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Full Version: Vivid Audio 1.5SE vs SF Olympica II?
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I currently have the Sonus Faber Olympica II but have been more and more intrigued by the Vivid Audio 1.5SE speakers. Price wise they are the same. I did not hear one until last Thursday at my dealer. They seem to be more open and to disappear more. My concern is the base response in comparison to the Olympics IIs. The dealer demo room is so much different then my own that this is impossible to compare. The only good choice of course is to audition the 1.5s at home.

But before doing so I thought there are probable some on this forum that have experience with both.
The Olympica IIs have a larger cabinet and a side ways facedbass reflex where as the Vivids have a smaller cabinet and front faced bass reflex but specs wise they have the same range.

Does anybody have experience with both and can share there opinion? Would this be a good upgrade over the Olympica's?
I own the Vivid B1 Decades and have listened to the Sonus Faber offering, unfortunately at a dealer and not my house.

Here is a review of the V1.5 (non SE) and the reviewer compared it to the Olympica I (unfortunately not your model):
https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.ph...udspeakers

The conclusion of the review:
"the Sonus Fabers don’t have quite the Vivid’s impact or slam. Moreover, the Olympica, from top to bottom, doesn’t offer the Vivid’s transparency, speed, or resolution, even if it does sound quite smooth and neutral. In no way is the Olympica I a mediocre speaker; the Vivid is simply better, and, purely on sonic merits, the Vivid is the one to have"

The Vivid sound signature is extremely neutral and uncoloured with pinpoint imaging. Sonus Faber is more romantic and laid back.
(07-Oct-2018, 05:35)Drifter Wrote: [ -> ]I own the Vivid B1 Decades and have listened to the Sonus Faber offering, unfortunately at a dealer and not my house.

Here is a review of the V1.5 (non SE) and the reviewer compared it to the Olympica I (unfortunately not your model):
https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.ph...udspeakers

The conclusion of the review:
"the Sonus Fabers don’t have quite the Vivid’s impact or slam. Moreover, the Olympica, from top to bottom, doesn’t offer the Vivid’s transparency, speed, or resolution, even if it does sound quite smooth and neutral. In no way is the Olympica I a mediocre speaker; the Vivid is simply better, and, purely on sonic merits, the Vivid is the one to have"

The Vivid sound signature is extremely neutral and uncoloured with pinpoint imaging. Sonus Faber is more romantic and laid back.

Possibly a step up from the Vivid B1 and coming from the same factory in Durban, South Africa are the Vivid G1 Spirit.   Philip Guttentag has demoed these speakers in several countries

In March 2017 we had a preview of these, used with VTL monoblock amplifiers.   The yellow finish was not my cup of tea, but you can have them any shade you want

[Image: ZsywFlp.jpg]
Not ‘possibly’, the G1 Spirits are $90,000.
(07-Oct-2018, 13:40)Hifi_swlon Wrote: [ -> ]Not ‘possibly’, the G1 Spirits are $90,000.

I don't believe I can convince my wife of any business case for the G1's Big Grin
I've demoed Vivid Audio's Giya G1 Spirit, and Sf's Olympica I. At different dealers, with different gear.

I would say the Spirits were very clear. The demo was not that long, so I didn't get a chance to really get comfortable. But I got the taste. On the other hand I would call the sound of B&W 802D3: special.

When demoing Olympica I, I really had hours with it. I also really enjoyed it, and was wowed by what these can do, and how it sounds, one song after the other. Sure, when a song called for highs excitement, you felt the lack. At that moment I was reminded at how wonderful the highs on B&W 802D3 can be. But, besides that, for a standmount, it's wonderful. I'm definitely an Olympica guy.

Now, what I really need to know is ELECTA Amator III vs Olympica.
(07-Oct-2018, 13:53)iamwappie Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-Oct-2018, 13:40)Hifi_swlon Wrote: [ -> ]Not ‘possibly’, the G1 Spirits are $90,000.

I don't believe I can convince my wife of any business case for the G1's  Big Grin

I can. My wife absolutely loves the look of them and would have them in a heartbeat. I just can't convince myself to sell that extra kidney to pay for them...