Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It ranks #24 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $798; the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator ranks #188, rated 3.0/5, and costs $2,000, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 is the better-sounding choice. High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.99 preference score with a subwoofer. The catch: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33.
The Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator is the deeper-bass choice. Solid bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 63Hz, F10 43Hz), reaching about 50Hz in-room. Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 3dB, against 77.6Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. 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 Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 | Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $798 per pair | $2000 per pair |
| Ranked | #24 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #188 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter | 1.14” DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9” paper cone woofer |
| Sensitivity | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak | - |
| Dimensions | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.33 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.99 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | Bass reflex, ported |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
| Country | - | Italy (Vicenza) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2: $798 per pair Ascend Acoustics $798 eBay
Older model: the Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE Center (rated 3.7/5). See every Ascend CBM, HTM and CMT generation.
Same family: the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.8/5) and the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200SE2 (smaller bookshelf, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: High-quality manufacturer Klippel NFS data shows 0.295dB on-axis average absolute deviation, 0.531 listening-window smoothness, and a strong 7.99 preference score with a subwoofer. Its dual 6.5-inch woofers, 92dB anechoic sensitivity, and 240W continuous power rating support high output and dynamics. Measured bass extension of 77.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass rolls off early for the cabinet size, measuring 77.6Hz at -3dB, 64.5Hz at -6dB, and 48.3Hz at -12dB; the preference score without a subwoofer is only 5.33. The 4.35 sound-power directivity-index standard deviation also indicates more off-axis variation than the strongest designs, and the rear port needs placement clearance.
Full Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE2 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2022 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 53Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 21 x 7.5 x 10.5 in each |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 27mm soft-dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 240W continuous; 400W short-term peak |
| Sensitivity | 92dB at 2.83V/1m anechoic |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.33 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.99 |
| Weight | 29.1 lbs (13.2 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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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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