In this review, we will be comparing Lumina CI and SS-CS8, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Sonus Faber and Sony. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Lumina Center I and Sony SS-CS8 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Lumina Center I and Sony SS-CS8 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Sonus Lumina Center I and Sony SS-CS8 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Lumina CI and SS-CS8 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Sonus Lumina Center I |
Sony SS-CS8 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
2 x 4.75-inch
|
2 x 4-inch
|
Lumina CI features a 1.15" high definition DAD Tweeter and 2 x 4.75" paper cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000 Hz. On the other hand, the SS-CS8 features a 1" polyester fiber Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) Woofer .
Frequency Response
Lumina CI has a frequency range of 65-24k Hz whereas SS-CS8 has a frequency range of 55-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the SS-CS8 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Lumina CI's min frequency of 65Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Lumina CI is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the SS-CS8 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Lumina CI can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Lumina CI sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the SS-CS8's is rated at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Sonus Lumina Center I a more sensitive speaker compared to Sony SS-CS8, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Lumina CI can handle a max power of 145 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Lumina CI has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 45 watts less than the SS-CS8.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Lumina CI features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SS-CS8 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Lumina CI has a front firing port whereas SS-CS8 has a rear firing ports. Sonus Lumina Center I's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Sony SS-CS8 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Sonus Lumina Center I's and Sony SS-CS8's external dimensions. Sonus Lumina Center I has external dimensions of 169.0 x 524.0 x 213.0mm ( 6.6 x 20.6 x 8.4inch) whereas Sony SS-CS8 has external dimensions of 146.0 x 430.0 x 220.0mm ( 5.75 x 16.93 x 8.66inch) .
Sony SS-CS8 is 94mm narrower and 23mm shorter than Sonus Lumina Center I but it is also 7mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sonus Lumina Center I and Sony SS-CS8 in scale.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Sonus Lumina Center I is approximately 1116.1cm2 / 173.0inch2 and base area of the Sony SS-CS8 is approximately 946.0cm2 / 146.6inch2. The Lumina CI requires 18% more surface area than the SS-CS8 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Sonus Lumina Center I weighs 7.60kg / 16.7lbs and the Sony SS-CS8 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the Lumina CI 52% heavier than the SS-CS8.
Here is a comparison of how Lumina CI and SS-CS8's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Sonus Lumina Center I?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Lumina CI:
1 Center Channel Speaker1 Manual 2 Jumpers1 Grilles 1 Fabric dust guards
Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
4.75 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
Max Input Power |
145 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
146mm
vs
169mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
946cm2 (430x220mm)
vs
1116cm2 (524x213mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
169USD
vs
699USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Sonus Faber Lumina Center I |
Sony SS-CS8 |
Brand |
Sonus Faber |
Sony |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center Channel |
Power Range |
30-100 watts |
up to 145 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
6 ohms |
Frequency Response |
65-24k Hz |
55-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
Woofer Size |
4.75" |
4" |
Woofer Composition |
paper cone |
Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) |
Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD |
Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2000 Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
169.0mm (6.7") |
146.0mm (5.7") |
Width |
524.0mm (20.6") |
430.0mm (16.9") |
Depth |
213.0mm (8.4") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
Weight |
7.60kg (16.7lbs) |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
real multilayer wood |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
Available Colors |
Black, Wenge, Walnut |
Black |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
|
2 years |
Labor Warranty |
|
2 years |