Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator Bookshelf Speakers – Pair

A More Refined Expression of the Sonus Faber Lumina II

The Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator bookshelf speakers build on the successful Lumina II with a substantially redesigned crossover, exclusive high-gloss wood finishes, and a more refined approach to musical reproduction. The Amator retains the compact proportions and flexible front-ported cabinet of the original model while incorporating design knowledge developed for speakers much higher in the Sonus Faber range.

At the center of the upgrade is a new crossover network operating at 2,600Hz—800Hz higher than the crossover used in the standard Lumina II. Sonus Faber developed the network using solutions influenced by its work on the Amati G5 and Guarneri G5, with the goal of improving driver integration, phase behavior, and overall clarity.

The result is a compact two-way speaker designed for listeners who value rich tonal color, expressive vocals, a broad soundstage, and the craftsmanship of a speaker made at Sonus Faber’s facility in Vicenza, Italy.

• Two-way passive bookshelf speaker system
• Redesigned crossover network operating at 2,600Hz
• 29mm D.A.D. soft-dome tweeter
• 150mm paper-cone midwoofer
• Front-firing reflex port for flexible placement
• High-gloss multilayer wood front baffle with 45-degree grain pattern
• Black leather cabinet covering
• Bi-wire and bi-amp capable binding posts
• Made in Vicenza, Italy
• Priced and packaged as one stereo pair

What Makes the Lumina II Amator Different?

The Lumina II Amator is more than a cosmetic edition of the standard Lumina II. Although the two speakers share the same general cabinet dimensions, driver sizes, frequency response, and amplifier recommendations, the Amator receives a completely revised crossover network.

The crossover point has been moved from 1,800Hz in the standard Lumina II to 2,600Hz in the Lumina II Amator. This changes how the midwoofer and tweeter divide their responsibilities and work together through the critical upper midrange and lower treble.

The redesigned network is intended to improve amplitude and phase behavior, giving the Amator a more cohesive transition between drivers. In practical listening terms, this can produce more clearly defined vocals, smoother integration across the midrange and treble, and a more precisely organized soundstage.

Rich, Spacious, and Expressive Sound

The Lumina II Amator favors an inviting and full-bodied presentation rather than an aggressively analytical one. Voices are given convincing weight, texture, and presence, making these speakers particularly appealing for vocal jazz, acoustic recordings, classical music, singer-songwriters, and other material where tonal character is essential.

Stereo imaging is broad and well organized when the speakers are correctly positioned. The Lumina II Amator can create a soundstage that extends beyond the physical cabinets while maintaining a stable central image for voices and solo instruments.

The upper frequencies are detailed and open, but the overall presentation remains grounded by a substantial midrange and lower-midrange foundation. Rather than spotlighting individual details unnaturally, the Lumina II Amator presents them as part of a cohesive musical performance.

Listeners who prefer warmth, solidity, and a relaxed sense of musical flow are likely to appreciate the Amator’s character. Those seeking an especially lean, sharply etched, or highly aggressive presentation may prefer a different style of loudspeaker.

D.A.D. Soft-Dome Tweeter

High frequencies are reproduced by a 29mm D.A.D., or Damped Apex Dome, tweeter. The soft-dome diaphragm is locally damped at its apex to control unwanted movement and reduce the premature roll-off that can occur in a conventional soft-dome design.

The tweeter assembly is viscoelastically decoupled from the front baffle, helping isolate it from cabinet and midwoofer vibration. This contributes to cleaner high-frequency reproduction and more stable imaging.

150mm Paper-Cone Midwoofer

The Lumina II Amator uses a 150mm midwoofer to reproduce the midrange and bass. Its paper-based diaphragm provides a useful combination of stiffness, low mass, and internal damping.

This larger driver gives the Lumina II Amator considerably more body and low-frequency presence than the smaller Lumina I. Its rated response extends to 55Hz, allowing bass guitar, piano, drums, and orchestral instruments to retain convincing weight in a small or medium-sized room.

The Lumina II Amator is not intended to reproduce the deepest sub-bass on its own. Listeners who want full-impact movie effects, electronic bass, or pipe organ fundamentals should consider adding a properly integrated subwoofer.

Upgraded 2,600Hz Crossover Network

The crossover is the defining technical difference between the Lumina II Amator and the original Lumina II. Sonus Faber developed the revised network using knowledge gained during the creation of the Amati G5 and Guarneri G5.

Its 2,600Hz crossover point allows the 150mm midwoofer to operate farther into the upper midrange before handing the signal to the tweeter. The crossover components and circuit layout are designed to optimize the speakers’ amplitude and phase response.

This helps the two drivers behave more like a unified acoustic source, particularly through the vocal range and the transition into the treble.

High-Gloss Wood and Italian Leather

Each Lumina II Amator is constructed at Sonus Faber’s facility in Vicenza, Italy. The squared cabinet shape remains intentionally simple, but the materials and finish distinguish the Amator from the standard Lumina models.

The multilayer wood front panel uses a distinctive 45-degree grain orientation that converges toward the drivers. A high-gloss lacquer enhances the depth and pattern of the veneer, while the cabinet sides and top are covered in black leather.

Available finishes include:

• Red High Gloss multilayer wood with black leather
• Wenge High Gloss multilayer wood with black leather
• Walnut High Gloss multilayer wood with black leather

Because the speaker uses real wood veneer, natural variations in grain and appearance should be expected. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, excessive heat, or high humidity to help preserve the wood, lacquer, and leather surfaces.

Front-Ported for More Flexible Placement

The bass-reflex port is integrated into the front of the speaker’s base rather than placed on the rear panel. This makes the Lumina II Amator more accommodating when positioned near a wall, on a console, or within a room where placement options are limited.

The front port does not make placement irrelevant. Leaving some space behind the speakers will normally improve bass definition and soundstage depth. Begin with approximately 12 to 18 inches between the rear of the cabinet and the wall, then adjust according to the room.

For the best stereo performance, place the Lumina II Amator on rigid speaker stands with the tweeters near seated ear height. A modest amount of toe-in will usually strengthen center imaging. Avoid aiming the tweeters too directly at the listening position if the treble sounds overly prominent.

Amplifier Requirements and Matching

The Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms and a sensitivity rating of 86dB. Sonus Faber recommends between 30 and 150 watts per channel of clean, undistorted amplifier power.

The speakers benefit from an integrated amplifier, receiver, or power amplifier that is comfortable driving a 4-ohm load. For most small and medium-sized rooms, a quality amplifier producing approximately 50 watts per channel or more into 4 ohms is a sensible starting point.

Amplifier quality and current delivery matter more than selecting equipment solely by its maximum wattage. The Lumina II Amator can perform well with modestly powered electronics, but its imaging, tonal texture, and bass control improve as the quality of the source and amplification increases.

Dual binding posts permit conventional single-wire connection, bi-wiring, or bi-amplification. Leave the supplied terminal jumpers installed when using a normal single pair of speaker cables.

Lumina II Amator vs. Lumina II

The standard Lumina II and Lumina II Amator share the same basic cabinet dimensions, driver configuration, 55Hz–24kHz frequency response, 4-ohm nominal impedance, and 30–150-watt recommended amplifier range.

The primary reasons to choose the Lumina II Amator are its redesigned crossover and upgraded exterior finishes. The Amator generally offers a more refined transition through the upper midrange and treble, with greater vocal presence, smoother integration, and more precisely organized detail.

Choose the standard Lumina II when value is the main priority and its traditional Walnut, Wenge, or Piano Black appearance is preferred. Choose the Lumina II Amator when the crossover refinement, high-gloss veneer, and special-edition presentation justify the additional investment.

Stereo and Home Theater Applications

In a two-channel system, the Lumina II Amator is well suited to small and medium-sized rooms. It works well with vinyl playback, streaming systems, compact integrated amplifiers, and high-quality television or movie systems where both appearance and musical performance matter.

The Lumina II Amator can also be used as the front left and right channels in a compact home theater. A matching Lumina center speaker will help preserve a consistent tonal character across dialogue, music, and front-channel effects.

In a larger theater, the Lumina II Amator can serve as a premium surround speaker alongside Lumina floorstanding models.

Who Should Choose the Lumina II Amator?

The Lumina II Amator is especially well suited for listeners who want:

• A premium bookshelf speaker for a small or medium-sized room
• Rich vocals and a full-bodied tonal presentation
• A broad, immersive stereo soundstage
• A more refined alternative to the standard Lumina II
• A front-ported speaker with flexible placement options
• High-gloss real wood and leather finishes
• A speaker made in Sonus Faber’s Vicenza, Italy facility
• A compact speaker suitable for both stereo and home theater

Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator Specifications

Purchase from an Authorized Sonus Faber Dealer

Audio Exchange is an authorized Sonus Faber dealer serving Richmond, Virginia, and customers throughout the United States. Contact us for help comparing the Lumina II Amator with the standard Lumina II, selecting an amplifier, adding a subwoofer, or planning a complete Sonus Faber system.

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