Audio T Verdict
The Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2 sits at the top of the Sonetto range for good reason. It takes the same three-way architecture, Camelia midrange and cork chamber concept found in Sonetto V G2, then scales the bass system up dramatically with a pair of 8-inch woofers. The result is a much more substantial loudspeaker, capable of reaching to 33Hz while offering 90dB sensitivity and an amplifier recommendation stretching all the way to 400 watts.
What makes the VIII interesting is that Sonus faber has not simply chased more bass. The 6.5-inch Camelia midrange, originally developed through the flagship Suprema programme, is given its own sealed cork acoustic environment so it does not have to contend directly with the pressure generated by those large woofers. A D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter handles the top end, while Sonus faber's Phase Coherent crossover philosophy is used to integrate the three driver sections at 350Hz and 2500Hz.
This is not a loudspeaker to squeeze into the corner of a small room. Each cabinet stands 1.19 metres tall, is 480mm deep and weighs 45kg. Give Sonetto VIII G2 an appropriately sized room, strong 4-ohm-capable amplification and enough freedom to breathe, however, and it offers the greatest scale, bass authority and dynamic headroom available within the Sonetto G2 Collection.
A Substantial Loudspeaker
Each Sonetto VIII G2 weighs 45kg and measures 1190 x 334 x 480mm. Plan the final position before unpacking and use two people for lifting and installation. The down-vented bass system must also remain unobstructed once the speakers are in place.
Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2 Floorstanding Speakers
The Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2 is the flagship floorstanding loudspeaker in the second-generation Sonetto Collection and the most powerful Sonetto model currently available.
Its true three-way architecture combines a 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter, a dedicated 6.5-inch Camelia midrange and two substantial 8-inch woofers. The Camelia midrange works within a dedicated sealed cork chamber, while the twin bass drivers operate in a separately down-vented enclosure.
This arrangement gives Sonetto VIII G2 much greater bass-radiating area and overall scale than Sonetto V G2 while retaining the same fundamental G2 philosophy of specialised driver sections, natural materials and technology developed through Sonus faber's flagship Suprema programme.
- Flagship Sonetto G2 floorstanding loudspeaker
- Most powerful model in the current Sonetto Collection
- True three-way passive design
- Built 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 Camelia midrange
- Camelia technology originally developed for Suprema
- Five-cut Camelia diaphragm
- Unpainted Camelia membrane
- Organic Basket midrange chassis
- Aluminium phase plug
- Copper shorting ring in midrange motor
- Dedicated sealed cork midrange chamber
- Suprema-derived cork enclosure technology
- Twin 8-inch woofers
- Aluminium demodulation rings in woofer motors
- Paper-pulp sandwich-cone woofer construction
- Flower-patterned woofer surrounds
- Down-vented bass enclosure
- 350Hz lower crossover point
- 2500Hz upper crossover point
- Phase Coherent crossover philosophy
- 33Hz–40kHz frequency response
- 90dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 50–400W recommended amplifier power
- Redesigned lute-shaped cabinet
- Wood cabinet construction
- Leather detailing
- Concrete structural base
- Walnut Wood, Leather and Concrete finish
- Wenge Wood, Leather and Concrete finish
- Black, Leather and Concrete finish
- 1190mm high
- 334mm wide
- 480mm deep
- 45kg per speaker
The Flagship Sonetto G2
Sonetto VIII G2 represents the top of the Sonetto Collection.
It takes the technological foundation of Sonetto V G2 and increases its physical capability through a larger cabinet and significantly larger bass drivers.
What Makes the VIII Different?
The most obvious change is the move from twin 6.5-inch woofers in Sonetto V G2 to twin 8-inch drivers in Sonetto VIII G2.
That gives the VIII:
- Greater total bass-radiating area
- Greater air-moving capability
- Deeper 33Hz bass extension
- Higher 90dB sensitivity
- Greater dynamic headroom
- Up to 400W recommended amplifier power
- Greater suitability for large rooms
A Genuine Three-Way Loudspeaker
Sonetto VIII G2 divides the frequency range between three specialised driver sections:
- Twin 8-inch woofers for low frequencies
- A dedicated 6.5-inch Camelia midrange
- A 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter
The woofers hand over to the midrange at 350Hz, while the Camelia driver hands over to the tweeter at 2500Hz.
Why Three-Way?
A three-way design allows the drivers to specialise.
The large woofers do not need to reproduce the complete vocal range, while the Camelia midrange does not need to generate deep bass at large excursion.
This allows the midrange to concentrate on the central part of the spectrum where much of the character of voices and instruments is determined.
Why Separate Bass and Midrange?
Deep bass requires considerable movement of the diaphragm.
Reproducing fine vocal and instrumental detail at the same time places very different demands on a driver.
Sonetto VIII G2 gives those jobs to separate drive units rather than asking one cone to handle everything.
The 6.5-Inch Camelia Midrange
The dedicated 6.5-inch Camelia midrange is one of the defining technologies of Sonetto VIII G2.
The concept was first developed during work on Sonus faber's flagship Suprema system before being adapted for selected Sonetto G2 models.
What Does the Midrange Reproduce?
The Camelia driver covers a large amount of information associated with:
- Human voices
- Acoustic guitar
- Electric guitar
- Piano
- Strings
- Woodwind
- Brass
- Percussion harmonics
350Hz Lower Crossover
The twin 8-inch woofers hand over to the Camelia midrange at 350Hz.
This keeps significant low-frequency excursion away from the dedicated midrange driver.
2500Hz Upper Crossover
The Camelia midrange continues to 2500Hz before handing over to the D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter.
One dedicated driver therefore covers a broad and musically significant central frequency range.
Camelia Flower-Inspired Geometry
The midrange diaphragm takes its shape from the camellia flower rather than following completely regular circular geometry.
Five distinctive cuts interrupt the symmetry of the membrane.
Why Break Circular Symmetry?
Conventional circular diaphragms can develop recurring resonant patterns because their geometry repeats evenly around the cone.
Sonus faber's five-cut Camelia form is intended to avoid some of those resonances.
An Unpainted Membrane
Sonus faber leaves the Camelia diaphragm unpainted rather than adding a decorative coating to its acoustic surface.
The emphasis is on retaining the mechanical properties developed for the driver rather than altering them simply for appearance.
Organic Basket
The Camelia driver sits within Sonus faber's Organic Basket.
This is the structural chassis supporting the moving assembly and magnetic motor.
Asymmetric Basket Design
The basket follows the same broad nature-inspired philosophy as the diaphragm by avoiding simple repeated geometry.
Its relatively open structure also gives air behind the moving diaphragm a clearer route into the internal acoustic chamber.
Why Airflow Matters
The back of a moving loudspeaker cone produces acoustic energy just as the front does.
A heavily obstructive basket can create reflections close to the rear of the diaphragm.
An open chassis helps reduce unnecessary obstruction.
Aluminium Phase Plug
The Camelia midrange uses an aluminium phase plug through the centre of the driver.
Rather than fitting a conventional dust cap over the centre of the cone, the phase plug remains stationary while the surrounding diaphragm moves.
Why Use a Phase Plug?
The phase plug helps manage sound produced around the inner section of the diaphragm and supports controlled dispersion towards the upper end of the midrange driver's operating bandwidth.
This is particularly relevant as the driver approaches its 2500Hz crossover with the tweeter.
Copper Shorting Ring
The Camelia midrange motor also incorporates a copper shorting ring.
This helps control changes in voice-coil inductance as the driver moves through its magnetic system.
More Consistent Motor Behaviour
Keeping the electromagnetic behaviour of a dynamic driver as consistent as possible throughout excursion is one route to reducing motor-related distortion.
The Cork Midrange Chamber
Sonetto VIII G2 uses a bespoke cork internal chamber around the midrange system.
This technology is inherited directly from the Suprema development programme.
Why Cork?
Cork combines useful damping characteristics with a naturally irregular material structure.
Sonus faber uses it as an acoustic construction material rather than simply as decoration.
An Organically Shaped Internal Volume
The chamber avoids the regular flat internal walls found in a simple rectangular box.
Reducing regular internal geometry gives Sonus faber greater control over sound propagation and resonance behind the midrange.
Why Isolate the Midrange?
The twin 8-inch woofers move considerable quantities of air.
That creates large pressure changes inside their bass enclosure.
Giving the Camelia driver its own sealed acoustic volume prevents those bass pressure variations from directly acting on the rear of the midrange diaphragm.
Suprema Technology at a Different Price Point
Sonetto VIII G2 is not a miniature Suprema, but the relationship is more meaningful than styling.
Both the Camelia driver concept and cork-chamber approach were developed through the flagship engineering programme before being introduced into Sonetto G2.
D.A.D. Arrow Point Tweeter
High frequencies are handled by a 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point extended-frequency soft-dome tweeter.
D.A.D. stands for Damped Apex Dome.
Why a Soft Dome?
A textile soft dome combines very low moving mass with useful inherent damping.
Sonus faber has long used soft-dome tweeters as part of its high-frequency design philosophy.
What Does Damped Apex Dome Do?
At very high frequencies, the centre of a conventional soft dome can begin moving differently from the surrounding material.
The D.A.D. system controls this apex region while leaving the majority of the dome free to operate normally.
Arrow Point
The distinctive central Arrow Point element acts on the apex of the dome.
The aim is to retain the low mass and damping of the soft diaphragm while controlling unwanted high-frequency behaviour.
Copper Shorting Ring
The tweeter motor incorporates a copper shorting ring to help stabilise its electromagnetic behaviour.
40kHz Upper Response
The complete Sonetto VIII G2 system is specified to 40,000Hz.
This lies beyond normal human hearing, but indicates that the high-frequency driver has been designed for controlled behaviour beyond the conventional audible treble range.
Twin 8-Inch Woofers
The biggest physical distinction between Sonetto VIII G2 and Sonetto V G2 is the pair of 8-inch bass drivers.
Each has substantially more diaphragm area than a 6.5-inch woofer.
Why Does Woofer Area Matter?
Bass reproduction requires moving air.
Increasing total diaphragm area means the system can move a larger volume of air without relying solely on greater cone excursion.
Benefits of Twin 8-Inch Drivers
- Greater low-frequency output
- More effortless bass at higher levels
- Greater dynamic headroom
- More physical impact
- Better suitability for large rooms
- Reduced excursion demand on each driver for a given output level
Paper-Pulp Sandwich Woofer Cones
Sonetto G2 woofer technology uses paper-pulp sandwich structures.
The multi-layer approach balances:
- Structural stiffness
- Low moving mass
- Internal damping
- Controlled resonance behaviour
Why Paper Pulp?
Paper-based diaphragms combine relatively low mass with useful inherent mechanical damping.
Using a sandwich construction gives the designer further control over the relationship between rigidity and weight.
Flower-Patterned Woofer Surrounds
The large bass drivers use Sonus faber's distinctive flower-patterned surround geometry.
The suspension avoids a completely regular circular profile.
Why Make the Surround Asymmetric?
Sonus faber uses the Camelia-inspired pattern to help:
- Reduce conventional circular modes
- Reduce interference
- Improve dispersion
- Support more linear cone movement
The Surround Is Part of the Driver
The rubber surround does far more than hold the edge of the cone.
It forms part of the suspension system controlling the diaphragm's movement and return to its resting position.
Aluminium Demodulation Rings
Each woofer motor uses an aluminium demodulation ring.
This conductive element is intended to reduce changes in voice-coil inductance as the cone moves through the magnetic field.
Why Motor Control Matters at High Excursion
Large bass drivers can move significant distances when reproducing deep low frequencies.
Keeping their electrical behaviour consistent throughout that excursion is important for maintaining low distortion.
33Hz Bass Extension
Sonetto VIII G2 is specified from 33Hz to 40,000Hz.
That is the deepest bass response in the current Sonetto G2 loudspeaker range.
What Does 33Hz Mean in Practice?
The speakers can reproduce substantial fundamental energy from:
- Electric bass
- Double bass
- Kick drum
- Full-size piano
- Cello
- Large orchestral percussion
- Synthesisers
- Electronic bass
- Many film effects
Does Sonetto VIII G2 Need a Subwoofer?
For two-channel music, usually not.
Its twin 8-inch woofers and 33Hz extension already provide substantial low-frequency capability.
A subwoofer becomes useful where:
- You want strong output well below 30Hz
- You listen extensively to pipe organ
- Very deep electronic sub-bass is important
- The room is exceptionally large
- You are building a home cinema system
- You need dedicated LFE reproduction
Do Not Assume More Bass Is Automatically Better
Sonetto VIII G2 already moves a considerable amount of air. In many rooms the bigger challenge will be controlling and integrating its bass rather than adding more of it. Get the speaker positions and listening seat right before deciding whether a subwoofer is necessary for music.
Down-Vented Bass Enclosure
The twin woofers operate within a down-vented cabinet section.
The reflex system therefore vents towards the lower part of the loudspeaker rather than directly towards the rear wall.
Why Down-Vent the Woofers?
A down-vented arrangement provides a controlled relationship between the reflex output and the base/floor area beneath the speaker.
It also avoids firing a large bass port directly towards the wall behind the cabinet.
Do Not Block the Lower Vent
Install Sonetto VIII G2 using its intended floor interface and keep the airflow path beneath the loudspeaker unobstructed.
Do not place thick material immediately beneath the enclosure in a way that interferes with the designed bass venting.
Does Down-Venting Make Wall Distance Irrelevant?
No.
Low frequencies radiate around the loudspeaker and interact strongly with the room regardless of port orientation.
Moving the entire cabinet closer to boundaries normally increases bass reinforcement.
Rear-Wall Position
Sonetto VIII G2 benefits from room to breathe.
Begin with useful clearance behind the cabinets and adjust their position in relatively small increments.
If Bass Sounds Too Heavy
Try:
- Moving the speakers further from the rear wall
- Increasing distance from side walls
- Moving away from room corners
- Checking whether the listening seat sits in a strong room mode
- Keeping the two speakers in broadly similar boundary conditions
If Bass Sounds Uneven
Do not assume the loudspeaker itself is responsible.
Below about 100Hz, the room can create very large peaks and dips depending on both speaker and listening positions.
Move the Listening Seat Too
Sometimes moving the sofa or listening chair slightly is more effective than repeatedly moving a 45kg loudspeaker.
Avoid Tight Corners
Corner placement provides reinforcement from two nearby walls simultaneously.
With twin 8-inch woofers already reaching to 33Hz, Sonetto VIII G2 rarely needs extreme boundary reinforcement.
Phase Coherent Crossover Philosophy
Sonus faber applies its Phase Coherent design philosophy to the Sonetto G2 crossover network.
The objective is to synchronise the phase rotation of neighbouring drivers through the frequencies where their outputs overlap.
Two Crossover Regions
Sonetto VIII G2 must integrate:
- The twin woofers with the Camelia midrange around 350Hz
- The Camelia midrange with the D.A.D. tweeter around 2500Hz
Why Phase Matters
A crossover is not an instantaneous switch.
Neighbouring drivers reproduce overlapping frequencies around their handover regions.
The phase relationship between them therefore influences:
- Tonal balance
- Vocal focus
- Instrument placement
- Soundstage width
- Soundstage depth
Making Four Drivers Behave Like One Speaker
Sonetto VIII G2 contains four physical drive units, but the objective is not for the listener to hear separate bass, midrange and treble sources.
The crossover, cabinet and physical driver arrangement are designed to make the system behave as one coherent loudspeaker.
90dB Sensitivity
Sonetto VIII G2 is rated at 90dB SPL for 2.83V measured at one metre.
This is the highest sensitivity figure among the current Sonetto G2 floorstanding models.
Why Is 90dB Useful?
Higher sensitivity means greater acoustic output for a given input voltage.
This can provide useful headroom in a speaker intended for larger listening spaces.
4-Ohm Nominal Impedance
Despite its healthy sensitivity, Sonetto VIII G2 remains a nominal 4-ohm loudspeaker.
The amplifier therefore needs good current delivery.
High Sensitivity Does Not Mean an Easy Electrical Load
Sensitivity and impedance describe different aspects of the loudspeaker.
Sonetto VIII G2 can be acoustically efficient while still asking its amplifier to supply substantial current.
50–400W Recommended Amplification
Sonus faber recommends amplifier power between 50 and 400 watts per channel.
This is the widest and highest power recommendation in the current Sonetto range.
Will a 50W Amplifier Work?
Yes.
A capable 50W amplifier technically sits within the manufacturer's recommendation, although room size and required listening levels need to be considered.
What About 75–100W?
A high-quality amplifier in this range can work very successfully in normal domestic spaces if its 4-ohm current capability is strong.
Would 150W Be Useful?
Yes.
Additional clean power provides useful headroom for:
- Larger listening rooms
- Longer listening distances
- Wide-dynamic-range recordings
- Higher playback levels
- Large orchestral music
- Rock and electronic music
Can I Use 200W?
Yes.
This is comfortably inside the official recommendation.
Can I Use 300W?
Yes.
For a large room, the additional headroom can be useful provided the amplifier is of suitable quality.
Can I Use 400W?
Yes. Four hundred watts is the upper end of the current published recommendation.
This does not mean the speaker requires 400W or should be operated continuously at maximum output.
Current Delivery Matters as Much as Watts
The Sonetto VIII G2's 90dB sensitivity looks friendly, but its nominal impedance remains 4 ohms. Choose amplification for stability, current delivery and control rather than chasing the largest headline wattage figure.
Solid-State Amplification
A substantial solid-state integrated amplifier is an obvious match for Sonetto VIII G2.
The twin 8-inch woofers benefit from an amplifier capable of maintaining good control at low frequencies.
Class A Amplification
A suitably powerful Class A design can also work extremely well where its output and 4-ohm ability match the room.
Class D Amplification
Modern Class D amplification is entirely suitable.
Its ability to deliver high output and current from relatively compact electronics can be particularly useful with a loudspeaker of this scale.
Valve Amplification
Valve amplifiers can be considered, but low-powered designs require considerably more care than the 90dB sensitivity figure might initially suggest because the nominal load is 4 ohms.
Where an amplifier provides different output-transformer taps, follow the manufacturer's recommendation.
Pre/Power Amplification
Sonetto VIII G2 is an obvious candidate for separate pre and power amplification.
Large power supplies and substantial current reserves become increasingly useful as room size and listening distance increase.
Monoblock Power Amplifiers
A pair of monoblock amplifiers can also be considered in sufficiently ambitious systems.
The benefit comes from independent power supplies and generous current capability rather than from the monoblock format alone.
Streaming Amplifiers
A high-performance streaming amplifier can form a simplified system around Sonetto VIII G2, but check its 4-ohm capability and available output carefully.
Good for Vinyl?
Yes.
The dedicated Camelia midrange and substantial bass capability make Sonetto VIII G2 capable of showing meaningful improvements in turntable, cartridge and phono-stage quality.
Good for Streaming?
Absolutely.
A high-quality streamer and DAC can take advantage of the speaker's resolution and large-scale presentation.
Good for CD?
Yes.
A high-quality CD player or transport and DAC is entirely appropriate for a loudspeaker at this level.
Good for Vocals?
Yes.
The dedicated Camelia midrange covers a substantial portion of the voice region while being isolated from the pressure generated by the large woofers.
Good for Acoustic Music?
Yes.
Piano, guitar, strings, brass and voices all make extensive use of the frequency range handled by the dedicated midrange.
Good for Jazz?
Yes.
The twin 8-inch woofers provide considerable foundation for double bass and drums, while the Camelia midrange can concentrate on instrumental texture.
Good for Rock?
Very much so.
Large woofer area, 33Hz extension and 400W amplifier compatibility give Sonetto VIII G2 the potential for considerable dynamic and low-frequency scale.
Good for Classical Music?
Yes.
Large-scale orchestral music is one of the applications where the additional headroom of Sonetto VIII G2 makes particular sense.
Good for Electronic Music?
Yes.
Its 33Hz extension covers a substantial proportion of electronic bass before a subwoofer is required.
Good for Low-Volume Listening?
Yes, although a large loudspeaker does not automatically overcome the way human hearing becomes less sensitive to deep bass and treble at very low volume.
Amplifier control and room integration remain valuable even when listening quietly.
Built for Larger Rooms
Sonetto VIII G2 makes most sense where its physical capability can be used.
Large and medium-to-large listening rooms give the twin 8-inch woofers more space to integrate naturally.
Can It Work in a Medium Room?
Yes, provided the room offers enough placement freedom and the bass can be controlled.
Can It Work in a Small Room?
It is physically possible, but it would not normally be our first choice.
The combination of twin 8-inch woofers, 33Hz extension and a 480mm-deep cabinet can make room interaction difficult where space is tight.
Do Not Buy VIII Just Because It Is the Flagship
The largest speaker is not automatically the best speaker for every room.
If Sonetto VIII G2 overloads the listening space, a correctly positioned Sonetto V G2 can produce a more balanced result.
Speaker Spacing
Begin with speaker spacing appropriate to the listening distance.
You are looking for a presentation that combines width with a stable centre image.
Use Vocals to Check Spacing
A centrally mixed vocalist should appear convincingly between the two speakers rather than pulling towards either cabinet or becoming vague in the middle.
Toe-In
Begin with moderate inward toe-in and adjust according to:
- Centre-image focus
- Soundstage width
- Soundstage depth
- Treble balance
- Listening distance
More Toe-In
Increasing toe-in can sharpen image focus and place more direct tweeter output on the listening axis.
Less Toe-In
Reducing toe-in can broaden the soundstage in some rooms.
The optimum angle should be established by listening rather than assuming one fixed geometry.
1190mm Tall
Sonetto VIII G2 stands 1.19 metres high.
The speaker is therefore visually and acoustically substantial even though its 334mm width keeps the front profile relatively elegant.
480mm Deep
Depth is the measurement most likely to be underestimated from photographs.
The cabinet is almost half a metre deep before allowing for speaker cable or useful rear-wall clearance.
Allow More Than the Published Depth
Real installation depth should account for:
- The 480mm cabinet itself
- Speaker connectors
- Cable bend radius
- Rear-wall clearance
- Toe-in angle
45kg per Cabinet
Each speaker weighs 45kg.
This means position should be planned carefully before final setup.
Use Two People
Sonetto VIII G2 should ideally be unpacked and positioned by two people.
The issue is not simply the weight, but handling a tall, deep and carefully finished cabinet safely.
Check the Floor
Make sure the installation surface is firm, level and suitable for the combined weight of the two loudspeakers.
Stability Is Essential
Once installed, each speaker should sit securely without rocking.
A stable enclosure gives the drive units a better mechanical reference and is especially important with large bass drivers.
Redesigned Lute Shape
Sonetto VIII G2 uses Sonus faber's characteristic lute-inspired enclosure.
The curved cabinet reduces simple parallel internal surfaces compared with a conventional rectangular loudspeaker.
Why Reduce Parallel Walls?
Large directly opposing internal surfaces can encourage standing waves at predictable frequencies.
Curved geometry gives the designer more freedom to control internal acoustic behaviour.
Concrete Base
A concrete base forms part of the G2 cabinet structure.
Concrete provides substantial mass and rigidity in a relatively compact volume.
Why Concrete?
The added mass contributes to:
- Greater physical stability
- Structural integrity
- Reduced unwanted cabinet movement
- Vibration management
Wood, Leather and Concrete
Sonetto VIII G2 deliberately combines natural and structural materials rather than hiding its construction behind a purely industrial cabinet.
Wood and leather provide the traditional Sonus faber visual character, while concrete contributes mass and stability.
Walnut
Walnut Wood with Leather and Concrete provides the warmest and most traditional furniture appearance.
Wenge
Wenge Wood with Leather and Concrete gives the cabinet a darker wood finish while retaining visible natural grain.
Black
Black with Leather and Concrete is the most visually understated option and can integrate particularly well with contemporary interiors and home cinema installations.
Natural Wood Variation
Walnut and Wenge are natural materials.
Individual cabinets can therefore show small differences in grain and tone.
Built in Vicenza, Italy
The Sonetto G2 Collection is built by Sonus faber's artisans in Vicenza, Italy.
Sonetto VIII G2 therefore combines advanced driver and crossover technologies with the cabinet materials and Italian manufacturing identity associated with the wider brand.
Sonetto VIII G2 vs Sonetto V G2
Sonus faber Sonetto V G2 shares much of the VIII's core technology but packages it into a considerably smaller loudspeaker.
Sonetto V G2
- Three-way floorstander
- 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter
- 6.5-inch Camelia midrange
- Sealed cork midrange chamber
- Twin 6.5-inch woofers
- 280Hz / 2500Hz crossover
- 35Hz–40kHz response
- 89dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm impedance
- 50–320W amplification
- 1088 x 308 x 415mm
- 33.4kg each
Sonetto VIII G2
- Three-way flagship floorstander
- 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter
- 6.5-inch Camelia midrange
- Sealed cork midrange chamber
- Twin 8-inch woofers
- 350Hz / 2500Hz crossover
- 33Hz–40kHz response
- 90dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm impedance
- 50–400W amplification
- 1190 x 334 x 480mm
- 45kg each
What Stays the Same?
Both models provide:
- True three-way architecture
- 6.5-inch Camelia midrange technology
- Suprema-derived cork midrange chamber
- D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter
- Twin dedicated woofers
- Down-vented bass loading
- Phase Coherent crossover philosophy
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 40kHz upper frequency response
What Does Sonetto VIII G2 Add?
The VIII moves from twin 6.5-inch woofers to twin 8-inch bass drivers.
It also provides:
- 33Hz rather than 35Hz lower response
- 90dB rather than 89dB sensitivity
- 400W rather than 320W maximum recommended amplification
- Greater cabinet volume
- Greater bass-radiating area
- More dynamic capacity for larger rooms
Is 33Hz vs 35Hz a Big Difference?
The numerical difference alone does not tell the whole story.
The more significant distinction is the move to much larger 8-inch woofers and the additional cabinet volume required to support them.
The VIII is about greater scale and headroom as much as two extra hertz of published extension.
Choose Sonetto V G2 If...
- Your room is medium to large rather than exceptionally large
- You want the Camelia and cork technologies in a more manageable cabinet
- Twin 6.5-inch woofers provide sufficient bass
- 35Hz extension is already enough
- You want an easier speaker to position
Choose Sonetto VIII G2 If...
- Your room is large
- You listen from a greater distance
- You want greater bass scale
- You want more dynamic headroom
- You listen at higher levels
- You want twin 8-inch woofers
- You want the flagship Sonetto G2
Sonetto VIII G2 vs Sonetto III G2
Sonus faber Sonetto III G2 sits at the opposite end of the floorstanding Sonetto G2 range.
Sonetto III G2
- 2.5-way floorstander
- 6.5-inch midwoofer
- Single 6.5-inch woofer
- 38Hz–40kHz response
- 88dB sensitivity
- 50–280W amplification
- 1068 x 287 x 350mm
- 25.8kg each
Sonetto VIII G2
- Three-way floorstander
- 6.5-inch Camelia midrange
- Twin 8-inch woofers
- 33Hz–40kHz response
- 90dB sensitivity
- 50–400W amplification
- 1190 x 334 x 480mm
- 45kg each
Choose Sonetto III G2 If...
- Your room is medium sized
- You want a significantly slimmer cabinet
- You do not need the dedicated Camelia midrange
- You want easier positioning
- You want to direct more budget towards amplification or source components
Choose Sonetto VIII G2 If...
- Room-filling scale is a priority
- You want a genuine three-way architecture
- You value the cork-isolated Camelia midrange
- You need greater bass capability
- Your room can accommodate the larger cabinet
Sonetto VIII G2 vs Lumina V Amator
Sonus faber Lumina V Amator provides a considerably more accessible three-way floorstanding route into Sonus faber.
Sonetto VIII G2 goes substantially further with:
- Dedicated 6.5-inch Camelia midrange
- Suprema-derived cork chamber
- Twin 8-inch woofers
- D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter
- Organic Basket technology
- Flower-patterned woofer suspension
- Concrete structural base
- 33Hz bass response
- 90dB sensitivity
- 400W amplifier compatibility
Home Cinema Use
Sonetto VIII G2 can form the front left and right channels of a very substantial home cinema system.
Suitable configurations include:
- 3.0 systems
- 3.1 systems
- 5.1 systems
- 7.1 systems
- Dolby Atmos systems
- DTS:X systems
- Large combined music and cinema rooms
Matching Sonetto Centre G2
Sonus faber Sonetto Centre G2 is the dedicated centre-channel model in the range.
It also uses a Camelia midrange and D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter, helping maintain related driver technology across the front soundstage.
Matching Sonetto Wall G2
Sonus faber Sonetto Wall G2 is particularly useful for side and rear surround duties where placing conventional speakers on stands would be impractical.
Matching Sonetto I or II G2
Sonetto I G2 and Sonetto II G2 can also serve as substantial surround speakers where space permits.
Does Sonetto VIII G2 Still Need a Cinema Subwoofer?
Yes, if you want complete reproduction of the dedicated LFE channel.
Sonetto VIII G2 reaches very deep for a passive loudspeaker, but a purpose-designed active subwoofer can reproduce frequencies below the main speakers' natural range with much greater excursion and amplifier capacity.
Should Sonetto VIII G2 Be Set to Large?
Not automatically.
The correct AV configuration depends on the room, subwoofer, amplifier and crossover strategy.
Can It Be Set to Small?
Yes.
"Small" in an AV receiver simply means bass below the selected crossover is redirected to the subwoofer.
Why Bass-Manage Such a Large Speaker?
Using a subwoofer crossover can:
- Reduce woofer excursion
- Increase front-channel headroom
- Reduce demand on an AV receiver
- Allow the subwoofer to reproduce the deepest bass
- Improve integration with the LFE channel
Can It Run Full Range?
Yes.
Full-range operation is the normal approach in a conventional stereo system.
Recommended Sonetto VIII G2 Setup Routine
- Measure the room and plan the approximate speaker positions before unpacking.
- Remember that each cabinet weighs 45kg.
- Use two people for unpacking and lifting.
- Retain both original shipping cartons and packing materials.
- Install the speaker supports exactly as described by Sonus faber.
- Keep the down-vented woofer system completely unobstructed.
- Check that both speakers stand firmly and cannot rock.
- Begin with useful clearance from the rear wall.
- Avoid tight room corners as the initial position.
- Keep the left and right speakers in broadly similar boundary conditions.
- Choose speaker spacing according to listening distance.
- Begin with moderate inward toe-in.
- Switch the amplifier off before connecting speaker cables.
- Check positive and negative polarity carefully.
- Begin listening at moderate volume.
- Use a familiar central vocal to assess image focus.
- Adjust spacing in relatively small increments.
- Fine-tune toe-in.
- Use familiar bass-rich music to assess room interaction.
- If bass is too heavy, increase wall clearance.
- If bass is uneven, experiment with the listening-seat position as well as the speakers.
- Listen to several different musical styles before settling on the final position.
- Add or integrate a subwoofer only once the main speakers are behaving correctly in the room.
Caring for Sonetto VIII G2
The cabinet combines wood, leather and other carefully finished materials and should be treated as quality furniture.
Avoid:
- Abrasive cleaning cloths
- Strong household detergents
- Solvents
- Alcohol-based cleaning products
- Spraying liquid directly onto the cabinet
- Strong prolonged sunlight
- Positioning immediately beside radiators or other major heat sources
- Very humid environments
Keep the Original Packaging
Sonetto VIII G2 is packed as two separate 45kg loudspeakers with a total packaged pair weight exceeding 100kg.
Keeping both fitted cartons is strongly recommended if the speakers ever need to be transported.
Product Registration
Sonus faber currently invites owners to register qualifying products within 30 days of purchase for its available Extended Warranty, subject to the current manufacturer terms.
Who Is Sonetto VIII G2 For?
- Large listening rooms
- Medium-to-large rooms with good placement flexibility
- Listeners wanting the flagship Sonetto G2
- Customers wanting twin 8-inch woofers
- Listeners prioritising bass scale and dynamic headroom
- Customers wanting Camelia midrange technology
- Customers wanting Suprema-derived cork chamber technology
- Vinyl systems
- Streaming systems
- CD systems
- High-quality integrated amplifiers
- Separate pre/power amplifier systems
- High-current Class D systems
- Jazz
- Rock
- Classical music
- Electronic music
- Large-scale orchestral recordings
- Combined music and home cinema rooms
- Dolby Atmos systems
- DTS:X systems
Who Might Prefer Sonetto V G2?
Sonetto V G2 may make more sense if:
- Your room is medium sized
- Twin 6.5-inch woofers provide enough bass capability
- You want the same Camelia and cork technology in a smaller cabinet
- You want easier placement
- You do not need the VIII's additional output headroom
Who Might Prefer Sonetto III G2?
Sonetto III G2 may be preferable if:
- Your room is smaller
- You want a slim floorstander
- You do not require the dedicated Camelia midrange
- You want a much lighter and shallower cabinet
- You want to invest a greater proportion of the system budget into electronics or sources
Key Features
- Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2
- Flagship Sonetto G2 model
- Most powerful current Sonetto speaker
- Three-way floorstanding design
- Built in Vicenza, Italy
- 1.1-inch tweeter
- D.A.D. Arrow Point tweeter
- Damped Apex Dome
- Extended-frequency soft dome
- Copper tweeter shorting ring
- 6.5-inch Camelia midrange
- Suprema-derived midrange technology
- Five-cut Camelia diaphragm
- Unpainted Camelia membrane
- Organic Basket
- Aluminium phase plug
- Copper midrange shorting ring
- Sealed cork midrange chamber
- Suprema-derived cork technology
- Twin 8-inch woofers
- Aluminium woofer demodulation rings
- Paper-pulp sandwich woofer cones
- Flower-patterned woofer surrounds
- Down-vented woofer enclosure
- 350Hz lower crossover
- 2500Hz upper crossover
- Phase Coherent crossover philosophy
- 33Hz–40kHz frequency response
- 90dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 50–400W recommended amplification
- Lute-shaped cabinet
- Wood cabinet
- Leather detailing
- Concrete structural base
- Walnut finish
- Wenge finish
- Black finish
- 1190mm height
- 334mm width
- 480mm depth
- 45kg per speaker
- Suitable for large rooms
- Suitable for vinyl
- Suitable for streaming
- Suitable for CD
- Suitable for jazz
- Suitable for rock
- Suitable for classical music
- Suitable for electronic music
- Suitable for home cinema
- Suitable for Dolby Atmos
- Suitable for DTS:X
- Suitable for subwoofer integration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2 still current?
Yes. Sonetto VIII G2 remains the current flagship model in the second-generation Sonetto Collection.
Is Sonetto VIII G2 the largest current Sonetto?
Yes.
Is Sonetto VIII G2 the most powerful Sonetto?
Yes. Sonus faber describes it as the most powerful three-way speaker in the current Sonetto Collection.
Is Sonetto VIII G2 three-way?
Yes.
How many drivers does each speaker use?
Four physical drivers: one tweeter, one dedicated midrange and two woofers.
What tweeter does it use?
A 1.1-inch D.A.D. Arrow Point extended-frequency tweeter.
What does D.A.D. mean?
Damped Apex Dome.
Does the tweeter have a copper shorting ring?
Yes.
What midrange driver does it use?
A dedicated 6.5-inch Camelia midrange.
Where did Camelia technology originate?
The Camelia midrange was initially developed during Sonus faber's flagship Suprema programme.
Why is it called Camelia?
The diaphragm takes inspiration from the shape of the camellia flower.
How many cuts are in the Camelia diaphragm?
Five.
Why does the Camelia diaphragm have five cuts?
The irregular geometry is intended to avoid resonances associated with conventional circular diaphragm shapes.
Is the Camelia membrane painted?
No. Sonus faber leaves the acoustic membrane unpainted.
What is the Organic Basket?
It is Sonus faber's specially shaped driver chassis designed to support the moving assembly while maintaining open airflow behind the diaphragm.
Does the Camelia midrange have a phase plug?
Yes. Sonus faber specifies an aluminium phase plug.
Does the midrange use a copper shorting ring?
Yes.
Does Sonetto VIII G2 use cork?
Yes. The midrange operates with a dedicated sealed cork acoustic chamber.
Where did the cork chamber technology come from?
It was inherited from Sonus faber's flagship Suprema programme.
Why use cork?
Sonus faber uses cork for its acoustic properties and to create an irregular organic internal volume around the midrange system.
Which Sonetto models use the cork chamber?
Sonus faber currently identifies Sonetto V G2 and Sonetto VIII G2 as using this Suprema-derived cork internal chamber.
How many woofers does Sonetto VIII G2 use?
Two per speaker.
How large are the woofers?
8 inches each.
Does Sonetto V G2 also use 8-inch woofers?
No. Sonetto V G2 uses twin 6.5-inch woofers.
Do the woofers use aluminium demodulation rings?
Yes.
What type of woofer cones are used?
The Sonetto G2 woofer system uses paper-pulp sandwich-cone technology.
What are the flower-patterned surrounds?
They are asymmetric woofer suspensions inspired by Camelia geometry and designed to reduce interference and improve dispersion.
Where is the bass-reflex system?
The twin woofers operate in a down-vented enclosure.
Does down-venting mean wall distance does not matter?
No. The complete loudspeaker still interacts strongly with nearby walls and corners.
Can Sonetto VIII G2 go close to a wall?
Potentially, but its substantial 33Hz bass capability means positioning should be judged carefully in the actual room.
Can Sonetto VIII G2 go in a corner?
It can physically fit, but tight corner placement is likely to provide substantial bass reinforcement and would not normally be our preferred starting point.
What are the crossover frequencies?
350Hz and 2500Hz.
What is the frequency response?
33Hz to 40kHz.
How low does Sonetto VIII G2 play?
Sonus faber's current published lower frequency-response figure is 33Hz.
Is 33Hz deeper than Sonetto V G2?
Yes. Sonetto V G2 is specified to 35Hz.
Does Sonetto VIII G2 need a subwoofer for music?
Not necessarily. Its twin 8-inch woofers and 33Hz extension already provide substantial low-frequency performance.
Can I add a subwoofer?
Yes.
Does it need a subwoofer for home cinema?
A dedicated subwoofer remains recommended for reproducing the full LFE channel and frequencies beneath the natural range of the main speakers.
What is the sensitivity?
90dB SPL at 2.83V measured at one metre.
Is Sonetto VIII G2 more sensitive than Sonetto V G2?
Yes. Sonetto VIII G2 is rated at 90dB compared with 89dB for Sonetto V G2.
What is the nominal impedance?
4 ohms.
Is Sonetto VIII G2 easy to drive?
Its 90dB sensitivity is relatively generous, but its nominal 4-ohm impedance still makes good amplifier current delivery important.
What amplifier power does Sonus faber recommend?
50 to 400 watts per channel.
Will a 50W amplifier work?
Yes, provided it is a capable design comfortable into 4 ohms and the required room volume and listening level are appropriate.
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 300W amplifier?
Yes.
Can I use a 400W amplifier?
Yes. That is the upper end of Sonus faber's current recommendation.
Does it need 400W?
No. Four hundred watts is the upper limit of the recommended amplifier range, not a minimum requirement.
Can I use Class A amplification?
Yes, provided the amplifier offers suitable output and 4-ohm capability.
Can I use Class D amplification?
Yes.
Can I use a valve amplifier?
Potentially, although low-powered valve amplifiers need careful consideration because the speaker presents a nominal 4-ohm load.
Can I use a streaming amplifier?
Yes, provided its amplification stage has sufficient 4-ohm capability for the room and required levels.
Can I use separate pre and power amplifiers?
Yes.
Can I use monoblock power amplifiers?
Yes.
What size room suits Sonetto VIII G2?
Large and medium-to-large rooms are its most natural applications.
Can Sonetto VIII G2 work in a medium room?
Yes, provided there is sufficient placement flexibility and the room does not become overloaded by the bass.
Can it work in a small room?
Potentially, but Sonetto V G2 or Sonetto III G2 will normally be easier to integrate where space is restricted.
How tall is Sonetto VIII G2?
1190mm.
How wide is it?
334mm.
How deep is it?
480mm before allowing additional space for cable connections and room positioning.
How much does each Sonetto VIII G2 weigh?
45kg.
Should two people install it?
Yes. Two-person handling is strongly recommended because of the cabinet's weight and physical size.
How large are the shipping cartons?
Each speaker is packed in a 1290 x 445 x 585mm carton.
What is the total packaged weight?
100.4kg for the pair across two cartons.
Is each speaker boxed separately?
Yes.
Does Sonetto VIII G2 have a concrete base?
Yes.
Why does Sonus faber use concrete?
The additional mass and rigidity are used to improve structural stability and help minimise unwanted vibration.
Does it have a lute-shaped cabinet?
Yes.
Where is Sonetto VIII G2 made?
The Sonetto G2 Collection is built by Sonus faber's artisans in Vicenza, Italy.
What finishes are available?
Walnut Wood with Leather and Concrete, Wenge Wood with Leather and Concrete, and Black with Leather and Concrete.
Is Sonetto VIII G2 good for vinyl?
Yes.
Is it good for streaming?
Yes.
Is it good for CD?
Yes.
Is Sonetto VIII G2 good for vocals?
Yes. A dedicated Camelia midrange handles a large part of the voice region independently of the bass drivers.
Is it good for jazz?
Yes. The twin 8-inch woofers provide substantial foundation for double bass and drums.
Is it good for rock?
Yes. Its bass area and power capability make rock and other dynamic music particularly natural applications.
Is it good for classical music?
Yes. The broad bandwidth and dynamic scale make it especially well suited to large orchestral recordings.
Is it good for electronic music?
Yes. Its 33Hz extension reaches into a substantial portion of the electronic-bass range.
What is the difference between Sonetto V G2 and Sonetto VIII G2?
Both use the same broad three-way Camelia and cork-chamber concept, but Sonetto VIII G2 moves from twin 6.5-inch to twin 8-inch woofers, reaches 33Hz, increases sensitivity to 90dB and raises the amplifier recommendation to 400W.
Does Sonetto VIII G2 use the same Camelia midrange as Sonetto V G2?
Both use a 6.5-inch Camelia midrange with the same core G2 technology and dedicated cork-chamber concept.
Is Sonetto VIII G2 simply a bigger Sonetto V G2?
They share significant technology, but the larger woofer system, cabinet, crossover point, sensitivity and amplifier capability make the VIII substantially more capable in larger rooms.
What is the difference between Sonetto III G2 and Sonetto VIII G2?
Sonetto III G2 is a slimmer 2.5-way design with one 6.5-inch midwoofer and one 6.5-inch woofer. Sonetto VIII G2 is a full three-way design with dedicated Camelia midrange and twin 8-inch woofers.
Should I buy Sonetto V G2 or Sonetto VIII G2?
Choose Sonetto V G2 when you want the Camelia and cork technologies in a more manageable package. Choose Sonetto VIII G2 when room size, bass scale and dynamic headroom justify the larger speaker.
Can Sonetto VIII G2 be used for home cinema?
Yes.
What centre speaker matches it?
Sonus faber Sonetto Centre G2 is the dedicated centre-channel model.
What surrounds match it?
Sonetto Wall G2 is a particularly convenient surround speaker, while Sonetto I G2 and Sonetto II G2 can also be used.
Can Sonetto VIII G2 be used in Dolby Atmos?
Yes, as the main front left and right ear-level speakers in a compatible Atmos system.
Does it decode Dolby Atmos?
No. It is a passive loudspeaker. Format decoding is handled by the AV receiver or processor.
Can it be used with DTS:X?
Yes.
Should Sonetto VIII G2 be set to Large in an AV receiver?
Not automatically. Bass management can still improve system headroom when a capable subwoofer is available.
Can Sonetto VIII G2 be set to Small?
Yes. In AV terminology this simply redirects frequencies beneath the selected crossover to the subwoofer.
Should I keep the original packaging?
Yes. With 45kg cabinets, the original fitted cartons are by far the safest way to transport the speakers.
Should I audition Sonetto VIII G2?
Absolutely. At this size and level, room compatibility and amplifier matching are crucial, and comparing it directly with Sonetto V G2 is particularly worthwhile before deciding which model best suits your system.
Related Sonus faber Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2 From Audio T?
Sonetto VIII G2 is the sort of loudspeaker where the room and amplifier are just as important as the speaker itself. A pair places four 8-inch bass cones into the listening space, weighs 90kg before packaging and presents a nominal 4-ohm electrical load, so getting the system balance right matters.
Audio T can demonstrate Sonetto VIII G2 with appropriately capable amplification, compare it directly with Sonetto V G2 and help establish whether your room genuinely benefits from the larger model. We can also help build the complete system around the speakers, from turntables, streaming and CD sources through to amplification, cabling, subwoofer integration and home cinema.
- Sonus faber demonstrations
- Sonetto VIII G2 demonstrations
- Sonetto V G2 versus Sonetto VIII G2 comparisons
- Sonetto III G2 versus Sonetto VIII G2 comparisons
- Sonetto G2 versus Lumina comparisons
- Large-room speaker matching
- Amplifier matching for 4-ohm speakers
- High-current amplifier matching
- Solid-state amplifier matching
- Class A amplifier guidance
- Class D amplifier matching
- Valve amplifier guidance
- Streaming amplifier matching
- Pre/power amplifier matching
- Monoblock amplifier guidance
- Turntable and phono-stage matching
- CD and streaming system planning
- Speaker-positioning guidance
- Toe-in optimisation
- Room-boundary optimisation
- Bass optimisation
- Subwoofer matching
- Subwoofer crossover setup
- Home cinema system planning
- Sonetto Centre G2 matching
- Sonetto Wall G2 surround planning
- Dolby Atmos system planning
- DTS:X system planning
- 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 VIII G2 or compare it directly with Sonetto V G2.