Short answer: the Buchardt Audio E50. It ranks #16 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $4,600. The Sonus Faber Lumina II ranks #158, rated 3.4/5, at $1,600, $3,000 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Buchardt Audio E50 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.84 against 3.81 for the Sonus Faber Lumina II. Its bass reaches about 40Hz before falling 3dB, against 60Hz for the Sonus Faber Lumina II. Watch for: A roughly 3dB dip in the upper midrange/lower treble softens attack and dialogue clarity: the reviewer’s main complaint, and it’s baked into the crossover rather than a directivity artifact, so it’s audible both on and off axis.
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 Buchardt Audio E50. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $3,000 you would save on the Sonus Faber Lumina II does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A bookshelf speaker with remarkably deep bass for its size, a very neutral midrange, and low distortion, with no need to sit near a wall.
Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Buchardt Audio E50 | Sonus Faber Lumina II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4600 per pair | $1,600 per pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #158 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.6” x 7.5” x 11.2” (395 x 190 x 284 mm) | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83.1dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Drivers | 1” Scanspeak dome tweeter with waveguide, 6.5” Purifi extended-stroke woofer, dual 6.5” passive radiators | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer |
| Weight | 19 lbs (8.6 kg) each | 12.5 lbs (5.65 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Passive radiator loaded | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2000Hz | 1800Hz |
| Frequency Response | 36Hz - 30kHz ±3dB (Manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | 60W - 200W | 30W - 150W |
| Country | Denmark | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.84 | 3.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.61 | 6.10 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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