Kromski Fantasia or Sonata Encore? The Comparison

Fantasia or Sonata Encore? I hear this question almost every week. Both wheels come from Kromski in Poland, both have a double treadle and both are at the top of our sales list. The Fantasia is in fact our best-selling wheel overall: a little over 40 percent of all the spinning wheels we sell are Fantasias.

Still, they are two quite different wheels. In this comparison I explain how they differ, who each wheel suits and when the extra cost of the Sonata Encore is really worth it.

Kromski Fantasia or Sonata Encore: the differences

Before we go into detail, here are the key facts side by side. They come from Kromski and our product pages.

	Fantasia	Sonata Encore
Price	from €479 (unfinished)	from €799 (unfinished)
Treadle	double treadle	double treadle
Drive	single drive, Scotch tension	single drive (Scotch tension) or double drive, switchable
Ratios	5:1, 8:1, 12:1, 16:1	5.5:1, 9.5:1, 10.5:1, 15:1, optional 4.5:1 to 22:1
Bobbin change	magnetic flyer	magnetic flyer head
Weight	approx. 5.7 kg	5 kg
Folding	no	yes, without tools, 56 × 50 × 18 cm
Included	3 bobbins, built-in lazy kate, threading hook, oil	3 bobbins, carry bag, threading hook, oil
Warranty	5 years	5 years

So the biggest difference is not in the spinning itself, but in whether you want to fold your wheel and take it with you.

Looks and finishes: the Fantasia is the prettier wheel

I will be honest: I always find the Fantasia more beautiful. The round drive wheel with its curved wooden arm catches the eye straight away and looks nothing like a classic spinning wheel. Especially lacquered and in colour, it is a wheel you are happy to leave standing in the living room.

The Fantasia is available unfinished for €479, clear lacquered or walnut for €689, black for €749 and meadow green, royal purple or mint for €759. Technically all finishes are the same.

The Sonata Encore is available unfinished for €799, clear lacquered for €949 and walnut or mahogany for €999. It does not come in bright colours.

And this is where it gets interesting: if you say "oh well, maybe I will go for a coloured Fantasia", the price difference is not that big any more. A meadow green Fantasia costs €759, an unfinished Sonata Encore €799. Between the two unfinished wheels, on the other hand, there is €320.

Technology: drive and ratios

Both wheels spin easily and run quietly. The Fantasia works with single drive and Scotch tension: the drive band turns the flyer and a brake cord slows the bobbin. That lets you fine-tune the take-up, which is nice when you are starting out. The four ratios from 5:1 to 16:1 cover everything from looser, thicker yarn to fine yarn. The drive wheel runs on sealed ball bearings.

The Sonata Encore can do more. You can switch between single drive with Scotch tension and double drive. With double drive, one band in two loops turns flyer and bobbin at the same time. On top of that there are four standard ratios and optional whorls up to 22:1. That gives you more room for very fine yarns. Experienced spinners enjoy it, for getting started you do not need it.

Folding and travel: where the Sonata shines

The Sonata Encore is Kromski's travel wheel. It folds without tools, then measures only 56 × 50 × 18 cm and fits into the padded backpack-style bag that comes with it. That way it goes in the car boot, on the train or simply in a cupboard if space is tight at home. Set up, you have a full-size wheel with a 50 cm drive wheel.

The Fantasia weighs around 5.7 kg. You can certainly take it to a spinning group or a class, but it does not fold.

When someone asks me for a folding wheel, I always recommend the Sonata Encore or the Lojan Buddy. I personally like the Buddy a lot. Its folding version is called the Lojan Travel Buddy, costs €620, also has a double treadle and comes with a backpack. Its bobbins hold around 200 g, those of the Kromski wheels around 120 g. In both cases the extra money buys you exactly what a fixed wheel cannot do: you fold it up and take it with you.

Which wheel suits whom?

The Fantasia suits you if…

• you are new to spinning and mostly spin at home,
• looks matter to you and you would like a coloured wheel,
• you want a good wheel at a fair price and do not need to fold it.

For your very first wheel I would rather recommend the Fantasia. At the beginning your hands and feet have enough to do. A wheel that simply stays in its place is the more relaxed choice.

The Sonata Encore suits you if…

• you regularly take your wheel to classes, spinning groups or on holiday,
• you have little space at home and want to put the wheel away,
• you already spin and want to use double drive or very high ratios.

If you are still unsure about other models, read Spinning wheel for beginners: 6 models compared or visit our page Which spinning wheel is right for me?

Is the Sonata Encore worth the extra cost?

It comes down to almost one question: do you need a folding wheel? If yes, the extra cost is worth it. For the folding, the bag and the extra technology you pay €320 more than for an unfinished Fantasia. If you spin away from home a lot, that pays off quickly, because the wheel really comes along instead of staying at home.

If you spin almost only at home, I would rather put the money into a beautiful coloured Fantasia, or into accessories and fibre. There is a reason it is our best-selling wheel.

Accessories that fit both wheels

For thick yarns and art yarn there is the magnetic jumbo flyer set, which fits the Fantasia and the Sonata. On the Fantasia you also need the jumbo orifice set, which widens the flyer opening. Spare hooks, whorls and a threading hook for the Fantasia are in our shop too. You can see all Kromski wheels and accessories on the Kromski Spinning Wheels page.

FAQ: Fantasia and Sonata Encore

What is the main difference between the Kromski Fantasia and the Sonata Encore?
The Sonata Encore folds without tools, comes with a carry bag and also offers double drive. The Fantasia is a fixed wheel, cheaper and available in more colours.

Which wheel is better for beginners?
For getting started I would rather recommend the Fantasia. You can learn on the Sonata Encore too, but it really shows its strengths when you travel.

How big is the price difference?
Unfinished, it is €320. A coloured Fantasia costs €749 to €759, the cheapest Sonata Encore €799. Then the two are close.

Can I take the Fantasia to a spinning group?
Yes, at around 5.7 kg that works well. But it does not fold. If you travel a lot, the Sonata Encore or the Lojan Travel Buddy is the better choice.

Can I spin thick yarns on both wheels?
Yes, with the magnetic jumbo flyer set. On the Fantasia you also need the jumbo orifice set.