Short answer: the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It ranks #48 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $549; 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 Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 is the more accurate choice. A great value bookshelf speaker with neutral sound, an AMT ribbon tweeter, and decent bass for its size. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.65 against 4.25 for the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2. The tradeoff: Slight recessed upper-midrange around 2kHz from the tweeter-to-woofer handoff.
What the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 does well: An Italian bookshelf speaker with a silk dome tweeter, a stylish concrete and metal base and evenly behaved dispersion. Watch for: Sounds notably bright pointed directly on-axis; toeing the speaker out about 30° reduces treble energy and sibilance meaningfully.
Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv XB2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A great value bookshelf speaker with neutral sound, an AMT ribbon tweeter, and decent bass for its size.
An Italian bookshelf speaker with a silk dome tweeter, a stylish concrete and metal base and evenly behaved dispersion.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Emotiva Airmotiv XB2 | Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 per pair | $3500 per pair |
| Ranked | #48 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #183 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 12.8” x 8.5” x 11.5” (325 x 216 x 292 mm) | 16.3”H x 8.9”W x 14”D (414.3 x 227.0 x 355.6 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (safe with 8-ohm rated amps) | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, Manufacturer specified) | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1x 6” woven cone woofer, 1x 25x32mm AMT folded ribbon tweeter | 1x 6.5” mid-woofer (paper cone), 1x 1.1” (28mm) DAD soft dome tweeter |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs (8.2 kg) | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, rear ported | ported, front |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 27kHz (+3/-3dB, Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Power Handling | 125W continuous, 200W peak | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.65 | 4.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.93 | 6.54 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Emotiva Airmotiv XB2: