Short answer: the Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III. It ranks #174 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $4,190. The Sonus Faber Lumina III ranks #182, rated 3.5/5, at $3,000, $1,190 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
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 catch: 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.
What the Sonus Faber Lumina III does well: Slim 3-way floorstanding tower with dedicated 4.7-inch midrange and dual 4.7-inch bass drivers extending reach to 40Hz. The catch: Small 4.7-inch bass drivers limit maximum deep-bass slam and high-SPL output compared to larger-woofer floorstanders.
Buy the Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $1,190 saving on the Sonus Faber Lumina III is not enough to make up the difference.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III 3.1 to 4.1; Sonus Faber Lumina III 3.3 to 3.7). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III | Sonus Faber Lumina III | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4,190.00 per pair | $3,000.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #174 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #182 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 29Hz (manufacturer specified) | 40Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Enclosure | 4-driver floorstander, passive radiator | - |
| Drivers | 1” ceramic-coated alloy dome tweeter, 4.5” composite midrange, 8” polycone woofer, 10” passive radiator | 29mm (1.1”) DAD silk dome tweeter, 120mm (4.7”) cellulose pulp midrange, 2 x 120mm (4.7”) cellulose pulp woofers |
| Frequency Response | 29Hz-29kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 89dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 7 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Dimensions | 39.8”H x 16”W x 10.2”D (1010 x 406 x 260 mm) | 38.9”H x 9”W x 10.9”D (989 x 228 x 278 mm) |
| Weight | 60 lbs (27.2 kg) each | 35.1 lbs (15.9 kg) each |
| Country | United States | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 350Hz, 3500Hz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, down-firing reflex port |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III compares with other leading options:
- Sonus Faber Lumina V vs Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III
- Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III vs Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator
- Sonus Faber Lumina V vs Sonus Faber Lumina III
- Sonus Faber Lumina III vs Sonus Faber Lumina II
- Sonus Faber Lumina III vs Sonus Faber Lumina I
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
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
Sonus Faber Lumina III: $3,000.00 per pair Estimated Audio Advice 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 V (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5), 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: Slim 3-way floorstanding tower with dedicated 4.7-inch midrange and dual 4.7-inch bass drivers extending reach to 40Hz. Sensitivity improves to 89dB, making it considerably easier to drive than the standmount Lumina models.
Cons: Small 4.7-inch bass drivers limit maximum deep-bass slam and high-SPL output compared to larger-woofer floorstanders. 4-ohm nominal impedance requires an amplifier comfortable with lower loads.
Full Sonus Faber Lumina III review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2020 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 40Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 350Hz, 3500Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 38.9”H x 9”W x 10.9”D (989 x 228 x 278 mm) |
| Drivers | 29mm (1.1”) DAD silk dome tweeter, 120mm (4.7”) cellulose pulp midrange, 2 x 120mm (4.7”) cellulose pulp woofers |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 35.1 lbs (15.9 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