Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX. It ranks #37 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,598; 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-LX is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A compact bookshelf speaker with very neutral, flat sound, a wide soundstage, and surprisingly deep bass in a bamboo cabinet. Its bass reaches about 47Hz before falling 3dB, against 63Hz for the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator. The catch: Very low sensitivity at about 81dB, so it needs a genuinely powerful amplifier to reach normal listening levels.
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 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-LX. 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.
A compact bookshelf speaker with very neutral, flat sound, a wide soundstage, and surprisingly deep bass in a bamboo cabinet.
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
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX | Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1598 per pair | $2000 per pair |
| Ranked | #37 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #188 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.3” x 7.5” x 10.5” (362 x 191 x 267 mm) | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (5.5 ohms minimum) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 81dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6” aluminum cone woofer, 26mm dome tweeter | 1.14” DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9” paper cone woofer |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, flared rear port | Bass reflex, ported |
| Power Handling | 350W continuous, 500W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 23kHz (in-room, manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Country | USA | Italy (Vicenza) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.63 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.44 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
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