Short answer: the Polk Signature Elite ES20. It ranks #119 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $398.98; the Sonus Faber Lumina II ranks #158, rated 3.4/5, and costs $1,600, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Polk Signature Elite ES20 is the more accurate pick. Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.49 against 3.81 for the Sonus Faber Lumina II. The tradeoff: Predicted in-room smoothness of 0.238 and directivity-index consistency of 3.81 are average rather than class-leading.
The case for the Sonus Faber Lumina II: Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement. The catch: 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 Polk Signature Elite ES20. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Lumina II and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage.
Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Signature Elite ES20 | Sonus Faber Lumina II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398.98 per pair | $1,600 per pair |
| Ranked | #119 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #158 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way, Power Port bass-reflex | - |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” polypropylene woofer | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer |
| Dimensions | 14.8H x 8.5W x 13.8D in | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 12.5 lbs (5.65 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | United States (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.49 | 3.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.44 | 6.10 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1800Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
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