In this review, we will be comparing Lumina II and L200, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Sonus Faber and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Lumina II and Polk L200 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Lumina II and Polk L200 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 Polk L200 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 L200 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Sonus Lumina II |
Polk L200 |
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 L200 features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz.
Frequency Response
Lumina II has a frequency range of 55-24k Hz whereas L200 has a frequency range of 46-38k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the L200 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to 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 and L200 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Lumina II sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the L200's is at 85.5 dB.
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 II and the Lumina II 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. 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 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Lumina II has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the L200.
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 L200 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Lumina II has a front firing port whereas L200 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 Polk L200 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 Polk L200'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 Polk L200 has external dimensions of 399.0 x 213.0 x 339.0mm ( 15-11/16 x 8-3/8 x 13-5/16inch) .
Polk L200 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 33mm wider, 95mm taller and 76mm deeper than Sonus Lumina II.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sonus Lumina II and Polk L200 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 Polk L200 is approximately 722.1cm2 / 111.9inch2. The Lumina II requires 34% less surface area than the L200 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 II weighs 5.65kg / 12.4lbs and the Polk L200 weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs. This makes the L200 77% heavier than the Lumina II.
Here is a comparison of how Lumina II and L200'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 Polk L200?
Here are the items that come with the L200:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles Cleaning cloth Owners Manual Online Registration
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
Height |
304mm
vs
399mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
473cm2 (180x263mm)
vs
722cm2 (213x339mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
1499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
General |
Sonus Faber Lumina II |
Polk Audio Legend L200 |
Brand |
Sonus Faber |
Polk Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-150 watts |
30-200 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
85.5 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
3 ohms |
Frequency Response |
55-24k Hz |
46-38k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
paper cone |
Polypropylene |
Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD |
Ring Radiator |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
1800Hz |
2600Hz |
Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
304.0mm (12") |
399.0mm (15.7") |
Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
213.0mm (8.4") |
Depth |
263.0mm (10.4") |
339.0mm (13.3") |
Weight |
5.65kg (12.4lbs) |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
real multilayer wood |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Available Colors |
Black, Wenge, Walnut |
Brown Walnut, Black Ash |
Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
22-26" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |