Sonus Faber Electa Amator III
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
95/100
Value for Money
88/100
The Electa Amator III delivers vocal realism, sweet refined treble and unexpectedly muscular bass, wrapped in solid walnut, leather and Carrara marble. What Hi-Fi? praises its expressive midrange and authoritative low end, while Edgar Kramer found its holographic imaging wide, deep and lifelike. This is a luxurious stand-mount for listeners who prize musical ease, tonal color and three-dimensional scale.
Pros
Exceptional vocal presence, tonal texture and midrange expression.
Expansive, precise soundstage with stable, three-dimensional imaging and a convincing disappearing act.
Remarkably weighty, articulate bass and strong dynamics for a compact stand-mount design.
Artisan-level walnut, leather, marble and brass construction with matching stands that look as special as they sound.
Cons
Its deliberately characterful voicing is not strictly neutral; some listeners may hear a slightly elevated treble and comparatively recessed midrange.
The polished, graceful presentation is less convincing for aggressive rock or hardcore hip-hop that demands maximum bite and drive.
Deep bass is exceptional for the size but the lowest octave remains limited versus larger floorstanders; substantial amplification helps unlock its full dynamic potential.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviewers consistently describe an expansive, richly textured and emotionally engaging presentation that makes this compact stand-mount sound substantially larger than it looks. Its particular strengths are expressive voices, refined treble and unusually authoritative bass for its size, though its polished voicing is not aimed at listeners seeking strict monitor neutrality or maximum aggression with hard rock and hip-hop.
Bass
93/100
For a ported 180mm stand-mount, bass is repeatedly praised as deep, tight, articulate and genuinely punchy, with several reviewers comparing its fullness and authority to a capable small floorstander. It has strong weight from roughly 50Hz upward, but reviewers also note that the lowest octave is curtailed and it will not reproduce true sub-bass like a large floorstander.
Mid
95/100
Vocals are a defining strength: reviewers hear exceptional tonal texture, warmth, realism, articulation and a tangible sense of performers in the room. What Hi-Fi particularly praises the speaker's ability to follow changes of midrange intensity, although it also finds the midrange a little recessed beside the elevated treble.
Treble
93/100
The DAD soft-dome tweeter earns repeated praise for delicacy, air, detail and freedom from grain or listening fatigue, even at high volume. Its character is smooth rather than metallic or hyper-etched; some reviewers hear a slight treble lift, while others note less ultimate sparkle than the best metal or beryllium domes.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
Reviews describe a wide, deep and convincingly layered stage, with stable, precisely locked images and a strong ability to disappear from the room. Multiple listeners specifically praise its three-dimensionality, pinpoint placement and holographic sense of space.
Dynamics
91/100
The Electa Amator III plays with surprising composure and expressive punch for a compact two-way, handling dynamic shifts and high levels without obvious strain when properly powered. It benefits from substantial amplification, and one comparison found that it did not maintain the effortless loudness of a much larger sealed speaker.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
95/100
The walnut, leather, Carrara marble and brass execution receives unusually emphatic praise, with reviewers calling it artisan-level, exceptionally luxurious and among the finest-looking speakers they have encountered. The thick constrained-layer cabinet, high-grade crossover parts, sturdy included stands and excellent terminals reinforce that impression, though one measurement-focused review raises concern that the unbraced hardwood enclosure may contribute resonances.
Value for Money
88/100
At roughly $8,500 without stands or around $10,000 with the dedicated stands, this is plainly an expensive compact two-way, and reviewers note that the stands are effectively essential. Even so, several consider the sound, included stand package, craftsmanship and furniture-like finish sufficient to justify the asking price against premium stand-mount peers.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Specifications
- System
- 2-way bookshelf vented loudspeaker system
- Loudspeakers
- Tw: Ø 28 mm, H28 XTR-04, High Power Neodymium “cup design” motor system with High Definition DAD™ driver, Soft dome. Mw: Ø 180 mm, MW18 XTR-04
- Crossover Points
- 2500 Hz Premium Hi-Fi components
- Frequency response
- 40 Hz – 35000 Hz
- Sensitivity
- 88 db SPL (2.83V/1 m)
- Nominal impedance
- 4 Ohm
- Recommended power amplifier
- 35W - 125W, undistorted signal
- Connectivity
- 4 connectors binding post: Hi, Mid-Low
- Decoupling Systems
- Rubber feet
- Product dimensions (HxWxD)
- 375 (1095 stand included) x 235 x 360 mm / each 14.8 (43.1 stand included) x 9.3 x 14.2 in / each
- Dimensions with packaging (HxWxD)
- 540 x 600 x 440 mm / pair 21.3 x 23.6 x 17.3 in / pair
- Weight
- 12,5 kg / each 27.6 lb / each
- Packaging weight
- 34 Kg / pair 75 lb / pair
- Cabinet
- Squared with round edges Solid walnut + port Saint Laurent marble + brass Aluminum + Carrara marble + brass (stand) Aluminum + matte Marquinia marble + polished steel (stand)
Manufacturer's Description — Sonus Faber
A CELEBRATION OF OUR NATURAL EVOLUTION
A persistent passion for excellence that brings together an homage to the past and a pursuit of progress.
COMMEMORATING A MILESTONE
Electa Amator III is the celebration of Sonus faber’s 35th anniversary. After three and a half decades of craftsmanship and revolutionary audio reproduction, this milestone afforded the opportunity to reflect on what makes our equipment unique and recognizable.
ESSENCE OF HERITAGE
In the Electa Amator III, our past takes the shape of a musical instrument. A small but powerful speaker, Electa Amator III inherits the characteristics of the previous two generations, celebrating models that contributed most to the international success of Sonus faber. This third generation expresses our natural evolution that keeps enhancing the elements that make us unmistakable: precious materials, high craftsmanship and Natural Sound.
LEGACY REFINED
Electa Amator III is the achievement of a decades-long journey. The 2-way bookshelf system is the restyling of one of our most symbolic loudspeakers. A 6.5-inch mid-woofer specifically designed for this project features the classic cellulose pulp cone. The continued use of organic materials evolves our commitment to Natural Sound.
AN INSIDE LOOK
The innovative reflex port allows a look inside at the solid wood rear acoustic chamber of the tweeter, which is enhanced with Damped Apex Dome technology for smoother extension in the high frequencies.
A CELEBRATION OF PRECIOUS MATERIALS
Electa Amator III brings together a beguiling combination of natural materials.
CARRARA STAND
The Carrara Stand, featuring aluminum, brass, Carrara marble and iron spikes, is a tribute to Italian artistry, designed for the Electa Amator III
CLASSIC DESIGN, MODERN INNOVATION
A tribute to Sonus faber’s heritage, craftsmanship, and technology, Electa Amator III stays faithful to our iconic design philosophy while delivering exceptional balance and power through enhanced technology.
RAW MATERIALS
The solid walnut wood of the cabinet delivers the warm sounds that characterize our voice. It is harmoniously combined with the marble base through a metal insert that illuminates the lines and enhances each material. Hand-applied leather envelopes the rear panel and front baffle.
SOLID FOUNDATIONS
Marble, a precious natural material, enhances the warm shades of wood. Shiny metal accents complete the aesthetics with an enchanting finishing touch. Dedicated black anodized aluminum columns, filled with damping material and mounted on a marble base, provide solid loudspeaker support.
D.A.D. TECHNOLOGY
The silk dome tweeter, with a diameter of 28mm, features the DAD technology (Damped Apex Dome). With the extension of a ring radiator, this technology prevents resonances and pulls “anti-phase” movements at the apex of the soft dome by locally damping the diaphragm.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Sonus Faber Electa Amator III
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- ABSOLUTE ADOBE — in-store — Port Erin, Port Erin, United Kingdom (website)
- Absolute Sound (SG) — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
- Acoustic Designs Inc. — in-store — Scottsdale, Arizona, United States (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Anquan — online and in-store — Glika Nera, Greece (website)
- Arctic Audio — in-store — Fargo, North Dakota, United States (website)
and 224 more verified dealers