Short answer: the AsciLab F6B. It ranks #12 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $980; the Sonus Faber Lumina II ranks #158, rated 3.4/5, and costs $1,600, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The AsciLab F6B is the more accurate choice. A great value bookshelf speaker with accurate, well balanced sound and punchy midbass that gives kick drums extra impact. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.32 against 3.81 for the Sonus Faber Lumina II. Watch for: A mild sibilance-inducing lift around 6-8kHz, most noticeable on female vocals, paired with a shallow dip in the upper midrange: correctable with a simple 3-band EQ the reviewer provided.
Why pick the Sonus Faber Lumina II: Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement. The tradeoff: Not a neutral speaker: has a persistent high-frequency boost/lift that makes it sound forward and bright, present whether pointed directly at the listener or toed out.
Buy the AsciLab F6B. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Lumina II and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the AsciLab F6B scores 8.3 against 6.1 for the Sonus Faber Lumina II on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (38 Hz vs 41 Hz, 10 dB down).
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Specifications Side By Side
| AsciLab F6B | Sonus Faber Lumina II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $980 per pair | $1,600.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #12 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #158 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7” x 8” x 10.4” (400 x 203 x 265 mm) | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 6” fiber cone woofer | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) each | 12.5 lbs (5.65 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator loaded | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 1000Hz | 1800Hz |
| Recommended Power | up to 125W | 30W - 150W |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.32 | 3.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.26 | 6.10 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- AsciLab F6B: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Sonus Faber Lumina II: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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