Sonus Faber Aster white
Overview
Taking a speaker out of the living room and exposing it to rain, frost, UV rays and dust changes the entire set of requirements. An Italian manufacturer of high-end speakers based in Vicenza since 1983, Sonus Faber unveils its first outdoor speaker with the Aster. Weather-resistant elliptical enclosure, quick wall mounting, tool-free tilt adjustment: the brand’s “Natural Sound” signature now reaches terraces, gardens and public spaces.
An elliptical enclosure built for the elements
The Aster breaks away from the varnished wood cabinets that built Sonus Faber’s reputation. Here, the cabinet takes on a compact elliptical shape, molded from PC-ABS polymer coated with an anti-UV treatment to withstand sunlight without yellowing or becoming brittle. The front grille is made of painted metal, in black or white, the only two finishes in the catalog.
The IP65 rating sums up its level of protection: dust-tight and resistant to low-pressure water jets, covering rain, snow and garden watering. This does not mean, however, that the speaker can withstand immersion. Measuring 195 mm high, 330 mm wide and 150 mm deep, and weighing 3.1 kg, the enclosure remains discreet once mounted under an eave or against a façade.
Two passive radiators to support the bass
Behind the grille, the Aster is a two-way design. A 134 mm woofer-midrange driver reproduces the lower range and vocals, while a 26 mm tweeter takes over in the high frequencies, with the crossover point set at 1,800 Hz. The stated frequency response extends from 60 Hz to 32 kHz.
The bass relies on a specific principle. The enclosure is sealed, with no port, and two passive radiators are positioned symmetrically on either side of the cabinet. A passive radiator is a driver without a motor that vibrates under the enclosure’s internal pressure and extends low-frequency response, like a port but without the opening through which water and insects could find their way inside. Mounting them in pairs and facing each other cancels out some of the vibrations each diaphragm sends back to the enclosure, keeping the bass cleaner. Outdoors, where there are no walls or ceiling to reinforce low frequencies, this work matters twice as much: the sound will inevitably be less full than indoors, and a 60 Hz low-end cutoff places the Aster more in the realm of background listening than full-range reproduction.
Bayonet mounting and tool-free adjustment
The installation has clearly been designed to be quick. An aluminum bracket screws onto the wall, then the speaker locks into place with a simple quarter turn thanks to a bayonet system. Once installed, a spring mechanism housed in the enclosure allows the Aster to be tilted in 15-degree increments, up to 90 degrees, for a total of six positions, without handling a single screw. The speaker can be mounted either horizontally or vertically, leaving flexibility to direct sound toward a terrace or along a pathway. Allow 208 mm of clearance for mounting.
Which amplifier and for which spaces
The Aster is a passive speaker: it requires an amplifier and a speaker cable, connected to the two screw terminals located at the rear. This choice makes it suited to installations where an amplifier, often multiroom, powers several areas of a house or venue.
Its 88 dB sensitivity and 6-ohm impedance make it an easy load to drive. Modest power, in the region of 10 to 40 W, is enough to provide sound for a terrace; the speaker handles up to 125 W for peaks and tops out at around 100 dB maximum sound level. Enough to cover a garden or enliven the terrace of a restaurant, the patio of a hotel or the lobby of a museum, with residential use and public spaces equally targeted.
Each Aster is sold individually. Stereo listening therefore requires two speakers, one per channel, positioned on either side of the area to be covered.
Documentation
Technical specifications
Acoustic design
- Type: 2-way passive outdoor speaker
- Acoustic loading: sealed enclosure with passive radiator
- Drivers
- Midrange / woofer: 1 × 13 cm
- Tweeter: 1 × 25 mm
- Passive radiator: 1
- Crossover frequency: 1.8 kHz
Audio performance
- Frequency response: 60 Hz – 32 kHz
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
- Nominal impedance: 6 Ω
- Maximum SPL level: 100 dBA
- Rated power: 100 W
- Maximum power handling: 125 W
- Recommended amplifier power: 10 – 40 W
Outdoor resistance and use
- IP65 certification for outdoor use and weather resistance
Installation and mounting
- Orientation: horizontal or vertical installation
- 6-position tilting wall bracket, up to 90°, for precise sound dispersion adjustment
- Tilt adjustment: tool-free spring mechanism
- Mounting: bayonet system with aluminum bracket for simplified installation
Dimensions and weight
- Dimensions (W × H × D): 330 × 195 × 150 mm
- Weight: 3.1 kg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Aster stay outdoors all year round?
Yes, that is precisely what it is designed for. The UV-treated PC-ABS enclosure, painted metal grille and IP65 certification prepare it for rain, snow, dust and sunlight over time. Installation under a roof overhang is still preferable to limit direct runoff onto the terminals. Registering the product within 30 days of purchase also provides an extended warranty.
Which cable should be used to connect it?
A standard speaker cable is suitable, but for outdoor use it is best to choose a cable designed for this purpose, with a UV- and moisture-resistant jacket, and to protect the connections at the rear of the speaker. The 6-ohm load and 88 dB sensitivity place no particular constraints on the amplifier.
Can it also be installed indoors?
Nothing prevents it, since it is a passive speaker like any other. However, its bass has been tuned for outdoor use: in an enclosed room, the effect of the walls will add warmth to the lower end of the spectrum, sometimes a little too much depending on its placement. It is a relevant option for a conservatory, bathroom or pool house.
How does it differ from the brand’s indoor speakers?
Everything sets the materials apart: polymer and painted metal versus wood and leather in the living-room ranges. A sealed enclosure with passive radiators replaces the port, and airtightness takes precedence over the cabinet’s aesthetics. Its sound tuning aims to remain faithful to the brand’s “Natural Sound,” the tonal balance Sonus Faber pursues from one model to another. The Aster belongs to the brand’s Custom Installation line, alongside in-wall and in-ceiling models.
Should you add a subwoofer?
For ambient listening, the two passive radiators and extension down to 60 Hz are sufficient. If deeper bass is desired, for a party for example, adding an external subwoofer to the amplifier’s dedicated output remains the solution, as a speaker of this size has its limits outdoors.
Is the mounting bracket included?
Yes, the aluminium bracket and bayonet system are supplied with the speaker. You only need to choose the screws and wall plugs suitable for the wall mounting surface, preferably leaving this to the installer depending on the nature of the façade.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
