Short answer: the Wharfedale Aura 2 for better sound quality, the Sonus Faber Lumina II for the lower price. The Wharfedale Aura 2 ranks #13 of 130 bookshelf speakers at $2799. The Sonus Faber Lumina II ranks #91 at $1600, $1199 cheaper.
What the Wharfedale Aura 2 offers: Three-way “mini tower” design with a 27x90mm AMT tweeter, 4” mid-range, and 6.5” midwoofer, using an unusual bottom-firing port. Nearly “ruler flat” on-axis linearity (within about 1.5dB for most of the range) apart from one specific breakup point. Exceptional output capability with very low distortion even at high volume - the reviewer reached about 100dB average at 10 feet with no audible strain, outperforming rivals like the KEF LS50 Meta in multitone distortion above 1kHz. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±70° combined with excellent imaging and pair matching - passed demanding stereo-separation test tracks with precise instrument placement. Bass reaches a genuine 40Hz in most rooms, potentially eliminating the need for a subwoofer for material that doesn’t demand extreme sub-bass. About 20dB of usable dynamic range with no compression issues at 96dB/1m. Considered by the reviewer one of the best speakers he’s tested, potentially challenging his personal all-time top five. Watch for: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted. Minor midbase-to-midrange balance discrepancy (about 1dB), most noticeable if the speaker sits more than about 2 feet from the rear wall. Vertical listening window is narrower than typical, a consequence of the AMT ribbon tweeter’s tall physical size - staying within about ±15-20° of the tweeter reference axis (or slightly below it) is important. Impedance dips to about 3.1 ohms with a 1.4-ohm minimum EPDR, meaning a dedicated amplifier is recommended over an AVR due to potential power-supply strain. Distortion rises at the very lowest frequencies (an expected limitation of a 6.5” woofer), and the woofer audibly struggles with extreme 30-35Hz content at high volume. Horizontal directivity narrows from about ±70° to ±50° above roughly 6-7kHz as the ribbon tweeter’s pattern collapses inward.
What the Sonus Faber Lumina II offers: Handmade in Italy with a gloss-finished front baffle and black leather-wrapped cabinet - genuinely nice-looking speaker with real brand cachet. Bass extension is competitive for the size, reaching about 50 Hz in-room with mild compression and good distortion figures, so higher output levels and greater listening distances aren’t a problem down to that point. About 20 dB of dynamic range at typical listening levels (73 dB at 4m), which comfortably covers most music without the tonal balance shifting as instruments and vocals peak. Off-axis behavior is consistent - toeing the speakers 20-30 degrees out doesn’t meaningfully change the in-room high-frequency character, so placement flexibility is good once you’ve dialed in the tonal balance. Watch for: 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. A slightly nasal quality traced to a resonance around 1 kHz that EQ can address. The reviewer needed to trim treble by about 4 dB on his preamp to get the tonal balance he wanted, meaning most listeners will want equalization available to fully enjoy this speaker. At roughly the same $1,000ish price point, alternatives like the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 measure more linear (with a tradeoff in distortion and crossover-region directivity), and the Dynaudio Emit 20 offers deeper bass extension and lower compression at the cost of a more deliberately colored tonal signature.
Buy the Wharfedale Aura 2 when sound quality outweighs the price for you, and the Sonus Faber Lumina II when the price outweighs sound quality instead.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Aura 2 | Sonus Faber Lumina II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2799 per pair | $1,600 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #91 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 22.1"H x 11.3"W x 15.3"D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) | 12" x 7.1" x 10.4" (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4" Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 86dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each | 12.5 lbs (5.65 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.19 | 3.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.81 | 5.32 |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1800Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Wharfedale Aura 2:
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs Perlisten S4b
- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs Wharfedale Aura 2
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs March Audio Sointuva AWG
- AsciLab C6B vs Wharfedale Aura 2
Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Wharfedale Aura 2: $2799 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Three-way “mini tower” design with a 27x90mm AMT tweeter, 4” mid-range, and 6.5” midwoofer, using an unusual bottom-firing port. Nearly “ruler flat” on-axis linearity (within about 1.5dB for most of the range) apart from one specific breakup point. Exceptional output capability with very low distortion even at high volume - the reviewer reached about 100dB average at 10 feet with no audible strain, outperforming rivals like the KEF LS50 Meta in multitone distortion above 1kHz. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±70° combined with excellent imaging and pair matching - passed demanding stereo-separation test tracks with precise instrument placement. Bass reaches a genuine 40Hz in most rooms, potentially eliminating the need for a subwoofer for material that doesn’t demand extreme sub-bass. About 20dB of usable dynamic range with no compression issues at 96dB/1m. Considered by the reviewer one of the best speakers he’s tested, potentially challenging his personal all-time top five. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 87dB.
Cons: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted. Minor midbase-to-midrange balance discrepancy (about 1dB), most noticeable if the speaker sits more than about 2 feet from the rear wall. Vertical listening window is narrower than typical, a consequence of the AMT ribbon tweeter’s tall physical size - staying within about ±15-20° of the tweeter reference axis (or slightly below it) is important. Impedance dips to about 3.1 ohms with a 1.4-ohm minimum EPDR, meaning a dedicated amplifier is recommended over an AVR due to potential power-supply strain. Distortion rises at the very lowest frequencies (an expected limitation of a 6.5” woofer), and the woofer audibly struggles with extreme 30-35Hz content at high volume. Horizontal directivity narrows from about ±70° to ±50° above roughly 6-7kHz as the ribbon tweeter’s pattern collapses inward.
Full Wharfedale Aura 2 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 22.1"H x 11.3"W x 15.3"D (561.3 x 287 x 388.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4" Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.19 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.81 |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Why the Wharfedale AURA 2 Will Blow Your Mind More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Wharfedale Aura 2
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Upgrade Your Sound with These 6 Surprisingly Affordable Speakers!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Personal Favorite Speakers Under $2500
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs KEF R3
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs KEF R3 Meta
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs Buchardt Audio E50
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs MoFi SourcePoint 8
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs Revel M106
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs Audio First Cadentia 3
- Wharfedale Aura 2 vs AsciLab C6B
- See all 46 comparisons
Sonus Faber Lumina II: $1,600 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Handmade in Italy with a gloss-finished front baffle and black leather-wrapped cabinet - genuinely nice-looking speaker with real brand cachet. Bass extension is competitive for the size, reaching about 50 Hz in-room with mild compression and good distortion figures, so higher output levels and greater listening distances aren’t a problem down to that point. About 20 dB of dynamic range at typical listening levels (73 dB at 4m), which comfortably covers most music without the tonal balance shifting as instruments and vocals peak. Off-axis behavior is consistent - toeing the speakers 20-30 degrees out doesn’t meaningfully change the in-room high-frequency character, so placement flexibility is good once you’ve dialed in the tonal balance. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: 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. A slightly nasal quality traced to a resonance around 1 kHz that EQ can address. The reviewer needed to trim treble by about 4 dB on his preamp to get the tonal balance he wanted, meaning most listeners will want equalization available to fully enjoy this speaker. At roughly the same $1,000ish price point, alternatives like the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 measure more linear (with a tradeoff in distortion and crossover-region directivity), and the Dynaudio Emit 20 offers deeper bass extension and lower compression at the cost of a more deliberately colored tonal signature.
Full Sonus Faber Lumina II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1800Hz |
| Dimensions | 12" x 7.1" x 10.4" (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Recommended Power | 30W - 150W |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured average, Erin's Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.04 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.32 |
| Weight | 12.5 lbs (5.65 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs Polk Monitor XT20
- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs XTZ Spirit 4
- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs Focal Aria 906
- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs KEF Q3 Meta
- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs Revel Performa M22
- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs SVS Prime Bookshelf
- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
- Sonus Faber Lumina II vs Dynaudio Special Forty
- See all 56 comparisons