Short answer: the JBL XPL-90. It ranks #71 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $1298; the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 ranks #74 and costs $3500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
On the JBL XPL-90 side: Nearly ruler-flat on-axis response up to 1kHz with even horizontal directivity until the tweeter beams above 10kHz. Set against that: 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.
The case for the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2: 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. The tradeoff: Sounds notably bright pointed directly on-axis; toeing the speaker out about 30° reduces treble energy and sibilance meaningfully.
Buy the JBL XPL-90. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL XPL-90 | Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,298 used, discontinued (vintage, late 1980s) | $3500 |
| Ranked | #71 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #74 of 100 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 (-10dB) | - | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, front |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL XPL-90: $1,298 used, discontinued (vintage, late 1980s)
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.
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 →
| 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) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs / 9.1 kg each |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2: $3500 Crutchfield
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.
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) |
| 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) |
| Weight | 38.4 lbs / 17.4 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
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