Short answer: the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8. It ranks #23 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $6,000. The Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator ranks #188, rated 3.0/5, at $2,000, $4,000 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. A big three way monitor with dual 8 inch woofers, bass deep enough to skip a subwoofer, and extremely low distortion at high volume. Its bass reaches about 41Hz before falling 3dB, against 63Hz for the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator. The tradeoff: A dip in the midbase around 100Hz noticeably reduces the “chestiness” of male vocals compared to the reviewer’s reference speaker.
What the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator does well: A luxurious Italian bookshelf speaker with a gorgeous cabinet, solid bass for its size and wide, consistent dispersion. The catch: Very bright treble, running 3-6dB above the midrange depending on measurement angle: independently corroborated by other owners online, not just one reviewer’s opinion.
Buy the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $4,000 with the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A big three way monitor with dual 8 inch woofers, bass deep enough to skip a subwoofer, and extremely low distortion at high volume.
A luxurious Italian bookshelf speaker with a gorgeous cabinet, solid bass for its size and wide, consistent dispersion.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 | Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6000 per pair | $2000 per pair |
| Ranked | #23 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #188 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 31.8”H x 11.4”W x 17.6”D (807.7 x 289.6 x 447 mm) | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Dual 8” woofers, 5” midrange, 28mm tweeter | 1.14” DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9” paper cone woofer |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 103.6 lbs (47 kg) each | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | Bass reflex, ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.59 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.04 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
| Country | - | Italy (Vicenza) |
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