Short answer: the Buchardt S400 MK3, if you are buying new. The Buchardt S400 MKII ranks higher than the Sonus Faber Lumina II (#111 vs #158 of 222 bookshelf speakers) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Buchardt S400 MK3, is rated 4.0/5 at $2,300 and is still sold new.
The Buchardt S400 MKII is the more accurate choice. Bookshelf speakers with very flat sound, precise imaging and adjustable bass, now discontinued but worth buying used. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.38 against 3.81 for the Sonus Faber Lumina II. The catch: Sounds a bit bright and slightly boosted above about 7-8kHz on-axis, even with 30° of toe-out: benefits from about 1 inch of sidewall absorption at the first reflection points to tame it.
Why pick the Sonus Faber Lumina II: Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement. Watch for: 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 S400 MK3, the replacement for the discontinued Buchardt S400 MKII; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Lumina II.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Buchardt S400 MKII | Sonus Faber Lumina II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2400 per pair Discontinued | $1,600 per pair |
| Ranked | #111 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #158 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 59Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.4”H x 7”W x 11”D (365.8 x 177.8 x 279.4 mm) | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.7dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Drivers | 6.5” aluminum cone woofer, 1” soft dome tweeter | 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 | ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.38 | 3.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.46 | 6.10 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1800Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
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