Audio T Verdict
The centre speaker does a huge amount of the work in a home cinema system, and the Sonus faber Lumina CI is designed to do that job without becoming a huge box beneath the television. Its twin 120mm midwoofers flank the same 29mm D.A.D. soft-dome tweeter technology used elsewhere in the Lumina family, helping dialogue, music and effects maintain a consistent tonal character as sounds move across the front of the room.
Its compact dimensions make particular sense in small and medium-sized systems, but Sonus faber has been clever with the enclosure too. The reflex port is positioned at the front, making Lumina CI less sensitive to the wall immediately behind it than a conventional rear-ported centre speaker. That is genuinely useful when the loudspeaker needs to sit on a TV unit, shelf or within the practical restrictions of a normal living room.
At 87dB sensitivity and a nominal 4-ohm impedance, Lumina CI deserves a capable AV receiver rather than being treated as an easy afterthought. Match it properly, set the crossover and level correctly and this compact centre can become the anchor of a very convincing Lumina-based home cinema system.
Sonus faber Lumina CI Centre Speaker
The Sonus faber Lumina CI is the dedicated centre-channel loudspeaker in the Lumina Collection, designed to reproduce dialogue, front-centre effects and music within a multichannel home cinema system.
Its horizontal two-way architecture combines two 120mm paper-cone midwoofers with a centrally positioned 29mm D.A.D. soft-dome tweeter, creating a compact cabinet that visually and acoustically complements the wider Lumina range.
As with the other Lumina models, Sonus faber combines natural materials and understated Italian styling with practical engineering. A multilayer wood front baffle, black leather covering and front-mounted reflex system allow Lumina CI to work in real living spaces without losing the character of the range.
- Dedicated Sonus faber Lumina centre-channel speaker
- Two-way horizontal loudspeaker system
- Vented bass-reflex enclosure
- Front-mounted reflex system
- 29mm high-definition D.A.D. tweeter
- Damped Apex Dome technology
- Soft-dome diaphragm
- Ferrite tweeter motor
- Visco-elastically decoupled tweeter
- Twin 120mm paper-cone midwoofers
- Natural-fibre-based midwoofer diaphragms
- 2000Hz crossover frequency
- Amplitude and phase-optimised crossover
- 65Hz–24kHz frequency response
- 87dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 30–100W recommended amplifier power
- Dual binding-post connections
- Bi-wire capability
- Bi-amp capability
- Rubber decoupling pad
- Multilayer wood front baffle
- Black leather cabinet covering
- Piano Black finish
- Walnut with maple inlays
- Wenge with maple inlays
- 168mm height
- 523mm width
- 212mm depth
- 7.6kg weight
- Designed for small and medium-sized home cinemas
Why the Centre Speaker Matters
In a multichannel system, the centre speaker is arguably the most important loudspeaker for film and television.
It commonly handles:
- Dialogue
- Voices anchored to the screen
- Front-centre sound effects
- Music mixed into the centre channel
- Sounds moving between the left and right speakers
That is why using a centre speaker designed to complement the front left and right channels matters.
Why Not Just Use the TV Speakers for Dialogue?
Because the centre channel forms part of the same soundtrack as the rest of the surround system.
Using the television's internal speakers for voices while separate loudspeakers reproduce everything else can create a very obvious mismatch in scale, tonal balance and position.
A dedicated centre places dialogue physically closer to the screen while keeping its tonal character related to the rest of the system.
Dialogue Is More Than Speech
The centre channel is often described simply as the "dialogue speaker", but that only tells part of the story.
Film mixes can send a substantial amount of soundtrack information to the centre, including music and effects as well as voices.
That means Lumina CI needs to produce useful dynamics and bass in addition to clear speech.
Two-Way Horizontal Design
Lumina CI uses a traditional horizontal centre-channel layout.
A 29mm tweeter sits between two 120mm midwoofers, allowing the cabinet to remain relatively low while spreading the mid/bass workload across two drive units.
Why Two Midwoofers?
Using two 120mm drivers provides more radiating area than relying on one compact midwoofer.
That helps the centre channel reproduce:
- Male and female voices
- Music
- Front-channel effects
- Upper bass
- Dynamic soundtrack peaks
120mm Paper-Cone Midwoofers
The two midwoofers use paper-based diaphragms developed from cellulose pulp blended with other natural fibres.
Natural-fibre driver materials are a recurring part of Sonus faber's approach and are used throughout much of the Lumina family.
Why Paper?
Paper and cellulose-based cones can combine low mass, stiffness and useful internal damping.
That makes the material particularly suitable for a driver that needs to reproduce both the lower midrange and upper bass while remaining clean through voices.
Custom Sonus faber Driver Design
The 120mm units use custom baskets developed for the Lumina Collection rather than being generic drive units selected solely by diameter.
The basket supports the moving system while allowing air to move freely around the rear of the diaphragm.
29mm D.A.D. Tweeter
High frequencies are handled by Sonus faber's 29mm high-definition D.A.D. soft-dome tweeter.
D.A.D. stands for Damped Apex Dome.
What Does D.A.D. Do?
At high frequencies, the centre of a conventional soft dome can begin moving out of phase with the rest of the diaphragm.
Sonus faber's D.A.D. system damps that apex region to control this behaviour while retaining the smooth qualities associated with a fabric dome.
Soft-Dome Treble
The tweeter uses a soft diaphragm rather than a rigid metal dome.
The design combines low moving mass with useful damping and is part of the consistent high-frequency approach used through the Lumina range.
Ferrite Magnet System
A ferrite magnetic motor drives the tweeter's voice coil and diaphragm.
The motor and suspension are engineered as part of the complete high-frequency system rather than being considered independently.
Visco-Elastic Baffle Decoupling
Sonus faber visco-elastically decouples the tweeter from the surrounding baffle.
This helps reduce mechanical vibration from the larger midwoofers reaching the delicate tweeter assembly.
Why Decouple the Tweeter?
The twin midwoofers generate substantially greater mechanical movement than the treble driver.
Reducing the amount of that vibration transferred into the tweeter's mounting gives the high-frequency system a more controlled mechanical environment.
2000Hz Crossover
The twin midwoofers hand over to the D.A.D. tweeter at 2000Hz.
This is an important part of the vocal range, so smooth integration between the drivers is essential for believable dialogue.
Amplitude and Phase Optimisation
Sonus faber describes the Lumina CI crossover as being optimised in both amplitude and phase for space/time performance.
In practical terms, the network is not only dividing frequencies but also controlling the way the output of the three drivers combines at the listening position.
Why Phase Matters for a Centre Speaker
A centre speaker needs to create the impression that voices come naturally from the screen rather than from an obvious box sitting underneath it.
If the drivers do not combine coherently through the crossover region, image focus and tonal consistency can suffer.
65Hz–24kHz Frequency Response
Sonus faber specifies Lumina CI from 65Hz to 24,000Hz.
That provides useful bass extension for a compact centre channel while leaving the very lowest frequencies to a subwoofer or the wider bass-management system.
Does the Centre Need Deep Bass?
It needs useful bass, but it does not normally need to reproduce the lowest frequencies in a properly configured home cinema.
An AV receiver can redirect deeper information to:
- A subwoofer
- Large front speakers
- A combination determined by the receiver's bass-management settings
What Crossover Should I Use?
The correct AV crossover depends on the room, receiver, subwoofer and other speakers.
Given Lumina CI's 65Hz published lower response, an AV crossover somewhere above that point is a sensible starting principle rather than asking the centre to reproduce bass right down to its limit.
Don't Automatically Set Every Speaker to Large
Even a capable centre channel can benefit from bass management. Allowing a suitable subwoofer to handle the deepest frequencies can reduce the workload on both the centre speaker and AV receiver while preserving dialogue clarity during demanding scenes.
87dB Sensitivity
Lumina CI is rated at 87dB sensitivity for 2.83V measured at one metre.
This is useful output for a compact centre, although the 4-ohm nominal impedance means amplifier quality still matters.
4-Ohm Nominal Impedance
Sonus faber specifies Lumina CI at 4 ohms nominal.
Your AV receiver should therefore be comfortable driving lower-impedance loudspeakers, especially if several Lumina channels are being used simultaneously.
Why AV Receiver Quality Matters
A home cinema amplifier may need to power five, seven or more passive loudspeakers at once.
A system built around 4-ohm loudspeakers can therefore place greater demands on the receiver's power supply than one using easier loads.
It is worth considering:
- Room size
- Listening distance
- Number of channels
- Listening level
- Subwoofer bass management
- Receiver power-supply capability
30–100W Recommended Amplifier Power
Sonus faber's current recommendation is 30 to 100 watts with an undistorted signal.
This does not mean the centre channel needs a separate power amplifier rated exactly within that range. In a normal home cinema system, the relevant specification is the clean power available from the AV receiver or external power amplifier into the speaker load.
Can a 50W AV Receiver Drive Lumina CI?
Potentially, yes, in a smaller room and at sensible levels.
The quality of the amplifier and its ability to deliver current into 4 ohms matter more than the headline number alone.
What About 80–100W?
This provides useful additional headroom for dynamic film soundtracks and longer listening distances.
Undistorted Power Matters
Sonus faber's recommendation specifically refers to an undistorted signal.
An underpowered amplifier driven into clipping can potentially be more problematic than a more capable amplifier working comfortably within its limits.
Designed for Small and Medium Rooms
Sonus faber specifically positions Lumina CI for small and medium-sized listening environments.
Its relatively low 168mm cabinet height makes it easier to accommodate beneath a screen than many larger centre speakers.
Front Reflex Port
One of Lumina CI's most useful installation features is its front-positioned reflex port.
Many centre speakers place the bass port on the rear panel, making wall clearance especially important.
Sonus faber's front-positioned arrangement makes Lumina CI less sensitive to the wall directly behind it.
Does That Mean It Can Be Completely Enclosed?
No.
Front porting makes placement easier, but the cabinet and drivers still need space to radiate properly.
A tightly enclosed cupboard or shelf can create reflections and reinforce certain frequencies even if the port itself is unobstructed.
TV Cabinet Placement
A low media unit beneath the television is often the most practical location.
Ideally:
- Keep the front of the speaker close to or slightly forward of the furniture edge
- Avoid recessing it deeply into a cabinet
- Keep the tweeter as close to seated ear height as practical
- Ensure the television does not obstruct the top of the cabinet
- Keep the speaker horizontally centred beneath the screen
Why Bring the Speaker Forward?
If a centre speaker sits far back on a deep shelf, early reflections from the furniture immediately in front of it can affect clarity.
Bringing the front baffle closer to the edge gives the drivers a clearer acoustic path into the room.
Centre the Speaker With the Screen
The physical centre of the speaker should ideally align with the centre of the image.
This helps voices appear connected to actors on screen rather than being pulled noticeably to one side.
Above or Below the Television?
Either can work.
Below the screen is more common in domestic systems, but the important factor is keeping the centre speaker reasonably close to the picture and directing it towards the listening area where necessary.
Should the Centre Speaker Be Angled?
If the speaker sits substantially below or above ear height, a modest upward or downward angle towards the main listening position can improve the relationship between the tweeter and listener.
Don't Put It on the Floor
A centre channel positioned directly on the floor will normally sit far below the screen and listener.
It can also suffer from strong floor reflections and may make voices appear detached from the picture.
Rubber Decoupling Pad
Sonus faber specifies a rubber pad as the Lumina CI decoupling system.
This provides a practical interface between the speaker and furniture beneath it while helping reduce direct mechanical contact.
Multilayer Wood Front Baffle
The Lumina Collection uses multilayer wood prominently on the front panel.
This allows the natural-material character associated with Sonus faber to remain visible without requiring the far more elaborate cabinet construction found further up the range.
Black Leather Cabinet Covering
The sides and top of Lumina CI are covered in Sonus faber's characteristic black leather.
The combination of wood front panel and dark leather gives the relatively simple squared cabinet a recognisable Sonus faber appearance.
A More Minimal Sonus faber
Lumina deliberately takes a simpler visual approach than many of the company's more expensive loudspeaker ranges.
The cabinet is comparatively conventional in shape, allowing the natural materials and driver layout to provide the visual character.
Three Current Finishes
Sonus faber currently lists three Lumina CI finishes:
- Piano Black lacquered multilayer wood with Black Leather
- Walnut with maple inlays veneered multilayer wood with Black Leather
- Wenge with maple inlays veneered multilayer wood with Black Leather
Piano Black
Piano Black gives Lumina CI the most understated appearance and can integrate particularly easily beneath a black television screen.
Walnut
Walnut adds warmer natural wood tones while retaining the black leather sides and top.
Wenge
Wenge offers a darker wood finish with contrasting maple inlays for a more distinctive furniture-style appearance.
Matching the Front Speakers
For the most visually coherent installation, choose the same Lumina finish across the front left, centre and right speakers.
More importantly, using speakers from the same acoustic family helps preserve a consistent tonal character across the front soundstage.
Why Tonal Matching Matters
Film sound is constantly moving.
A vehicle, voice or effect can travel from the left speaker through the centre and out to the right.
If the three front speakers have very different tonal balances, that movement can sound noticeably inconsistent.
Matching With Lumina I
The compact Sonus faber Lumina I can create a particularly space-efficient front or surround system around Lumina CI.
Both models use 120mm paper-cone driver technology and the 29mm D.A.D. tweeter architecture, helping create a coherent family relationship.
Matching With Lumina II
The larger Sonus faber Lumina II is a natural front left/right option where greater stereo bass and scale are required.
Matching With Lumina II Amator
Lumina II Amator can also be used as the main stereo pair, with Lumina CI handling dedicated centre-channel duties.
Matching With Lumina V Amator
For a larger front system, Lumina V Amator provides floorstanding left and right channels while Lumina CI remains the compact dedicated centre.
Can I Use Lumina CI With Other Speaker Brands?
Technically, yes.
An AV receiver does not require every loudspeaker to come from the same manufacturer.
However, because the front three speakers handle so much shared soundtrack information, we generally recommend maintaining a closely related tonal character across them where practical.
Can I Use a Different Sonus faber Range?
Yes, although a centre speaker from the same range is generally the preferred starting point.
Moving to something such as Sonetto Center can provide greater scale, but matching should be judged as a complete system rather than simply by brand name.
Bi-Wiring
Lumina CI provides two pairs of binding posts.
This allows separate cable runs to the high-frequency and mid/bass sections where desired.
Do You Need to Bi-Wire a Centre Speaker?
No.
A good single-wire connection with the terminal links fitted correctly is entirely valid.
Bi-Amping
The separate terminal sections also make bi-amping possible with suitable electronics.
This is more specialised and requires an AV processor, receiver or amplifier configuration capable of supporting it correctly.
Check the Terminal Links
If using normal single-wire speaker cable, make sure the links between the two terminal sections are securely fitted. If bi-amping, remove the links and follow the amplifier manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Speaker Cable
The centre channel can carry a considerable amount of soundtrack information, so use suitably sized speaker cable rather than treating it as a secondary channel.
Keep cable runs practical and observe correct polarity.
Correct Polarity Matters
Positive on the AV receiver or power amplifier should connect to positive on Lumina CI, with negative connected to negative.
An incorrectly wired centre can reduce coherence across the front soundstage and make bass behave unpredictably around crossover regions.
AV Receiver Calibration
Most modern AV receivers include some form of automatic speaker calibration.
This normally measures:
- Speaker distance
- Channel level
- Crossover frequency
- Room response
- Subwoofer relationship
Should You Trust Automatic Calibration?
Use it as an excellent starting point, but check the results.
Make sure the detected speaker distances and levels are sensible and that the chosen crossover is appropriate for the system.
Centre Channel Level
After calibration, listen to familiar film dialogue at normal volume.
If voices are consistently difficult to hear, it is acceptable to make a modest centre-level adjustment rather than simply turning the entire system louder.
Don't Overdo the Centre Level
If the centre is raised too far, the whole front soundstage can collapse towards the middle and music may lose its natural left/right spread.
The aim is intelligibility, not making every soundtrack sound like mono.
Dialogue Enhancement
Many AV receivers also provide dialogue enhancement or centre-lift controls.
These can be useful, but establish correct speaker placement, level and crossover first before applying additional processing.
Subwoofer Integration
A good subwoofer can reduce the amount of deep bass Lumina CI needs to reproduce.
This becomes especially useful during action films where several channels may be handling demanding low-frequency information simultaneously.
Why Redirect Bass?
A purpose-designed active subwoofer normally has:
- A much larger bass driver
- A larger enclosure
- Its own dedicated amplifier
- Far greater low-frequency excursion
Allowing it to reproduce the lowest frequencies can leave Lumina CI concentrating on dialogue and front-channel information.
Small or Large Speaker Setting?
In AV terminology, "Small" does not mean the speaker is poor or physically tiny.
It simply tells the receiver to redirect frequencies below the chosen crossover point to the subwoofer.
For a 65Hz centre speaker, that can be entirely appropriate.
Can Lumina CI Be Used Without a Subwoofer?
Yes.
A receiver can route bass according to the capabilities of the other speakers, although the very lowest home cinema effects are normally reproduced most effectively by a suitable active subwoofer.
Can Lumina CI Be Used in a 3.0 System?
Yes.
A front left, centre and right arrangement can significantly improve television and film presentation without immediately installing surround speakers or a subwoofer.
Can It Be Used in 3.1?
Yes. Adding a subwoofer creates a very capable compact front-stage home cinema system.
5.1 Systems
Lumina CI is a natural centre speaker in a conventional 5.1 system with front left/right speakers, two surrounds and an active subwoofer.
7.1 Systems
The centre-channel role remains the same in a seven-channel surround configuration.
Dolby Atmos Systems
Lumina CI can be used as the centre speaker in a Dolby Atmos system.
The AV receiver performs the Dolby decoding; the speaker itself simply reproduces the centre-channel signal supplied to it.
DTS:X Systems
The same applies to DTS:X and other object-based surround formats.
Does Lumina CI Decode Dolby Atmos?
No.
Passive loudspeakers do not decode audio formats. The AV receiver or processor performs that task.
Good for Films?
Yes. Film and television reproduction is Lumina CI's primary purpose.
The driver layout is specifically intended to keep dialogue anchored to the picture while handling the wider soundtrack information mixed into the centre channel.
Good for Television?
Yes.
Television drama, documentaries and sport can all benefit from a dedicated centre because speech remains fixed to the screen rather than being created as a phantom image between left and right speakers.
Good for Concert Films?
Yes.
Concert and music-film mixes can make extensive use of the centre channel for vocals and instruments, making tonal matching with the front left and right speakers particularly valuable.
Good for Multichannel Music?
Yes. SACD, Blu-ray Audio and streamed multichannel material can all make significant use of the centre channel.
Can You Listen to Stereo Music Through It?
Ordinary two-channel stereo normally uses only the front left and right speakers.
If an AV receiver is set to an upmixing or multichannel mode, it may generate centre-channel information from the stereo source.
Should You Always Use Surround Processing for Music?
No. That is a personal preference.
For conventional stereo recordings, many listeners prefer to use the front left and right channels alone.
Compact Cabinet Dimensions
At approximately 168mm high, Lumina CI remains relatively discreet beneath a television.
The current manufacturer dimensions are:
- Height: 168mm
- Width: 523mm
- Depth: 212mm
- Weight: 7.6kg
Measure Your TV Unit First
523mm is compact for a serious centre speaker, but it still requires more than half a metre of clear horizontal space.
Also allow room for:
- Speaker cables
- Binding-post access
- Ventilation around AV equipment
- Enough clearance that the television does not obstruct the speaker
Can It Fit Inside AV Furniture?
Potentially, yes.
The front-facing reflex design makes this more practical than with many rear-ported speakers, but leave sensible clearance around the cabinet rather than wedging it tightly into an opening.
Can It Sit Directly Below a Wall-Mounted TV?
Yes.
A low shelf or sturdy wall-mounted support can work provided it safely supports the 7.6kg cabinet and positions it sensibly relative to the screen.
Can It Be Wall Mounted?
Lumina CI is not presented by Sonus faber as a purpose-designed wall-mount speaker.
If a custom shelf or bracket is being considered, it must safely accommodate the cabinet dimensions and weight without obstructing the drivers or connections.
Don't Block the Front Reflex System
Although front positioning makes installation easier, the port still needs clear airflow.
A decorative lip, cabinet door or object placed directly in front of it can interfere with the speaker's intended bass behaviour.
Recommended Lumina CI Setup Routine
- Position the centre speaker horizontally beneath or above the screen.
- Align it as closely as practical with the centre of the picture.
- Keep the front baffle close to the front edge of the supporting furniture.
- Do not obstruct the front reflex system.
- Use the supplied decoupling arrangement on a stable surface.
- If the speaker sits well below ear height, consider a modest upward angle.
- Switch the AV receiver off before connecting speaker cable.
- Observe correct positive and negative polarity.
- For single wiring, ensure the terminal links are securely fitted.
- Configure Lumina CI as the centre channel in the AV receiver.
- Run the receiver's room-calibration system.
- Check the measured speaker distance.
- Check the centre-channel level.
- Review the automatically selected crossover.
- Play familiar dialogue-heavy material.
- Check that voices sound centred on the screen.
- Make modest level adjustments only if necessary.
- Play a film with effects moving across the front soundstage.
- Check that tonal character remains consistent between left, centre and right.
- Re-run calibration after any major position change.
Who Is Lumina CI For?
- Sonus faber Lumina home cinema systems
- Small home cinema rooms
- Medium-sized living rooms
- 3.0 front-speaker systems
- 3.1 systems with subwoofer
- 5.1 surround systems
- 7.1 surround systems
- Dolby Atmos systems
- DTS:X systems
- Customers wanting clearer TV dialogue
- Systems using Lumina I or Lumina II speakers
- Systems using Lumina floorstanders
- Customers needing a relatively compact premium centre channel
- Installations where rear-wall clearance is limited
Who Might Need a Larger Centre Speaker?
A larger model may be more appropriate if:
- The room is very large
- Listening distance is substantial
- Reference-level cinema playback is the priority
- The front left and right speakers are considerably larger Sonus faber models
- You want greater bass extension and dynamic headroom from the centre itself
Lumina CI vs Sonetto Center
Sonetto Center sits further up the Sonus faber range and uses a more ambitious three-way architecture.
Lumina CI
- Compact two-way centre
- Twin 120mm midwoofers
- 29mm D.A.D. tweeter
- 65Hz lower response
- 87dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- Ideal for small and medium rooms
Consider Sonetto Center If...
- You need greater scale
- Your room is larger
- You are building around Sonetto speakers
- You want a more ambitious three-way centre
- Higher output capability is important
Key Features
- Sonus faber Lumina CI
- Sonus faber Lumina Center I
- Lumina Collection
- Centre-channel loudspeaker
- Passive centre speaker
- Two-way horizontal design
- Vented enclosure
- Front reflex system
- 29mm tweeter
- High-definition D.A.D. tweeter
- Damped Apex Dome technology
- Soft-dome tweeter
- Ferrite tweeter magnet
- Visco-elastic tweeter decoupling
- Twin 120mm midwoofers
- Paper-cone midwoofers
- Natural-fibre driver material
- Custom Sonus faber baskets
- 2000Hz crossover
- Amplitude-optimised crossover
- Phase-optimised crossover
- 65Hz–24kHz frequency response
- 87dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 30–100W recommended amplification
- Dual binding posts
- Bi-wire capability
- Bi-amp capability
- Rubber decoupling pad
- Multilayer wood baffle
- Black leather covering
- Piano Black finish
- Walnut finish
- Wenge finish
- Maple inlay detailing
- 168mm height
- 523mm width
- 212mm depth
- 7.6kg weight
- Designed for small rooms
- Designed for medium rooms
- Suitable for 3.0 systems
- Suitable for 3.1 systems
- Suitable for 5.1 systems
- Suitable for 7.1 systems
- Suitable for Dolby Atmos systems
- Suitable for DTS:X systems
- Designed for dialogue reproduction
- Suitable for film and TV sound
- Suitable for multichannel music
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sonus faber Lumina CI still current?
Yes. Lumina CI remains a current centre-channel speaker in Sonus faber's Lumina Collection.
What does CI stand for?
Sonus faber refers to the model as Lumina Center I or Lumina CI. Audio T uses the British spelling Centre in its product title.
Is Lumina CI a centre speaker?
Yes. It is specifically designed for centre-channel use in a multichannel system.
Is Lumina CI passive?
Yes. It requires an AV receiver or external power amplifier.
Does it contain an amplifier?
No.
Is Lumina CI two-way?
Yes. Sonus faber specifies a two-way horizontal loudspeaker system.
Why does the old Audio T specification say shelf loudspeaker?
That wording should be corrected. Sonus faber's current technical specification describes Lumina CI as a two-way horizontal loudspeaker system.
How many drivers does it have?
Three physical drivers: one tweeter and two midwoofers operating as a two-way system.
What size is the tweeter?
29mm.
What type of tweeter does it use?
A high-definition soft-dome D.A.D. tweeter.
What does D.A.D. stand for?
Damped Apex Dome.
Why is the tweeter decoupled?
Sonus faber uses visco-elastic decoupling to reduce mechanical vibration reaching the high-frequency driver from the surrounding cabinet and midwoofers.
What size are the midwoofers?
120mm each.
How many midwoofers are there?
Two.
What are the cones made from?
Paper-based diaphragms using cellulose pulp and natural fibres.
What is the crossover frequency?
2000Hz.
What is the frequency response?
65Hz to 24kHz.
How low does Lumina CI play?
Sonus faber's published lower frequency-response figure is 65Hz.
Does it need a subwoofer?
Not to operate, but a subwoofer is normally highly beneficial in a complete home cinema system and can handle frequencies below the centre-channel crossover.
What crossover should I use with a subwoofer?
The exact setting depends on the room and system. Use the AV receiver's calibration as a starting point and avoid forcing the centre to reproduce bass right down to its published lower limit.
What is the sensitivity?
87dB at 2.83V measured at one metre.
What is the impedance?
4 ohms nominal.
Does my AV receiver need to support 4-ohm speakers?
It should be comfortable driving the load presented by the complete system. This becomes particularly important if several Lumina speakers are connected simultaneously.
What amplifier power does Sonus faber recommend?
30 to 100 watts with an undistorted signal.
Will a 50W receiver work?
Potentially yes, particularly in a smaller room at sensible listening levels, provided the receiver is comfortable with the speaker load.
Can I use a separate power amplifier?
Yes, if your AV receiver or processor provides the appropriate pre-output and the power amplifier is suitably matched.
Does Lumina CI support bi-wiring?
Yes. Two pairs of binding posts are provided.
Does it support bi-amping?
Yes, with suitable amplification and correct configuration.
Do I have to bi-wire it?
No. Normal single-wire connection is entirely suitable with the terminal links fitted.
Where is the reflex port?
Sonus faber positions the reflex system at the front of Lumina CI.
Why is a front port useful?
It makes the speaker less sensitive to the wall immediately behind it than many rear-ported centre speakers.
Can it sit close to a rear wall?
Yes. Front porting makes this relatively practical, although some breathing room around the complete cabinet is still desirable.
Can I put Lumina CI inside a TV cabinet?
Potentially, provided the opening is large enough, airflow is not obstructed and the front of the speaker is not recessed too deeply.
Should the speaker sit at the front of the shelf?
Yes where practical. Keeping the front baffle close to the furniture edge can reduce early reflections from the surface directly in front of it.
Can Lumina CI sit below the television?
Yes. This is the most common installation.
Can it sit above the television?
Yes, if it can be supported safely and aimed appropriately towards the listening position.
Should I angle it towards the listener?
If the speaker is significantly above or below ear height, a modest angle towards the seating position can be useful.
Can I put Lumina CI on the floor?
It is not recommended as a normal installation because the speaker would sit far below the screen and listening position.
What are the dimensions?
Sonus faber's current specification gives 168 x 523 x 212mm.
How wide is Lumina CI?
523mm.
How high is it?
168mm.
How deep is it?
212mm.
How much does it weigh?
7.6kg.
What finishes are available?
Piano Black, Walnut with maple inlays and Wenge with maple inlays, all combined with black leather.
Does it use real wood?
The front incorporates multilayer wood with veneer or lacquer depending on finish.
Does Lumina CI use leather?
Yes. Sonus faber covers the top and sides in black leather.
Is Lumina CI made in Italy?
Sonus faber describes the Lumina Collection as made in Italy.
Can I use Lumina I speakers with it?
Yes. Lumina I is an obvious compact partner and shares closely related driver technology.
Can I use Lumina II speakers with it?
Yes.
Can I use Lumina II Amator with it?
Yes. Lumina CI can continue to provide centre-channel duties in a system using Lumina II Amator front speakers.
Can I use Lumina V Amator with it?
Yes.
Can I mix it with another speaker brand?
Yes technically, but matching the tonal character of the front left, centre and right channels is generally preferable.
Is Lumina CI good for dialogue?
Yes. Clear centre-channel dialogue is one of its primary design purposes.
Why is the centre speaker so important for dialogue?
Film and television mixes commonly place speech in the dedicated centre channel so voices remain anchored to the screen.
Can I increase the centre-channel volume?
Yes through your AV receiver, but make only modest adjustments after initial calibration.
Why is dialogue still difficult to hear?
Check centre level, crossover, speaker position, listening angle, room acoustics and the AV receiver's calibration before assuming the speaker itself is the problem.
Should I use the AV receiver's automatic calibration?
Yes. It provides a useful starting point for speaker distances, levels and crossover settings.
Should Lumina CI be set to Small?
That can be entirely appropriate in AV terminology because it allows the receiver to redirect the deepest bass to a subwoofer.
Does Small mean the speaker is inferior?
No. It is simply a bass-management setting.
Can Lumina CI be used in a 3.0 system?
Yes.
Can it be used in 3.1?
Yes.
Can it be used in 5.1?
Yes.
Can it be used in 7.1?
Yes.
Can it be used with Dolby Atmos?
Yes, as the centre-channel loudspeaker in a compatible Atmos system.
Does it decode Dolby Atmos itself?
No. The AV receiver or processor handles decoding.
Can it be used with DTS:X?
Yes.
Is it suitable for multichannel music?
Yes. Multichannel music mixes can make significant use of the centre channel.
Is it suitable for a large cinema room?
Sonus faber specifically positions Lumina CI for small and medium-sized spaces. A larger centre may be preferable for a very large room or extreme listening levels.
Should I audition a centre speaker?
Yes where possible. Comparing dialogue clarity, tonal matching and output capability with the intended front speakers is particularly useful.
Related Sonus faber Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy Sonus faber Lumina CI From Audio T?
A centre speaker can completely change how easy a home cinema is to listen to, but only when it is matched and configured correctly. Lumina CI needs to work with the front left and right speakers, AV receiver, subwoofer, room and television position rather than operating as an isolated component.
Audio T can demonstrate Lumina CI as part of a complete Sonus faber system and help with AV receiver matching, crossover settings, centre-channel level, subwoofer integration and physical positioning. Whether you are building a compact 3.1 television system or a full Dolby Atmos room, getting the front soundstage right is one of the most important parts of the installation.
- Sonus faber demonstrations
- Lumina home cinema demonstrations
- Centre-speaker matching
- Front left, centre and right speaker matching
- AV receiver matching
- 4-ohm amplifier matching advice
- AV receiver crossover setup
- Centre-channel level calibration
- Dialogue-clarity troubleshooting
- Speaker placement guidance
- TV-unit installation advice
- Subwoofer matching
- Bass-management setup
- Dolby Atmos system planning
- DTS:X system planning
- 3.0 and 3.1 system planning
- 5.1 and 7.1 system planning
- Speaker cable advice
- Bi-wire and bi-amp guidance
- Part-exchange options
- Home demonstration options where available
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration of the Sonus faber Lumina CI or discuss the best way to build a complete Lumina home cinema system.