Chario Sonnet

Chario Sonnet – high-end bookshelf loudspeaker with Reversed Array and SILVERSOFT™ tweeter

The Chario Sonnet is the top of the Academy S Series — Chario's reference line, and the most technically accomplished bookshelf loudspeaker the company makes. A 170mm ROHACELL® Full-Apex™ Poly-Ring woofer with NeFeB motor and a 32mm SILVERSOFT™ soft dome tweeter form the driver complement. Each pair requires 150 to 200 hours of hand craftsmanship in Chario's own Milan facility. The dedicated stands are included and are not optional — the Reversed Array topology requires forward cabinet tilt, and the stands are engineered specifically for that purpose.

Chario Sonnet high-end bookshelf loudspeaker — Reversed Array and back-firing bass reflex

Because the tweeter sits below the woofer, the cabinet tilts forward to achieve time alignment between the drivers. Consequently, the optimal listening axis falls at seated ear height without the usual acoustic compromises of a forward-tilted baffle. The dedicated stands provide the precise angle and height — without them, the Sonnet cannot perform as designed. Furthermore, the back-firing bass reflex uses a half-exponential hourglass port geometry that keeps airflow below 130 km/h, eliminating audible turbulence at the port exit.

SILVERSOFT™ tweeter and ROHACELL® woofer

The 32mm SILVERSOFT™ dome operates without cooling iron in the air gap, which removes a source of non-linearity that affects most soft dome tweeters at high output levels. The 1180Hz crossover (LKR4 derived, Δf=45°) sits well below the range where the ear is most sensitive to phase anomalies. Additionally, the ROHACELL® Full-Apex™ Poly-Ring woofer uses a unique surround geometry that measurably reduces distortion at higher excursion levels. As a result, the Sonnet delivers a standard of driver integration that most bookshelf loudspeakers at any price cannot match.

Cabinet and provenance

Solid Italian walnut combined with high-density fibreboard, finished across six production stages — wood treatment alone takes six months. All lacquers are water-based and non-toxic. Chario recommends a listening distance of more than 2.5 metres and at least 1 metre clearance from side and rear walls for best results.

Specifications

• Configuration: 2-way Reversed Array high-end bookshelf loudspeaker
• Tweeter: 32mm SILVERSOFT™ dome with NeFeB motor
• Woofer: 170mm ROHACELL® Full-Apex™ Poly-Ring with NeFeB motor
• Sensitivity: 90dB (1W/1m)
• Impedance: 4Ω (min. 3Ω)
• Frequency response: 55Hz (±3dB)
• Crossover: 1180Hz (LKR4 Derived, Δf=45°)
• Bass reflex: back-firing, half-exponential hourglass type
• Recommended amplifier: 120W / 4Ω
• Cabinet: solid Italian walnut + HDF
• Dimensions: 445 × 235 × 340mm (H×W×D)
• Weight: 14kg per speaker
• Stands: dedicated Chario stands included (750 × 540 × 460mm / 13kg)
• Stand finish: black anodised iron + lacquered HDF
• Optimal listening distance: >2.5 metres
• Craftsmanship: 150–200 hours per pair
• Origin: Italy

Frequently asked questions about the Chario Sonnet

Why are the dedicated stands essential with the Chario Sonnet?

The Reversed Array places the tweeter below the woofer, which means the cabinet must tilt forward for correct time alignment between the drivers. The dedicated stands are engineered for this precise angle and height. Without them, the Sonnet cannot achieve the phase coherence and spatial accuracy it is designed to deliver.

How does the Chario Sonnet differ from the Aviator Nobile?

The Sonnet is from the higher Academy S Series — Chario's reference line. Because of the SILVERSOFT™ tweeter, larger ROHACELL® Full-Apex™ woofer, back-firing bass reflex and 150–200 hours of hand craftsmanship per pair, the Sonnet represents a fundamentally different level of performance from the Nobile.

What amplifier does the Chario Sonnet need?

Chario recommends up to 120 watts into 4 ohms. At 90dB sensitivity, the Sonnet works well with valve amplifiers and lower-powered solid-state designs. Consequently, amplifier quality matters considerably more than wattage.