Short answer: the Sonus Faber Lumina V. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#173 and #174 of 226 floorstanding speakers), and the Sonus Faber Lumina V costs $4,000 against $4,190 for the Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
The case for the Sonus Faber Lumina V: Flagship Lumina floorstander featuring dual 6.5-inch woofers and an internal lute-shaped midrange enclosure for enhanced bass impact and lower distortion. The catch: Nominal 4-ohm impedance with reactive bass impedance dips requires a sturdy high-current power amplifier.
What the Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III does well: The eighth generation of the Model 2, built in the USA since 1977, keeps the time and phase correct design with first-order crossovers at 80Hz, 600Hz and 5kHz. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Vandersteen 2c, whose on-axis response was uneven (0.81 deviation) with a narrow ±10 degree vertical listening window.
Buy the Sonus Faber Lumina V. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $190 less than the Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Sonus Faber Lumina V 3.4 to 3.8; Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III 3.1 to 4.1). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sonus Faber Lumina V | Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,000.00 per pair | $4,190.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #173 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #174 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | 29mm (1.1”) DAD silk dome tweeter, 150mm (5.9”) cellulose pulp midrange, 2 x 165mm (6.5”) cellulose pulp woofers | 1” ceramic-coated alloy dome tweeter, 4.5” composite midrange, 8” polycone woofer, 10” passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) | 29Hz-29kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 7 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 38Hz (manufacturer specified) | 29Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 41.3”H x 11”W x 14.7”D (1049 x 280 x 373 mm) | 39.8”H x 16”W x 10.2”D (1010 x 406 x 260 mm) |
| Weight | 49.6 lbs (22.5 kg) each | 60 lbs (27.2 kg) each |
| Crossover Frequency | 260Hz, 2600Hz | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, down-firing reflex port | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 4-driver floorstander, passive radiator |
| Country | - | United States |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sonus Faber Lumina V:
- Sonus Faber Lumina V vs Sonus Faber Lumina III
- Sonus Faber Lumina V vs Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator
- Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III vs Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator
- Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III vs Sonus Faber Lumina III
- Sonus Faber Lumina V vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Sonus Faber Lumina V: $4,000.00 per pair Estimated ListenUp eBay
Same family: the Sonus Faber Lumina I (smallest bookshelf, estimated 3.3/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina II (bookshelf, rated 3.4/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator (largest bookshelf, rated 3/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina III (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.5/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator (larger floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.5/5) and the Sonus Faber Lumina Center I (center, estimated 3.5/5).
Pros: Flagship Lumina floorstander featuring dual 6.5-inch woofers and an internal lute-shaped midrange enclosure for enhanced bass impact and lower distortion. Rich, warm presentation well suited for acoustic and vocal genres.
Cons: Nominal 4-ohm impedance with reactive bass impedance dips requires a sturdy high-current power amplifier. Voicing prioritizes warmth and rich timbre over strict monitor linearity.
Full Sonus Faber Lumina V review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 38Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 260Hz, 2600Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 41.3”H x 11”W x 14.7”D (1049 x 280 x 373 mm) |
| Drivers | 29mm (1.1”) DAD silk dome tweeter, 150mm (5.9”) cellulose pulp midrange, 2 x 165mm (6.5”) cellulose pulp woofers |
| Frequency Response | 38Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 49.6 lbs (22.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, down-firing reflex port |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III: $4,190.00 per pair Estimated Audio Connect eBay
Older model: the Vandersteen 2c (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5). See every Vandersteen generation.
Same family: the Vandersteen Treo CT (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5) and the Vandersteen VCC-5 (center, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: The eighth generation of the Model 2, built in the USA since 1977, keeps the time and phase correct design with first-order crossovers at 80Hz, 600Hz and 5kHz. A ceramic-coated alloy dome tweeter, 4.5 inch midrange and 8 inch woofer are joined by a 10 inch passive radiator, and Vandersteen rates it at 29Hz to 29kHz (±3dB). Stands are included in the price.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured Vandersteen 2c, whose on-axis response was uneven (0.81 deviation) with a narrow ±10 degree vertical listening window. Sensitivity is a modest 86dB, and at 27 kg each it is heavy. Sold only through Vandersteen dealers.
Full Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 29Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Country | United States |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 39.8”H x 16”W x 10.2”D (1010 x 406 x 260 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” ceramic-coated alloy dome tweeter, 4.5” composite midrange, 8” polycone woofer, 10” passive radiator |
| Enclosure | 4-driver floorstander, passive radiator |
| Frequency Response | 29Hz-29kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 7 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 60 lbs (27.2 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons