On the subject of selecting the primary music system on your residence, it actually does pay to suppose long run and to think about spending a little bit bit extra. As an audio knowledgeable with greater than 20 years expertise within the trade, you would possibly effectively be considering that I might say that. And you would be proper.
However even in these powerful financial instances, there are nonetheless some events the place I firmly imagine that it actually does make long run monetary sense to splurge on sure purchases. The way in which I have a look at it’s this. What might seem to be a monetary stretch proper now, ought to have you ever reaping the sonic rewards from a great-sounding music system for years to come back. And in my expertise, you are actually unlikely to ever remorse spending extra on a music system.
Most of us have one or two (presumably extra) Bluetooth audio system dotted across the residence. However in the case of making the very best connection to your favourite artists, you deserve a lot extra from the primary music system in your house.
The Omnia has Wi-Fi smarts, contact controls, and a stage of luxurious end that almost all of built-in speaker programs simply cannot match.
Don’t get me mistaken, I’m not dissing any of the very best Bluetooth audio system we’ve examined Tom’s Information in any method by any means. They’ve all been totally reviewed and assessed, and are available extremely beneficial for his or her strengths. The truth is, I have been blown away by a number of entry-level audio system not too long ago, together with the JBL Flip 6, and the Sonos rivalling Denon Residence 150 good speaker. However as small audio system which are constructed to a worth, they do have some limitations.
Excessive expectations
I do know my method across the audio sector from entry-level to audiophile, and I feel you would be stunned at what may be achieved if you spend a bit extra on a house music system. And I am not essentially speaking in regards to the sort of setups that use conventional stereo audio system and separate hi-fi elements, though these are nonetheless a agency favourite for a lot of audiophiles in the case of reaching hi-fi nirvana. I am speaking about built-in speaker programs that strike a magical steadiness between type, performance, and efficiency.
I’ve seen loads of audio system and music programs come via my entrance door through the years, however with out query essentially the most hanging to grace my residence in current time is the Sonus faber Omnia with its tactile floor and illuminated contact controls. For anybody unfamiliar with the model, Sonus faber is an Italian audio specialist greatest identified for its vary of premium loudspeakers that encapsulates fashion and easy audiophile efficiency with each speaker mannequin it places out.
(Picture credit score: Sonus faber)
Sonus faber Omnia: A music system with fashion and substance
The Omnia all-in-one wi-fi speaker system first caught my eye when it launched in February 2022. It could be a primary foray into the world of one-box music programs for Sonus faber, however the luxurious styling follows the corporate’s luxurious custom. It actually is kind of a looker, and can wow anybody who claps eyes on it.
As you would possibly anticipate, its magnificence is greater than pores and skin deep. Though it appears to be like nothing like a standard music system, it has every part the trendy music listener might need built-in into its super-stylish, Italian-designed walnut cupboard — a model with a graphite high plate can be obtainable. Each choices are priced at $1,999 / £1,599 / AU$3,495, and can be found via specialist audio retailers like Crutchfield (opens in new tab).
(Picture credit score: Sonus faber)
OK, that is dearer than lots of the greatest Dolby Atmos soundbars or greatest TV sound upgrades I’ve examined, however the Omnia provides appreciable Wi-Fi smarts, contact controls, and a stage of luxurious end that almost all of built-in speaker programs I’ve seen simply cannot match. What’s extra, the Omnia appears to be like prefer it was constructed to final eternally.
The Omnia will work in just about any residence setup I can consider. Bodily connectivity choices run to HDMI ARC, RCA analog, whereas wi-fi extends to Bluetooth with aptX HD help, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Tidal Join, and Spotify Join. It is Roon prepared when you subscribe to the combination platform that brings all of your digital music libraries and playlists collectively in a single place, and you may even hook up a hi-fi turntable equivalent to any of the suggestions in our greatest file gamers shopping for information. About the one connection choices lacking are optical digital and USB ports, however this Could be very unlikely to be a deal breaker for many customers.
When it comes to Wi-Fi smarts, the Omnia can combine with different gadgets through the Apple Residence ecosystem over iOS, in addition to Google Residence.
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
Sonus faber Omnia: Significantly good sound
(Picture credit score: Sonus faber)
The gifted Omnia hides seven audio system beneath its luxurious exterior; two tweeters and two midrange audio system hearth out sound on the entrance, whereas two full-range audio system hearth out sound on the sides of the cupboard. A 6.5-inch woofer pushes bass downwards via the bottom of the cupboard.
The multi-driver speaker array is pushed by built-in amplification that claims a complete energy output of 470W. Superior DSP (digital sign processing) known as Crescendo ensures you hear the separation of the left and proper channels for conventional stereo sound although it is a one-box enclosure. Boundary placement may be specified without cost house or wall placement within the speaker’s web-based settings software.
The Omnia appears to be like extra like a TV soundbar than a music system. With it in place beneath my display screen, it introduced a lift to my TV sound when linked through HDMI ARC — though you may want to make sure that its 6-inch peak does not foul the underside of your TV display screen because it did mine.
Regardless of the soundbar-esque form and side-firing audio system, there is no Dolby Atmos processing on board. However, the Omnia did a stable job of conjuring up the acoustic house of no matter was on the TV display screen, pushing out sounds to the perimeters of the soundstage, whereas dialog was clearly maintained and sat above the motion fastened to the middle of the soundstage.
Devices have their very own house inside the soundstage, and bass ranges are robust sufficient to hold tracks together with hi-fi ranges of tempo and rhythm.
The Omnia’s biggest energy is with music. Sonus faber’s hi-fi heritage means this one-box music system has all of the audio credentials of its speaker designs. I’m a fan of the corporate’s petite Lumina I bookshelf loudspeakers, and the Omnia sounds prefer it has an identical heat home sound and a capability to indicate off hi-res music streams from Tidal Join.
Devices have their very own house inside the soundstage, and bass ranges are robust sufficient to hold tracks together with hi-fi ranges of tempo and rhythm. It goes fairly loud, too, filling my medium-sized front room with a adequate sound stage to make sure I can respect the total scale of my music.
After all, it sounds fairly good with Spotify Join too, and every other music streaming service you care to attempt. With it presently positioned simply breath my TV display screen, although, I’ve but to hook up a turntable to attempt it out with vinyl. The flexibility could be very interesting to at present’s music listeners, and would not thoughts wagering that its efficiency with the old-school analog format is simply as robust as it’s with digital streaming.
Sonus faber is thought amongst audiophiles for its basic speaker designs. The Omnia speaker system is a remarkably refreshing and exquisite one-box design that breaks with custom and brings its audio know-how to a music system constructed for at present’s era of audio followers. It could appear costly, however I might argue that the Omnia has all the fitting amenities and audio-cred to maintain you listening for years to come back. Go hear it.
Right now’s greatest Sonus Faber Omnia offers
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