Sonus Faber Aida Floorstanding Speakers
The Sonus Faber Aida is the pinnacle of the Italian manufacturer’s Reference Collection: a monumental floorstanding loudspeaker created to reproduce music with exceptional scale, dimensionality, control, and emotional realism. Named after Giuseppe Verdi’s celebrated opera, Aida combines advanced acoustic engineering with the flowing lute-shaped cabinet, natural materials, and hand-finished craftsmanship that define Sonus faber.
Its sophisticated 3-and-2/3-way architecture incorporates a front driver array, a dedicated 320 mm subwoofer, a rear-radiating Sound Field Shaper, Stealth Ultraflex loading, and extensive vibration-control technologies. With a specified response of 18 Hz to 35,000 Hz, 92 dB sensitivity, and support for amplifiers rated from 100 to 1,000 watts per channel, Aida is designed for reference systems and large listening environments.
Italian Musical Heritage at Reference Scale
Aida’s double-curvature lute-shaped enclosure is more than a visual statement. Its sculpted profile reduces parallel internal surfaces and helps control resonant energy, while high-gloss wood, black leather, and aluminum create a structure that is both acoustically purposeful and unmistakably Italian.
The cabinet’s Silent Case construction is engineered to manage energy generated by the drivers rather than allowing it to become audible coloration. This quieter mechanical foundation supports cleaner transients, more stable imaging, and greater low-frequency definition.
Advanced Resonance and Vibration Control
Tuned Mass Damper
A suspended Tuned Mass Damper system uses carefully calibrated masses that move in opposition to dominant cabinet vibrations. By counteracting unwanted mechanical energy, the system helps clarify bass reproduction and preserves low-level musical information.
Zero Vibration Transmission
Sonus faber’s Zero Vibration Transmission system mechanically decouples the loudspeaker from the floor. This reduces the transfer of structural vibration into the listening room and helps the enclosure remain stable while the large low-frequency drivers are operating.
Stealth Ultraflex Low-Frequency Architecture
Aida’s Stealth Ultraflex system is designed to deliver deep extension while controlling turbulence and unwanted airflow noise. Its para-aperiodic loading works with the dedicated 320 mm subwoofer and dual 220 mm woofers to produce powerful low frequencies without sacrificing articulation or integration with the midrange.
The staggered low-frequency design divides bass reproduction among specialized drivers and crossover regions. This allows Aida to reproduce the physical scale of orchestral music, pipe organ, electronic bass, and cinematic material while retaining pitch definition and rhythmic precision.
Sound Field Shaper Technology
A rear-radiating Sound Field Shaper supplements the main forward-facing driver array with a 29 mm DAD tweeter and two 80 mm midrange drivers. This secondary array contributes to the loudspeaker’s sense of depth, ambience, and spatial dimensionality, helping Aida recreate a more convincing acoustic environment behind and around the performers.
Reference Driver System
28 mm DAD Arrow Point Tweeter
The H28 XTR-04 extended-range soft-dome tweeter uses a high-power neodymium motor and Sonus faber’s Damped Apex Dome Arrow Point technology. Mechanical control at the dome’s apex supports smooth extension, precise transient response, and refined high-frequency reproduction.
180 mm Neodymium Midrange
The M18 XTR-04 midrange uses a 180 mm diaphragm and neodymium magnet system to reproduce vocals and instruments with natural tonal density, speed, and expressive detail. It is engineered to integrate seamlessly with both the tweeter and the upper-bass system.
Dual 220 mm Woofers
Two W22 XTR-12 220 mm woofers provide the foundation of Aida’s main forward-radiating bass system. Their large radiating area and dedicated operating range allow the speaker to deliver substantial dynamic impact while remaining controlled through complex musical passages.
320 mm Dedicated Subwoofer
The SW32 XTR-08 320 mm subwoofer extends the system to a specified 18 Hz. By assigning the deepest bass to a purpose-built driver and enclosure system, Aida can reproduce very low frequencies with authority while minimizing interference with the midrange and upper-bass drivers.
Cabinet, Connections, and System Integration
- Double-curvature lute-shaped cabinet constructed from high-gloss wood, black leather, and aluminum
- Silent Case resonance-control architecture
- Tuned Mass Damper vibration-cancellation system
- Zero Vibration Transmission floor-decoupling system
- Stealth Ultraflex para-aperiodic low-frequency loading
- Rear-radiating Sound Field Shaper array
- Six binding posts divided into Mid-High, Low, and Subwoofer sections
- Designed for high-current reference amplification and carefully planned room placement
Available Sonus Faber Aida Finishes
| Finish | Front and Trim |
|---|---|
| Red High Gloss | Black leather |
| Wenge High Gloss | Black leather |
| Walnut High Gloss | Black leather |
Technical Specifications
| System | 3-and-2/3-way, staggered low-frequency floorstander with Sound Field Shaper, Zero Vibration Transmission, and para-aperiodic Stealth Ultraflex loading |
|---|---|
| Main Tweeter | H28 XTR-04, 28 mm extended-range soft dome with DAD Arrow Point and neodymium motor |
| Main Midrange | M18 XTR-04, 180 mm driver with neodymium magnet system |
| Woofers | 2 × W22 XTR-12, 220 mm drivers |
| Subwoofer | SW32 XTR-08, 320 mm driver |
| Sound Field Shaper Tweeter | 29 XTR2, 29 mm DAD Arrow Point driver |
| Sound Field Shaper Midrange | 2 × M8 XTR, 80 mm drivers |
| Crossover Frequencies | 55 Hz, 150 Hz, 200 Hz, and 3,000 Hz |
| Frequency Response | 18 Hz–35,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB SPL (2.83 V/1 m) |
| Nominal Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Recommended Amplifier Output | 100–1,000 watts per channel, without clipping |
| Connectivity | Six binding posts: Mid-High, Low, and Subwoofer |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 68 × 19 × 31 in. (1,725 × 482 × 780 mm), each |
| Net Weight | 363.8 lb. (165 kg), each |
| Packaged Dimensions | 76 × 29.1 × 46.1 in. (1,930 × 740 × 1,170 mm), each |
| Packaged Weight | 606.3 lb. (275 kg), each |
| Cabinet | Double-curvature lute shape with high-gloss wood, black leather, and aluminum |
System Matching, Delivery, and Installation
Aida’s physical scale, 4-ohm nominal impedance, substantial amplifier capability, and 363.8-pound weight per speaker make professional system planning especially important. Contact Audio Exchange for current finish availability, amplification recommendations, specialized freight arrangements, room-placement guidance, and professional installation. Explore the complete Sonus Faber Reference Collection, browse all Sonus Faber speakers, or compare other floorstanding speakers.
