Short answer: the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator for better sound quality, the Triangle Borea BR03 for the lower price. The Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator ranks #77 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $2000. The Triangle Borea BR03 ranks #80 at $381.77, $1618.23 cheaper.
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.
What the Triangle Borea BR03 offers: Bass output is genuinely decent for the price - measured extension reaches F3 57Hz/F10 42Hz, which the reviewer had no real complaints about. Watch for: A noticeable mid-range suckout, most pronounced in the upper mid-range/lower treble.
Buy the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Triangle Borea BR03 if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip both of these and look higher up the 100 bookshelf speakers instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator | Triangle Borea BR03 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2000 | $381.77 |
| Ranked | #77 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #80 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 57Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 4.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86.9dB (2.83V/1m, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1.14" DAD (Damped Apex Dome) tweeter, 5.9" paper cone woofer | 6.5" natural cellulose midwoofer, 1" (25mm) EFS silk dome tweeter |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs / 5.8 kg | 13.22 lbs each |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7.1" x 10.4" (304 x 180 x 263 mm) | 14.96"H x 8.11"W x 12.36"D |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 2600Hz | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | Bass reflex, ported | ported, dual front ports |
| Recommended Power | 30W - 150W | 100W |
| Country of Origin | Italy (Vicenza) | - |
| High-Pass Filter | - | 3600Hz |
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- KEF Q350 vs Aperion Audio Verus V8B
- JBL XPL-90 vs Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 vs Chesky LC1
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Klipsch RP-600M
- Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ vs Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator
The Two Speakers In Full
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 |
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- 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 B&W 805S
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Emotiva Airmotiv B2+
- Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator vs Aperion Audio Verus V8B
- See all 12 comparisons
Triangle Borea BR03: $381.77 Amazon
Pros: Bass output is genuinely decent for the price - measured extension reaches F3 57Hz/F10 42Hz, which the reviewer had no real complaints about. Dual front-firing ports and a well-stuffed, well-braced cabinet. Solid build quality overall.
Cons: A noticeable mid-range suckout, most pronounced in the upper mid-range/lower treble, that the reviewer attributes to cabinet resonances and driver breakup rather than a deliberate voicing choice - it makes vocals and instruments sound recessed and thin rather than warm. Sibilance in the 4-8kHz region shows up on every track the reviewer tried. Measured minimum impedance dips to about 4.2 ohms (with an even lower EPDR), despite the speaker and its own rear panel being labeled 8 ohms - worth knowing if you’re planning to drive these with a receiver/AVR that assumes an 8-ohm nominal load. The reviewer is upfront that this speaker has a devoted following among other reviewers, but says he specifically doesn’t hear what they hear and wants people who own it to trust their own ears rather than assume something’s wrong with their hearing if they don’t love it either.
Full Triangle Borea BR03 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 57Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 14.96"H x 8.11"W x 12.36"D |
| Drivers | 6.5" natural cellulose midwoofer, 1" (25mm) EFS silk dome tweeter |
| High-Pass Filter | 3600Hz |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer spec), 4.2 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 100W |
| Sensitivity | 87.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 13.22 lbs each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, dual front ports |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs B&W 805S
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Klipsch RP-600M
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Aperion Audio Verus V8B
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs KEF Q350
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Emotiva Airmotiv B2+
- Triangle Borea BR03 vs Yamaha NS-10