Prepared in all things

Italian Hi Fi manufacturers Sonus faber are well renowned for being the artisans of soundin the audio equipment world. Metropol’s gadget guy Ian Knott takes their latest wireless speaker, the super-stylish Omnia, for a test drive.

A speaker is going to be seen at all times, something the designers at Sonus faber know only too well, and the Omnia is a speaker you’ll not only be proud to have front and center, but will make a point of showing off.

With the almost boat hull shape of the Omnia, you can almost imagine it riding the waves of the sound it creates with seven internal speakers delivering 490 watts of power. The unit’s cleverly designed curves giving it licence to distribute pure sound in all directions.

The smooth, interactive woodgrain top invites you to touch it, and you can, to control sound and other settings.

A similarly shaped remote control is supplied, but most of your interaction will be through your favoured streaming device.

The Omnia comes plug-n-play ready to stream Spotify and Tidal, and will stream over Apple AirPlay or Bluetooth. For Android users, it has an in-built Chromecast to control via the Google Home app.

If you want to make movie night even more special, then use the Omnia as a soundbar via the HDMI port or Bluetooth. There is even a phono port to plug in your turntable. With deep and immersive sound that needs to be heard to be believed, and seamless interaction with all your streaming devices, the Omnia lives up to its name which, in Latin, means ‘prepared in all things.’

Be prepared to be thoroughly impressed.