The Sonus faber Maxima Amator floorstanding speakers bring the purity and coherence of a classic two-way loudspeaker into a full-height, solid-walnut enclosure. As Sonus faber’s first two-way floorstanding speaker built around a solid-wood cabinet, Maxima Amator combines a 28 mm DAD™ tweeter, a dedicated 180 mm midwoofer and the proprietary IFF crossover in a substantial but visually restrained Heritage Collection design.
Sold as a matched pair. This product is available for local pickup from Audio Exchange in Richmond, Virginia.
Sonus faber’s First Solid-Wood Two-Way Floorstander
Maxima Amator began as an ambitious concept that could not be fully realized with the engineering tools available at the time. Modern acoustic simulation, advanced damping materials and careful listening-room development allowed Sonus faber to revisit the idea without abandoning the simplicity that defines the company’s traditional two-way designs.
Each speaker is handmade in Vicenza, Italy. The cabinet combines solid walnut, hand-applied black leather, brass accents and a Port Saint Laurent marble base. These natural materials give every pair subtle variations in wood grain and stone veining while maintaining the unmistakable appearance of the Sonus faber Heritage Collection.
A Three-Chamber Cabinet Designed for Control
The Maxima Amator enclosure is divided into three functionally separate chambers. The primary acoustic volume is optimized through computer simulation and lined with a three-layer damping material consisting of recycled carbon-fiber outer layers surrounding a silica-fiber core.
A second chamber is loaded with inert material to increase mass, lower the center of gravity and improve stability while reducing unwanted resonance. The third chamber is visible from the rear and houses the crossover outside the main acoustic volume, helping isolate sensitive crossover components from vibration generated by the drivers.
DAD™ Tweeter and Dedicated 180 mm Midwoofer
High frequencies are reproduced by a 28 mm H28 XTR-04 soft-dome tweeter with a high-power neodymium motor and Sonus faber’s DAD™—Damped Apex Dome—technology. Local control at the apex of the diaphragm helps reduce unwanted resonance while retaining the smooth extension and natural character of a soft dome.
A dedicated 180 mm MW18 XTR-04 midwoofer handles the midrange and low frequencies. The two-driver configuration eliminates the need for a separate midrange-to-woofer transition, helping Maxima Amator preserve a direct and cohesive presentation across voices, instruments and stereo imaging.
Interactive Fusion Filtering Crossover
The proprietary IFF—Interactive Fusion Filtering—crossover reimagines Sonus faber’s classic Paracross Topology. Instead of treating the drivers as isolated sections, the network is designed so they operate as a closely connected system. Premium hi-fi components and accelerated progressive slopes integrate the tweeter and midwoofer at 2.1 kHz.
A single pair of binding posts maintains the integrity of this crossover architecture. Maxima Amator is therefore designed for conventional single-wired connection rather than bi-wiring.
Deep Extension with Practical Amplifier Requirements
Despite using only two drivers, Maxima Amator reaches a rated 35 Hz while extending through 35,000 Hz. The vented enclosure and large internal volume give it greater low-frequency extension and scale than a typical stand-mount two-way speaker without introducing additional crossover points.
With 88 dB sensitivity and a nominal 4-ohm impedance, Maxima Amator should be partnered with an amplifier that is comfortable driving a 4-ohm loudspeaker. Sonus faber recommends between 25 and 125 watts per channel with an undistorted signal. Amplifier stability and current delivery are more important than wattage alone.
Each enclosure weighs approximately 83.8 pounds and includes iron floor spikes for stable placement. Careful positioning away from room boundaries will help balance bass response, image depth and soundstage width.
Sonus Faber Maxima Amator Specifications
| System | 2-way vented floorstanding loudspeaker |
|---|---|
| Tweeter | 28 mm H28 XTR-04 soft-dome DAD™ driver with neodymium motor |
| Midwoofer | 180 mm MW18 XTR-04 |
| Crossover | IFF Interactive Fusion Filtering with premium components |
| Crossover Frequency | 2,100 Hz |
| Frequency Response | 35 Hz–35,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 88 dB SPL (2.83 V/1 m) |
| Nominal Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Recommended Amplifier Power | 25–125 watts per channel, undistorted signal |
| Connections | Single pair of binding posts |
| Decoupling | Iron floor spikes |
| Dimensions | 44.1 × 11.8 × 13.8 inches each (H × W × D) |
| Weight | 83.8 pounds each |
| Cabinet Materials | Solid walnut, black leather, brass and Port Saint Laurent marble |
| Included | One matched pair of Maxima Amator floorstanding speakers |
Order Sonus faber Maxima Amator from Audio Exchange
Contact Audio Exchange for current availability, amplifier matching and help planning delivery or local pickup from our Richmond, Virginia showroom.
