Short answer: the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator, if you are buying new. The JBL XPL-90 ranks higher than it (#104 vs #110 of 134 bookshelf speakers, 3.1/5 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.
Buy the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator if you want one new; the JBL XPL-90 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL XPL-90 | Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,298 per pair used (vintage, late 1980s), Discontinued | $2000 per pair |
| Ranked | #104 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #110 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 6.5” bass/mid driver, 1” titanium dome tweeter | 1.14” DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9” paper cone woofer |
| Dimensions | 15.5”H x 9.5”W x 9.8”D (394 x 241 x 248 mm) | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 100W nominal, 400W max | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.7 (spinorama.org) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.31 (spinorama.org) | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| 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 2, 2026 at 10:18 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.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL XPL-90: $1,298 per pair used (vintage, late 1980s) Discontinued eBay
Pros: Nearly ruler-flat on-axis response up to 1kHz with even horizontal directivity until the tweeter beams above 10kHz. The reviewer found real strength with vocals and simpler instrumentation, calling it “the first speaker I have liked that has some clear response errors” and “an enjoyable speaker” despite the flaws. Titanium tweeter and internal Monster cable wiring reflect JBL’s higher-end late-1980s engineering. Measured bass extension of 77.6Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Crossover region peaking around 3kHz and treble peaking above 10kHz color the top end, and poor vertical directivity means the tweeter needs to be at ear level. Distortion rises at 96dB SPL, especially around 3kHz. Long discontinued; only available on the used market.
Full JBL XPL-90 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.5”H x 9.5”W x 9.8”D (394 x 241 x 248 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” bass/mid driver, 1” titanium dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms |
| Power Handling | 100W nominal, 400W max |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.7 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.31 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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 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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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