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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
dekay's avatar
dekay
6,161 posts
 

Maybe wait for your next reincarnation?

DeKay

rjduncan
60 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.

jsd52756's avatar
jsd52756
503 posts
 

Maybe approach it this way:  25+ years ago I purchased Infinity Renaissances 90 speakers.  Then I went to Harmon and bought the last 2ea EMIT tweeters they had just in case.  I still have them unused.  12 years ago I bought a spare set of the speakers cheap as spares.  Never needed them so sold them 5 years ago.  I still have the original speakers and they sound tremendous.  

Point being, maybe see if you can procure some spare parts and stash them away just in case.  -John

bartsw's avatar
bartsw
227 posts
 

@donquichotte 

The dealer, on the other hand, is far from impartial because it’s him I’m buying the speakers from (it’s a buy back pair).

What's buy back, consignment?

 

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)

That's probably the most expensive replacement out of the way. As for the other parts, I think you're over-thinking it. You could buy the replacement mid-range, tweeter, crossover now and keep them in storage. The crossover would likely last longer than you would care. If you're that concerned, ask the dealer if they could work out a price for it.

 

@mgrif104 

I wonder if you might consider a previous generation Homage series Amati or Serafino which followed the Futura.

I believe the D.A.D. tweeter started with that generation. That's something I'd consider at loud volume.

mgrif104
548 posts
 

@bartsw 

can you elaborate on your comment? Is it that you believe the dampener constrains the ability to play at high volume or that you think it’s beneficial for higher volume?

Best,

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