Sonus faber, part of the McIntosh Group, has chosen Powersoft to provide the
engine for the new Sf16 loudspeaker system, the first fully-integrated system of its
kind.

Included in the three-year research and development programme for the Sf16 was
the requirement for a high powered amplifier, and early into the journey the
Vicenze-based company was enquiring about Powersoft’s D-Cell504, a compact,
lightweight module consisting of power supply and 2-channel output stage.

Designed for easy integration, available power is 2x350W 4Ω, bridgeable to produce
700W on a single 8Ω load with great clarity. D-Cell504 has already provided the
solution for a wide range of applications, from small-mid power professional
loudspeakers to studio monitors, musical instruments, powered mixers and home
cinema systems such as the Sf16.

“We were in contact with Powersoft from the very beginning,’ confirmed Sonus
faber’s R&D Manager Paolo Tezzon, “We were already aware of the D-Cell504 as the
same module was used previously in another McIntosh Group product — the Wadia
Intuition Digital Integrated Amplifier.’

In the case of the Sf16, the module’s 1400W specification matched the requirement.
“We were looking for high power in a compact size,’ stated Tezzon. “We also had
the need for 4-channel DSP, and that is available in the module as well.’

With four channels needed to drive ten loudspeakers, Sonus faber specified two of
the D-Cell504 two-channel modules, each run in single ended mode. While one
drives the front-firing and rear-firing midwoofers, the other is assigned to the left
and right front- and rear-firing satellites. For these satellites some passive
crossover was also required along with the Powersoft DSP.

Aside from its 1400W output, Sf16 is at the same time an elegant and cutting-edge
piece of furniture — “an entire stereo system in which you can literally “feel’ the
atmosphere of your environment,’ say the company. Its style is a nod back to the
iconic “Snail’ — another classic speaker and subwoofer combination — reimagined
as a complete all-in-one hi-fi system with wireless connectivity.

The power can be modulated since driver location can be adjusted, making it
suitable both for relaxing alone of hosting a loud party.

Sf16 is powered with Sonus faber’s “Zero Vibration Transmission’, “Sound Field
Shaping’ and “Stealth Reflex System’ technologies, owing the strong LF performance
to the long throw, stiff aluminium / magnesium alloy cone, supported by an
accurate mid-high section and possibly the smallest hi-end tweeter ever designed:
the micro 1⁄2′.

The doubling of the midranges and tweeters for both front- and rear-firing enhance
the sense of depth of the soundstage.

The DTS Play-fi Technology gives the freedom and flexibility to wirelessly play the
music on mobile devices over an existing Wi-Fi network, with an app available for
Apple, Windows or Android. It enables wireless audio streaming from popular music
services, including the user’s personal music library.

Powersoft supported the process throughout, providing all necessary documentation
for certification. Paolo Tezzon confirmed the high level of cooperation, reaffirming
that D-Cell504 had more than met their requirement.