Im also selling my Sonus Faber Concertino if you are interested in an audition, PM me. Good luck on your search. Whichever speaker you purchase, you won't be dissapointed! Just my 2 cents.
Manila,
I was able to test the tinos and concerto and I really like the sound. If only I have the budget, I would also like to get the SF. I have one question about these speakers. Do they have enough bass for normal easy listening in a 30 sq meter room? I dont need powerful and deep bass but I dont want mid and highs only. Thanks
levi
Manila, why part with your 'Tinos? Is it still available? Is it the Home or pre-Home series? My friend is in the market for a Concerto Home but a great price on the 'Tinos might sway him over. I did tell him that the two are not quite the same though.
Racio,
I feel silly writing this below especially since we now have a resident SF connoseuir (spelling?) in Hyperion on board but here goes anyway...
30sqm or about a 6x5m room can be a stretch for the 'Tino's bass especially if your room is stuffed (e.g., large couch, drapes, carpet, etc.). But keep the 'Tinos no more than 0.5 to 1m from the rear/side wall (but not equidistant from rear and side wall) and you'll find satisfying bottom end except for the largest of orchestral pieces or the really big band jazz. Consider also the height of the stands you'll use.
Watch also how far apart you have them. ~2.5m would be the farthest I'd have them before I lose middle soundstage. Keep the tweeters out instead of in unless your side walls are too close that side reflections would be a problem. I read the opposite works for the Concerto.
I have my 'Tinos on 27" sand-filled stands (from Jun Reyes). SF has a height adjustable stand specifically to tune the speaker positioning to your room--closer to the floor, more bass w/c can be good or bad, depending on your taste and room. Watch out though for a tinge of brightness with the 'Tino's tweets at ear level. Maybe warmer/darker cables can help you here. (Hyperion, any suggestions?)
If cost were no object, I strongly suggest a sub when using the 'Tinos in this room. My REL Q100E works really well with the 'Tinos. My only complaint is having to haul that sealed box in and out of my HT ifI wanted it with my SF. :-) A Strata III or SF Gravis would theoretically be better (never heard them for fear of wanting then needing them).
Or you can go for the more refined and mature Concerto (I recently heard both Home versions) whose larger cabinet would give you more bass. Be warned though, SF would convince you to upgrade your electronics. I for one am saving up for a CJ CAV50--I read this doesn't work as well on the Concerto's though. In fact, the 'Net is full or warnings about using the Concerto with fat-tish or boomyish amps.
Well, that's about all I've learned about my SF 'Tino's.
As a parting shot, as much as I love SF for music, I'm not so sure I like SFs in HT where typical audio are to my ears better served by the faster, crispier, punchier sound of Dynaudios. But this is just me. I know Home Theater Mag had a rave review of an SF system for HT (GPH, Solo, 'Tino or Concerto for rear effects--I cringed when I typed "Concerto for rears").
I'm quite concerned by your shorlist of B&W vs. SF for speakers. To my mind, this tells me that you haven't quite sorted out your preferred sonic character as these two sound very different. Manila's description of the different sonic character of B&W and SF is accurate.
Lemme put it this way, if B&W were a doctor, he's a surgeon--precise, objective, clinical/sterile (I don't mean this in the negative sense of boring but in the positive sense of enlightening, resolving). SF on the other hand is a Psychologist--a soother/comforter, subjective, someone whose couch you could sit in for hours on end.
Figure out which character you prefer first. Or else you'll end up like me, one with a neutral, revealing HT set-up, a separate and smoother audio set-up, and no savings account. ;-)
Good luck!