Short answer: the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2, if you are buying new. The JBL XPL-90 measures as well as it (#104 vs #106 of 134 bookshelf speakers, 3.1/5 vs 3.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 is still sold new at $3,500.
Buy the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 new; the JBL XPL-90 is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JBL XPL-90 | Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,298 per pair used (vintage, late 1980s), Discontinued | $3500 per pair |
| Ranked | #104 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #106 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 6.5” bass/mid driver, 1” titanium dome tweeter | 1x 6.5” mid-woofer (paper cone), 1x 1.1” (28mm) DAD soft dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 15.5”H x 9.5”W x 9.8”D (394 x 241 x 248 mm) | 16.3”H x 8.9”W x 14”D (414.3 x 227.0 x 355.6 mm) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 100W nominal, 400W max | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48.7Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.7 (spinorama.org) | 4.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.31 (spinorama.org) | 6.54 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, front |
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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 Sonetto II G2: $3500 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Two-way design with a 1.125” damped Apex Dome silk tweeter and 6.5” cone woofer, using a base of concrete, aluminum, and steel with under-cabinet venting. Notably more neutral than Sonus Faber’s own Lumina 2, which runs 2-5dB hotter in the treble. Horizontal directivity narrows at a fairly constant, well-behaved rate rather than narrowing-then-widening-then-narrowing like some rivals (including the Lumina 2), meaning sidewall reflections match the direct sound well enough that the reviewer doesn’t recommend sidewall absorption for this speaker. The tweeter-to-woofer crossover handoff around 3kHz looks clean, suggesting a higher-order crossover than typical for the size/price class. Good dynamic range: the low end loses only about 2dB from 76dB to 96dB, otherwise holding up well. Not a difficult amplifier load (about 4.2 ohms minimum impedance). Bass extension reaches a genuine 50Hz in-room, fuller than the Lumina 2. Measured bass extension of 62Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87dB.
Cons: Sounds notably bright pointed directly on-axis; toeing the speaker out about 30° reduces treble energy and sibilance meaningfully. A resonance around 700Hz gives vocals a slightly nasal, hollow quality. A dip in the upper midrange (roughly 1-2kHz) reduces perceived detail and attack, while the elevated treble can read as “analytical” or “detailed” to some listeners despite being a coloration rather than true resolution. Needs more clearance from the rear wall than some rivals (about 1.5-2 feet in an ideal room, more or less depending on your specific room modes) or the 80-120Hz region can become boomy. Vertical listening window is limited to about ±10-15° from the tweeter axis. Some unexplained directivity irregularities appear around 1.2kHz and 1.6kHz, possibly port-related, along with a longer decay in the 800Hz-1600Hz range in burst-decay measurements. Multitone distortion approaches the reviewer’s 3% threshold through the midrange, though likely not obviously audible without direct A/B comparison. A resonance in the cabinet appears around 400Hz in impedance measurements.
Full Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 8.9”W x 14”D (414.3 x 227.0 x 355.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 6.5” mid-woofer (paper cone), 1x 1.1” (28mm) DAD soft dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.54 |
| Weight | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
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