Short answer: the KEF Q350. It ranks #76 of 100 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $699; the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator ranks #77 and costs $2000, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the KEF Q350 gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat on-axis response with excellent directivity, aided by the coaxial Uni-Q driver. The catch: Two resonances at 700Hz and 1.2kHz show up on-axis, alongside an upper-bass boost.
What the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator offers: 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 KEF Q350. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 100 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q350 | Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.00 Discontinued | $2000 |
| Ranked | #76 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #77 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer | 1.14" DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9" paper cone woofer |
| Discontinued | Yes | - |
| Weight | 29.5 lbs / 13.4 kg | 12.8 lbs / 5.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.3"W x 12"D (358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0 mm) | 12" x 7.1" x 10.4" (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | Bass reflex, ported |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2600Hz |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
| Country of Origin | - | Italy (Vicenza) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More useful head-to-heads from the same speaker class:
- Klipsch RP-600M vs B&W 805S
- Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 vs Klipsch RP-600M
- Klipsch RP-600M vs Aperion Audio Verus V8B
- Polk Reserve R100 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator
- Polk R200 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator
The Two Speakers In Full
KEF Q350: $699.00 Discontinued Amazon
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat on-axis response with excellent directivity, aided by the coaxial Uni-Q driver. Vertical directivity is better than most non-coaxial two-way speakers, another benefit of the concentric design.
Cons: Two resonances at 700Hz and 1.2kHz show up on-axis, alongside an upper-bass boost. Predicted in-room response looks a bit boomy as a result. Distortion climbs substantially in the 100Hz-1kHz range at 96dB SPL/1m, with a distinct resonance-driven peak around 900Hz-1kHz at both test levels. Discontinued.
Full KEF Q350 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Dimensions | 14.1"H x 8.3"W x 12"D (358.0 x 210.0 x 306.0 mm) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 25mm tweeter + 165mm woofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | 29.5 lbs / 13.4 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator: $2000 Crutchfield
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.
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 of Origin | Italy (Vicenza) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz |
| 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 |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Klipsch RP-600M
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Pylon Jasper Monitor 18
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Triangle Borea BR03
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs B&W 805S
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Emotiva Airmotiv B2+
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Aperion Audio Verus V8B
- See all 12 comparisons