Short answer: the Wharfedale Super Linton. It ranks #25 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $2,699. The Sonus Faber Lumina II ranks #158, rated 3.4/5, at $1,600, $1,099 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Wharfedale Super Linton is the more accurate pick. A retro styled three way bookshelf speaker with punchy dynamics, a matched pair, and custom stands included in the box. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.09 against 3.81 for the Sonus Faber Lumina II. The catch: Rolls off earlier than the original Linton (F3 77Hz versus the original’s 52Hz), a deliberate trade-off for the closer-wall-placement flexibility.
The Sonus Faber Lumina II is the deeper-bass pick. Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement. Its bass reaches about 60Hz before falling 3dB, against 77Hz for the Wharfedale Super Linton. The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the Wharfedale Super Linton. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $1,099 with the Sonus Faber Lumina II does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A retro styled three way bookshelf speaker with punchy dynamics, a matched pair, and custom stands included in the box.
Handmade Italian bookshelf speakers with leather-wrapped cabinets, competitive bass for their size and flexible placement.
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
| Wharfedale Super Linton | Sonus Faber Lumina II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,699.00 per pair | $1,600 per pair |
| Ranked | #25 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #158 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 23.8”H x 11.8”W x 13”D (604.5 x 299.7 x 330.2 mm) | 12” x 7.1” x 10.4” (304 x 180 x 263 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal, 4.1 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 8”(200mm) black woven Kevlar® cone woofer, 5”(135mm) black woven Kevlar® cone midrange, 1” (25mm) soft dome tweeter | 29mm DAD dome tweeter, 150mm paper cone mid-woofer |
| Sensitivity | 88.2dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Weight | 43.7 lbs (19.8 kg) each | 12.5 lbs (5.65 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.09 | 3.81 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.94 | 6.10 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1800Hz |
| Frequency Response | - | 55Hz - 24kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Recommended Power | - | 30W - 150W |
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