Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It ranks #42 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,748; the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator ranks #188, rated 3.0/5, and costs $2,000, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 is the better-sounding pick. A RAAL true ribbon tweeter is paired with a custom SEAS Excel Curv woofer, with the crossover optimized against Klippel NFS measurement data. The catch: On-axis response is relatively uneven, with an average deviation of about 0.45dB, so a listener sitting dead center may notice more unevenness than with smoother AsciLab or Ascend towers.
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 tradeoff: 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 Sierra-2EX V2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A RAAL true ribbon tweeter is paired with a custom SEAS Excel Curv woofer, with the crossover optimized against Klippel NFS measurement data.
Ascend Acoustics $1,748 eBay
Solid bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 63Hz, F10 43Hz), reaching about 50Hz in-room.
Crutchfield $2000 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 | Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,748 per pair | $2000 per pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #188 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | RAAL 10mm true ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv cone woofer | 1.14” DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9” paper cone woofer |
| Dimensions | 14.3”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (362 x 190 x 267 mm) | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) | 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 | 150W continuous, 300W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 51-27,000Hz +/-3dB (manufacturer) | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor | - |
| Country | United States | Italy (Vicenza) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.95 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | Bass reflex, ported |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
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