In this review, we will be comparing Lumina II and RP-400M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Sonus Faber and Klipsch. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Lumina II and Klipsch RP-400M first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Lumina II and Klipsch RP-400M 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 Klipsch RP-400M 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 II and RP-400M are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Sonus Lumina II |
Klipsch RP-400M |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 4-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 RP-400M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 4" Cerametallic Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1500Hz.
Frequency Response
Lumina II has a frequency range of 55-24k Hz whereas RP-400M has a frequency range of 52-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the RP-400M 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 RP-400M 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 RP-400M's is rated at 93 dB. This 7 dB difference makes the Klipsch RP-400M 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 RP-400M has a max power handling value of 50 watts RMS, 100 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
Lumina II features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. RP-400M has a Single binding posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Lumina II has a front firing port whereas RP-400M 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 Klipsch RP-400M 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 Klipsch RP-400M'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 Klipsch RP-400M has external dimensions of 298.0 x 144.0 x 191.0mm ( 11.7 x 5.6 x 7.5inch) .
Sonus Lumina II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 36mm wider, 6mm taller and 72mm deeper than Klipsch RP-400M.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sonus Lumina II and Klipsch RP-400M 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 II is approximately 473.4cm2 / 73.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RP-400M is approximately 275.0cm2 / 42.6inch2. The Lumina II requires 72% more surface area than the RP-400M which gives it a small disadvantage 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 II weighs 5.65kg / 12.4lbs and the Klipsch RP-400M weighs 4.10kg / 9lbs. This makes the Lumina II 38% heavier than the RP-400M.
Here is a comparison of how Lumina II and RP-400M'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 Klipsch RP-400M?
Here are the items that come with the RP-400M:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles (installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet User Manual Important Safety Instructions Warranty Information
Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
50 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
6 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 |
Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
298mm
vs
304mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
275cm2 (144x191mm)
vs
473cm2 (180x263mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
1199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Sonus Faber Lumina II |
Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-400M |
Brand |
Sonus Faber |
Klipsch |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-150 watts |
up to 50 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
93 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
55-24k Hz |
52-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6" |
4" |
Woofer Composition |
paper cone |
Cerametallic |
Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD |
Tractrix Horn |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
1800Hz |
1500Hz |
Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
304.0mm (12") |
298.0mm (11.7") |
Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
144.0mm (5.7") |
Depth |
263.0mm (10.4") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
Weight |
5.65kg (12.4lbs) |
4.10kg (9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
real multilayer wood |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Black, Wenge, Walnut |
Ebony, Walnut, Piano Black |
Mounting Bracket |
|
Keyhole |
Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
28-30" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |