifier and room particularly important.
Audio T can help you build the complete system around Maxima Amator, compare it with other Sonus faber loudspeakers and establish whether its particular two-way Heritage approach is right for your room and listening priorities. We can also advise on amplification, source components, speaker cable, floor protection, room positioning and system setup.
- Sonus faber demonstrations
- Maxima Amator demonstrations
- Heritage Collection demonstrations
- Maxima Amator versus Electa Amator III comparisons
- Two-way versus three-way speaker comparisons
- Amplifier matching for 4-ohm speakers
- Solid-state amplifier matching
- Class A amplifier guidance
- Valve amplifier matching
- Class D amplifier matching
- Pre/power amplifier matching
- Turntable and cartridge matching
- Phono-stage matching
- Streaming and DAC system planning
- CD and SACD system planning
- Room-size matching
- Speaker-positioning guidance
- Toe-in optimisation
- Bass optimisation
- Speaker cable advice
- Floor-protection guidance
- Part-exchange options
- Home demonstration options where available
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration of the Sonus faber Maxima Amator or discuss the most suitable electronics and room setup.