I can't speak for the Nola Contender, but I own the Venere 2.5 and I am very happy with my choice.
Very lively and clean. The reviewers although positive, don't do these speakers justice.
They are beautiful to look at also.
Speaker choice : need help between Nola and Sonus Faber
Help! I have narrowed down the speaker choice to Nola Contender vs. Sonus Faber Venere 3.0. Building cabin and the room is moderately large I guess at about 20' X 20' with tall arched ceilings and open to the back. Using Prima Luna Dialogue HP Integrated tube amp. Searching for sort of a warm character and I love speakers with great imaging and may use a subwoofer. Listen to classical rock and stuff from the 70's mostly. Nola's check that sort of unusual and interesting box whereas the Venere's are pretty to look at and have the Sonus Faber name behind them. Thanks in advance