Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. It ranks #114 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $468; the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 ranks #183, rated 3.1/5, and costs $3,500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 is the more accurate pick. On-axis response is impressively flat from about 100Hz to 2kHz, staying within roughly ±1dB, with a clean, gradual bass rolloff below that. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.30 against 4.25 for the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2. The catch: A narrow dip in the on-axis and listening-window response appears in the 3-5kHz range (down to about -2.7dB), mirrored by a matching dip in the directivity index at the same frequencies: likely a brief widening of dispersion right at the tweeter/woofer crossover.
The Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 is the deeper-bass pick. Two-way design with a 1.125” damped Apex Dome silk tweeter and 6.5” cone woofer, using a base of concrete, aluminum, and steel with under-cabinet venting. Its bass reaches about 62Hz before falling 3dB, against 70Hz for the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. Watch for: Sounds notably bright pointed directly on-axis; toeing the speaker out about 30° reduces treble energy and sibilance meaningfully.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2. 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.
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On-axis response is impressively flat from about 100Hz to 2kHz, staying within roughly ±1dB, with a clean, gradual bass rolloff below that.
Ascend Acoustics $468 eBay
Two-way design with a 1.125” damped Apex Dome silk tweeter and 6.5” cone woofer, using a base of concrete, aluminum, and steel with under-cabinet venting.
Crutchfield $3500 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 CBM-170 SE2 | Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $468 per pair | $3500 per pair |
| Ranked | #114 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #183 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, manufacturer spinorama data) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.8dB (2.83V/1m, measured, manufacturer spinorama data; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 27mm custom SEAS soft dome tweeter, 6.5” proprietary composite polygel cone woofer | 1x 6.5” mid-woofer (paper cone), 1x 1.1” (28mm) DAD soft dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 12H x 9W x 9.5D in | 16.3”H x 8.9”W x 14”D (414.3 x 227.0 x 355.6 mm) |
| Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 200W continuous, 400W peak | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.30 | 4.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.66 | 6.54 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE2 (measured by the manufacturer) and Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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