Audio T Verdict
The Sonus faber Sonetto III G2 is a particularly interesting point in the range because it offers genuine floorstander scale without becoming physically imposing. At just under 29cm wide, it is considerably slimmer than many speakers capable of reaching down to 38Hz, yet its 2.5-way design combines a dedicated 6.5-inch midwoofer with a second 6.5-inch woofer and the latest D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter.
The G2 generation is more than a cosmetic update. Sonus faber has redesigned the lute-shaped cabinet, added a substantial concrete base, developed new Organic Basket driver chassis and introduced the distinctive flower-patterned suspension used around the bass and midwoofer cones. The crossover follows the company's Phase Coherent design philosophy too, with the aim of keeping the drivers working together rather than behaving like separate acoustic sources.
For medium-sized rooms, Sonetto III G2 makes a lot of sense. It offers enough low-frequency reach to work without a subwoofer for most music, greater scale than the standmount Sonetto II G2 and a much smaller footprint than Sonetto V G2. The 4-ohm load means we would still partner it with an amplifier that has good current delivery, but the 88dB sensitivity and broad 50–280W recommendation leave plenty of suitable electronics to choose from.
Sonus faber Sonetto III G2 Floorstanding Speakers
The Sonus faber Sonetto III G2 is the most compact floorstanding speaker in the second-generation Sonetto Collection, combining a slim cabinet with a 2.5-way driver system designed to produce greater bass extension and scale than the standmount Sonetto models.
Each cabinet uses a 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter, one 6.5-inch midwoofer and a separate 6.5-inch woofer. The midwoofer operates within its own rear-vented section, while the dedicated bass driver uses a down-vented enclosure.
The speaker is built around Sonus faber's redesigned lute-shaped cabinet, with wood and leather surfaces combined with a concrete base for additional mass, stability and vibration control.
- Current Sonetto G2 floorstanding loudspeaker
- Most compact floorstander in the Sonetto G2 Collection
- 2.5-way passive design
- Made in Vicenza, Italy
- 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter
- Extended-frequency soft-dome tweeter
- Copper shorting ring in tweeter motor
- 6.5-inch dedicated midwoofer
- Aluminium demodulation ring in midwoofer motor
- 6.5-inch dedicated woofer
- Aluminium demodulation ring in woofer motor
- Flower-patterned driver suspension
- Paper-pulp sandwich-cone construction
- Organic Basket driver chassis
- Rear-vented midwoofer enclosure
- Down-vented woofer enclosure
- 2700Hz published crossover point
- Phase Coherent crossover philosophy
- 38Hz–40kHz frequency response
- 88dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 50–280W recommended amplifier power
- Bi-wiring binding-post arrangement
- Sonus faber binding-post cover
- Redesigned lute-shaped cabinet
- Wood construction
- Leather detailing
- Concrete structural base
- Walnut Wood, Leather and Concrete finish
- Wenge Wood, Leather and Concrete finish
- Black, Leather and Concrete finish
- 1068mm height
- 287mm width
- 350mm depth
- 25.8kg per speaker
The Smallest Sonetto G2 Floorstander
Sonetto III G2 is intended to bridge the gap between the larger Sonetto II G2 standmount and the more substantial three-way Sonetto V G2.
Its cabinet remains relatively slim at 287mm wide, but the additional bass driver and greater internal volume allow it to produce much deeper low frequencies than the Sonetto standmount models.
Why Choose a Compact Floorstander?
A compact floorstanding speaker can offer several advantages over a standmount:
- Greater internal cabinet volume
- Additional bass-driver capability
- Deeper low-frequency extension
- Greater dynamic headroom
- No separate speaker stands required
- Greater physical scale without an excessively wide cabinet
What Does 2.5-Way Mean?
Sonetto III G2 is not a conventional two-way speaker with two identical bass/mid drivers operating over exactly the same bandwidth.
Instead, the cabinet contains:
- One 6.5-inch midwoofer handling bass and midrange
- One separate 6.5-inch woofer dedicated to lower-frequency reinforcement
- One D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter for high frequencies
This is why Sonus faber describes the design as 2.5-way rather than three-way.
Why Use a 2.5-Way Design?
A 2.5-way architecture can give the speaker more bass radiating area and greater low-frequency headroom without introducing a separate dedicated midrange driver and another complete crossover region.
It can therefore combine some of the simplicity of a two-way speaker with more of the low-frequency authority associated with a floorstander.
The 6.5-Inch Midwoofer
The upper 6.5-inch driver acts as the main midwoofer.
It covers a broad range of frequencies including:
- Upper bass
- Lower midrange
- Vocals
- Guitars
- Piano
- Strings
- Much of the instrumental midrange
before handing over to the tweeter at 2700Hz.
The Separate 6.5-Inch Woofer
A second 6.5-inch driver concentrates on low frequencies.
This gives Sonetto III G2 more total bass-radiating area than a conventional two-way standmount using a single 6.5-inch midwoofer.
Why Add a Dedicated Woofer?
The additional bass driver contributes to:
- Deeper extension
- Greater bass output
- More physical scale
- Improved dynamic headroom
- Reduced excursion demand on the midwoofer at low frequencies
38Hz Bass Extension
Sonus faber specifies Sonetto III G2 from 38Hz to 40,000Hz.
That puts it firmly into serious floorstander territory despite the relatively slim cabinet.
What Does 38Hz Cover?
Thirty-eight hertz gives useful fundamental energy from:
- Bass guitar
- Kick drum
- Double bass
- Full-size piano
- Cello
- Large orchestral instruments
- Much electronic bass
Does Sonetto III G2 Need a Subwoofer?
For most two-channel music systems, no.
The 38Hz published lower response already provides substantial low-frequency extension.
A subwoofer becomes more relevant if:
- You want strong output below 30Hz
- Electronic sub-bass is a priority
- Pipe organ is important to your listening
- The room is especially large
- You want additional bass headroom
- The speakers form part of a home cinema system
Get the Main Speakers Right First
Sonetto III G2 already reaches down to 38Hz, so room position has a major influence on bass balance. Before adding a subwoofer, optimise the distance from walls, speaker spacing and listening position.
Rear-Vented Midwoofer
The midwoofer section uses a rear-vented enclosure.
This makes rear-wall position more relevant than it is with the front-ported Sonetto I G2 and Sonetto II G2 standmounts.
Allow Some Rear Clearance
There is no single wall distance that works in every room, but starting with some breathing space behind Sonetto III G2 is sensible.
The rear vent needs room to operate without being pressed directly against a wall or furniture.
Down-Vented Woofer Section
The dedicated lower woofer uses a separate down-vented enclosure.
This gives the bass system a controlled relationship with the base and floor beneath the loudspeaker rather than relying on both drivers using the same port arrangement.
Two Different Bass-Loading Arrangements
One of the more unusual aspects of Sonetto III G2 is that its two 6.5-inch drivers do not simply share one identical vented volume.
Sonus faber specifies:
- A rear-vented box for the midwoofer
- A down-vented box for the woofer
This allows the acoustic loading of the two drivers to be treated separately within the 2.5-way architecture.
Do Not Block the Base Venting
Make sure the speaker is installed exactly as intended so that the lower venting system remains unobstructed.
Do not place material directly under the cabinet in a way that closes or restricts the designed airflow path.
Wall Position Still Matters
Even though part of the bass system vents downwards, the complete speaker still interacts with room boundaries.
Moving Sonetto III G2 closer to a rear wall generally increases low-frequency reinforcement.
If Bass Sounds Too Heavy
Try:
- Moving the speakers further into the room
- Moving them away from corners
- Keeping left and right boundary conditions similar
- Moving the listening position slightly
If Bass Sounds Too Light
Move the pair slightly closer to the rear wall and reassess.
Small changes can make a surprisingly large difference below 100Hz.
Avoid Tight Corners
Corner placement reinforces bass from two nearby walls simultaneously.
With Sonetto III G2 already reaching to 38Hz, excessive corner reinforcement can quickly make the presentation too heavy.
Flower-Patterned Driver Suspension
The Sonetto G2 woofer and midwoofer suspension uses a distinctive flower-inspired pattern rather than a conventional perfectly uniform circular roll.
The design takes inspiration from the Camelia geometry developed elsewhere in the Sonus faber range.
Why Break Circular Symmetry?
Perfectly repeated circular geometry can encourage recurring resonant behaviour around the driver's circumference.
Sonus faber uses the patterned suspension to help:
- Reduce interference
- Control circular resonances
- Improve dispersion
- Support more linear movement
Paper-Pulp Sandwich Cones
The Sonetto G2 bass and midwoofer diaphragms use paper-pulp sandwich structures.
A sandwich cone combines several material layers so that stiffness, low moving mass and internal damping can be balanced more effectively than relying on one material to provide every mechanical property.
Why Stiffness Matters
A loudspeaker diaphragm ideally moves forwards and backwards in a controlled manner.
Excessive flex across the cone can create additional resonant behaviour and alter the intended movement of the driver.
Why Low Mass Matters
Simply making a diaphragm extremely thick would increase rigidity but also increase moving mass.
A heavier cone requires more force to accelerate and stop.
Sandwich construction gives designers another way to increase rigidity without simply adding large amounts of material.
Organic Basket
The 6.5-inch drivers use Sonus faber's Organic Basket concept.
The die-cast driver chassis was developed specifically for the Sonetto G2 Collection.
Why Is the Basket Important?
The basket holds the cone, suspension, voice coil and motor assembly in precise alignment.
It therefore needs to be structurally rigid while also allowing air behind the cone to move as freely as practical.
Asymmetric Geometry
Sonus faber's Organic Basket avoids a simple repeated geometric pattern around the driver.
The open design also helps reduce obstruction behind the cone.
Airflow Behind the Driver
The rear of a loudspeaker diaphragm radiates acoustic energy into the cabinet.
A relatively open basket gives that energy a clearer path into the enclosure rather than placing large structural surfaces immediately behind the cone.
Aluminium Demodulation Rings
Both 6.5-inch drivers use aluminium demodulation rings within their motor systems.
These conductive elements help control changes in voice-coil inductance as the diaphragms move through the magnetic field.
Why Does This Matter?
Keeping the electromagnetic behaviour of the motor more consistent can help reduce distortion as driver excursion changes.
D.A.D. Arrow Point Tweeter
High frequencies are handled by Sonus faber's 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point extended-frequency tweeter.
D.A.D. stands for Damped Apex Dome.
Soft-Dome Construction
The Sonetto G2 tweeter uses a soft silk dome.
This provides very low moving mass along with useful inherent damping.
What Does Damped Apex Dome Do?
At very high frequencies, the centre of a conventional soft dome can begin moving differently from the surrounding diaphragm.
The D.A.D. system controls the apex region to reduce this unwanted behaviour.
Arrow Point
The characteristic central Arrow Point element works on the apex of the soft dome while leaving the majority of the diaphragm free to operate normally.
Copper Shorting Ring
The tweeter motor incorporates a copper shorting ring.
This helps control electromagnetic behaviour in the same broad way that the aluminium demodulation rings assist the larger cone drivers.
40kHz Upper Response
The complete Sonetto III G2 system is specified to 40,000Hz.
This extends well beyond conventional human hearing, but reflects the tweeter's wide operating bandwidth and controlled behaviour above the normal audible treble region.
2700Hz Crossover
Sonus faber publishes a crossover point of 2700Hz for Sonetto III G2.
This is the handover between the main 6.5-inch midwoofer and the D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter.
Why Crossover Integration Matters
The drivers overlap through their crossover region rather than one stopping instantaneously when the other begins.
The crossover therefore affects:
- Frequency balance
- Phase relationship
- Dispersion
- Vocal focus
- Stereo imaging
- Soundstage depth
Phase Coherent Crossover Philosophy
Sonus faber applies its Phase Coherent crossover design philosophy throughout the Sonetto G2 Collection.
The approach focuses on synchronising the phase rotation of the drivers as closely as practical through their overlapping frequency ranges.
Why Phase Matters
When drivers reproduce overlapping frequencies, their acoustic outputs combine in the room.
If their phase relationships are poorly controlled, they can partially reinforce or cancel each other in unintended ways.
Careful phase integration contributes to:
- Stable centre images
- Defined instrument placement
- Soundstage width
- Soundstage depth
- Consistent tonal balance
88dB Sensitivity
Sonetto III G2 is specified at 88dB SPL for 2.83V measured at one metre.
This is more sensitive than either Sonetto I G2 or Sonetto II G2 and contributes to the floorstander's greater sense of scale.
4-Ohm Nominal Impedance
The nominal impedance is 4 ohms.
This means amplifier current capability remains important even though the sensitivity figure is relatively generous.
Sensitivity and Impedance Are Different
A loudspeaker can produce good acoustic output for a given input voltage while still asking an amplifier to supply substantial current.
That is why we would not choose an amplifier for Sonetto III G2 purely from its headline wattage.
50–280W Recommended Amplification
Sonus faber recommends amplifier power between 50 and 280 watts per channel.
This gives the speaker considerable flexibility, from good integrated amplifiers to ambitious pre/power systems.
Will a 50W Amplifier Work?
Yes.
A capable 50W amplifier sits within Sonus faber's recommended range and can work very well in a normal room at sensible listening levels.
What About 70–100W?
This is an excellent region for many quality integrated amplifiers.
It can provide useful headroom in medium-sized rooms without requiring unusually large electronics.
Can I Use 150W?
Yes.
Additional clean power can be useful for dynamic recordings, longer listening distances and larger rooms.
Can I Use 200W?
Yes.
A well-controlled 200W amplifier sits comfortably inside the published range.
Can I Use 280W?
Yes. That is the top of Sonus faber's current recommendation.
The extra power should be viewed as headroom rather than a reason to play continuously at extreme levels.
Choose the Amplifier for the 4-Ohm Load
A well-designed 80W amplifier with strong current delivery can be a more convincing Sonetto III G2 partner than a cheaper amplifier claiming far more power but becoming uncomfortable into lower-impedance loudspeakers.
Solid-State Amplifiers
A high-quality solid-state integrated amplifier is an obvious partner for Sonetto III G2.
Look for confident 4-ohm capability and enough power for your room and listening distance.
Class A Amplification
A suitably powerful Class A design can work extremely well where the amplifier is comfortable with the 4-ohm load.
Class D Amplification
Modern Class D amplification is also entirely suitable.
High power and compact dimensions can make it particularly attractive in contemporary streaming systems.
Valve Amplification
Valve amplification is possible, but the 4-ohm load still needs consideration.
Where an amplifier offers several output-transformer taps, use the connection recommended by its manufacturer.
Streaming Amplifiers
A high-quality streaming amplifier can create a very clean and compact system around Sonetto III G2.
Streaming, DAC and amplification can all be combined in one component while retaining a serious passive floorstanding speaker system.
Pre/Power Amplification
Sonetto III G2 is also capable enough to justify separate preamplifier and power amplifier combinations.
The additional power-supply capacity can be especially useful in larger rooms.
Bi-Wiring
Sonus faber's Sonetto G2 floorstanding models use binding-post arrangements intended for bi-wiring.
For ordinary single-wire use, the terminal sections remain linked so one amplifier channel feeds the complete loudspeaker.
Do I Need to Bi-Wire?
No.
A high-quality single-wire installation is entirely appropriate.
Bi-Amping
Where the crossover terminal sections can be electrically separated and appropriate amplification is available, bi-amplification can also be considered.
Make sure the terminal links are removed before connecting separate amplifier channels.
Check the Terminal Links
For conventional single-wire operation, keep the factory terminal links securely fitted. Remove them only when installing a correctly configured bi-wire or bi-amp system.
Correct Polarity
Connect amplifier positive to loudspeaker positive and amplifier negative to loudspeaker negative on both channels.
Reversing one speaker can weaken bass and seriously affect stereo image focus.
Switch the Amplifier Off First
Always switch the amplifier off before fitting or changing speaker cables.
Make sure loose conductor strands cannot bridge the positive and negative terminals.
Binding-Post Cover
Sonetto G2 introduces a circular binding-post cover carrying the Sonus faber logo.
The detail tidies the rear panel while protecting the area around the bi-wiring terminals.
Redesigned Lute Shape
The Sonetto III G2 enclosure follows Sonus faber's characteristic lute-inspired cabinet form.
The design has been reworked for the G2 generation with the intention of improving control over internal resonances.
Why Curve the Cabinet?
A conventional rectangular cabinet contains several broad parallel internal surfaces.
These can encourage standing-wave behaviour at predictable frequencies.
Curved walls reduce simple parallel geometry and give the designer more control over internal reflections.
Concrete Base
The G2 generation introduces a concrete base structure.
Concrete provides substantial mass and rigidity within a relatively compact volume.
Why Add Concrete?
Sonus faber uses the concrete base to improve:
- Physical stability
- Structural integrity
- Vibration management
- The mechanical foundation beneath the drivers
25.8kg per Speaker
Each Sonetto III G2 weighs 25.8kg.
That is substantial for a cabinet only 287mm wide and reflects the mass of the enclosure, driver assemblies and concrete base.
Stable Support Matters
Once positioned, make sure each speaker sits securely and cannot rock.
A stable cabinet provides a firmer mechanical reference for the moving drive units.
Wood, Leather and Concrete
The G2 cabinet combines traditional Sonus faber materials with a much more contemporary structural element.
The speaker brings together:
- Wood
- Leather
- Concrete
- Metal driver systems
- Modern crossover engineering
Walnut
The Walnut finish gives Sonetto III G2 the warmest and most traditional furniture appearance.
Natural grain remains an important part of the visual design.
Wenge
Wenge provides a darker natural-wood appearance while retaining visible grain and the contrast between timber, leather and concrete.
Black
Black is the most understated standard finish and can integrate particularly easily with modern electronics, televisions and contemporary furniture.
Natural Wood Variation
Walnut and Wenge are natural materials.
Small variations in grain and tone between individual speakers are normal and form part of the character of real wood.
Made in Vicenza, Italy
The Sonetto G2 Collection is built by Sonus faber's artisans in Vicenza, Italy.
The range combines Italian cabinet construction and natural materials with technology developed by Sonus faber's DesignLab.
Speaker Dimensions
- Height: 1068mm
- Width: 287mm
- Depth: 350mm
- Weight: 25.8kg per speaker
A Slim Cabinet, but Still a Full Floorstander
At just under 29cm wide, Sonetto III G2 looks relatively slender.
It is still more than a metre tall and 350mm deep, so measure the intended position rather than relying on photographs.
Allow for Rear Connections
The quoted 350mm depth is the physical cabinet dimension.
Allow additional space for:
- Speaker terminals
- Banana plugs or spade connectors
- Speaker cable bend radius
- Rear reflex clearance
- Fine positioning adjustment
Speaker Spacing
Begin with a spacing appropriate to your listening distance.
If the pair is too close together, the presentation can feel narrow.
If they are too widely separated, centrally recorded voices can lose solidity.
Use a Vocal to Set the Geometry
A centrally mixed singer should appear firmly between the two cabinets rather than sounding obviously attached to either speaker.
Toe-In
Begin with modest inward toe-in towards the main listening area.
Then adjust in small increments while listening for:
- Centre-image focus
- Soundstage width
- Soundstage depth
- Treble balance
- Image stability
More Toe-In
Increasing toe-in can sharpen the central image and direct more high-frequency energy towards the listener.
Less Toe-In
Reducing toe-in can produce a broader presentation in some rooms.
The best angle is determined by the listening environment rather than a universal fixed figure.
Good for Vinyl?
Yes.
Sonetto III G2 can form the loudspeaker end of a very capable turntable system and has sufficient resolution to benefit from improvements in cartridge, phono stage and amplification.
Good for Streaming?
Absolutely.
A good streamer, DAC and amplifier or integrated streaming amplifier can make an excellent modern system.
Good for CD?
Yes.
A quality CD player or transport and DAC is entirely appropriate.
Good for Vocals?
Yes.
The 6.5-inch midwoofer handles a large portion of the vocal spectrum before handing over to the D.A.D. tweeter at 2700Hz.
Good for Acoustic Music?
Yes.
The combination of broad-bandwidth midwoofer, soft-dome tweeter and phase-conscious crossover makes acoustic material an obvious application.
Good for Jazz?
Yes.
The additional dedicated woofer gives double bass and drums more physical weight than the Sonetto standmount models.
Good for Rock?
Yes.
The twin 6.5-inch driver arrangement and 38Hz lower response provide useful scale for drums and bass guitar.
Good for Classical Music?
Yes.
Sonetto III G2 has enough low-frequency reach and dynamic ability to handle both smaller ensembles and substantial orchestral recordings in appropriately sized rooms.
Good for Electronic Music?
Yes.
The 38Hz response reaches comfortably into much of the electronic-bass region, with a subwoofer available if the lowest sub-bass is especially important.
Sonetto III G2 vs Sonetto II G2
Sonus faber Sonetto II G2 is the larger standmount speaker and the natural alternative where floorstanding cabinets are not required.
Sonetto II G2
- Two-way standmount
- 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter
- One 6.5-inch midwoofer
- Front-vented enclosure
- 3100Hz crossover
- 42Hz–40kHz response
- 87dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm impedance
- 30–200W amplification
- 414 x 227 x 355mm
- 10.4kg each
- Dedicated stands sold separately
Sonetto III G2
- 2.5-way floorstander
- 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter
- One 6.5-inch midwoofer
- One 6.5-inch woofer
- Rear and down-vented loading
- 2700Hz crossover
- 38Hz–40kHz response
- 88dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm impedance
- 50–280W amplification
- 1068 x 287 x 350mm
- 25.8kg each
- No separate stands required
Choose Sonetto II G2 If...
- You prefer standmount speakers
- Your room is smaller
- Placement flexibility is more important than maximum bass extension
- You want a visually lighter installation
- 42Hz bass is already sufficient
Choose Sonetto III G2 If...
- You want deeper bass without adding a subwoofer
- Your room is medium sized
- You want more dynamic headroom
- You prefer not to use separate speaker stands
- You listen from a greater distance
Sonetto III G2 vs Sonetto V G2
Sonus faber Sonetto V G2 represents a substantial step up in both size and architecture.
Sonetto III G2
- 2.5-way floorstander
- 6.5-inch midwoofer
- Single 6.5-inch woofer
- 38Hz–40kHz response
- 88dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm impedance
- 50–280W amplification
- 1068mm tall
- 287mm wide
- 25.8kg each
Sonetto V G2
- Three-way floorstander
- Dedicated 6.5-inch Camelia midrange
- Twin 6.5-inch woofers
- 35Hz–40kHz response
- 89dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm impedance
- 50–320W amplification
- 1088mm tall
- 308mm wide
- 33.4kg each
What Does Sonetto V G2 Add?
Sonetto V G2 moves to a genuine three-way layout with:
- A separate Camelia midrange
- Two dedicated 6.5-inch woofers
- A sealed cork midrange chamber
- 35Hz bass extension
- 89dB sensitivity
- A broader 50–320W amplifier recommendation
Choose Sonetto III G2 If...
- You want the slimmer cabinet
- Your room is medium sized
- 38Hz bass is sufficient
- You do not need a dedicated midrange driver
- You want to keep more budget available for amplification or sources
Choose Sonetto V G2 If...
- Your room is larger
- You want greater low-frequency scale
- You want a dedicated Camelia midrange
- You want greater power handling
- You want the cork midrange chamber technology derived from Suprema
Sonetto III G2 vs Lumina III
Sonus faber Lumina III is a more accessible compact floorstander.
Sonetto III G2 moves into a newer and more sophisticated platform with:
- D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter technology
- Organic Basket driver chassis
- Flower-patterned driver suspension
- Paper-pulp sandwich cones
- Concrete structural base
- Phase Coherent crossover philosophy
- Redesigned lute-shaped cabinet
- 38Hz published bass response
- 40kHz upper bandwidth
Why Choose Lumina III?
Lumina III remains a strong option where:
- Overall system budget is lower
- You prefer the simpler squared cabinet
- You want to direct more budget towards amplification
- You do not need the newer Sonetto G2 technologies
Why Choose Sonetto III G2?
Sonetto III G2 is the more ambitious loudspeaker, with newer drivers, greater cabinet mass, deeper bass, wider bandwidth and a more sophisticated enclosure.
Home Cinema Use
Sonetto III G2 can also form the front left and right channels of a serious Sonetto G2 home cinema system.
It is suitable for:
- 3.0 systems
- 3.1 systems
- 5.1 systems
- 7.1 systems
- Dolby Atmos systems
- DTS:X systems
- Combined music and movie systems
Matching Sonetto Centre G2
Sonus faber Sonetto Centre G2 is the dedicated centre-channel loudspeaker in the range.
Using matching Sonetto G2 speakers across the front soundstage helps maintain related:
- Tweeter technology
- Driver materials
- Crossover philosophy
- Cabinet construction
- Overall tonal character
Should Sonetto III G2 Be Set to Large?
Not automatically.
Although it reaches to 38Hz, a home cinema system with a capable subwoofer may still benefit from bass management.
Can It Be Set to Small?
Yes.
In AV terminology, "Small" simply means frequencies below the selected crossover are redirected to the subwoofer.
Why Use Bass Management?
Redirecting the deepest bass can:
- Reduce woofer excursion
- Increase dynamic headroom
- Reduce the load on the AV amplifier
- Allow the subwoofer to handle dedicated LFE information
Can It Run Full Range?
Yes.
Its 38Hz published response makes full-range operation entirely realistic for stereo music and possible in AV systems where appropriate.
Recommended Sonetto III G2 Setup Routine
- Plan the approximate speaker positions before unpacking.
- Remember that each cabinet weighs 25.8kg.
- Retain all original packaging.
- Install each speaker according to the supplied floor-support instructions.
- Make sure the down-vented bass system remains unobstructed.
- Ensure each cabinet stands completely stable.
- Begin with useful clearance from the rear wall.
- Avoid tight corners as the initial position.
- Keep left and right boundary conditions broadly similar where practical.
- Choose speaker spacing appropriate to your listening distance.
- Begin with modest inward toe-in.
- Switch the amplifier off before connecting speaker cable.
- For single-wire operation, make sure the terminal links are securely fitted.
- Observe correct positive and negative polarity.
- Begin playback at moderate volume.
- Use a familiar central vocal to assess image focus.
- Adjust speaker spacing in small increments.
- Fine-tune toe-in.
- Use familiar bass-rich music to assess rear-wall distance.
- If bass is too heavy, increase boundary clearance.
- If bass is too light, experiment with slightly greater wall reinforcement.
- Listen to several musical genres before finalising placement.
- Add or adjust a subwoofer only after the main speakers are correctly positioned.
Caring for Sonetto III G2
The cabinet combines wood, leather and other finished materials, so treat it as you would a piece of quality furniture.
Avoid:
- Abrasive cleaning cloths
- Strong household detergents
- Alcohol-based cleaners
- Solvents
- Spraying liquid directly onto the cabinet
- Prolonged exposure to strong direct sunlight
- Positioning immediately beside strong heat sources
- Very humid environments
Keep the Original Packaging
Each Sonetto III G2 ships individually and weighs 25.8kg before packaging.
Retaining both cartons provides the safest way to transport the speakers if you move house, rearrange the listening room or require service support.
Product Registration
Sonus faber currently invites customers to register qualifying speakers within 30 days of purchase for its available extended manufacturer warranty, subject to current terms.
Who Is Sonetto III G2 For?
- Medium-sized listening rooms
- Customers wanting a compact floorstanding speaker
- Listeners wanting deeper bass than a standmount
- Systems where separate speaker stands are undesirable
- Customers wanting 38Hz bass without an immediate subwoofer
- Vinyl systems
- Streaming systems
- CD systems
- Quality integrated amplifier systems
- Streaming amplifier systems
- Pre/power systems
- Jazz and acoustic music
- Rock and pop
- Classical music
- Electronic music
- Combined music and home cinema rooms
- Dolby Atmos systems
Who Might Prefer Sonetto II G2?
Sonetto II G2 may be better if:
- Your room is smaller
- You prefer standmount speakers
- Physical flexibility matters more than maximum bass
- 42Hz extension is already sufficient
- You want a visually lighter installation
Who Might Prefer Sonetto V G2?
Sonetto V G2 may make more sense if:
- Your room is larger
- You want a true three-way design
- You value a dedicated Camelia midrange
- You want greater bass and dynamic scale
- You have more room for a wider and deeper cabinet
Key Features
- Sonus faber Sonetto III G2
- Second-generation Sonetto
- Sonetto G2 Collection
- Made in Vicenza, Italy
- Compact floorstanding speaker
- 2.5-way architecture
- 1.1-inch tweeter
- D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter
- Damped Apex Dome
- Soft silk dome
- Copper tweeter shorting ring
- 6.5-inch midwoofer
- 6.5-inch dedicated woofer
- Aluminium demodulation rings
- Paper-pulp sandwich cones
- Flower-patterned suspension
- Camelia-inspired suspension geometry
- Organic Basket
- Die-cast driver basket
- Rear-vented midwoofer
- Down-vented woofer
- 2700Hz crossover
- Phase Coherent crossover philosophy
- 38Hz–40kHz response
- 88dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 50–280W recommended amplification
- Bi-wiring terminals
- Binding-post cover
- Redesigned lute shape
- Wood cabinet
- Leather detailing
- Concrete base
- Walnut finish
- Wenge finish
- Black finish
- 1068mm height
- 287mm width
- 350mm depth
- 25.8kg per speaker
- Suitable for medium rooms
- Suitable for vinyl
- Suitable for streaming
- Suitable for CD
- Suitable for home cinema
- Suitable for Dolby Atmos
- Suitable for subwoofer integration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sonus faber Sonetto III G2 still current?
Yes. Sonetto III G2 remains a current floorstanding model in the second-generation Sonetto Collection.
Is Sonetto III G2 a floorstanding speaker?
Yes.
Is it the smallest Sonetto G2 floorstander?
Yes. Sonus faber describes Sonetto III as the most compact floorstanding loudspeaker in the range.
Is Sonetto III G2 two-way?
It is a 2.5-way loudspeaker.
What does 2.5-way mean?
The speaker uses one 6.5-inch midwoofer for bass and midrange plus a second 6.5-inch driver dedicated as a woofer, together with the high-frequency tweeter.
How many drivers does each speaker use?
Three: one tweeter, one midwoofer and one woofer.
What tweeter does it use?
A 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point extended-frequency soft-dome tweeter.
What does D.A.D. mean?
Damped Apex Dome.
Does the tweeter use a copper shorting ring?
Yes.
How large is the midwoofer?
6.5 inches.
How large is the woofer?
6.5 inches.
Do both cone drivers use aluminium demodulation rings?
Yes.
What type of cone construction is used?
Sonus faber specifies paper-pulp sandwich structures for Sonetto G2 woofers and midwoofers.
What is the flower-patterned surround?
It is Sonus faber's asymmetric suspension geometry designed to reduce interference and improve dispersion.
What is the Organic Basket?
It is the specially developed die-cast driver chassis used in Sonetto G2, designed for structural support and open airflow behind the diaphragm.
Where is the midwoofer port?
The midwoofer operates in a rear-vented enclosure.
Where is the woofer port?
The woofer operates in a down-vented enclosure.
Can Sonetto III G2 sit close to a wall?
It can, but the rear-vented midwoofer section means wall distance should be adjusted carefully according to bass balance.
Can it go in a corner?
It can physically fit, but tight corner placement can create excessive bass reinforcement.
Does the down-firing vent mean placement does not matter?
No. The complete loudspeaker still interacts strongly with nearby room boundaries.
What is the crossover frequency?
Sonus faber publishes a 2700Hz crossover point.
What is Phase Coherent crossover design?
It is Sonus faber's approach to aligning driver phase behaviour through crossover regions so the drive units integrate more consistently as a complete speaker.
What is the frequency response?
38Hz to 40kHz.
How low does Sonetto III G2 play?
Sonus faber's current published lower frequency-response figure is 38Hz.
Does Sonetto III G2 need a subwoofer?
Not necessarily for stereo music. Its 38Hz response already provides substantial low-frequency extension.
Can I add a subwoofer?
Yes.
What is the sensitivity?
88dB SPL at 2.83V measured at one metre.
What is the nominal impedance?
4 ohms.
What amplifier power does Sonus faber recommend?
50 to 280 watts per channel.
Will a 50W amplifier work?
Yes, provided it is a capable design comfortable with a nominal 4-ohm load.
Can I use a 75W amplifier?
Yes.
Can I use a 100W amplifier?
Yes.
Can I use a 150W amplifier?
Yes.
Can I use a 200W amplifier?
Yes.
Can I use a 280W amplifier?
Yes. That is the upper end of Sonus faber's current recommendation.
Is Sonetto III G2 difficult to drive?
It is reasonably sensitive, but the 4-ohm nominal load means good amplifier current delivery remains worthwhile.
Can I use a valve amplifier?
Potentially, provided it offers enough clean power and is suitable for a 4-ohm loudspeaker.
Can I use Class A amplification?
Yes, subject to suitable output power and 4-ohm capability.
Can I use Class D amplification?
Yes.
Can I use a streaming amplifier?
Yes.
Can I use separate pre and power amplifiers?
Yes.
Can Sonetto III G2 be bi-wired?
Yes. Sonus faber's G2 binding-post arrangement is designed for bi-wiring.
Do I have to bi-wire it?
No. Conventional single-wire operation is entirely suitable.
How tall is Sonetto III G2?
1068mm.
How wide is it?
287mm.
How deep is it?
350mm before allowing additional room for speaker cables and rear-port clearance.
How much does each speaker weigh?
25.8kg.
How large are the shipping cartons?
Each carton measures 1170 x 385 x 460mm.
What is the total packaged weight?
Sonus faber specifies 58kg for the pair across two cartons.
Is there one speaker per carton?
Yes.
Does Sonetto III G2 have a concrete base?
Yes.
Why use concrete?
The additional mass and rigidity improve structural stability and help manage vibration.
Does it use a lute-shaped cabinet?
Yes. Sonus faber's classic lute-inspired cabinet has been redesigned for the G2 range.
Where is Sonetto III G2 made?
Sonetto G2 speakers are built by Sonus faber's artisans in Vicenza, Italy.
What standard finishes are available?
Walnut Wood with Leather and Concrete, Wenge Wood with Leather and Concrete, and Black with Leather and Concrete.
Is there a white version?
Sonus faber also offers a separate Sonetto White Limited Edition. Availability should be checked independently from the standard finishes on this listing.
What size room suits Sonetto III G2?
Medium-sized rooms are its most natural application, although smaller or larger rooms may also work depending on placement and listening distance.
Can it work in a small room?
Potentially, although the 38Hz bass response means wall and corner positioning needs careful attention.
Can it work in a large room?
Yes at suitable listening levels, although Sonetto V G2 or Sonetto VIII G2 can provide greater scale and headroom.
Is Sonetto III G2 good for vinyl?
Yes.
Is it good for streaming?
Yes.
Is it good for CD?
Yes.
Is it good for vocals?
Yes. The 6.5-inch midwoofer covers a substantial part of the vocal range before the tweeter takes over at 2700Hz.
Is it good for jazz?
Yes. The separate woofer gives double bass and drums useful physical weight.
Is it good for acoustic music?
Yes.
Is it good for rock?
Yes. Its twin 6.5-inch cone-driver system and 38Hz response give drums and bass guitar convincing scale.
Is it good for classical music?
Yes. It has sufficient bandwidth and dynamic range for both smaller ensembles and orchestral recordings.
Is it good for electronic music?
Yes, with a subwoofer optional where the lowest sub-bass is especially important.
What is the difference between Sonetto II G2 and Sonetto III G2?
Sonetto III G2 adds a dedicated 6.5-inch woofer, moves from standmount to floorstanding construction, reaches 38Hz rather than 42Hz, increases sensitivity to 88dB and accepts up to 280W.
What is the difference between Sonetto III G2 and Sonetto V G2?
Sonetto V G2 is a full three-way speaker with dedicated 6.5-inch Camelia midrange and twin 6.5-inch woofers, reaches 35Hz, is rated at 89dB and accepts up to 320W.
Does Sonetto V G2 use cork technology?
Yes. Sonetto V G2 uses a sealed cork enclosure around its dedicated Camelia midrange.
How does Sonetto III G2 compare with Lumina III?
Sonetto III G2 moves to the newer Sonetto platform with D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter, Organic Basket drivers, flower-patterned suspension, concrete base, Phase Coherent crossover philosophy and deeper 38Hz response.
Can Sonetto III G2 be used for home cinema?
Yes.
What centre speaker matches it?
Sonus faber Sonetto Centre G2 is the dedicated centre-channel loudspeaker in the range.
Can it be used with Dolby Atmos?
Yes, as the front left and right ear-level speakers in a compatible Atmos system.
Does the speaker itself decode Atmos?
No. It is a passive loudspeaker. The AV receiver or processor performs format decoding.
Should Sonetto III G2 be set to Large in an AV receiver?
Not automatically. A capable subwoofer and appropriate bass management may still provide greater system headroom.
Can it be set to Small?
Yes. This simply redirects frequencies beneath the chosen crossover to the subwoofer.
Should I keep the packaging?
Yes. The original cartons are the safest way to transport the 25.8kg cabinets.
Should I audition Sonetto III G2?
Yes. Its 4-ohm load, 38Hz bass capability and mixed rear/down-vented enclosure make amplifier matching and room positioning worth assessing properly.
Related Sonus faber Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy Sonus faber Sonetto III G2 From Audio T?
Sonetto III G2 is compact for a floorstander but still reaches to 38Hz, weighs almost 26kg per cabinet and presents a nominal 4-ohm load. That means the relationship between room, amplifier and speaker position still has a major influence on the final result.
Audio T can demonstrate Sonetto III G2 with appropriate electronics, compare it directly with Sonetto II G2 and Sonetto V G2, and help establish whether a large standmount, compact floorstander or full three-way design makes most sense for your room. We can also advise on source components, speaker cable, positioning, subwoofer integration and complete Sonetto G2 home cinema systems.
- Sonus faber demonstrations
- Sonetto III G2 demonstrations
- Sonetto II G2 versus Sonetto III G2 comparisons
- Sonetto III G2 versus Sonetto V G2 comparisons
- Sonetto G2 versus Lumina comparisons
- Standmount versus floorstander comparisons
- Amplifier matching for 4-ohm speakers
- Solid-state amplifier matching
- Class A amplifier guidance
- Class D amplifier matching
- Valve amplifier guidance
- Streaming amplifier matching
- Pre/power amplifier matching
- Turntable and phono-stage matching
- CD and streaming system planning
- Room-size matching
- Speaker-positioning guidance
- Rear-port placement advice
- Toe-in optimisation
- Bass optimisation
- Subwoofer matching
- Subwoofer crossover setup
- Home cinema system planning
- Sonetto Centre G2 matching
- Dolby Atmos system planning
- Bi-wire and bi-amp guidance
- Speaker cable matching
- 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 Sonetto III G2 or compare it with other models in the Sonetto range.