You are an absolute credit to the brands that you hold and sell, I thought that was a very balanced overview of the 3 speakers, very well presented Adrian 🥂👍
Thanks Adrian! I have the SF Electa Amator lll’s, which I love. These old ears are now sensitive to higher frequencies where I needed something not harsh but also not rolled off at the higher frequencies. I love all types of music and the SF’s checked all the boxes. Granted, the days of cranking up the volume, where the walls would shake is also over…😂.
Adrian, you made a point in which very few reviewers point out. “Songs you enjoy!” Everyone is always looking for that audiophile beat or song and we forget the music we enjoy.
Thanks for this review Adrian. I love the fact that you evaluate equipment listening to music that you like and not 'audiophile' tracks. It 😮is real music we listen to at home.
I have a set of Olympica Nova 1’s and auditioned the Electa Amator III and the Nova’s were the winner in my mind as well. I had them running on a McIntosh MA5300 but just switched to an NAD M66/A23 and the sound is spectacular. I will say that I switched cables (I tried it on the McIntosh where it did make quite a difference as well) going from SVS to Audioquest Rocket 88 and the NAD brought it to life without my Subs! Great review and spot on!
Thanks for your honest and thorough review as usual. I don't own or have heard any of these speakers, but I wanted to comment on listening to what you love as opposed to just audiophile recordings. I have a large and deep CD collection, and so my music goes back to Jazz from the 50s all the way through to current recordings. I have over the years been upgrading or changing for the better (for my taste and listening) my audio gear. So here's the thing: a lot of music that I love is really hard to listen to the better the gear. Older rock, whether remastered or not, can sound tinny with little bass; other recordings have little soundstage or have a harshness that is most unpleasant. I find when I have the time to listen, I keep gravitating to music that I enjoy AND sounds really good, or at least acceptable. It doesn't eliminate my classic favourites, but it sure is a fight within myself as I am stuck in this dilemma. I don't think I am being unreasonable about this. For example, the Beatles remasters and newer remixes are quite excellent given the age and how much work was put into them. Perfect? No, but very respectable. I recently put on the first Led Zeppelin album, and both my original German pressing and the Jimmy Page remaster sound like a transistor radio transfer. I don't intend this to be a "which recording is best" debate, but I wonder how many others are struggling with good sound verses good recordings.
I have to give some credit to the team there again. The video quality.. editing .. website .. everything has come along SO well lately. Very happy for you all there =) Great video idea also.
Thank you, Adrian! How well will these speakers perform in an 11’x12’ room? I’d like to upgrade my Dynaudio Special 40 speakers, which are currently paired with a Hegel H400.
Great comparison! While in fairness the three speakers were evaluated with the same equipment and settings, I'm curious what the Eva's would sound like with the Maria as adjusted by Daniel Hertz. How much improved would the Eva's sound considering the synergy of with the tweeked Maria. I understand that the Maria can also be adjusted to other speakers, though not sure how that is done. Do you need to have the speakers in the factory to do this? If so, then I can see the limited possibility of having one's own speakers adjusted. Also, wondering what the relative quality of the Maria dac is. It seems like an Amp that offers a relative value for great sound!
The Eva, from afar, reminded me of the NHT SB series of bookshelves. It is amazing to have Adrian described its bass output and definition for sure. Adrian, will you at some point, finally get a pair of the Ex3mas to review?
Adrian Could you answer a question for me: If you have a speaker with an impedance of 6ohms, which post should it be connected to, the 4ohms or the 8ohms???
That is pretty pretty easy to figure out play them on boat the 4 and 8 which ever one they sound better on leave them there. Because they are6 they are right in the middle. You can go to either one.
Curious why you didnt use a MA 8950 instead of a tube amp for comparison with the other intergated amps that you used. Also, you dont speak to the differences that occurred with the different amp/speaker combos. Of course, there must have been differences.
I love this comparison. I am seriously considering the DH Evas with the Maria amp. DH makes the Amber Midnight as the next step (up?) certainly in price. They are very tempting as well. Would love to hear your opinion between those two Daniel Hertz speaker options. (My present system is Hegel amp with B&W 705 S3s with a B&H 8inch sub.) Would I miss the bass with the Evas alone? Sounds like maybe not. Certainly the Amber speakers would compete very well. Those Sonus Faber speakers do look fantastic. The DH is a bit boring in comparison.
Is it realistic to have a so expense system (amp-pream-streamer) to listen a 8700$ speakers? At what point the review would change if you utilize a more adapted system to 8k$-10k$ speakers?
Speakers costing $10,000+ are not all-genre capable? You've just cured my inferiority complex, as I most likely won't be able to afford spending that much on speakers. But that's okay! I have the Sony SS-RV999 (which is like when a product is made from sticks and dirt, with most of the sticks stolen) and similarly classed 4U A505. Together they cost less than a cup of coffee somewhere in New York. BUT! I have both soundstage and detail, and they're all-genre capable! The wires are twisted together, the speaker connection is in series (4+6 Ohms - works just fine). And the most important thing - all this is achieved thanks to the organization of the sound field, the mutual positioning of the speakers, their audio axes, and the arrangement of sound reflection in the room. I wouldn't turn down such speakers if they were within my budget, but in the end, we listen to the sound, not the speakers, though they are an important part of the setup. If you put enough effort into organizing the sound space (and it's not just about sound absorbers on the walls), you can use more affordable speaker systems without losing sound quality.
I think that Marc Levinson with his experience and knowledge hit the soul of music........he's right by keeping the balance of performance, tonality and coherence intact ! many brands of high end electronics and speaker want to sound ....." better than the real life "....just like in video ............to me that's a mistake...........and fatigues the mind ..... Harmony is always the most difficult to achieve and comes as close as possible to the naure of reality ..........it also connects to the soul.
I had the opportunity to listen to the Sonus Faber speakers and it is really ridiculous what they are charging for the Olympica..they are nothing special. There are much much better speakers for MUCH less out there. They look nice though. Overall these speakers are all falling in to the category of pricing things higher and higher without the substance simply because so many people now buying equipment are in to the boutique experience.
that Daniel hertz bookshelf speaker for $11,000 is a joke that's way overpriced The Borresen X3 for the same price would absolutely blow that speaker away I don't know where these people come up with these stupid prices.
So, you're comparing a small 20ish pound bookshelf that i can hold in the palm of my hand to a 120lb floorstand that has over 10 times the enclosure volume? Bravo
@@calmic75 you missed the point, that little speaker is $11,000 and the X3 is the same price so what I'm saying is the X3 for the money is way better value because it would absolutely destroy that little bookshelf speaker don't you get it yet lol so what I'm saying is that that bookshelf speaker is a rip-off at $11,000 what a joke that price is The monitor audio platinum 100g3 is only $7500 and it would absolutely kick the Sonus Faber and the Daniel Hertz.
You are an absolute credit to the brands that you hold and sell, I thought that was a very balanced overview of the 3 speakers, very well presented Adrian 🥂👍
Thanks
Thanks Adrian, one day please review the Sonus Faber Maxima Amator.
Thanks Adrian! I have the SF Electa Amator lll’s, which I love. These old ears are now sensitive to higher frequencies where I needed something not harsh but also not rolled off at the higher frequencies. I love all types of music and the SF’s checked all the boxes. Granted, the days of cranking up the volume, where the walls would shake is also over…😂.
Congrats on the speakers!
Great comparison as always. Thank so much for the in depth info. Is there a chance for a comparison between SF Oympica Nova iii and Maxima Amator?
Thanks for enforcing my love for my Olympica Nova 1
What do you run with your ON1's?
McIntosh MA5300@@jearley22
Thanks Adrian! I would love to see your review on SF Minima Amator II vs. the Electa Amator III
The Eva's paired with the Maria, for the $$s, are otherworldly good!
Adrian, you made a point in which very few reviewers point out. “Songs you enjoy!” Everyone is always looking for that audiophile beat or song and we forget the music we enjoy.
Thank you
Loving your reviews and comparisons - please keep them coming!
Thank you
Thanks for this review Adrian. I love the fact that you evaluate equipment listening to music that you like and not 'audiophile' tracks. It 😮is real music we listen to at home.
Thank you
I have a set of Olympica Nova 1’s and auditioned the Electa Amator III and the Nova’s were the winner in my mind as well. I had them running on a McIntosh MA5300 but just switched to an NAD M66/A23 and the sound is spectacular. I will say that I switched cables (I tried it on the McIntosh where it did make quite a difference as well) going from SVS to Audioquest Rocket 88 and the NAD brought it to life without my Subs! Great review and spot on!
This is a great comparison! Thank you, and I am looking forward to your next comparison...
Thanks!
It feels i can trust this dude. Thanks for your upload :)
many thanks
Thanks for your honest and thorough review as usual. I don't own or have heard any of these speakers, but I wanted to comment on listening to what you love as opposed to just audiophile recordings. I have a large and deep CD collection, and so my music goes back to Jazz from the 50s all the way through to current recordings. I have over the years been upgrading or changing for the better (for my taste and listening) my audio gear. So here's the thing: a lot of music that I love is really hard to listen to the better the gear. Older rock, whether remastered or not, can sound tinny with little bass; other recordings have little soundstage or have a harshness that is most unpleasant. I find when I have the time to listen, I keep gravitating to music that I enjoy AND sounds really good, or at least acceptable. It doesn't eliminate my classic favourites, but it sure is a fight within myself as I am stuck in this dilemma. I don't think I am being unreasonable about this. For example, the Beatles remasters and newer remixes are quite excellent given the age and how much work was put into them. Perfect? No, but very respectable. I recently put on the first Led Zeppelin album, and both my original German pressing and the Jimmy Page remaster sound like a transistor radio transfer. I don't intend this to be a "which recording is best" debate, but I wonder how many others are struggling with good sound verses good recordings.
A very real issue for sure!
I have to give some credit to the team there again. The video quality.. editing .. website .. everything has come along SO well lately.
Very happy for you all there =)
Great video idea also.
Thanks!
Great review, thanks
I have never heard stand mounts at that price point. All three look to be very well built.
Thank you, Adrian! How well will these speakers perform in an 11’x12’ room? I’d like to upgrade my Dynaudio Special 40 speakers, which are currently paired with a Hegel H400.
Great comparison! While in fairness the three speakers were evaluated with the same equipment and settings, I'm curious what the Eva's would sound like with the Maria as adjusted by Daniel Hertz. How much improved would the Eva's sound considering the synergy of with the tweeked Maria.
I understand that the Maria can also be adjusted to other speakers, though not sure how that is done. Do you need to have the speakers in the factory to do this? If so, then I can see the limited possibility of having one's own speakers adjusted.
Also, wondering what the relative quality of the Maria dac is. It seems like an Amp that offers a relative value for great sound!
Adrian, great comparison. What are your thoughts on the Maximus Amator by comparison? Thanks!
Maxima sorry…
The Eva, from afar, reminded me of the NHT SB series of bookshelves. It is amazing to have Adrian described its bass output and definition for sure.
Adrian, will you at some point, finally get a pair of the Ex3mas to review?
unfortunately they sold out before I became a dealer.
I think the Billy Idol photo is actually Sting from Saturday Night Live playing Billy Idol
I have a pair of KEF Reference 1 (non Meta) and I love them for their imaging and bass :-)
Wow, this is a superb review. Adrian, most reviewers can learn from you instead of just swapping components into their ‘reference systems’.
Many thanks!
Would the Nova 1s benefit from being on something like a Mapleshade platform to raise their height?
Adrian Could you answer a question for me:
If you have a speaker with an impedance of 6ohms,
which post should it be connected to, the 4ohms or the 8ohms???
That is pretty pretty easy to figure out play them on boat the 4 and 8 which ever one they sound better on leave them there. Because they are6 they are right in the middle. You can go to either one.
@@stephencosta6814 Thank you for your response and for your attention.
It helped a lot !!! 👍👍👍
if the eva can play that low, won't it muddle the highs and midrange?
Apparently not
@@stephencosta6814 dps technology I guess
Curious why you didnt use a MA 8950 instead of a tube amp for comparison with the other intergated amps that you used. Also, you dont speak to the differences that occurred with the different amp/speaker combos. Of course, there must have been differences.
Glad I got my regular Oly 1s for only 5K US. Cant imagine the Novas would be all that much better. A couple Rhythmic 12" subs augments that bass.
I love this comparison. I am seriously considering the DH Evas with the Maria amp. DH makes the Amber Midnight as the next step (up?) certainly in price. They are very tempting as well. Would love to hear your opinion between those two Daniel Hertz speaker options. (My present system is Hegel amp with B&W 705 S3s with a B&H 8inch sub.) Would I miss the bass with the Evas alone? Sounds like maybe not. Certainly the Amber speakers would compete very well. Those Sonus Faber speakers do look fantastic. The DH is a bit boring in comparison.
Is it realistic to have a so expense system (amp-pream-streamer) to listen a 8700$ speakers? At what point the review would change if you utilize a more adapted system to 8k$-10k$ speakers?
I find the nova 1s to be better sounding with a slightly shorter stands (b&w 805 stands). When they are on their own stands, they sound ok ish
Speakers costing $10,000+ are not all-genre capable? You've just cured my inferiority complex, as I most likely won't be able to afford spending that much on speakers. But that's okay! I have the Sony SS-RV999 (which is like when a product is made from sticks and dirt, with most of the sticks stolen) and similarly classed 4U A505. Together they cost less than a cup of coffee somewhere in New York. BUT! I have both soundstage and detail, and they're all-genre capable! The wires are twisted together, the speaker connection is in series (4+6 Ohms - works just fine). And the most important thing - all this is achieved thanks to the organization of the sound field, the mutual positioning of the speakers, their audio axes, and the arrangement of sound reflection in the room. I wouldn't turn down such speakers if they were within my budget, but in the end, we listen to the sound, not the speakers, though they are an important part of the setup. If you put enough effort into organizing the sound space (and it's not just about sound absorbers on the walls), you can use more affordable speaker systems without losing sound quality.
Bias ... Whats wrong with the B&W 805D4 ??? not in your list He only review those he is dealing !!!!
I think that Marc Levinson with his experience and knowledge hit the soul of music........he's right by keeping the balance of performance, tonality and coherence intact !
many brands of high end electronics and speaker want to sound ....." better than the real life "....just like in video ............to me that's a mistake...........and fatigues the mind .....
Harmony is always the most difficult to achieve and comes as close as possible to the naure of reality ..........it also connects to the soul.
I had the opportunity to listen to the Sonus Faber speakers and it is really ridiculous what they are charging for the Olympica..they are nothing special. There are much much better speakers for MUCH less out there. They look nice though. Overall these speakers are all falling in to the category of pricing things higher and higher without the substance simply because so many people now buying equipment are in to the boutique experience.
that Daniel hertz bookshelf speaker for $11,000 is a joke that's way overpriced The Borresen X3 for the same price would absolutely blow that speaker away I don't know where these people come up with these stupid prices.
So, you're comparing a small 20ish pound bookshelf that i can hold in the palm of my hand to a 120lb floorstand that has over 10 times the enclosure volume?
Bravo
@@calmic75 you missed the point, that little speaker is $11,000 and the X3 is the same price so what I'm saying is the X3 for the money is way better value because it would absolutely destroy that little bookshelf speaker don't you get it yet lol so what I'm saying is that that bookshelf speaker is a rip-off at $11,000 what a joke that price is The monitor audio platinum 100g3 is only $7500 and it would absolutely kick the Sonus Faber and the Daniel Hertz.