Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III vs Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator

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 V Amator ranks #185, rated 3.5/5, and costs $4,500, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.

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.

Why pick the Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator: The Amator version of the Sonus Faber Lumina V with a revised crossover and wood veneer front, a 29mm DAD tweeter, 150mm midrange and two 165mm woofers, rated from 38Hz at 89dB. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.

Buy the Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.

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 V Amator 3.2 to 3.8). Treat this verdict as provisional.

Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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 III
• Sonus Faber Lumina V vs Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator
• Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator vs Sonus Faber Sonetto III G2
• Sonus Faber Lumina V vs Sonus Faber Lumina III

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
  • Official Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III Website
• 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 vs Sonus Faber Lumina V
  • Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III vs Sonus Faber Lumina III

Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator: $4500 per pair Estimated World Wide Stereo 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 higher, estimated 3.5/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina V (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5) and the Sonus Faber Lumina Center I (center, estimated 3.5/5).

Pros: The Amator version of the Sonus Faber Lumina V with a revised crossover and wood veneer front, a 29mm DAD tweeter, 150mm midrange and two 165mm woofers, rated from 38Hz at 89dB.

Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Its measured sibling the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator placed below the standard Lumina range.

Full Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator review and specifications →

Released	Feb 2024 (2 years ago)
Amplifier Power	50-300W recommended
Dimensions	41.3”H x 11”W x 14.7”D (1049 x 280 x 373 mm)
Drivers	1x 29mm DAD soft dome tweeter, 1x 150mm paper-cone midrange, 2x 165mm woofers
Enclosure	Vented
Frequency Response	38Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified)
Impedance	4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified)
Sensitivity	89dB (manufacturer specified)
Weight	49.6 lbs (22.5 kg)

• Links
  • Official Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator Product Page
• 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 V Amator vs Sonus Faber Lumina V
  • Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator vs Sonus Faber Sonetto III G2