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Sonus Sonetto Center I vs Sonus Sonetto I Comparison

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Sonus Sonetto Center I

Passive Center Channel | 60-25k Hz

Sonus Faber Sonetto Center I
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Sonus Sonetto I

Passive Bookshelf | 45-25k Hz

Sonus Faber Sonetto I
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Sonus Sonetto Center I vs Sonus Sonetto I Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by Sonus Faber. Sonus Faber Sonetto Center I is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Sonetto I is a Bookshelf speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Sonus Sonetto Center I and Sonus Sonetto I first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Sonus Sonetto Center I Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 6" aluminum cone Woofer
  • 60-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:50-200watts
  • Weight:6.50kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 242.0" x 20" x 12"( 242.0 x 495.0 x 303.0mm )

Sonus Sonetto I Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter
  • 6" cellulose pulp and other natural fibers Woofer
  • 45-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:30-150watts
  • Weight:5.50kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 359.0" x 9" x 12"( 359.0 x 219.0 x 305.0mm )

Sonetto CI and Sonetto I are members of Sonus Faber's Sonetto series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

Sonus Faber Sonetto Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Sonus Sonetto III
  
Floor-standing 42-25k Hz 89 dB4Ω 2 x 6"
Sonus Sonetto V
  
Floor-standing 38-25k Hz 90 dB4Ω 2 x 7"
Sonus Sonetto II
  
Bookshelf 42-25k Hz 87 dB4Ω 1 x 6.5"
Sonus Sonetto VIII
  
Floor-standing 36-25k Hz 90 dB4Ω 3 x 7"
Sonus Sonetto I
Bookshelf 45-25k Hz 87 dB4Ω 1 x 6"
Sonus Sonetto Center II
  
Center Channel 42-25k Hz 91 dB4Ω 2 x 6"
Sonus Sonetto Center I
Center Channel 60-25k Hz 90 dB4Ω 2 x 6"

What size room are the Sonus Sonetto Center I and Sonus Sonetto I speakers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:

Listening Environment* Sonus Sonetto Center I Sonus Sonetto I
Near-field Poor Poor
Small Room Average Average
Mid-size Room Good Good
Large Room Average Average
Very Large Room Poor Poor

(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2. Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Sonus Sonetto Center I and Sonus Sonetto I compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both Sonetto CI and Sonetto I are 2-way speakers.

Driver Sonus Sonetto Center I Sonus Sonetto I
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1.15-inch 1.15-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x 6-inch 1 x 6-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 I features a 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6" cellulose pulp and other natural fibers Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500 Hz.

Frequency Response

Sonetto CI has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz whereas Sonetto I has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Sonetto I can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Sonetto CI's min frequency of 60Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.

Low Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Sonetto CI
Sonetto I
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Center Channel Speakers

Sonus Sonetto Center I
Sonus Sonetto I
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

Sonetto CI and Sonetto I 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 I's is at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Sonus Sonetto Center I a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Sonetto I, 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

Sonetto CI
Sonetto I
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

Sonetto CI can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Sonetto I has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Sonetto CI.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Both Sonetto CI and Sonetto I features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

Sonus Sonetto Center I Terminals
Sonus Sonetto Center I's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Sonetto CI has a rear firing port whereas Sonetto I has a front firing ports. Sonus Sonetto I's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Sonus Sonetto Center I with its rear-firing port.

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Sonetto I'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 Sonetto I has external dimensions of 359.0 x 219.0 x 305.0mm ( 14 x 9 x 12inch) .

Sonus Sonetto Center I is 117mm shorter and 2mm less deeper than Sonus Sonetto I but it is also 276mm wider.

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 Sonetto I is approximately 668.0cm2 / 103.5inch2. The Sonetto CI requires 125% more surface area than the Sonetto I which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

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
  • What's in the Box of Sonus Sonetto I?

    Here are the items that come with the Sonetto I:
  • 2 Masks
  • 2 Fabric dust guards
  • 2 Jumpers
  • 1 Manual

  • Reasons to choose Sonus Faber Sonetto Center I over Sonus Faber Sonetto I
    Max Input Power 200 watts vs 150 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Sensitivity 90 dB vs 87 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
    Height 242mm vs 359mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

    Reasons to choose Sonus Faber Sonetto I over Sonus Faber Sonetto Center I

    Low Frequency Response 45 Hz vs 60 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Port Position Front vs Rear Gives more flexibility placing close to walls
    Base Surface Area 668cm2 vs 1499cm2 Takes less floor space
    Sonus Sonetto Center I vs Sonus Sonetto I Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Sonus Faber Sonetto Center I Sonus Faber Sonetto I
    Brand Sonus Faber Sonus Faber
    Speaker Type Center channel speaker Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 50-200 watts 30-150 watts
    Sensitivity 90 dB 87 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 4 ohms
    Frequency Response 60-25k Hz 45-25k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 2 1
    Woofer Size 6" 6"
    Woofer Composition aluminum cone cellulose pulp and other natural fibers
    Tweeter Size 1.15" 1.15"
    Tweeter Type high definition DAD Dome high definition DAD Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 1.550 Hz 2500 Hz
    Firing Direction rear front
    Physical Specs
    Height 242.0mm (9.5") 359.0mm (14.1")
    Width 495.0mm (19.5") 219.0mm (8.6")
    Depth 303.0mm (11.9") 305.0mm (12")
    Weight 6.50kg (14.3lbs) 5.50kg (12.1lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Available Colors Wood, White, Black, Wenge Wood, White, Black, Wenge
    Mounting Bracket
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes Yes
    Other
    Parts Warranty
    Labor Warranty

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