In this review, we will be comparing Lumina II and 606 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 II and B&W 606 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Lumina II and B&W 606 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Sonus Lumina II and B&W 606 S2 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 II and 606 S2 AE are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Sonus Lumina II |
B&W 606 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Lumina II features a 1.15" high definition DAD Tweeter and 1 x 6" paper cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz. On the other hand, the 606 S2 AE features a 1" Aluminum Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer .
Frequency Response
Lumina II has a frequency range of 55-24k Hz whereas 606 S2 AE has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 606 S2 AE can go slightly deeper then the Lumina II's min frequency of 55Hz.
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 II is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the 606 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 II can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Lumina II sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the 606 S2 AE's is rated at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the B&W 606 S2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Lumina II, 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.
Lumina II can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 606 S2 AE has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the Lumina II.
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
Both Lumina II and 606 S2 AE features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Sonus Lumina II's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
B&W 606 S2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Lumina II has a front firing port whereas 606 S2 AE has a rear firing ports. Sonus Lumina II's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to B&W 606 S2 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 II's and B&W 606 S2's external dimensions. Sonus Lumina II has external dimensions of 304.0 x 180.0 x 263.0mm ( 12 x 7.1 x 10.3inch) whereas B&W 606 S2 has external dimensions of 347.0 x 191.0 x 326.0mm ( 13-5/8 x 7-1/2 x 12-13/16inch) .
B&W 606 S2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 11mm wider, 43mm taller and 63mm deeper than Sonus Lumina II.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sonus Lumina II and B&W 606 S2 in scale.
Comparison image of Sonus Lumina II and B&W 606 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 II is approximately 473.4cm2 / 73.4inch2 and base area of the B&W 606 S2 is approximately 622.7cm2 / 96.5inch2. The Lumina II requires 24% less surface area than the 606 S2 AE 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:
Size Comparison image of Sonus Lumina II and B&W 606 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 II weighs 5.65kg / 12.4lbs and the B&W 606 S2 weighs 6.90kg / 15.2lbs. This makes the 606 S2 AE 22% heavier than the Lumina II.
Here is a comparison of how Lumina II and 606 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 II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Lumina II:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers1 Manual 2 Jumpers2 Grilles 2 Fabric dust guards
What's in the Box of B&W 606 S2?
Here are the items that come with the 606 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
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Height |
304mm
vs
347mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
473cm2 (180x263mm)
vs
622cm2 (191x326mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Sonus Faber Lumina II |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition |
| Brand |
Sonus Faber |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-150 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-24k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
| 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 |
1800Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
304.0mm (12") |
347.0mm (13.7") |
| Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
263.0mm (10.4") |
326.0mm (12.8") |
| Weight |
5.65kg (12.4lbs) |
6.90kg (15.2lbs) |
| 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 |