Short answer: the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8. It ranks #23 of 216 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $6,000. The Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator ranks #183, 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. Three-way design featuring a 28mm tweeter, 5” mid-range, and dual 8” mid-bass drivers in a convertible sealed/ported HDF cabinet, with a supplied port bung for sealed operation near a wall. 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: Solid bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 63Hz, F10 43Hz), reaching about 50Hz in-room. 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.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 | Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6000 per pair | $2000 per pair |
| Ranked | #23 of 216 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #183 of 216 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Arendal 1528 Monitor 8: $6000 per pair Arendal Sound $6000 eBay
Same family: the Arendal Sound 1528 Bookshelf 8 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, estimated 4.4/5), the Arendal Sound 1528 Tower 8 (floorstanding, estimated 4.5/5) and the Arendal Sound 1528 Center 8 (center, estimated 4.1/5).
Pros: Three-way design featuring a 28mm tweeter, 5” mid-range, and dual 8” mid-bass drivers in a convertible sealed/ported HDF cabinet, with a supplied port bung for sealed operation near a wall. In ported configuration, reaches down to about 35Hz in most rooms (F3 41Hz, F10 26Hz): deep enough that many listeners could skip a subwoofer unless they want output below 40Hz. Extremely low distortion and compression across the board (harmonic, multitone, and both long- and short-term compression testing): among the best the reviewer has tested at this price, beating speakers costing twice as much. Wide, consistent horizontal soundstage of about ±60°. Smooth, non-fatiguing high frequency rather than the elevated “detail” boost common on speakers marketed for resolution. A slight forwardness around 1.5kHz adds a touch of attack without tipping into brightness. Measured bass extension of 41Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.4dB.
Cons: A dip in the midbase around 100Hz noticeably reduces the “chestiness” of male vocals compared to the reviewer’s reference speaker. A diffraction-related flare in the upper-midrange/lower-treble (around 1.5-2kHz) gives a mild forwardness that benefits from sidewall absorption panels, though it’s not a major issue. Vertical sweet spot is fairly narrow at about ±20°: a bigger consideration for multi-row home theater seating than rivals like the MoFi SourcePoint 8, which manages about ±60°. The MoFi SourcePoint 8, a similarly-priced rival, also has more linear bass with no midbase dip, at the cost of a more elevated top end. Minor resonances appear around 400Hz and 800Hz in measurements, though the reviewer considers them inaudible or insignificant. Very heavy (about 104 lbs each) HDF cabinet requires dedicated, sturdy stands. Low EPDR (dips to about 1.9 ohms in two spots) means a Class AB amplifier needs to comfortably handle a 4-ohm load without overheating; a Class D amp is a safer choice for full-range use.
Full Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 review and specifications →
| Released | 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 31.8”H x 11.4”W x 17.6”D (807.7 x 289.6 x 447 mm) |
| Drivers | Dual 8” woofers, 5” midrange, 28mm tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.04 |
| Weight | 103.6 lbs (47 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
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Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator: $2000 per pair Crutchfield $2000 eBay
Same family: the Sonus Faber Lumina I (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.3/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina II (smaller bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.4/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina III (smallest floorstanding, estimated 3.5/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina V (floorstanding, estimated 3.6/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.5/5) and the Sonus Faber Lumina Center I (center, estimated 3.5/5).
Pros: Solid bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 63Hz, F10 43Hz), reaching about 50Hz in-room. Decent sensitivity and wide, consistent horizontal dispersion (~60-70 degrees): better directivity than expected for a two-way design. Gorgeous, luxury-grade cabinet design. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.9dB.
Cons: 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. Causes audible sibilance and a forward, grainy character. Notably the brightest of three Sonus Faber models Erin’s Audio Corner has tested, even brighter than the brand’s own Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2. A mechanical resonance/ringing artifact shows up around 1kHz in measurements. Needs a subwoofer for anything below about 50Hz.
Full Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | Italy (Vicenza) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.14” DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9” paper cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 30W - 150W |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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