In this review, we will be comparing Duetto and Focus 20 XD, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Sonus faber and Dynaudio. Being Powered speakers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus faber Duetto and Dynaudio Focus 20 XD first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Sonus faber Duetto | Dynaudio Focus 20 XD |
|---|
| Brand | Sonus faber
Italy · founded 1983 | Dynaudio
Denmark · founded 1977 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 700-watt RMS | 300-watt RMS |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" Soft-Dome | 1.1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Paper-Pulp | 6.7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
|---|
| Frequency response | 37-30k Hz | 39-24k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 192 kHz | 24-bit / 192 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 5.0 | Optional |
|---|
| App control | Yes | — |
|---|
| Weight | 6.80kg / 15lbs | 8.62kg / 19lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.4375" x 8.3125" x 11.0625"
342.0 x 212.0 x 281.0mm | 14.25" x 7.8125" x 12.125"
362.0 x 198.4 x 308.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Duetto and Focus 20 XD are 2-way speakers.
Sonus faber DuettoDynaudio Focus 20 XD
TweeterWoofer
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 Duetto |
Dynaudio Focus 20 XD |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1.1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 6.7-inch
|
Duetto features a 1.1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Paper-Pulp Woofer. On the other hand, the Focus 20 XD features a 1.1" Coated-Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer Woofer.
Frequency Response
Duetto has a frequency range of 37-30k Hz whereas Focus 20 XD has a frequency range of 39-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 37Hz, the Duetto can go slightly deeper then the Focus 20 XD's min frequency of 39Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Duetto and Focus 20 XD have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Sonus faber Duetto Port
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 Duetto's and Dynaudio Focus 20 XD's external dimensions. Sonus faber Duetto has external dimensions of 342.0 x 212.0 x 281.0mm (13.4375inch x 8.3125inch x 11.0625inch) whereas Dynaudio Focus 20 XD has external dimensions of 362.0 x 198.4 x 308.0mm (14.25 x 7.8125 x 12.125inch).
Sonus faber Duetto is 20mm shorter and 27mm less deeper than Dynaudio Focus 20 XD but it is also 13.6mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sonus faber Duetto and Dynaudio Focus 20 XD in scale.
Comparison image of Sonus faber Duetto and Dynaudio Focus 20 XD 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 faber Duetto is approximately 595.7cm2 / 92.3inch2 and base area of the Dynaudio Focus 20 XD is approximately 611.1cm2 / 94.7inch2. The Duetto requires 3% less surface area than the Focus 20 XD which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is 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 faber Duetto and Dynaudio Focus 20 XD 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 faber Duetto weighs 6.80kg / 15lbs and the Dynaudio Focus 20 XD weighs 8.62kg / 19lbs. This makes the Focus 20 XD 27% heavier than the Duetto.
Here is a comparison of how Duetto and Focus 20 XD's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Sonus faber Duetto?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Duetto:
- 2 Wireless powered speakers
- 2 Grilles
- Two 6.5-feet AC power cords
- Remote control
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of Dynaudio Focus 20 XD?
Here are the items that come with the Focus 20 XD:
- 2 Powered loudspeakers
- 2 AC power cords
- Remote control
- Setup Manual
 Low Frequency Response |
37 Hz
vs
39 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
Apple iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
342mm
vs
362mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
595cm2
vs
611cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
3999USD
vs
6000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Ethernet Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
High quality streaming over Ethernet |
 USB Port |
Service only
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 HDMI Input |
eARC
vs
No
|
Connect HDMI sources directly |
 Subwoofer Output |
mono-RCA
vs
No
|
Pair your speakers with external subwoofer |
|
Woofer Size |
6.7 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
| General |
Sonus faber Duetto |
Dynaudio Focus 20 XD |
| Brand |
Sonus faber |
Dynaudio |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
37-30k Hz |
39-24k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
700-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
192 kHz |
192 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
6.7" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper-Pulp |
Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1.1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
342.0mm (13.5") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Width |
212.0mm (8.3") |
198.4mm (7.8") |
| Depth |
281.0mm (11.1") |
308.0mm (12.1") |
| Weight |
6.80kg (15lbs) |
8.62kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Black,Walnut |
n/a |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
RCA |
| USB Port |
Service only |
No |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
mono-RCA |
No |
| Digital Input |
Optical |
Coax |
| HDMI Input |
eARC |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Yrs (3 Yrs registered) |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Yrs (3 Yrs registered) |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Sonus faber Duetto is the newer design, against a 2016 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (37Hz vs 39Hz). |
| Built-in power | A | Sonus faber Duetto has the bigger amplifier (700W vs 300W RMS). |
| Connections | A | Sonus faber Duetto adds Wi-Fi, streaming and HDMI. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | A | Sonus faber Duetto: a sub output. |
| Price | A | Sonus faber Duetto is cheaper - $3,999 against $6,000, about 33% less. |
A Sonus faber Duetto B Dynaudio Focus 20 XD
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 faber Duetto is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Dynaudio Focus 20 XD if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $2,001 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.