Sonus faber Olympica G3: the prestigious Italian range reimagined

More than ten years after the first Olympica models, Sonus faber is revamping one of the most prestigious lines in its catalog. Called the Olympica G3, this third generation incorporates new acoustic solutions drawn directly from the Italian manufacturer’s flagship speakers, starting with the monumental Suprema. The series consists of five models designed for both high-fidelity audio and home theater, guided by a commitment to cutting-edge acoustic engineering within an ultra-luxurious, handcrafted design.

The third generation of an iconic lineage

The Sonus faber Olympica G3 series opens a new chapter for a line that first debuted in 2013. Sonus faber remains true to the principles that made the previous Olympica models so successful, notably their elegantly curved cabinets and the generous use of premium materials. As always with this Vicenza-based manufacturer, performance and aesthetics are closely intertwined. The asymmetrical shape of the cabinets remains inspired by the lute and helps reduce parallel internal surfaces to limit the formation of standing waves, while also contributing directly to the speakers’ aesthetic appeal.

The cabinets are still made of wood and are available in walnut and wenge finishes, combined with solid aluminum and leather. The veneer is one of the main aesthetic updates. It now features a 45° herringbone pattern across the entire cabinet, directly inspired by the design language of the prestigious Sonus faber Stradivari. This pattern enhances the visual continuity of the different surfaces and further highlights the expert woodwork.

The metal components have also been updated with sandblasted matte gray aluminum elements and 45° polished bevels, adding a more contemporary touch. Finally, the top of the cabinet features a new design that incorporates the Sonus faber logo more discreetly. The result remains true to the manufacturer’s philosophy: the Olympica G3 series aims to establish itself as both instruments of sound reproduction and genuine pieces of high-end design. This quality is evident across the entire speaker range, which now consists of five models: the Olympica I G3 bookshelf speaker, the Olympica III G3 and Olympica V G3 floorstanding speakers, as well as the Olympica Wall G3 in-wall speaker and the Center G3 center channel speaker.

Camelia driver: inherited from the Suprema

At the heart of the speakers is now a Camelia driver, directly derived from the research conducted for the exceptional Sonus faber Suprema. Its paper cone is immediately recognizable by its geometry, inspired by the camellia flower. This unconventional shape is designed to better distribute mechanical stress across the cone and minimize the occurrence of unwanted resonance modes. Sonus faber seeks to achieve a more transparent, better-defined midrange, and, above all, a more natural reproduction of vocals. The magnetic assembly also features a copper cap designed to optimize its electromagnetic performance.

This technology is featured across the entire lineup, with a 6.5″ model in the Olympica I, III, V, and Wall G3. The center speaker, meanwhile, uses a more compact 4″ version to accommodate the constraints of its horizontal design. Depending on the model, the Camelia handles only the midrange or functions as a midbass driver.

DAD tweeter

The high-frequency response relies on another iconic Sonus faber technology: the DAD (Damped Apex Dome) silk dome tweeter. Its design mechanically controls the central portion of the cone, an area prone to phase cancellation at the highest frequencies. This solution ensures a more consistent response in the extreme high frequencies while preserving the smoothness and natural sound traditionally associated with silk domes. The Olympica I, III, V, and Wall G3 models feature a 1.1″ version, while the Olympica Center G3 uses a 0.7″ model better suited to its design. All models boast a high-frequency extension up to 40 kHz.

Cork makes its way into the heart of the floorstanders and center speaker

Both the Olympica III G3 and Olympica V G3 floorstanding speakers, as well as the Olympica Center G3 center speaker, feature a particularly sophisticated internal acoustic design. The tweeter and midrange driver are housed in a sealed acoustic chamber separate from the one dedicated to the woofers.

This isolation limits the impact of significant pressure fluctuations generated by the low frequency drivers on the midrange driver’s performance. But Sonus faber goes a step further by incorporating a damping structure made of natural cork into this chamber. Its organic geometry was developed using computer simulations to control internal reflections. The manufacturer therefore seeks to increase the midrange driver’s resolution while maintaining natural sound reproduction, both in the floorstanding speakers and the center channel speaker.

Sonus faber Olympica I G3: the most compact

The compact Sonus faber Olympica I G3 speaker serves as the entry-level model in this new collection. Despite its bookshelf size, it features the key technologies developed for the line. This 2-way speaker combines a 1.1″ DAD tweeter with a 6.5″ midbass driver. The crossover frequency is set at 2,300 Hz. Its bass-reflex design allows it to deliver a frequency response ranging from 57 Hz to 40 kHz.

With a sensitivity of 87 dB, a nominal impedance of 4 ohms, and a recommended amplifier power of 30 to 250 W, it requires high-quality electronics to reach its full potential. Each speaker weighs 11 kg. Sonus faber offers an optional 16.2 kg aluminum stand to ensure perfect stability.

Sonus faber Olympica III G3: the first floorstanding speaker

The Sonus faber Olympica III G3 floorstanding speaker features a true 3-way design with four drivers. It combines the 1.1″ DAD tweeter and the 6.5″ Camelia midrange driver with two 6.5″ woofers. The woofers handle bass frequencies up to 365 Hz, then hand off to the Camelia midrange driver, which covers frequencies up to 2,460 Hz. The tweeter then handles the reproduction of the upper end of the frequency spectrum.

Thanks to this design and its bass-reflex system, the Sonus Faber Olympica III G3 speaker extends down to 42 Hz. It has a sensitivity of 90 dB, and Sonus Faber recommends pairing it with an amplifier delivering between 50 and 300 W. Standing 110.4 cm tall, each speaker weighs a substantial 35 kg, a testament to the quality of its cabinet.

The Sonus faber Olympica III G3 speaker is a particularly appealing mid-range option for enjoying the technologies of the new series with greater scale and depth than the bookshelf model offers, without reaching the size of the flagship model.

Sonus faber Olympica V G3: the flagship model

At the top of the lineup is the Sonus faber Olympica V G3 speaker. It retains the three-way design of the Olympica III G3 but significantly boosts the bass section with three 6.5″ woofers. This increased emission area allows it to move more air and deliver a more impactful low-frequency response. The frequency response extends down to 37 Hz, while the extreme high frequencies still climb to 40 kHz.

With a sensitivity of 90 dB and a recommended amplifier power of between 50 and 400 W, the Olympica V G3 is designed for the most ambitious hi-fi systems and large rooms. Its dimensions match its ambitions: 117.4 cm tall and weighing 44 kg per speaker.

Sonus faber Olympica Wall G3: uncompromising discretion

The Italian manufacturer has also designed the Sonus faber Olympica Wall G3 speaker for installations where floor space is limited. This 2-way wall-mounted speaker features the 1.1″ DAD tweeter and the 6.5″ Camelia driver. Unlike other models, it features a sealed enclosure, which is better suited for mounting directly against a wall. Sonus Faber also notes that the speaker has been optimized for installation near the edges of the room. A wall mount is included for installation.

The frequency response ranges from 78 Hz to 40 kHz, with a sensitivity of 89 dB and a recommended amplification of 30 to 200 W. It can, of course, be used in a hi-fi system where discretion is a priority, but it truly comes into its own as a surround speaker in a home theater system consisting of other Olympica G3 models.

Sonus faber Olympica Center G3: dialogue takes center stage

The Sonus Faber Olympica Center G3 center channel speaker rounds out the collection to create a perfectly cohesive front soundstage for home theater. To achieve this, it features a true 3-way design, with two 6.5″ woofers flanking a 4″ Camelia midrange driver and a 0.7″ DAD tweeter. The Camelia driver plays a particularly important role here, as it handles the frequency range between 600 and 2,900 Hz—which is essential for natural and clear voices. The two woofers, for their part, provide the necessary foundation for dialogue, music, and the most spectacular sound effects.

The frequency response ranges from 58 Hz to 40 kHz, with a sensitivity of 90 dB and a recommended amplifier power of 50 to 300 W. At 70.5 cm wide and weighing 21 kg, this soundbar is particularly large. A dedicated 16.9 kg stand is also available for home theater rooms equipped with a projection screen.

The Suprema’s technology is now more accessible

With this third generation, Sonus faber is significantly improving one of its most important collections. The manufacturer has not compromised on the fundamentals that have shaped the Olympica range’s identity: natural wood, lute-inspired designs, Italian craftsmanship, and a pursuit of a warm, natural sound reproduction remain central to the series. The evolution is primarily technological. The introduction of the Camelia driver inherited from the Suprema, the new cork-damped acoustic chambers, and the optimization of various architectures allow the series to directly benefit from the research conducted on the manufacturer’s most prestigious models.

With five speakers covering both stereo hi-fi and home theater, the Sonus faber Olympica G3 series stands out as a particularly comprehensive series. This third generation seeks to bring acoustic performance and Italian luxury even closer together—two areas that Sonus faber has been cultivating for over forty years.