Short answer: the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator, if you are buying new. The JBL Studio 630 ranks higher than it (#123 vs #172 of 203 bookshelf speakers, 3.6/5 vs 3.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator is still sold new at $2,000.
The JBL Studio 630 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass option. Excellent directivity linearity: harmonics of the same instrument stay collocated in the soundstage instead of drifting between positions, giving precise, stable imaging that holds up well into higher frequencies where many speakers start to beam and narrow. Its bass reaches about 54.2Hz before falling 3dB, against 63Hz for the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator. The tradeoff: Noticeable mid-range dip/scoop relative to the higher frequencies: not dramatic, but audibly “missing” something by the second or third track.
The case for the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator: Solid bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 63Hz, F10 43Hz), reaching about 50Hz in-room. Watch for: 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 Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator new; the JBL Studio 630 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Studio 630 | Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 per pair Discontinued | $2000 per pair |
| Ranked | #123 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #172 of 203 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 6.5” PolyPlas cone woofer, 1” compression driver (2414H-1) with waveguide | 1.14” DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9” paper cone woofer |
| Dimensions | 14-13/16”H x 9”W x 11-5/16”D | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) each | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 83.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 85dB manufacturer specified) | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 40,000Hz (manufacturer specified) | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | up to 150W | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.67 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.68 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | Bass reflex, ported |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
| Country | - | Italy (Vicenza) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Studio 630: $699 per pair Discontinued eBay
Same family: the JBL Studio 698 (floorstanding, rated 4.3/5).
Pros: Excellent directivity linearity: harmonics of the same instrument stay collocated in the soundstage instead of drifting between positions, giving precise, stable imaging that holds up well into higher frequencies where many speakers start to beam and narrow. Good compression behavior: mid-bass stays taut and controlled from low to high volume without the sound falling apart or distorting as you turn it up. A pleasant, controlled mid-bass bump in the 60-100 Hz range adds punch to kick drums without bleeding into an uncontrolled boom on bass guitar. Horizontal radiation holds steady off-axis (about ±60°), so toe-in isn’t fussy. Compared directly to its predecessor, the JBL Studio 530, the reviewer would pick the 630 (smoother trend line through the upper mids and treble, and likely more dynamic headroom) as long as you’re willing to EQ. Measured bass extension of 54.2Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83.2dB.
Cons: Noticeable mid-range dip/scoop relative to the higher frequencies: not dramatic, but audibly “missing” something by the second or third track. Some tracks read as forward or aggressive around 2 kHz, like the upper frequencies are jumping out at you rather than sitting in stage depth. Needs EQ to bring the mid-range back up to be fully recommendable; without EQ available, the reviewer says he’d look at a different speaker entirely. Measured sensitivity (about 83.2dB) runs noticeably below the 85dB manufacturer spec, likely a byproduct of the mid-range dip skewing the average downward. Discontinued and no longer sold new.
Full JBL Studio 630 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14-13/16”H x 9”W x 11-5/16”D |
| Drivers | 6.5” PolyPlas cone woofer, 1” compression driver (2414H-1) with waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 40,000Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.7 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | up to 150W |
| Sensitivity | 83.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 85dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.67 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.68 |
| Weight | 19.8 lbs (9 kg) each |
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Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator: $2000 per pair Crutchfield eBay
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. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86.9dB.
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 Sonus Faber 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 | Italy (Vicenza) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| 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 |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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