Short answer: the GR-Research NX-Studio. It ranks #4 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.8/5, at $3,630. The Sonus Faber Lumina II ranks #158, rated 3.4/5, at $1,600, $2,030 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Sonus Faber Lumina II: Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement. The tradeoff: 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 GR-Research NX-Studio is the better-sounding choice. A DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass. The tradeoff: Bass will be very tight but won’t be quite as deep as others due to the sealed woofer enclosure.
Buy the GR-Research NX-Studio. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $2,030 you would save on the Sonus Faber Lumina II does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement.
A DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Sonus Faber Lumina II | GR-Research NX-Studio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,600 per pair | $3630 per pair |
| Ranked | #158 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Drivers | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer | GR-Research M165NQ 6.5” paper cone, non-resonant polymer frame, copper shorting rings and aluminum phase plug sealed enclosure woofer, GR-Research Neo3 Planar Magnetic Ribbon open baffle tweeter |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) | 18”H x 8.5”W x 15.5”D (457.2 x 215.9 x 393.7 mm) |
| Weight | 12.5 lbs (5.65 kg) each | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) each |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) | 87dB |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Recommended Power | 30W - 150W | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.81 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed |
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