In this review, we will be comparing Sonetto I and Aria 906, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Sonus Faber and Focal. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Sonetto I and Focal Aria 906 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Sonetto I and Focal Aria 906 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Sonus Sonetto I and Focal Aria 906 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Sonetto I and Aria 906 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Sonus Sonetto I |
Focal Aria 906 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
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. On the other hand, the Aria 906 features a 1" TNF aluminum/magnesium Inverted Hard Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Flax Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz.
Frequency Response
Sonetto I has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz whereas Aria 906 has a frequency range of 55-28k 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 Aria 906's min frequency of 55Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
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 I is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Aria 906 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Sonetto I can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Sonetto I sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Aria 906's is rated at 89.5 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Focal Aria 906 a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Sonetto I, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
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 I can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Aria 906 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the Sonetto I.
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
Sonetto I features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Aria 906 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Focal Aria 906's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Sonetto I has a front firing port whereas Aria 906 has a rear firing ports. Sonus Sonetto I's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Focal Aria 906 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 I's and Focal Aria 906's external dimensions. Sonus Sonetto I has external dimensions of 359.0 x 219.0 x 305.0mm ( 14 x 9 x 12inch) whereas Focal Aria 906 has external dimensions of 391.0 x 228.0 x 288.0mm ( 15-3/8 x 8-15/16 x 11-5/16inch) .
Sonus Sonetto I is 9mm narrower and 32mm shorter than Focal Aria 906 but it is also 17mm deeper.
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 I is approximately 668.0cm2 / 103.5inch2 and base area of the Focal Aria 906 is approximately 656.6cm2 / 101.8inch2. The Sonetto I requires 2% more surface area than the Aria 906 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 I weighs 5.50kg / 12.1lbs and the Focal Aria 906 weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the Aria 906 57% heavier than the Sonetto I.
Here is a comparison of how Sonetto I and Aria 906's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Sonus Sonetto I?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Sonetto I:
2 Masks2 Fabric dust guards2 Jumpers1 Manual
What's in the Box of Focal Aria 906?
Here are the items that come with the Aria 906:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Cloth grilles User manual
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
359mm
vs
391mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
656cm2 (228x288mm)
vs
668cm2 (219x305mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Sonus Faber Sonetto I |
Focal Aria 906 |
| Brand |
Sonus Faber |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-150 watts |
25-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
89.5 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4.6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
55-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
cellulose pulp and other natural fibers |
Flax |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD Dome |
Inverted Hard Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500 Hz |
2800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
359.0mm (14.1") |
391.0mm (15.4") |
| Width |
219.0mm (8.6") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Depth |
305.0mm (12") |
288.0mm (11.3") |
| Weight |
5.50kg (12.1lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Glass/Leather |
| Available Colors |
Wood, White, Black, Wenge |
Walnut, Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-28" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |