Nuova Simonelli Musica Review: Espresso in Perfect Harmony!

Let me start by saying that I’m aware this Nuova Simonelli Musica review isn’t for everyone. I mean, not all of you can justify spending well over $2,000 on a home espresso machine.

However, I do know that quite a few home baristas are interested in upgrading from a single boiler machine to something more powerful and versatile.

Not only that, I’ve responded to quite a few comments from those of you looking for a small espresso machine that’s suitable for a commercial setting.

With all that in mind, I’ve decided to take a closer look at the Nuova Simonelli Musica. I already know how much I love this thing, so maybe I can convince some of you that it’s your dream machine. Let’s do this!

An outstanding espresso machine

Nuova Simonelli Musica

As good as it gets

High-quality build

Beautiful design

Volumetric programming

Prosumer components

Powerful steam wand

Suitable for commercial settings

Very pricey

CHECK PRICE

Nuova Simonelli Musica Review Overview

Chances are you’ve seen a Nuova Simonelli espresso machine in action at one of your favorite coffee shops. The Italian manufacturer is famous for producing top-notch commercial machines beloved by professional baristas across the country.

Fortunately, Nuova Simonelli doesn’t abandon its high standards with its home espresso machines, all of which are extremely popular among amateur espresso enthusiasts.

Costing $2,445.00, the Nuova Simonelli Musica is far from cheap. Still, this high-quality prosumer espresso machine really delivers. Plus, thanks to its NSF rating, the Musica can be used in a small-scale commercial setting as well as a home kitchen.

I’ve heard some folks describe the Nuova Simonelli Musica as looking like it belongs on an episode of Star Trek. However, I think this gorgeous machine has more of an art deco vibe. Either way, there’s no denying the Musica is a beautifully designed espresso machine. Moreover, an abundance of durable and shiny stainless steel reminds us that we’re dealing with a super-premium appliance.

As with the more affordable Nuova Simonelli Oscar II, the Musica features a 2-liter copper heat exchanger boiler. I’ll go into more detail about the boiler a little later, but for now you’ll be pleased to learn that you can prepare espresso and steam milk at the same time. What’s more, the Musica’s thermosiphon group head excels at maintaining stable brewing temperatures, so you shouldn’t have to worry about performing cooling flushes.

Overall, this beautiful Nuova Simonelli espresso machine is going to offer a commercial-level experience that many single boiler machines just can’t manage. So, if you’re looking to really elevate your home espresso setup, the Musica might be the machine you’ve been waiting for.

Nuova Simonelli Musica Features

Let’s continue this Nuova Simonelli espresso machine review by taking a closer look at the Musica’s most notable features. Spoiler alert: pretty much all of this machine’s features are notable!

Size and Design

Apparently, the Musica name comes from the fact that the machine was designed to resemble a harp. I guess I can kinda see that now that I know, but a musical instrument isn’t the first image that comes to mind when I look at the thing.

Either way, I simply adore the Musica’s graceful curved lines and clean, streamlined silhouette. And let’s not overlook that mirrored backsplash, either.

With that said, the Nuova Simonelli Musica is on the bulkier side, so you’ll need plenty of counter space. Plus, at around 17 inches (43 centimeters) in height, the Musica won’t fit beneath all overhead cabinets.

As I’ve already pointed out, the Nuova Simonelli Musica features a high-quality stainless steel chassis, extending to the large cup warmer up top. There’s also a huge drip tray, although it can be a little tricky to remove. Elsewhere, you get a professional steam wand as well as a dedicated hot water outlet. Then again, for the money you’re spending I’d expect nothing less.

If you want to take things to the next level, there’s a version of the Musica with LED lighting around the frame. Still, you’ll be paying a next level price of $3,901.99 for the Luxe Lining Musica.

User Interface

Moving on, the user interface comprises an elegant array of backlit soft-touch buttons, all of which sit front-and-center on the enclosed brew group. There are buttons for single and double shots as well as a hot water button, power button and one for manual extraction.

Unlike the Oscar II, this user interface allows you way more control over your espresso extraction. That’s because the Musica employs programmable volumetric dosing for espresso, meaning you can adjust the amount of water dispensed. And once you’ve programmed your desired volume, the machine will remember for next time.

Incidentally, the Nuova Simonelli Musica also includes a couple of nice upgrades. For starters there’s a pressure gauge that monitors what’s happening in the boiler. Secondly, you’re able to adjust the brightness of the backlit buttons and indicator lights. I love thoughtful features like that!

Portafilter

As with any prosumer espresso machine, the Musica comes with a commercial-style 58mm portafilter, as well as both single and double filter baskets. Espresso nerds often disagree on the importance of portafilter size, but I always prefer to use the larger 58mm size. Plus, it’s easy to find a high-quality bottomless portafilter if you want.

One particularly cool thing about the Musica’s portafilter is its angled design. This means that when you set the thing down on your tamping mat, the filter basket stays nice and level.

I also appreciate the open design of the portafilter spouts. Not only does that reduce the amount of metal the espresso passes over during extraction, it means you can get a great view of what’s happening. That, in combination with the mirrored backsplash sends shivers of joy through espresso nerds like me!

Boiler

The huge copper heat exchanger boiler is one of the reasons you’ll be paying big bucks for this Nuova Simonelli espresso machine.

Unlike single boiler machines, the Musica can steam milk and prepare espresso simultaneously without batting an eyelid. While you’ll have to hone your barista skills to be able to pull this off, you’ll never have to leave espresso sitting out as you wait for the machine to ready itself for making milk foam.

Even better, the boiler quickly auto-fills after each use, so you can prepare multiple coffee drinks in a row. That’ll be a huge bonus if you want to use this machine in a small coffee shop.

Speaking of, I should point out that the Nuova Simonelli Musica is available as a pour-over model (with a removable water tank) or a direct connect model. The latter version is designed to be plumbed into your water supply so you’ll never have to worry about filling the reservoir.

Group Head

Unlike some of the more fashionable prosumer machines out there, the Nuova Simonelli Musica is equipped with an enclosed thermosiphon group head rather than an E61.

Still, the heat exchange process works in the same way – water is siphoned off from the boiler and constantly circulated through the group head at brewing temperature.

In fact, from what I can gather, the Nuova Simonelli group head provides better thermal stability, meaning you shouldn’t have to perform a pesky cooling flush before pulling a shot.

Soft Infusion

Any espresso machine worth its salt is equipped with a pre-infusion function. This vital first part of the brewing process involves dampening the bed of ground coffee under low pressure before the pump kicks in.

Aside from allowing the coffee to bloom slightly, pre-infusion smooths out any tamping inconsistencies, preventing channeling and resulting in a more even extraction. The Italian manufacturer refers to this as “soft infusion,” which is fine by me. After all, it’s the same thing.

More importantly, you’re able to adjust the pre-infusion duration when you’re in programming mode. That’ll come in really handy as you experiment with various roast profiles and single-origin coffee beans.

Steam Wand

One of the reasons people love Nuova Simonelli espresso machines so much is because their steam wands are the best around. In fact, the ball joint-mounted steam wand on the Musica is the same one used in the Barista Championship.

Let’s just say you’re going to get a huge amount of steam pressure from this machine, so it might take a little getting used to. However, once you’re in control, you’ll be able to whip up sumptuous, silky microfoam for your cappuccino or espresso macchiato.

Rather than a traditional dial, the Musica features a nifty push-pull paddle for activating the steam wand. While it doesn’t offer a ton of play, you will be able to use the sliding valve to modulate the steam pressure somewhat.

Accessories

It’d be fair to assume that a machine costing this much would come with a milk steaming pitcher and a quality espresso tamper. No dice, I’m afraid. Unfortunately, the Italian manufacturer has simply thrown in a (practically useless) plastic tamper and a (completely irrelevant) plastic coffee scoop.

So, to get the best results from the Nuova Simonelli Musica you’re going to have to shell out a little more on a decent metal tamper and a stainless steel milk jug.

I have to say I’m pretty disappointed by the lack of decent accessories included here, but it’s kind of par for the course, even with expensive espresso machines.

How to Use the Nuova Simonelli Musica Espresso Machine

Whether or not this Nuova Simonelli espresso machine can perform isn’t up for debate. In fact, it’s capable of producing truly spectacular espresso. Still, you’ll need the right equipment to get the best out of the thing.

Listen, I’m probably preaching to the choir here. I mean, most folks considering the Musica will already own a high-quality espresso grinder, tamper and knock box. Still, if you’re envisioning the Musica as the centerpiece of your first home espresso setup, you should be aware that you’ll need a grinder that’s up to the task.

Check out my guide to the best burr coffee grinders for inspiration. Alternatively, head on over to my single dose grinder guide. Heck, there are even a couple of exceptional espresso grinders in my manual coffee grinder guide.

While you’re at it, consider picking up a decent coffee scale. That’ll be invaluable for achieving a consistent dose and for weighing your shots during extraction.

Once you’re all set, getting started with the Nuova Simonelli Musica is fairly straightforward. Simply fill the reservoir with filtered water, hit the mains switch underneath and press the power button on the user interface. You’ll be waiting for around 15 minutes for the machine to heat up, and it’ll let you know when the boiler is ready via the boiler light.

By the way, as the machine is coming up to brewing temperature, make sure to put your espresso cups on the warming plate. That way, they’ll be nice and toasty by the time you’re ready to start pulling shots!

Espresso Preparation

I don’t want to bore you to tears, so I’m not about to give you an in-depth description of how to program the Nuova Simonelli Musica. Besides, the user manual has detailed instructions.

However, I will say that your trusty coffee scale will come in super handy as you’re setting shot volumes. You can use it to precisely measure the dose of ground coffee, then set it under your cup as the shot is extracting.

Once you’ve programmed your desired volume by weight, you’ll have a reference point for subsequent shots. And by maintaining the same dose of ground coffee each time, the only variable left to adjust is the grind size if your shots are too fast or too slow.

Alternatively, you can use the manual mode to pull shots, which is what I often like to do. Just remember that you’ll have to keep an eye on the extraction and manually stop the shot when you’re happy with how it looks.

Nuova Simonelli Espresso Machine Cleaning

Cleaning and maintaining the Nuova Simonelli Musica is a straightforward affair. As long as you rinse the portafilter and flush the group head after each shot you’ll be good.

Oh, and I’d recommend taking out the filter basket and giving it a good scrub at the end of each day’s use. While you’re at it, you might as well remove the shower screen and soak it in water for a few minutes before giving it a rinse.

Elsewhere, make sure to empty the drip tray on a regular basis and rinse it under running water. You can also use a mild detergent to get rid of coffee oils and stray grounds.

As for the manual steam wand, make sure to wipe it off with a damp cloth after each use. And if milk residue starts building up on there, you can remove the tip and soak it in warm water.

Finally, don’t forget about the removable water tank! I’d definitely recommend cleaning it thoroughly once a week to prevent slimy buildup. Trust me, even if you’re using filtered water, things can get pretty nasty in there.

Nuova Simonelli Oscar II Specifications

Nuova Simonelli Musica vs Other Espresso Machines

If you’re thinking about spending this much money on an espresso machine, it’s good to know what your other options look like. With that in mind, let’s see how the Nuova Simonelli Musica compares to a couple of other prosumer gems.

Nuova Simonelli Musica vs Oscar II

For just $1,495.00, the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II is one of the best-value prosumer espresso machines on the market.

While the Oscar II might not be as versatile and sophisticated as the Musica, it’s more than capable of producing excellent results. Featuring a retro-futuristic design and commercial-grade components, the Oscar II is a compact machine with a heat exchanger boiler. It also has a similar steam wand to the Musica.

The main downside to the Oscar II in comparison to the Musica is its limited user interface. Rather than programmable volumetric dosing, the Nuova Simonelli Oscar II uses a time-based system for espresso extraction.

See Also: Nuova Simonelli Oscar II Review 2024

Nuova Simonelli Musica vs Breville Dual Boiler

The Breville Dual Boiler is one of the Australian manufacturer’s most powerful espresso machines and costs $1,599.95.

Featuring a 58mm portafilter and a powerful commercial-style steam wand, the Dual Boiler is the real deal. You can also steam milk and pull shots at the same time, thanks to the inclusion of two powerful boilers.

Best of all, the Breville Dual Boiler offers an amazing amount of customization options. Seriously, you can adjust pre-infusion duration and pressure, brewing temperature and loads more.

I’m a huge fan of Breville espresso machines, and the Dual Boiler is definitely worth considering.

See Also: Breville Dual Boiler Review 2024

Nuova Simonelli Oscar II vs Others Comparison Chart

Verdict: Nuova Simonelli Musica Review

An outstanding espresso machine

Nuova Simonelli Musica

As good as it gets

High-quality build

Beautiful design

Volumetric programming

Prosumer components

Powerful steam wand

Suitable for commercial settings

Very pricey

CHECK PRICE

I started out this Nuova Simonelli Musica review by saying that this is an expensive machine that won’t appeal to everyone. Still, having taken a closer look, I can confidently say this baby is worth every penny.

The Italian manufacturer has pulled out all the stops with this espresso machine. From its high-quality build to its intuitive and versatile controls, the Musica is about as good as it gets.

So, if you can justify spending $2,445.00 on an espresso machine for your home or small business, I can highly recommend this Italian work of art.