In this review, we will be comparing Sonetto CI and Sonetto Center G2, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Sonus faber.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Sonetto Center I and Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Sonus Sonetto Center I | Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 |
|---|
| Brand | Sonus faber
Italy · founded 1983 | Sonus faber
Italy · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.15" high definition DAD Dome | 1.1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6" aluminum cone | 2 x 6-1/2" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-25k Hz | 45-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 50-200 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 6.50kg / 14.3lbs | 17.63kg / 38.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9.5" x 19.5" x 12"
242.0 x 495.0 x 303.0mm | 9-1/2" x 25-9/16" x 14-9/16"
241.3 x 649.3 x 369.9mm |
|---|
Sonetto CI and Sonetto Center G2 are members of Sonus faber's Sonetto series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Sonus faber Sonetto Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Sonetto CI is a 2-way design whereas the Sonetto Center G2 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Sonus Sonetto Center ISonus Faber Sonetto Center G2
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Sonus Sonetto Center I |
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1.1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-inch
|
2 x 6-1/2-inch
|
Sonetto CI features a 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6" aluminum cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1.550 Hz. On the other hand, the Sonetto Center G2 features a 1.1" Soft-Dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 2 x 6-1/2" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Sonetto CI has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz whereas Sonetto Center G2 has a frequency range of 45-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Sonetto Center G2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Sonetto CI's min frequency of 60Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Sonetto CI and Sonetto Center G2 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Sonetto CI sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Sonetto Center G2's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Sonus Sonetto Center I a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Sonetto CI and the Sonetto CI can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Sonetto CI features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Sonetto Center G2 has a Binding Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Sonus Sonetto Center I's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Sonus Sonetto Center I's and Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2's external dimensions. Sonus Sonetto Center I has external dimensions of 242.0 x 495.0 x 303.0mm (10 x 20 x 12inch) whereas Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 has external dimensions of 241.3 x 649.3 x 369.9mm ().
Sonus Sonetto Center I is 154.3mm narrower and 66.9mm less deeper than Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 but it is also 0.69999999999999mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 needs about 60% more floor or shelf area. Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 is 67mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Sonus Sonetto Center I is approximately 1499.9cm2 / 232.5inch2 and base area of the Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 is approximately 2401.8cm2 / 372.3inch2. The Sonetto CI requires 38% less surface area than the Sonetto Center G2 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Sonus Sonetto Center I weighs 6.50kg / 14.3lbs and the Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 weighs 17.63kg / 38.8lbs. This makes the Sonetto Center G2 171% heavier than the Sonetto CI.
Here is a comparison of how Sonetto CI and Sonetto Center G2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2
What's in the Box of Sonus Sonetto Center I?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Sonetto CI:
- 1 Masks
- 1 Fabric dust guards
- 1 Basis
- 2 Jumpers
- 1 Manual
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Base Surface Area |
1499cm2
vs
2401cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1099USD
vs
3000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
6-1/2 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
241mm
vs
242mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Sonus faber Sonetto Center I |
Sonus faber Sonetto Center G2 |
| Brand |
Sonus faber |
Sonus faber |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
60-25k Hz |
45-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6-1/2" |
| Woofer Composition |
aluminum cone |
|
| Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1.1" |
| Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
1.550 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
242.0mm (9.5") |
241.3mm (9.5") |
| Width |
495.0mm (19.5") |
649.3mm (25.6") |
| Depth |
303.0mm (11.9") |
369.9mm (14.6") |
| Weight |
6.50kg (14.3lbs) |
17.63kg (38.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Available Colors |
Wood, White, Black, Wenge |
Black |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
2 Yrs (8 Yrs registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
|
2 Yrs (8 Yrs registered) |
Siblings in Sonus faber's Sonetto series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 digs deeper - 45Hz against 60Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Sonus Sonetto Center I is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | Sonus Sonetto Center I is easier to place; Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | A | Sonus Sonetto Center I: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Sonus Sonetto Center I is cheaper - $1,099 against $3,000, about 63% less; arguably a different class. |
A Sonus Sonetto Center I B Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Sonus Sonetto Center I has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 60Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Sonus Sonetto Center I much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Sonus Sonetto Center I is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.