In this review, we will be comparing Sonetto I and Lumina II, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Sonus Faber Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Sonetto I and Sonus Lumina II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Sonetto I and Sonus Lumina II 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 Sonetto I and Sonus Lumina II 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 Sonetto I and Lumina II are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Sonus Sonetto I |
Sonus Lumina II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1.15-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Sonetto I features a 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6" cellulose pulp and other natural fibers Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500 Hz. On the other hand, the Lumina II features a 1.15" high definition DAD Tweeter and 1 x 6" paper cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz.
Frequency Response
Sonetto I has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz whereas Lumina II has a frequency range of 55-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Sonetto I 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
Sonetto I and Lumina II have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Sonetto I sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Lumina II's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Sonus Sonetto I a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Lumina II, 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 I and the Sonetto 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. 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.
Sonetto I and Lumina II has the same power range of 30-150 watts.
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 Sonetto I and Lumina II 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
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Sonetto I and Lumina II 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
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 Sonetto I's and Sonus Lumina II's external dimensions. Sonus Sonetto I has external dimensions of 359.0 x 219.0 x 305.0mm ( 14 x 9 x 12inch) whereas Sonus Lumina II has external dimensions of 304.0 x 180.0 x 263.0mm ( 12 x 7.1 x 10.3inch) .
Sonus Sonetto I is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 39mm wider, 55mm taller and 42mm deeper than Sonus Lumina II.
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 Sonetto I is approximately 668.0cm2 / 103.5inch2 and base area of the Sonus Lumina II is approximately 473.4cm2 / 73.4inch2. The Sonetto I requires 41% more surface area than the Lumina II which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Sonetto I weighs 5.50kg / 12.1lbs and the Sonus Lumina II weighs 5.65kg / 12.4lbs. This makes the Lumina II 3% heavier than the Sonetto I.
Here is a comparison of how Sonetto I and Lumina II'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 Sonetto I?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Sonetto I:
2 Masks2 Fabric dust guards2 Jumpers1 Manual
What's in the Box of Sonus Lumina II?
Here are the items that come with the Lumina II:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers1 Manual 2 Jumpers2 Grilles 2 Fabric dust guards
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
304mm
vs
359mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
473cm2 (180x263mm)
vs
668cm2 (219x305mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Sonus Faber Sonetto I |
Sonus Faber Lumina II |
| Brand |
Sonus Faber |
Sonus Faber |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-150 watts |
30-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
55-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
cellulose pulp and other natural fibers |
paper cone |
| Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1.15" |
| Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD Dome |
high definition DAD |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500 Hz |
1800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
359.0mm (14.1") |
304.0mm (12") |
| Width |
219.0mm (8.6") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
305.0mm (12") |
263.0mm (10.4") |
| Weight |
5.50kg (12.1lbs) |
5.65kg (12.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
real multilayer wood |
| Available Colors |
Wood, White, Black, Wenge |
Black, Wenge, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|