Short answer: the Sonus Faber Lumina II for better sound quality, the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ for the lower price. The Sonus Faber Lumina II ranks #66 of 100 bookshelf speakers at $1600. The Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ ranks #72 at $449, $1151 cheaper.
What the Sonus Faber Lumina II offers: Handmade in Italy with a gloss-finished front baffle and black leather-wrapped cabinet - genuinely nice-looking speaker with real brand cachet. Watch for: 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.
The case for the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. The tradeoff: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected.
Buy the Sonus Faber Lumina II if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonus Faber Lumina II | Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1600 | $449.00 |
| Ranked | #66 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #72 of 100 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer | 6.5" woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 12"H x 7.1"W x 10.3"D (304 x 180 x 263mm) | - |
| Weight | 12.5 lbs (12.5 lbs / 5.65 kg) each | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 66Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | 30W - 150W | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Sonus Faber Lumina II: $1600 Crutchfield
Pros: Handmade in Italy with a gloss-finished front baffle and black leather-wrapped cabinet - genuinely nice-looking speaker with real brand cachet. Bass extension is competitive for the size, reaching about 50 Hz in-room with mild compression and good distortion figures, so higher output levels and greater listening distances aren’t a problem down to that point. About 20 dB of dynamic range at typical listening levels (73 dB at 4m), which comfortably covers most music without the tonal balance shifting as instruments and vocals peak. Off-axis behavior is consistent - toeing the speakers 20-30 degrees out doesn’t meaningfully change the in-room high-frequency character, so placement flexibility is good once you’ve dialed in the tonal balance.
Cons: 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. A slightly nasal quality traced to a resonance around 1 kHz that EQ can address. The reviewer needed to trim treble by about 4 dB on his preamp to get the tonal balance he wanted, meaning most listeners will want equalization available to fully enjoy this speaker. At roughly the same $1,000ish price point, alternatives like the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 measure more linear (with a tradeoff in distortion and crossover-region directivity), and the Dynaudio Emit 20 offers deeper bass extension and lower compression at the cost of a more deliberately colored tonal signature.
Full Sonus Faber Lumina II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz |
| Dimensions | 12"H x 7.1"W x 10.3"D (304 x 180 x 263mm) |
| Drivers | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 30W - 150W |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Weight | 12.5 lbs (12.5 lbs / 5.65 kg) each |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs Focal Aria 906
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- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs Revel Performa M22
- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs Polk R200
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- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs Polk Reserve R100
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Emotiva Airmotiv B2+: $449.00
Pros: Erin measured a useful 86dB average sensitivity and strong midbass punch around 120Hz. The folded-ribbon tweeter provides very broad upper-treble radiation, and the speaker can create a spacious presentation when positioned carefully. Response and directivity remain reasonably orderly below the roughly 2kHz crossover region. The 6.5-inch woofer offers more output capability than compact 5-inch competitors, while F3/F10 of 66/43Hz leave adequate overlap for a conventional 80Hz subwoofer crossover. Horizontal directivity data makes the broad baffle-step trend amenable to partial EQ below the crossover.
Cons: The replacement B2+ did not deliver the neutral upgrade Erin expected. A baffle-step loss around 500Hz depresses the lower midrange while the AMT’s much wider radiation above crossover injects excess room energy, yielding a bright, forward balance and false impression of cymbal detail. The directivity discontinuity near 2kHz cannot be completely equalized. Erin measured F3 at 66Hz and F10 at 43Hz, so meaningful kick-drum fundamentals and low bass still need a subwoofer. Vertical listening tolerance is roughly +/-10 degrees, with best results between the top of the woofer and tweeter axes. Broad lateral treble energy may require careful toe-out and sidewall absorption. Despite a large cabinet, it offers limited deep-bass advantage and was not Erin’s hoped-for successor to the more linear B1+.
Full Emotiva Airmotiv B2+ review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 66Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" woven-fiber woofer, 32 x 25mm folded-ribbon tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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