In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Sonus faber. Sonus faber Lumina I is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Lumina CI is a Center Channel speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Lumina I and Sonus Lumina Center I first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Sonus Lumina I | Sonus Lumina Center I |
|---|
| Brand | Sonus faber
Italy · founded 1983 | Sonus faber
Italy · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.15" high definition DAD | 1.15" high definition DAD |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.75" paper cone | 2 x 4.75" paper cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-24k Hz | 65-24k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-100 watts | 30-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.40kg / 9.7lbs | 7.60kg / 16.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11" x 5.8" x 8.4"
280.0 x 148.0 x 213.0mm | 6.6" x 20.6" x 8.4"
169.0 x 524.0 x 213.0mm |
|---|
Lumina I and Lumina CI are members of Sonus faber's Lumina series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Sonus faber Lumina Series
History
What size room are the Sonus Lumina I and Sonus Lumina Center I 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 |
Sonus Lumina Center I |
| 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.
Drivers
Both Lumina I and Lumina CI are 2-way speakers.
Sonus Lumina ISonus Lumina Center I
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 |
Sonus Lumina Center I |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1.15-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.75-inch
|
2 x 4.75-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 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.
Frequency Response
Lumina I and Lumina CI has exactly the same frequency range of 65-24k Hz.
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 and Lumina CI have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Lumina I sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Lumina CI's is at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Sonus Lumina Center I a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Lumina I, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Lumina I and the Lumina I can provide this impedance level.
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 Lumina CI 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 Lumina CI 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
Sonus Lumina Center I's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Lumina I and Lumina CI have front firing ports. front ported speakers offers more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls&surfaces compared to rear ported speakers.
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 Sonus Lumina Center I'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 Sonus Lumina Center I has external dimensions of 169.0 x 524.0 x 213.0mm (6.6 x 20.6 x 8.4inch).
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sonus Lumina I and Sonus Lumina Center I in scale.
Comparison image of Sonus Lumina I and Sonus Lumina Center I 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 Sonus Lumina Center I is approximately 1116.1cm2 / 173.0inch2. The Lumina I requires 72% less surface area than the Lumina CI which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Sonus Lumina Center I?
Here are the items that come with the Lumina CI:
- 1 Center Channel Speaker
- 1 Manual
- 2 Jumpers
- 1 Grilles
- 1 Fabric dust guards