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Please save me from an expensive mistake! Sonus Faber Amati Futura longevity concerns...

Hello everybody! I would really appreciate your informed advice before committing to an expensive purchase. I'm strongly considering a pair of the speakers I've enjoyed the most among all I've heard, Sonus Faber Amati Futura. Now, these are my dream speakers and I'll get the chance to test them at length before buying, but even at used prices they are a very serious stretch to my finances.

I'm not concerned about sound, I'll figure that part myself, but I do worry about any future maintenance issues because they are 10 - 15 years old and I need them to last. I don't know if, or when, will I be able to buy something at this level again, so I need to keep them in good order for the next 20+ years. Down the road, this might require replacing the ferrofluid in the tweeters, replacing the rubber surround of the midrange drivers (the 4 woofers have just been replaced with new ones by the dealer, not sure why, but they should not be a problem I guess) or replacing some aged crossover components, for example. 

Is any of you aware of any reason why the above mentioned maintenance operations might not be possible for this particular model? For example if the crossovers are resin potted or for any other reasons? I'm "getting married" here folks, if there is any reason why I should not do it please speak now or be silent forever! :)

Seriously now, I'm worried sick... Please advise! 

Thank you!

donquichotte
dayglow
2,429 posts
 

Is this a 1 owner speaker? Not sure what you mean "It's a buy back pair" Even if this is a mint one owner speaker don't expect 30+ years of trouble-free use. Unless you enjoy the DIY part of this hobby purchase new or dealer demo(warranty).

mgrif104
548 posts
 

It’s true that speakers don’t last forever. But they do last a long time. That said, I wonder if you might consider a previous generation Homage series Amati or Serafino which followed the Futura. 

The Futura was a good speaker, though a bit warmer and more laid back than the Homage series. They go for about the same price on the used market as the Futura. And, being less “old”, they should go farther into the future for you. 

I actually auditioned a mint condition pair of Futura’s about 2 years ago, but listened to them vs. the current version of the Serafino. Though either speaker would be a fine choice, I’m happily listening to the latter in one of my systems as I type. Wonderful speakers. 

erik_squires
17,538 posts
 

I think you bring up a good point.  Speakers aren't like cookware in terms of durability.  A cast iron skillet can become an heirloom but not speakers.

Maybe best to get high value speakers you'll be able to afford to replace when you retire instead of spending your money now on speakers based on "durability" alone.  

dekay's avatar
dekay
6,163 posts
 

Maybe wait for your next reincarnation?

DeKay

rjduncan
61 posts
 

I've nothing to offer on the speakers or any of the future concerns you list.  But for what its worth, if you truly are that worried ("worried sick"), then I'd listen to your gut if I were you and pass.  I have spent 30 years as a private equity investor.  Only a couple of times have we said "no" only to turn around a few years later and say "we missed out on that one".  Alternatively, a few times when we said "yes" when we should have listened to our internal voice saying "no" are some of the worst train wrecks we encountered.  Most of the time we listened to our internal voice and the result is that both our "no"s and "yes"es were the right decisions.

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