Short answer: the Polk Monitor XT20. It ranks #70 of 105 bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $279; the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator ranks #82 and costs $2000, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Polk Monitor XT20 offers: Two-way bookshelf design with a 1” tweeter and 6.5” woofer, part of Polk’s budget-friendly XT lineup (spanning roughly $200-700 across the series). The tradeoff: Notably bright treble, elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange depending on frequency - a characteristic shared across the whole Polk XT lineup, requiring either EQ or toe-out to tame.
On the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator side: Solid bass extension for a bookshelf (F3 63Hz, F10 43Hz), reaching about 50Hz in-room. Set against that: 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 Polk Monitor XT20. 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 the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator. It ranks near the bottom of the 105 bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Monitor XT20 | Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $279.00 | $2000 |
| Ranked | #70 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #82 of 105 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13"H x 7.5"W x 11"D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) | 12" x 7.1" x 10.4" (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1" Terylene dome tweeter | 1.14" DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9" paper cone woofer |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg each | 12.8 lbs / 5.8 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | 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:
- JBL Studio 630 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
- SVS Prime Bookshelf vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs KEF Q350
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Klipsch RP-600M
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Triangle Borea BR03
The Two Speakers In Full
Polk Monitor XT20: $279.00 Amazon Crutchfield
Pros: Two-way bookshelf design with a 1” tweeter and 6.5” woofer, part of Polk’s budget-friendly XT lineup (spanning roughly $200-700 across the series). Measures more linear and has fewer/smaller cabinet resonances than its smaller sibling, the XT15, making it - by the reviewer’s own assessment - probably the better of the two based on data alone. Reasonably good bass output for the price and size, with an F3 of 63Hz. Horizontal radiation of about ±50° gives a respectable, enjoyable soundstage width. Takes well to EQ correction - the early-reflections directivity trend is decently linear, meaning tonal adjustments can meaningfully improve the sound. Provides usable, respectable volume when paired with a subwoofer crossover, even though it isn’t intended to play extremely loud on its own.
Cons: Notably bright treble, elevated roughly 1-5dB above the midrange depending on frequency - a characteristic shared across the whole Polk XT lineup, requiring either EQ or toe-out to tame. Small resonances appear around 300Hz and 800Hz, with some of that energy leaking from the port area. Vertical listening window is narrow - best kept close to the tweeter axis, with only a couple of degrees of tolerance above or below before the sound changes. Still needs a subwoofer for real low-end extension despite the decent F3. Overall linearity isn’t state-of-the-art flat, and while the reviewer found it pleasant, some artificial brightness remains even after basic EQ correction in the crossover region.
Full Polk Monitor XT20 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13"H x 7.5"W x 11"D (330.2 x 190.5 x 279.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" bilaminate paper cone woofer, 1" Terylene dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured by Erin's Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs / 5.4 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Polk’s new budget XT Speakers. Reviewed!
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Polk Monitor XT20
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 10 Great (and Terrible) Speakers Under $300!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Budget Stereo Systems You Will Love
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Polk Monitor XT20 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs KEF Q3 Meta
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs SVS Prime Bookshelf
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs Focal Aria 906
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs Revel Performa M22
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs Polk R200
- Polk Monitor XT20 vs Dynaudio Special Forty
- See all 26 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 KEF Q350
- 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+
- See all 15 comparisons