Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It ranks #41 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,748; the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 ranks #183, rated 3.1/5, and costs $3,500, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 is the more accurate pick. A ribbon tweeter bookshelf speaker with hand matched pairs, a frequency response printout for each unit, and a long seven year warranty. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.88 against 4.25 for the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2. The tradeoff: 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.
The case for the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2: An Italian bookshelf speaker with a silk dome tweeter, a stylish concrete and metal base and evenly behaved dispersion. The tradeoff: Sounds notably bright pointed directly on-axis; toeing the speaker out about 30° reduces treble energy and sibilance meaningfully.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A ribbon tweeter bookshelf speaker with hand matched pairs, a frequency response printout for each unit, and a long seven year warranty.
An Italian bookshelf speaker with a silk dome tweeter, a stylish concrete and metal base and evenly behaved dispersion.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 | Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,748 per pair | $3500 per pair |
| Ranked | #41 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #183 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | RAAL 10mm true ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv cone woofer | 1x 6.5” mid-woofer (paper cone), 1x 1.1” (28mm) DAD soft dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 14.3”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (362 x 190 x 267 mm) | 16.3”H x 8.9”W x 14”D (414.3 x 227.0 x 355.6 mm) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous, 300W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 51-27,000Hz +/-3dB (manufacturer) | - |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 | 4.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.95 | 6.54 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, front |
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