Sonus Faber Lumina II review: Italian-made stereo speakers that deliver an engaging sound and an indulgent finish (if that’s your bag)
Sonus Faber Lumina II: Two Minutes Review
Since the early 1980s, Sonus Faber has been creating high-performance, high-end speakers and collecting one (usually completely reasonable) arm and their legs. But in a move that moves every move, the company decided to democratize its “Made in Italy” by launching a pair of spokesmen who sell for almost mainstream $1,499/£999/£999/au $2,200 $2,200 $2,200 cachet Democratization. They are called the Sonus Faber Lumina II.
In many ways, the Lumina II is the Sonus Faber business as usual. The standards for construction and finishing are impeccable, and the materials are of high quality (although the company’s habitual use of real leather will undoubtedly alienate as many people as possible), the look is refined and understated. And, sure, there is a little “Made in Italy” sticker on the back of the cabinet just to let you know that you are dealing with something special, even in a pleasing brand that makes people feel special The best stereo speakers.
In many ways, the Sonus Faber Lumina II sounds like their money, and it looks and feels like it. They are a balanced, insightful listening, well organized sound field, and have the unsense talent of frequency response and tone loyalty. No, they are far from the most violent speakers around them—they have no meaningful puffs in the early days of the bass frequencies—and they aren’t passionate about larger volume levels either.
But for some people, the truth is This is Sonus Faber, we’re talking about Will be enough to ignore these (recognized rather mild) shortcomings. However, tougher consumers know that the Sonus Faber Lumina II is far from the only option – the Kef LS50 Meta Loom Large.
Sonus Faber Lumina II Review: Price and Release Date
- Release on June 15, 2021
- $1,499 / £999 / au $2,199
The Sonus Faber Lumina II is now on sale, and in the UK, a pair will cost £999. In the US, you’re priced at $1,499, while in Australia, they’ll get you back $2,199.
Of course, passive speakers with this kind of money are not entirely rare. So, besides the “Italian handmade” ocachet, what else can the rated sleeve of the Sonus Faber do?
Sonus Faber Lumina II Review: Features
- 29mm ‘Damping Apex Dome’ Treble Stick
- 150mm pulp/fiber mid/bass driver
- Front bass reflection port
As a pair of small and (relatively) affordable passive speakers, the Sonus Faber Lumina II doesn’t exactly appeal to features, but they are of high quality and are perfect for purpose.
So, reading from the front of each speaker, there is a 29mm tweeter, Sonus Faber cabinet. Below is a 150mm mid-bass driver – a cone made of natural fiber and cellulose pulp . It is located in what Sonus Faber calls a “super compression basket” and promises high linearity and dynamic performance.
The speaker stands on a small plastic base – there is a little gap between the main cabinet and the base, with the bass reflective port facing forward. This makes Lumina II very well forgive your positioning in the room, although some rather unusual positioning issues are further thrown in the “Design” section.
According to Sonus Faber, the overall arrangement applies to frequency responses of 55Hz -24KHz. The sensitivity of crossovers is equally ordinary 85dB, and the sensitivity is four ohms. Manufacturers recommend that any valuable amplifier with 50 watts or more available should be able to drive the Lumina II without any problem.
Sonus Faber Lumina II Review: Sound Quality
- Detailed and spacious speech
- Organized and non-explosive…
- …Unless you decide to listen to a louder sound
If you’re familiar with any of Sonus Faber’s products from the turn of the century, the overall focus of the Lumina II Sound is not surprising. No matter what you like to listen to, no matter what its source, these speakers are balanced, naturally absorbed listening.
The Lumina II’s tone balance is careful, so it’s organically recorded like Nico The fairest season Enjoy a true description of the little string part, the acoustic guitar, and expressive and clear sound. There are plenty of details revealing and context in every part of the frequency range, and Sonus Faber travels from top to bottom in a smooth and unwise way. No part of the frequency range is overstated, and no part is underestimated except the lowest frequency. The crossover between the tweeter and the mid-bass driver is completely imperceptible.
The harmonic changes of the speakers are done well and are also clear in the range of sound. There is considerable dynamic clearance, willing to track attacks or minor changes in intensity.
Switch to copy Oh, shoot! The ability to turn on fairly compressed and intensive recordings through CMAT and Lumina II is impressive. It creates considerable space on the scale, while in less accomplished speakers use recording as an auditory wedding cake with elements piled up on top of the elements, and Sonus Faber brings some orders. The level of detail is good again and is able to tease more meticulous, shorter events in the recording and allow them to enjoy some breathing space.
There is a noticeable bite and shine at the top of the frequency range, but nothing too threatening or stubborn – the treble response here does improve. The mid-range is eloquent and revealing, and – until a little bit – the low frequency is as substantial and good as everything above.
The Lumina II doesn’t have much extension time at the bottom of the frequency range – no matter what, not by the standards of a reasonably compact fixer – due to the exhaustion of belief. The bottom of the frequency response lacks strength and motivation, which may make a slightly lightweight rendition of anything you are listening to. The low frequencies are well controlled, so the rhythmic expression is convincing, but the thorough “punching” supply is short.
It can also be said that volume is a factor in the Sonus Faber comfort zone. Lumina II is a composition in a modest volume, insightful and well-organized listening, which can go far beyond “inconvertible.” But if you’re on the bet, something quite a bit of calm will get them out, as well as some of their organizational abilities. It can start to sound under two-dimensional and long-lasting pressure. Turn the volume a little bit and it will recover soon.
- Sound quality score: 4 /5
Sonus Faber Lumina II Review: Design
- Select three ends
- Leather-covered side and top surfaces
- 304 x 180 x 263mm (HXWXD)
Obviously, you’ll decide what you think under the decorative potential of the Sonus Faber Lumina II (or whatever). What cannot be argued about is the quality of the construction or finish – these are impeccable speakers. The company continues to resolve to cover most of the speakers in leather (both sides and the top of the model) is bad for those who prefer vegan choices, but in terms of the “craftsmanship” Lumina II has plenty of evidence .
Each speaker is a neat 304 x 180 x 263mm (HXWXD), if you choose “walnut with maple inlay” or “wenge with maple inlay”, the front baffle is multi-layered wood with Real wood planks. The piano black alternative is glossy, good, and also built from multi-layer wood, but it is reflective, so maybe not the preferred room for those looking to have their Lumina II as part of a home theater.
At the rear of each cabinet, there are four nickel-plated speaker-bound terminals that can be used with bare wire, banana plug or spade connector. Double-wire or biamping is completely direct.
Although the speaker configuration makes them very forgiving the room location, the free use of leather is not. The company is very clear: You should not place your Lumina II near a window or heat source and should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Maybe a lot of leather is not a good idea after all…
Sonus Faber Lumina II Review: Value
“Made in Italy” is rarely cheap, and in a market dominated by “design and design”, a place inevitably is made in China, which is a prestigious point of difference. Where materials, build quality and finish standards are, it’s hard to say you haven’t got the full value here.
Until some degree, the same goes for sound quality. But, check out the “Think Also” section below to let you know that if you’re ready to give up some undeniable Sonus Faber Cachet, you can offer better pound-pound performance…
Sonus Faber Lumina II Review: Should You Buy?
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Sonus Faber Lumina II Comment: Please consider it too
Sonus Faber Lumina II Review: How I Test
- Connect to Naim Uniti Nova, listen to Qobuz and Tidal Tracks
- Also contacted with Rega Apollo CD; Cambridge Audio/Vinyl Clearaudio
In my spell of listening to the Sonus Faber Lumina II, they are powered by a Naim Uniti Nova streaming/amplifier, each channel is able to deliver 70 watts of power. I also use NAIM to listen to Qobuz and Tidal because it is both a streamer and an amplifier.
I listened to the compact disc using a Rega Apollo player and passed the Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 and the Clearaudio concept turntable both through vinyl.
The Lumina II is still left in my listening space for the whole of testing – the area isn’t too mature, it’s a rather ordinary (although not particularly reflective) room that can be used for my purposes. Using this different source, I listened to various recordings from many genres, as well as various eras.
