Short answer: the Perlisten A3m. It ranks #51 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $3,000. The Sonus Faber Lumina II ranks #158, rated 3.4/5, at $1,600, $1,400 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Perlisten A3m is the better-sounding pick. A sealed high output monitor with dual 8 inch woofers and a waveguide tweeter, a great match for a subwoofer in a home theater. Watch for: The low-quality vendor Spinorama data measures only 85.8Hz at -3dB, 74.1Hz at -6dB, and 55.7Hz at -12dB, conflicting with Perlisten’s much deeper in-room extension claim.
The Sonus Faber Lumina II is the deeper-bass option. Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement. Its bass reaches about 60Hz before falling 3dB, against 85.8Hz for the Perlisten A3m. The tradeoff: Not a neutral speaker: has a persistent high-frequency boost/lift that makes it sound forward and bright, present whether pointed directly at the listener or toed out.
Buy the Perlisten A3m. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1,400 you would save on the Sonus Faber Lumina II does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A sealed high output monitor with dual 8 inch woofers and a waveguide tweeter, a great match for a subwoofer in a home theater.
Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Perlisten A3m | Sonus Faber Lumina II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,000 per pair | $1,600 per pair |
| Ranked | #51 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #158 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 85.8Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 61Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Enclosure | Sealed | - |
| Drivers | Two 8-inch carbon-fiber woofers; 35mm Teteron dome tweeter | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer |
| Sensitivity | 87.4dB at 2.83V/1m | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal; 3 ohms minimum | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 26.6 x 11.0 x 13.8 in each | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Maximum SPL | 111.4dB peak at 1m (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.30 | 3.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.34 | 6.10 |
| Weight | 63.9 lbs (29 kg) | 12.5 lbs (5.65 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1800Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
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