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 Sonetto II G2 ranks #183, rated 3.1/5, and costs $3,500, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Polk Signature Elite ES20 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage. Its bass reaches about 55.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 62Hz for the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2. Watch for: 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 Sonetto II G2: An Italian bookshelf speaker with a silk dome tweeter, a stylish concrete and metal base and evenly behaved dispersion. Watch for: Sounds notably bright pointed directly on-axis; toeing the speaker out about 30° reduces treble energy and sibilance meaningfully.
Buy the Polk Signature Elite ES20. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Large, efficient bookshelf speakers with unusually deep bass for the price and wide horizontal coverage.
An Italian bookshelf speaker with a silk dome tweeter, a stylish concrete and metal base and evenly behaved dispersion.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk Signature Elite ES20 | Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398.98 per pair | $3500 per pair |
| Ranked | #119 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #183 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way, Power Port bass-reflex | - |
| Drivers | 1” Terylene dome tweeter, 6.5” polypropylene woofer | 1x 6.5” mid-woofer (paper cone), 1x 1.1” (28mm) DAD soft dome tweeter |
| Dimensions | 14.8H x 8.5W x 13.8D in | 16.3”H x 8.9”W x 14”D (414.3 x 227.0 x 355.6 mm) |
| Weight | 17 lbs (7.7 kg) each | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | United States (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.49 | 4.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.44 | 6.54 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55.7Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38.6Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, front |
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