In this review, we will be comparing Lumina I and Q150, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Sonus Faber and KEF. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Lumina I and KEF Q150 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Lumina I and KEF Q150 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 I and KEF Q150 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Lumina I and Q150 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Sonus Lumina I |
KEF Q150 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 4.75-inch
|
1 x 5.25-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 Q150 features a 1" vented aluminum Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Lumina I has a frequency range of 65-24k Hz whereas Q150 has a frequency range of 51-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 51Hz, the Q150 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Lumina I'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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf 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 I is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Q150 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 Q150's is rated at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the KEF Q150 a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Lumina I, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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.
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 I features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Q150 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Lumina I has a front firing port whereas Q150 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 KEF Q150 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 I's and KEF Q150'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 KEF Q150 has external dimensions of 303.0 x 180.0 x 278.0mm ( 11.9 x 7.0 x 10.9inch) .
KEF Q150 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 32mm wider, 23mm taller and 65mm deeper than Sonus Lumina I.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sonus Lumina I and KEF Q150 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 I is approximately 315.2cm2 / 48.9inch2 and base area of the KEF Q150 is approximately 500.4cm2 / 77.6inch2. The Lumina I requires 37% less surface area than the Q150 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
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 KEF Q150 weighs 5.60kg / 12.3lbs. This makes the Q150 27% heavier than the Lumina I.
Here is a comparison of how Lumina I and Q150'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 loudspeakers1 Manual 2 Jumpers2 Grilles 2 Fabric dust guards
What's in the Box of KEF Q150?
Here are the items that come with the Q150:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Foam port plugs 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Owner's Manual Warranty Registration Card
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 |
Height |
280mm
vs
303mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
315cm2 (148x213mm)
vs
500cm2 (180x278mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
51 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Price per pair* |
600USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Sonus Faber Lumina I |
KEF Q150 |
Brand |
Sonus Faber |
KEF |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-100 watts |
10-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
86 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
Frequency Response |
65-24k Hz |
51-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
4.75" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
paper cone |
Aluminum |
Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2000Hz |
2500Hz |
Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
280.0mm (11") |
303.0mm (11.9") |
Width |
148.0mm (5.8") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
Depth |
213.0mm (8.4") |
278.0mm (10.9") |
Weight |
4.40kg (9.7lbs) |
5.60kg (12.3lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
real multilayer wood |
MDF/Vinyl-wrapped |
Available Colors |
Black, Wenge, Walnut |
Black, Walnut, White |
Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
18-24" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |