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 Sonetto II G2 ranks #183, rated 3.1/5, at $3,500, $130 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2: An Italian bookshelf speaker with a silk dome tweeter, a stylish concrete and metal base and evenly behaved dispersion. The tradeoff: Sounds notably bright pointed directly on-axis; toeing the speaker out about 30° reduces treble energy and sibilance meaningfully.
The GR-Research NX-Studio is the better-sounding option. A DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass. The catch: 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 $130 you would save on the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
An Italian bookshelf speaker with a silk dome tweeter, a stylish concrete and metal base and evenly behaved dispersion.
A DIY kit bookshelf speaker with a ribbon tweeter for wide open, detailed sound, superb imaging, and tight, fast sealed bass.
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 Sonetto II G2 | GR-Research NX-Studio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3500 per pair | $3630 per pair |
| Ranked | #183 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #4 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 62Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB |
| Drivers | 1x 6.5” mid-woofer (paper cone), 1x 1.1” (28mm) DAD soft dome tweeter | 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 |
| Weight | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) | 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg) each |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 8.9”W x 14”D (414.3 x 227.0 x 355.6 mm) | 18”H x 8.5”W x 15.5”D (457.2 x 215.9 x 393.7 mm) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front | sealed |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.25 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.54 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
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