The Amati Futura was born from the experiences and developments in the course of the project “The Sonus Faber” – both aesthetically, and technologically. The Futura is part of the Amati Homage Series, which was created as a tribute to the great violinmakers of the Cremonese school. The proposal is therefore directly related to Sonus faber’s classical tradition, but it should be both radically innovative and progressive.

The goal of the Amati Futura design team was to transfer the knowledge gained from the design and construction of our “super speaker” “The Sonus Faber” into a more compact and affordable format. The Amati Futura is the first fruit of that effort.

Electro-Acoustic Construction
The Amati Futura is a Lute-shaped 3.5 way floor standing speaker. Through the use of “Stealth” reflex construction featuring a fully optimized decoupling system between speaker and floor and by using the Sonus Faber’s “LVT” system (low vibration transmission) a “TMD” (Tuned Mass Damper) mechanical and sound vibration virtually eliminated. Also borrowed from the “The Sonus Faber,” is the para-aperiodic “Stealth Reflex” technology employed internally as a resonator providing additional reduction of stray residual resonance in the lower frequency ranges by converting the kinetic energy into heat.

Acoustic Enclosure
The enclosure is a fundamental component of Sonus faber’s patented sound design. The progressively rounded, multi-layered sidewalls are constructed in a self-damped (“constrained layer damping”) construction. This “acoustic environment” has been optimized for each driver through strategically located reinforcement ribs in each of the drive unit’s individual acoustic chamber. The adaptation of these methodologies allows each driver used to come as close a possible to the theoretical performance ideal.

Innovative Features
A massive clamp consisting of two CNC machined nickel-Avional cones (Avional is a high strength aluminum alloy of 4.75% copper, 0.5% magnesium and 1.4% silicon) is used to halt cabinet vibration and resonance. The top and the bottom plates of the device act like an “exo-skeleton ensuring that any resonances within the enclosures walls are controlled and eradicated. The opposing end pieces are held together by a double wing-like metal brace at the rear of the enclosure. Together they function as a high-speed conductor for the rapid dissipation of resonance into the cone-shaped base casing.

A “Tuned Mass Damper”, which is essentially a shock absorber for moving mass, absorbs specifically tuned frequencies converting any residual resonances into a thermo-kinetic state. Similar construction techniques to reduce resonance have been used in skyscrapers and Formula 1 cars. The speaker’s exceptional performance is also somewhat due to the patented “LVT” system (low vibration transmission) that mechanically decouples the speaker from the floor. It uses an advanced elastomer-based suspension system reducing unwanted resonances transmitted into the listening room, whereby any acoustic feedback effects are effectively thwarted.

The “Stealth Reflex Port” is Sonus Faber’s patented solution for the realization of a para-aperiodic enclosure ventilation system. The properties of this system allows for deep, extended bass with the same or less cabinet volume. In addition, it has all the advantages of conventional ports but eliminates the inherent “chuffing” sound completely.

Finish
The wood finishing techniques used on the Amati Futura were derived directly from “The Sonus Faber” indebted to the best violinmaker tradition. No less than seven layers of hand-polished lacquer is applied before coating with the eco-friendly sealer. Metal parts of the “exo-skeleton” are made of Avional owe their elegant appearance to a high-tech chemical treatment of the metals surface. The resulting finish is about 30 microns thick, very hard and extremely well proportioned and equipped with a remarkable resistance to corrosion. This surface is realized through a multistage process, first with a mirror polish and coating, followed by two more rounds, each using slightly different chemical treatments and polishing techniques.

The Drivers
Despite the use of extremely advanced technologies and measurement methods Sonus faber believes that at the end of the day the only ultimate tool for evaluating the sound is the human ear. During the development phase of each individual component, in addition to the analysis of its technical characteristics, all components are analyzed by ear. All drivers are manufactured exclusively for Sonus faber from prestigious Scandinavian manufacturers to the exacting standards and specifications of the Sonus faber design team.

The Tweeter
The sweet and extended high frequencies are generated by an “ultra-dynamic, high-linearity” 1.1 in. (29 mm) soft dome tweeter that, when fitted, is isolated from the enclosure using a visco-elastic baffle.

The Midrange
The midrange is the heart of the Amati Futura driver. The 7 in., (179 mm) cone selected for the naturalness of its sound. The use of a special, air-dried, non-pressed pulp is to gives it its inimitable vivacity. The powerful magnet system coupled with the 1.7 in. voice coil and a triple Kellog / Goeller copper rings make the unit virtually free of unwanted eddy currents. As the speaker covers the crucial mid-band, visco-elastic is again used to decouple it from the baffle.

The Woofer
The two 8.75 in., (220 mm) woofers are optimized to better define their respective frequency band. This is done though the use of AlMg cone membranes (aluminum / magnesium) in a layered and coated design. Furthermore, the damping of cone resonance is accomplished using a fine-pored foamed hysteresis-elastomer. The free eddy-free current 1.5 in. voice coil in cooperation with the long-throw magnet system provides excellent low frequency performance both in terms of dynamics and the linearity.

The Crossover
Special attention to the design of the crossover network of the Amati Futura in order to realize the musicality “of The Sonus Faber.” The proper selection and design of transfer functions suitable for each driver determines the quality of the overall loudspeaker. The crossover of the Amati Futura uses a “progressive slope” architecture, typical for many Sonus faber speakers. It was chosen especially for its superior amplitude and phase response and for maintaining phase accuracy through the crossover transition frequencies of 80Hz, 220Hz and 3.2kHz. Additionally, only the finest component parts were considered including capacitors from Mundorf Supreme and Jantzen coils.