In this review, we will be comparing Sonetto Center G2 and Sonetto CII, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Sonus faber.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 and Sonus Sonetto Center II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 | Sonus Sonetto Center II |
|---|
| Brand | Sonus faber
Italy · founded 1983 | Sonus faber
Italy · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" Soft-Dome | 1.15" high definition DAD Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 4" | 2 x 6" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6-1/2" | 2 x 6" aluminum cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 45-40k Hz | 42-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 50-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 17.63kg / 38.8lbs | 16.20kg / 35.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9-1/2" x 25-9/16" x 14-9/16"
241.3 x 649.3 x 369.9mm | 11.4" x 29.3" x 16"
289.0 x 743.0 x 409.0mm |
|---|
Sonetto Center G2 and Sonetto CII are members of Sonus faber's Sonetto series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Sonus faber Sonetto Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Sonetto Center G2 and Sonetto CII are 3-way speakers.
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2Sonus Sonetto Center II
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 |
Sonus Sonetto Center II |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1.15-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 4-inch |
2 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-1/2-inch
|
2 x 6-inch
|
Sonetto Center G2 features a 1.1" Soft-Dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 2 x 6-1/2" Woofer. On the other hand, the Sonetto CII features a 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 2 x 6" aluminum cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1.650 Hz.
Frequency Response
Sonetto Center G2 has a frequency range of 45-40k Hz whereas Sonetto CII has a frequency range of 42-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Sonetto CII can go slightly deeper then the Sonetto Center G2's min frequency of 45Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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
Sonetto Center G2 and Sonetto CII have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Sonetto Center G2 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Sonetto CII's is at 91 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Sonus Sonetto Center II a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2, 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 Sonetto Center G2 and the Sonetto Center G2 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
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.
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Sonetto CII features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Sonetto Center G2 has a Binding Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Sonus Sonetto Center II's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
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 Faber Sonetto Center G2's and Sonus Sonetto Center II's external dimensions. Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 has external dimensions of 241.3 x 649.3 x 369.9mm () whereas Sonus Sonetto Center II has external dimensions of 289.0 x 743.0 x 409.0mm (12 x 30 x 16inch).
Sonus Sonetto Center II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 93.7mm wider, 47.7mm taller and 39.1mm deeper than Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Sonus Sonetto Center II needs about 27% more floor or shelf area. Sonus Sonetto Center II is 39mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Sonus Sonetto Center II is 48mm taller.
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 Faber Sonetto Center G2 is approximately 2401.8cm2 / 372.3inch2 and base area of the Sonus Sonetto Center II is approximately 3038.9cm2 / 471.0inch2. The Sonetto Center G2 requires 21% less surface area than the Sonetto CII which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Faber Sonetto Center G2 weighs 17.63kg / 38.8lbs and the Sonus Sonetto Center II weighs 16.20kg / 35.6lbs. This makes the Sonetto Center G2 9% heavier than the Sonetto CII.
Here is a comparison of how Sonetto Center G2 and Sonetto CII's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2
What's in the Box of Sonus Sonetto Center II?
Here are the items that come with the Sonetto CII:
- 1 Masks
- 1 Fabric dust guards
- 1 Basis
- 2 Jumpers
- 1 Manual
 Woofer Size |
6-1/2 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
241mm
vs
289mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2401cm2
vs
3038cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
2199USD
vs
3000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Sonus faber Sonetto Center G2 |
Sonus faber Sonetto Center II |
| Brand |
Sonus faber |
Sonus faber |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-40k Hz |
42-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6-1/2" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
aluminum cone |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1.15" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
high definition DAD Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
4" |
6" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
1.650 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
241.3mm (9.5") |
289.0mm (11.4") |
| Width |
649.3mm (25.6") |
743.0mm (29.3") |
| Depth |
369.9mm (14.6") |
409.0mm (16.1") |
| Weight |
17.63kg (38.8lbs) |
16.20kg (35.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Wood, White, Black, Wenge |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Yrs (8 Yrs registered) |
|
| Labor Warranty |
2 Yrs (8 Yrs registered) |
|
Siblings in Sonus faber's Sonetto series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Sonus Sonetto Center II digs deeper - 42Hz against 45Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Sonus Sonetto Center II is more sensitive (91dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 is easier to place; Sonus Sonetto Center II is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Sonus Sonetto Center II: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | Sonus Sonetto Center II is cheaper - $2,199 against $3,000, about 27% less. |
A Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 B Sonus Sonetto Center II
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Sonus Sonetto Center II is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. In a large or open-plan room, Sonus Sonetto Center II has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Sonus Faber Sonetto Center G2 is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Sonus Sonetto Center II is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.