Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+. It ranks #72 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $449; the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator ranks #77 and costs $2000, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. The tradeoff: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected.
On the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator side: Solid bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 63Hz, F10 43Hz), reaching about 50Hz in-room. Set against that: Very bright treble, running 3-6dB above the midrange depending on measurement angle - independently corroborated by other owners online, not just one reviewer’s opinion.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator. It ranks near the bottom of the 100 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ | Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | $2000 |
| Ranked | #72 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #77 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter | 1.14" DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9" paper cone woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | Bass reflex, ported |
| Weight | - | 12.8 lbs / 5.8 kg |
| Dimensions | - | 12" x 7.1" x 10.4" (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
| Country of Origin | - | Italy (Vicenza) |
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More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- JBL XPL-90 vs Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
- KEF Q350 vs Aperion Audio Verus V8B
- KEF Q3 Meta vs JBL XPL-90
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Triangle Borea BR03
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Klipsch RP-600M
The Two Speakers In Full
Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: $449.00
Pros: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. The folded-ribbon tweeter provides very broad upper-treble radiation, and the speaker can create a spacious presentation when positioned carefully. Response and directivity remain reasonably orderly below the roughly 2kHz crossover region. The 6.5-inch woofer offers more output capability than compact 5-inch competitors, while F3/F10 of 66/43Hz leave adequate overlap for a conventional 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Horizontal directivity data makes the broad baffle-step trend amenable to partial EQ below the crossover.
Cons: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected. A baffle-step loss around 500Hz depresses the lower midrange while the AMT’s much wider radiation above crossover injects excess room energy, yielding a bright, forward balance and false impression of cymbal detail. The directivity discontinuity near 2kHz cannot be completely equalized. Erin measured F3 at 66Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so meaningful kick-drum fundamentals and low bass still need a subwoofer. Vertical listening tolerance is roughly +/-10 degrees, with best results between the top of the woofer and tweeter axes. Broad lateral treble energy may require careful toe-out and sidewall absorption. Despite a large cabinet, it offers limited deep-bass advantage and was not Erin’s hoped-for successor to the more linear B1+.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs JBL XPL-90
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Polk Reserve R100
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Polk R200
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Revel Performa M22
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs KEF Q350
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Focal Aria 906
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Klipsch RP-600M
- See all 14 comparisons
Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator: $2000 Crutchfield
Pros: Solid bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 63Hz, F10 43Hz), reaching about 50Hz in-room. Decent sensitivity and wide, consistent horizontal dispersion (~60-70 degrees) - better directivity than expected for a two-way design. Gorgeous, luxury-grade cabinet design.
Cons: Very bright treble, running 3-6dB above the midrange depending on measurement angle - independently corroborated by other owners online, not just one reviewer’s opinion. Causes audible sibilance and a forward, grainy character. Notably the brightest of three Sonus Faber models Erin’s Audio Corner has tested, even brighter than the brand’s own Sonetto II G2. A mechanical resonance/ringing artifact shows up around 1kHz in measurements. Needs a subwoofer for anything below about 50Hz.
Full Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Country of Origin | Italy (Vicenza) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7.1" x 10.4" (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.14" DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9" paper cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 30W - 150W |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs / 5.8 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs KEF Q350
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Klipsch RP-600M
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Pylon Jasper Monitor 18
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Triangle Borea BR03
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs B&W 805S
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Aperion Audio Verus V8B
- See all 12 comparisons