Short answer: the Wharfedale Aura 2. It ranks #13 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $2,799; the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 ranks #183, rated 3.1/5, and costs $3,500, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Wharfedale Aura 2 is the more accurate option. A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.03 against 4.25 for the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2. The tradeoff: A breakup/peak around 13kHz can sound sharp or shrill depending on the track, the main tonal flaw noted.
What the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 does well: An Italian bookshelf speaker with a silk dome tweeter, a stylish concrete and metal base and evenly behaved dispersion. The catch: Sounds notably bright pointed directly on-axis; toeing the speaker out about 30° reduces treble energy and sibilance meaningfully.
Buy the Wharfedale Aura 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A mini tower style bookshelf speaker with nearly flat response, huge clean output, wide sound, and bass that reaches deep in most rooms.
An Italian bookshelf speaker with a silk dome tweeter, a stylish concrete and metal base and evenly behaved dispersion.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Wharfedale Aura 2 | Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2799 per pair | $3500 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #183 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 56Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 62Hz (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) | 16.3”H x 8.9”W x 14”D (414.3 x 227.0 x 355.6 mm) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal (3.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (4.2 ohms minimum, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone woofer, 4” Black Glass Fibre Matrix Cone midrange, 27x90mm AMT tweeter | 1x 6.5” mid-woofer (paper cone), 1x 1.1” (28mm) DAD soft dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 45 lbs (20.4 kg) each | 38.4 lbs (17.4 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, front |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.03 | 4.25 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.65 | 6.54 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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