An all-in-one high end wireless speaker system by Sonus faber, a company that defines both luxury audio and the high end of loudspeaker design. We’ll explain where it came from, all it does, and how it sounds.
Introduced in 2022, the Sonus faber Omnia system has now been significantly improved by a program of free software and firmware upgrades which have prompted us to look again and re-evaluate both it’s performance and value.
The Omnia system draws from the brand’s unparalleled reputation and expertise in high end stereo speaker systems. As an affordable introduction to the range and a superior alternative to conventional component systems, Omnia broke new ground for Sonus faber.
We’ve previously compared both the Omnia and the Tivoli Music System Home Gen2 as viable alternatives to the traditional component systems. I’ll go further – it’s difficult if not impossible to construct an equivalently priced conventional two speaker and amp system that matches either the sound quality or capabilities of these options.
The new Duetto stereo wireless speakers take the equation even further and have also driven worthwhile changes including a bespoke app for both and a revision of how Omnia sounds.
Here below the key improvements developed by the new software:
The Control:
- With the new software, Omnia can be controlled via the new Sonus faber App (available on App Store and Google Play), making the interaction with the device even more intuitive.
The Tone:
- Implementation of a new sound signature that reflects our target curve inherited from the Homage collection.
- Improvement of time alignment between the woofer and the two midranges, providing a cleaner transients in the mid – low frequencies ranges.
The Soundstage:
- Implementation of the Phase Coherent approach, inherited from Homage and Duetto.
- Improvement of focus and performance of the soundstage.
- Enhancement of the stereophonic perception (when Crescendo is OFF).
Crescendo:
- The new software enhances the tone management with Crescendo ON.
- Improved ambience with a better use of the side full-range speakers.
All existing Omnia systems will automatically upgrade and new units start at this improved level. There’s quite a lot to unpack in the above list and so we’ve taken the time to listen again at the Omnia system, both in comparison to the original version and new Duetto stereo speaker system.
Sonus faber has gone through a process of renewal since the passing of founder Franco Serblin. Without giving up on their heritage of craftsmanship and a devotion to an organic and emotionally involving sound, the influence of a new younger generation of designers and their more modern musical tastes is undeniable and made obvious in new ranges such as the Lumina series.
The upgrade for Omnia comes from an even higher standard – the Homage collection. These are true luxury models named after titans of music history and the improved Omnia gives you a taste of this. The precision of soundstage when used in stereo mode, the coherence and rich tonality that defines the ‘natural sound’ of Sonus faber are readily apparent to any listener.
Crescendo
Looking at the Omnia predecessor – the SF-16 – above you can see how it mimics the original Snail Project in having physical outriggers to provide a spread of sound approximating well separated stereo speakers. Omnia accomplishes the same aim in a more successful manner with an array of high quality drivers within the cabinet. Omnia also goes further in harnessing cutting edge DSP (digital signal processing). And the latest iteration of this process called ‘Crescendo’ is the most obvious improvement made when comparing original with now.
Developed in-house at Sonus faber, Crescendo is an advanced signal processing system leverages on the two full range side drivers to deliver next-level sonic dimensionality and immersivity. In simple terms it’s a ‘big’ sound but there’s a lot more going on.
The sound staging is considerably more precise and defined with greater separation. In this regard it narrows the gap with it’s only real competition, the Duettos. And in fact there are some advantages with the Omnia over Duetto; the most obvious being that when being used in conjunction with a screen (HDMI Arc, optical or wireless connection) and placed below, it better ties vocal information to what you see on the screen.
When listening to music, the omnidirectional nature of the system means that the listening window – ie area within the room where you enjoy consistently great sound with the impression of a soundstage is actually greater than that with the Duettos. This may seem counter intuative but all you have to do is get up and walk around a little to find that it is in fact a reality. There are other things the Duettos do better but that’s another story.
Bass performance is one of the key features of the Duettos yet the Omnia is no slouch in this regard – a downward facing metal coned subwoofer in a sealed cabinet with 490 watts of total amplification delivers fast, deep and articluate bass, defying the physical dimensions of the system. The new software also refines bass management allowing you to fine tune for personal preference, position and room response.
Speaking of software…
While the Sonus faber app was not available when both Omnia and Duetto were first released, there’s always been good direct connectivity via the standard services such as AirPlay, Tidal connect and Spotify. The App has already been through it’s first cycle of improvement, so I’m happy to report all is well on this front and getting better.
The app itself is actually quite beautiful aesthetically, which is just part of the Sonus faber experience. Everything you need to fine tune both placement and performance is in there, as is input switching, all your favourite streaming services and network settings.
Switching in and out of Crescendo mode is easy and allows you further customise performance to your own preferences. And as has been already proven, this will only get better with time…
The review extracts below are a small sample of what has been written about the Sonus faber Omnia prior to the recent upgrade…
“…the Omnia is one of the biggest and most open sounding examples of its type we’ve heard. Close your eyes and you don’t need to stretch your imagination to believe the sound is coming out of a pair of stand mount speakers. That depth and breadth means instruments can work comfortably with space around them – even in denser mixes.” What HiFi.
“”What Omnia does most effectively is throw a room-filling and immersive soundstage well past the boundaries of its cabinet. And it does this with a naturalism and specificity that places a pretty fair distance between it and the other brands that attempt to portray a dimensional soundstage.” The Absolute Sound.
“Firstly, I want to talk about the bass. It is unbelievable. The Omnia was able to fill my listening room with solid, full, and quite punchy and deep bass. The bass is not room filling because its boomy, thick and poor quality. It is tight, agile, and tuneful. I have reviewed some entry level stand mount speakers this year and I don’t remember their bass being this full and impactful. The Omnia is really very impressive for its bass delivery, Sonus Faber have done an amazing job with the built-in subwoofer and I am in total admiration to them for this achievement.” Pursuit Perfect System.
Considering the obvious and beneficial results we’ve heard in the recent upgrade, the Omnia is now the unarguable best option in complete compact systems that you can enjoy and recommend to your friends and family.
Sonus faber Omnia system – NZ$4300 including delivery and GST
3 year extended warranty via app.