In this review, we will be comparing Lumina I and 607 S2 AE, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Sonus faber and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Lumina I and B&W 607 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Sonus Lumina I | B&W 607 S2 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.15" high definition DAD | 1" Decoupled Double Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.75" paper cone | 5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-24k Hz | 52-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 84 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-100 watts | 30-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.40kg / 9.7lbs | 4.70kg / 10.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11" x 5.8" x 8.4" 280.0 x 148.0 x 213.0mm | 11-13/16" x 6-1/2" x 9-1/8" 301.0 x 166.0 x 232.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Sonus Lumina I and B&W 607 S2 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Sonus Lumina I |
B&W 607 S2 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both Lumina I and 607 S2 AE are 2-way speakers.
Sonus Lumina IB&W 607 S2
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Sonus Lumina I |
B&W 607 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.75-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Lumina I features a 1.15" high definition DAD Tweeter and 1 x 4.75" paper cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz. On the other hand, the 607 S2 AE features a 1" Aluminum Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
Lumina I has a frequency range of 65-24k Hz whereas 607 S2 AE has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 607 S2 AE can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Lumina I's min frequency of 65Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Lumina I is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the 607 S2 AE which has a nominal impedance of 8 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 I can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Lumina I sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the 607 S2 AE's is rated at 84 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Lumina I and 607 S2 AE have the same power range of 30-100 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Lumina I and 607 S2 AE features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Sonus Lumina I's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
B&W 607 S2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Lumina I has a front firing port whereas 607 S2 AE has a rear firing ports. Sonus Lumina I's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to B&W 607 S2 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 I's and B&W 607 S2's external dimensions. Sonus Lumina I has external dimensions of 280.0 x 148.0 x 213.0mm (11 x 5.8 x 8.4inch) whereas B&W 607 S2 has external dimensions of 301.0 x 166.0 x 232.0mm (11-13/16 x 6-1/2 x 9-1/8inch).
B&W 607 S2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 18mm wider, 21mm taller and 19mm deeper than Sonus Lumina I.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sonus Lumina I and B&W 607 S2 in scale.
Comparison image of Sonus Lumina I and B&W 607 S2 Size and External Dimensions
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 I is approximately 315.2cm2 / 48.9inch2 and base area of the B&W 607 S2 is approximately 385.1cm2 / 59.7inch2. The Lumina I requires 18% less surface area than the 607 S2 AE which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Sonus Lumina I and B&W 607 S2 on a Media Console
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 I weighs 4.40kg / 9.7lbs and the B&W 607 S2 weighs 4.70kg / 10.3lbs. This makes the 607 S2 AE 7% heavier than the Lumina I.
Here is a comparison of how Lumina I and 607 S2 AE's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Sonus Lumina I?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Lumina I:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 1 Manual
- 2 Jumpers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Fabric dust guards
What's in the Box of B&W 607 S2?
Here are the items that come with the 607 S2 AE:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Two-piece foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
Height |
280mm
vs
301mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
315cm2
vs
385cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Sonus Faber Lumina I |
Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition |
| Brand |
Sonus faber |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-100 watts |
30-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
84 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.0 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
65-24k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.75" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
paper cone |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD |
Decoupled Double Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2000Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
280.0mm (11") |
301.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
148.0mm (5.8") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
213.0mm (8.4") |
232.0mm (9.1") |
| Weight |
4.40kg (9.7lbs) |
4.70kg (10.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
real multilayer wood |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black, Wenge, Walnut |
Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
| Bass |
B |
B&W 607 S2 digs deeper - 52Hz against 65Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (84dB vs 84dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match |
B |
B&W 607 S2 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom |
evenly matched |
Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size |
depends |
Sonus Lumina I is easier to place; B&W 607 S2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Sonus Lumina I: bi-amping; B&W 607 S2: bi-amping. |
| Price |
B |
B&W 607 S2 is cheaper - $799 against $899, about 11% less. |
A Sonus Lumina I
B B&W 607 S2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
B&W 607 S2 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Sonus Lumina I if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 65Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, B&W 607 S2 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.