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Sonus Faber recently launched its first set of multi-component wireless speakers, the $3,999 Dueto. These active loudspeakers offer plenty of connectivity, both wired and wireless, and can be controlled through the Sonus Faber app, but what really sets these speakers apart is the technology that truly sets them apart. The left and right speakers use ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless technology as their sole link, the first time UWB has been used in this way. The Duetto is available from licensed retailers from October.
Compared to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which are now household names, ultra-wideband (UWB) is an almost completely unknown technology. This is understandable, since UWB is relatively new. And yet, with its technological superiority over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for some applications, the Dueto may be the first to employ it, but won’t be the last.
UWB provides 10 times more bandwidth than Bluetooth, has virtually no latency, uses very little power, and unlike Wi-Fi, operates within a frequency spectrum that is comparatively free from interference. , which usually uses very congested frequency bands.
For the Sonus Faber Dueto, this means the primary speaker can wirelessly send lossless, hi-res audio at up to 24-bit/96kHz to the secondary speaker at a distance of up to 26 feet, with no lag. This offers a lot of flexibility in terms of placement – the primary speaker requires power and (optionally) a wired connection to a source device, while the secondary speaker requires only power. There’s no need (and really no ability) to connect them with cables.
Apart from its invisible UWB cord, the Dueto has several features. The two-way speakers include a 0.7-inch tweeter and a 5.25-inch midwoofer, each of which are driven by separate amplifiers: a 100-watt Class AB amplifier drives the tweeters, while a 205-watt Class D amplifier drives the tweeters. Powers the midwoofer. This combo produces a claimed frequency response of 37Hz to 30,000Hz with a 1900Hz crossover designed by Sonus Faber.
The wooden enclosures are available in two finishes and have a leather panel on top that includes Sonus Faber’s Senso Touch controls for volume, input selection and connections. You can order them with the available stand, which costs an additional $749.
Wired connections include HDMI ARC/eARC, optical, RCA analog with line-in and phono modes. It also has a subwoofer output. On the wireless side of the equation, the Duets have Wi-Fi with support for Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, and Qobuz, plus they’re Roon-ready. You can also use Bluetooth for audio streaming, with support for aptX HD, from compatible phones and other devices.
