ASTER – “Come outside!”
Called ASTER as in star, as in, you can see the stars when you are outdoors, this is the very first outdoors speaker from Sonus faber. For a world all too rare in the UK. The warm evening on the verandah, quiet tunes playing, cocktail in hand as you listen happily. Or a bar on a street in the Mediterranean somewhere. I recall a bar in Menorca with an astonishing HiFi playing Pink Floyd’s MONEY as i walked to the beach. I stopped and had a cold drink just to listen, it was awesome.
Way more common in American products, I once reviewed a Boston Acoustics outdoor speaker. It was weatherproofed and ported. Within the port, there was a plug of a cylinder of open weave foam as might be used in a pool filter. It was called the Bug Plug! The ASTER speakers are sold singly, so you could string them along a wide area or apply as you see fit for an outside cinema if that is your luxury!
The following is from Sonus faber themselves…
Sonus faber is proud to announce Aster – its first outdoor speaker
This speaker is designed to bring an enriching Natural Sound to home and hospitality facilities’ outside spaces. Astra’s design is intentionally slim, streamlined and made to perfectly fit with elegant spaces. The organic shape is a crucial element in the Sonus faber design language.
The symmetrical positioning of the passive radiators is designed for acoustic benefit. Aster’s compact dimensions don’t hamper sound reproduction, and thanks to the two lateral passive radiators Aster guarantees rich immersive bass.
“Sonus faber has always represented more than just a product for me” says Livio Cucuzza, McIntosh Group Chief Design Officer “It is a way of seeing things, but above all an acoustic and aesthetic philosophy in which to identify. So why limit yourself to the home environment? Aster interprets the desire to expand the horizons of Sonus faber and offer moments of pure sound enjoyment outdoors and in public spaces.“
The easiest installation system on the market
The mounting bracket system is designed to be as simple and functional as possible. The installer screws the wall bracket to the wall and then installs the cabinet and the other half of the bracket with a quick and easy turn, thanks to the bayonet system.
The smartest tilting system on the market
The spring mechanism inside the cabinet allows the installer to tilt the speaker in small 15-degree increments without having to adjust the system with a screw.
Aster in latin means ‘star’, a name that perfectly fits with the brand-new attitude of these speakers to face the sky.
Price and availability
Aster is available to order now £375 each
Sonus faber is distributed in the UK by Fine Sounds UK
SPECIFICATIONS
| Speaker type | 2 way |
| Low/Mid frequency transducer | 1×5.25“ |
| High frequency transducer | 1×1” |
| Maximum recommended power | 125 W |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz – 32kHz |
| Max SPL 1 Meter | 100.00 dBSPL |
| Sensitivity 2.83 Vrms@1m | 88,00 dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 6 Ω |
| Crossover frequency | 1.8 kHz |
| Enclosure type | Passive radiator |
| Height | 195 mm |
| Width | 330 mm |
| Depth | 150 mm |
| Depth (with mounting bracket) | 208 mm |
| Weight | 3.1 kg |
About Sonus faber
Sonus faber’s handcrafted audio products celebrate music in accordance with pure Italian tradition and have the power to transport listeners into a world of timeless Italian tradition, culture and craftsmanship.
Italian violin-making tradition and classic culture are part of Sonus faber’s DNA. Its creations are crafted like real musical instruments and offer authentic made-in-Italy excellence.
Based in the picturesque town of Arcugnano, Vicenza, the company famously employs creative technicians; inventors of new design solutions. Skilled craftspeople assemble Sonus faber’s ranges following traditional processes; every detail is carefully considered to evolve into designs that become everlasting works of art.
The heritage of Sonus faber is entrusted to the hands of these artisans who seamlessly combine their know-how with the legacy of values which have been preserved throughout the brand’s history.
Distinguished sound is the result, allowing the listener to immerse in a natural musical experience. Sonus faber preserves the integrity of its roots while evolving its craft through the use of innovative materials, intense design research and electro-acoustic solutions.