Short answer: the Dynaudio Contour 20i. It ranks #96 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $5,750. The Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator ranks #188, rated 3.0/5, at $2,000, $3,750 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Why pick the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator: A luxurious Italian bookshelf speaker with a gorgeous cabinet, solid bass for its size and wide, consistent dispersion. 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.
The Dynaudio Contour 20i is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall. Its bass reaches about 56Hz before falling 3dB, against 63Hz for the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator. The catch: Notably room-dependent: sounds too bright in the lower treble in smaller rooms with close sidewalls, needing sidewall absorption to sound neutral, while performing better in larger or more open rooms without that treatment.
Buy the Dynaudio Contour 20i. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $3,750 saving on the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A luxurious Italian bookshelf speaker with a gorgeous cabinet, solid bass for its size and wide, consistent dispersion.
Beautifully built bookshelf speakers with wide, spacious sound, clean output at high volume, and bass that blends easily near a wall.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | Dynaudio Contour 20i | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2000 per pair | $5750 per pair |
| Ranked | #188 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #96 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 82.5dB |
| Drivers | 1.14” DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9” paper cone woofer | 18 cm MSP woofer, 28mm Esotar 2i with Hexis tweeter |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) | 30.9 lbs (14 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) | 17.4”H x 8.5”W x 14.2”D (442 x 215.9 x 360.7 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, ported | ported, rear |
| Recommended Power | 30W - 150W | - |
| Country | Italy (Vicenza) | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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