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 Sonetto II G2 ranks #183, rated 3.1/5, and costs $3,500, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. A compact bookshelf speaker with very neutral, flat sound, a wide soundstage, and surprisingly deep bass in a bamboo cabinet. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.63 against 4.25 for the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2. Its bass reaches about 47Hz before falling 3dB, against 62Hz for the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2. The catch: Very low sensitivity at about 81dB, so it needs a genuinely powerful amplifier to reach normal listening levels.
Why pick 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 catch: Sounds notably bright pointed directly on-axis; toeing the speaker out about 30° reduces treble energy and sibilance meaningfully.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
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.
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-LX | Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1598 per pair | $3500 per pair |
| Ranked | #37 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #183 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 47Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.3” x 7.5” x 10.5” (362 x 191 x 267 mm) | 16.3”H x 8.9”W x 14”D (414.3 x 227.0 x 355.6 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (5.5 ohms minimum) | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 81dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6” aluminum cone woofer, 26mm dome tweeter | 1x 6.5” mid-woofer (paper cone), 1x 1.1” (28mm) DAD soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, flared rear port | ported, front |
| Power Handling | 350W continuous, 500W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 23kHz (in-room, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Country | USA | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.63 | 4.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.44 | 6.54 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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