Audio T Verdict
The Sonus faber Lumina II Amator is an interesting upgrade because, at first glance, it looks like a more luxurious version of the standard Lumina II. The cabinet dimensions, 150mm paper-cone midwoofer, 29mm D.A.D. tweeter, 55Hz bass extension and 86dB sensitivity are all familiar. The important work has happened in the crossover, where technology developed during the creation of Sonus faber's considerably more expensive Homage loudspeakers has filtered down into the Lumina range.
The result is not about turning Lumina II into a completely different loudspeaker. It is about getting more from the same fundamental driver system: tighter integration between tweeter and midwoofer, greater coherence through the crossover region and a more precisely constructed stereo image. The cabinet receives an appropriately special treatment too, with high-gloss wood front panels laid at 45 degrees to create the distinctive herringbone effect associated with the Amator models.
With a 4-ohm nominal impedance and 86dB sensitivity, Lumina II Amator still deserves a capable amplifier, but the generous 30–150W recommendation leaves plenty of options. For a small to medium-sized room where Lumina I feels a little too compact but a floorstander is unnecessary, this is a beautifully judged size. Add good stands, give them some space and these are the Lumina standmounts we would choose when the system is capable of showing what that improved crossover can do.
Sonus faber Lumina II Amator Standmount Speakers
The Sonus faber Lumina II Amator takes the compact two-way architecture of Lumina II and develops it with crossover technology inspired by the company's flagship Homage Collection.
The same fundamental 150mm paper-cone midwoofer and 29mm D.A.D. soft-dome tweeter remain, but the original 1800Hz crossover is replaced by a new 2600Hz network using Sonus faber's IFF circuitry and phase-coherent design philosophy.
Combined with high-gloss wood front panels featuring distinctive 45-degree grain orientation, Lumina II Amator sits between the standard Lumina range and Sonus faber's more ambitious standmount speakers, without losing the compact proportions that make the original Lumina II so easy to accommodate.
- Special Amator version of the Sonus faber Lumina II
- Current Lumina Collection model
- Made in Sonus faber's Vicenza factory in Italy
- Compact two-way passive standmount loudspeaker
- Vented-box enclosure
- 29mm high-definition D.A.D. tweeter
- Damped Apex Dome technology
- Soft-dome diaphragm
- Ferrite tweeter motor
- Visco-elastically decoupled tweeter
- 150mm paper-cone midwoofer
- Cellulose-pulp and natural-fibre diaphragm
- Custom Sonus faber driver basket
- New IFF crossover circuitry
- Phase-coherent crossover philosophy
- 2600Hz crossover frequency
- Crossover technology influenced by Homage Collection development
- 55Hz–24kHz frequency response
- 86dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 30–150W recommended amplifier power
- Four binding posts per speaker
- Bi-wire capability
- Bi-amp capability
- Rubber decoupling pad
- High-gloss multilayer wood front baffle
- 45-degree woodgrain design
- Black leather cabinet covering
- Walnut High Gloss finish
- Wenge High Gloss finish
- 304mm cabinet height
- 180mm cabinet width
- 263mm cabinet depth
- 5.8kg per speaker
- Suitable for stereo and multichannel systems
What Does Amator Mean?
Amator is one of the most important names in Sonus faber's history.
It has traditionally been reserved for special models where the company takes an existing idea and develops it beyond the standard specification. Historic examples include Electa Amator, while more recent models such as Maxima Amator continue the same philosophy.
With Lumina II Amator, the upgrade is concentrated primarily in the crossover and finish rather than replacing every drive unit or redesigning the cabinet from scratch.
More Than a Special Finish
The high-gloss woodwork is the obvious visual difference, but Lumina II Amator is not simply a cosmetic edition.
The key acoustic development is the crossover network.
Sonus faber drew on work carried out during development of the Amati G5 and Guarneri G5 in its Homage Collection, adapting ideas from those considerably more expensive loudspeakers for the Lumina platform.
Upgraded 2600Hz Crossover
The standard Lumina II crosses from its 150mm midwoofer to the D.A.D. tweeter at 1800Hz.
Lumina II Amator moves that crossover point to 2600Hz.
This is an 800Hz shift and changes the way the two drive units divide the work between them.
Why Change the Crossover?
A crossover is far more than a number on a specification sheet.
It controls:
- Which frequencies each driver reproduces
- The level relationship between the drivers
- Electrical phase
- Acoustic phase
- Dispersion through the crossover region
- The way the drivers combine at the listening position
Changing the crossover therefore changes the way the complete loudspeaker behaves, even when the drive units themselves remain familiar.
IFF Crossover Technology
Sonus faber describes the Amator network as using IFF circuitry.
IFF stands for Interactive Fusion Filtering, an approach developed within Sonus faber's higher-end loudspeaker engineering.
The idea is to treat the drivers less like completely separate acoustic sources and concentrate on how they interact through their transition region.
Phase-Coherent Philosophy
Sonus faber combines its IFF circuitry with a phase-coherent crossover philosophy.
The objective is to improve the relationship between the tweeter and midwoofer not only in frequency response but also in timing and phase.
Why Does Phase Matter?
The two drive units overlap around the crossover frequency.
If their acoustic output does not combine properly, the transition can affect:
- Vocal focus
- Instrument placement
- Soundstage depth
- Tonal balance
- Perceived coherence
Careful crossover design aims to make the speaker sound like one coherent acoustic source rather than a tweeter sitting above an unrelated bass/mid driver.
Homage-Derived Development
The significance of the Amator upgrade is not that Lumina II suddenly becomes an Amati G5 or Guarneri G5.
Instead, Sonus faber has taken lessons learned while developing those flagship Homage products and applied relevant elements to a far more attainable design.
This type of technology transfer is often where a special edition becomes more interesting than simply fitting more expensive components to the same circuit.
What Changes From Standard Lumina II?
The driver sizes, sensitivity, impedance, frequency response and cabinet dimensions remain essentially the same. The major acoustic difference is the redesigned 2600Hz IFF crossover, while the cabinet gains distinctive high-gloss 45-degree woodgrain front panels.
29mm D.A.D. Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by Sonus faber's 29mm D.A.D. soft-dome tweeter.
D.A.D. stands for Damped Apex Dome and is one of the company's most recognisable high-frequency technologies.
What Does Damped Apex Dome Mean?
A soft dome does not remain perfectly rigid as frequency increases.
At sufficiently high frequencies, the centre of the diaphragm can begin behaving differently from the surrounding dome.
Sonus faber's D.A.D. arrangement applies local damping to the apex to control this behaviour while retaining the low mass and natural damping properties of a textile diaphragm.
Soft-Dome Diaphragm
The tweeter uses a soft textile diaphragm rather than a metal dome.
This gives Sonus faber a lightweight moving surface with naturally damped behaviour, forming part of the tonal character used throughout the Lumina family.
Ferrite Magnet Motor
The tweeter's voice coil is controlled by a ferrite magnetic motor system.
The magnetic assembly, diaphragm and crossover are designed as part of the complete high-frequency system rather than being selected independently.
Visco-Elastic Tweeter Decoupling
The tweeter is mechanically decoupled from the front baffle using a visco-elastic interface.
This helps reduce the transfer of vibration from the much larger midwoofer into the high-frequency assembly.
Why Is Mechanical Isolation Useful?
The midwoofer generates considerably greater physical movement than the tweeter.
Reducing structural vibration reaching the delicate high-frequency system gives the tweeter a more controlled operating environment.
150mm Paper-Cone Midwoofer
Bass and midrange are handled by a 150mm paper-cone driver.
This is the same fundamental driver size used in Lumina II and gives the Amator significantly greater radiating area and bass capability than the smaller Lumina I.
Natural-Fibre Diaphragm
Sonus faber uses cellulose pulp blended with other natural fibres for the diaphragm.
Paper-based cones remain popular in high-quality loudspeaker design because they can combine:
- Low moving mass
- Useful stiffness
- Natural internal damping
- Controlled resonant behaviour
Why 150mm?
A 150mm driver offers substantially more cone area than the 120mm midwoofer used in Lumina I without making the cabinet excessively large.
That gives Lumina II Amator a useful balance between:
- Compact dimensions
- Midrange agility
- Bass weight
- Dynamic ability
- Room-filling capability
55Hz Bass Extension
Sonus faber specifies Lumina II Amator from 55Hz to 24,000Hz.
That gives it around ten hertz of additional published low-frequency reach compared with Lumina I.
What Does 55Hz Mean in Practice?
It allows the speaker to reproduce a substantial amount of the musical information in:
- Bass guitar
- Kick drum
- Piano
- Double bass
- Rock and pop recordings
- Jazz
- Smaller-scale orchestral music
The lowest octave of electronic music, organ and film effects still lies beyond what a compact passive standmount can reproduce at full level.
Does Lumina II Amator Need a Subwoofer?
For many two-channel systems, no.
In a small or medium-sized room, its 150mm midwoofer and 55Hz response can provide satisfying musical bass without additional help.
A subwoofer becomes useful when:
- You want substantially deeper bass
- You listen heavily to electronic music
- Pipe organ is important
- You want greater bass headroom
- You use the speakers for home cinema
- Your room is larger
Subwoofer Integration
Adding a properly integrated subwoofer can extend the system without changing the character of the main loudspeakers.
Good integration means the subwoofer should appear to make the Lumina II Amator speakers sound larger, rather than calling attention to itself as a separate bass source.
Pay particular attention to:
- Crossover frequency
- Subwoofer level
- Phase
- Position
Audio T Has Used Lumina II Amator With REL
Audio T Swindon has demonstrated Lumina II Amator with a REL Serie S subwoofer, Rega amplification and an Arcam streamer, giving the speakers a useful real-world role within a high-quality separates system.
You can read more in our REL Serie S listening article.
86dB Sensitivity
Lumina II Amator is specified at 86dB sensitivity for 2.83V measured at one metre.
That is two decibels more sensitive than Lumina I and makes it somewhat easier to achieve useful output from the same amplifier voltage.
4-Ohm Nominal Impedance
The nominal impedance is 4 ohms.
This means the amplifier should be comfortable delivering current into lower-impedance loudspeaker loads.
30–150W Recommended Amplifier Power
Sonus faber's recommendation runs from 30 to 150 watts per channel with an undistorted signal.
This is a broad range and gives plenty of freedom when choosing amplification.
Will a 30W Amplifier Work?
Yes.
A high-quality 30W amplifier can work well in a smaller room at sensible listening levels, provided it remains comfortable driving a 4-ohm load.
What About 40–60W?
This is a very realistic region for a high-quality integrated amplifier in a normal domestic room.
Power-supply quality and current delivery matter just as much as the headline wattage.
Would 80–100W Be Better?
Additional power can provide greater headroom for:
- Dynamic recordings
- Larger rooms
- Greater listening distances
- Higher playback levels
Can I Use 150W?
Yes. That is the upper end of Sonus faber's current recommendation.
A 150W amplifier does not continuously deliver its full rated output; the additional capacity primarily provides headroom for musical peaks.
Don't Buy an Amplifier by Wattage Alone
The 4-ohm nominal impedance means a well-designed amplifier with good current delivery is preferable to an inexpensive model claiming a much larger power figure but struggling into lower-impedance loads.
Solid-State Amplifiers
A capable solid-state integrated amplifier is a natural partner.
The 30–150W recommendation gives plenty of choice from compact integrated designs through to more substantial premium amplification.
Rega Amplification
Audio T has used Lumina speakers successfully with Rega amplification, including Lumina II in a vinyl-based Rega system and Lumina II Amator with the Rega Aethos during subwoofer demonstrations.
See our Rega and Sonus faber vinyl system for a real-world example of the standard Lumina II architecture in use.
Class D Amplifiers
Modern Class D amplification can work very well provided the amplifier is engineered to remain stable into 4 ohms.
Streaming Amplifiers
A good streaming amplifier is an attractive match if you want to keep the electronics simple.
Streaming, DAC and amplification can all be combined in one chassis while retaining the advantages of conventional passive loudspeakers.
Valve Amplifiers
Valve amplification is possible, although very low-powered designs require more careful consideration.
If the amplifier has dedicated impedance taps, use the connection recommended by its manufacturer for a 4-ohm loudspeaker load.
Good for Vinyl?
Yes.
The combination of a relatively large paper-cone midwoofer, D.A.D. tweeter and improved crossover makes Lumina II Amator a natural candidate for a well-developed turntable system.
Good for Streaming?
Absolutely.
Pair the speakers with a network streamer and amplifier, or use an integrated streaming amplifier for a particularly neat system.
Good for CD?
Yes. A quality CD player, transport and DAC or integrated digital source can make an excellent partner.
Good for Vocals?
Vocals are one of the areas where the redesigned crossover becomes especially relevant.
The 150mm driver now operates further up the frequency range before handing over to the tweeter at 2600Hz, making the quality of that handover critical to vocal focus and tonal consistency.
Good for Jazz?
Yes.
The 150mm driver gives acoustic bass and drums useful body, while the soft-dome tweeter and crossover can reveal cymbal texture, room ambience and spatial information.
Good for Acoustic Music?
Yes. Voices, acoustic guitar, piano and strings all place considerable emphasis on midrange coherence and accurate harmonic relationships.
Good for Classical Music?
Lumina II Amator has enough bass extension and dynamic range to work with a much broader range of classical music than a very small standmount.
A floorstander will still offer greater orchestral scale in a large room, but in a smaller or medium-sized environment the Lumina II Amator can be a very satisfying solution.
Good for Rock?
Yes.
The 150mm driver gives drums and bass guitar greater physical weight than Lumina I while retaining compact cabinet proportions.
Good for Electronic Music?
Yes, although listeners prioritising the deepest synthesised frequencies may want to add a subwoofer.
Vented Cabinet Design
Lumina II Amator uses a bass-reflex enclosure.
The reflex system contributes to the speaker's useful 55Hz low-frequency extension and forms part of the broader Lumina design philosophy of making the speakers relatively easy to place in domestic rooms.
Room Placement Still Matters
Placement-friendly does not mean placement-independent.
Low frequencies interact strongly with walls, corners and room dimensions, so moving the speaker can substantially alter the final balance.
Manufacturer Positioning Guidance
Sonus faber's Lumina owner's manual recommends beginning with the loudspeakers away from room corners and, where practical, at least one metre from the rear wall.
It suggests at least 1.8 metres between the stereo pair and recommends aiming the speakers towards the listener to form an approximate equilateral listening triangle.
These are idealised starting points rather than compulsory measurements.
What If One Metre From the Wall Isn't Practical?
That is common in a normal living room.
Move the speakers progressively closer while listening to familiar recordings.
Pay attention to:
- Bass weight
- Bass definition
- Vocal clarity
- Soundstage depth
If Bass Sounds Too Heavy
Move the speakers further from the rear wall and particularly away from corners.
If Bass Sounds Too Light
Experiment with slightly greater wall reinforcement.
A standmount speaker can often benefit from some boundary support in a larger room.
Speaker Spacing
Sonus faber suggests at least 1.8 metres between the pair where the room permits.
The final distance should create a broad stereo image without weakening the centre.
Toe-In
The manufacturer's starting recommendation is to aim the speakers towards the listening position.
Fine-tune from there.
Greater toe-in can sharpen centre-image focus, while reducing it may create a broader presentation depending on the room.
Listening Height
Use stands that place the tweeter reasonably close to seated ear height.
Sonus faber's general Lumina setup guidance uses an approximate listening height of 1.1 metres.
Standmount Rather Than Bookshelf
Sonus faber officially categorises Lumina II Amator as a bookshelf speaker, but its physical size and performance make standmount the more useful description in a serious hi-fi system.
A dedicated stand provides better control over:
- Listening height
- Speaker spacing
- Rear-wall distance
- Toe-in
- Mechanical stability
Can Lumina II Amator Sit on Furniture?
Yes, provided the surface is stable, suitably sized and allows the speakers to be positioned symmetrically.
Sonus faber specifically recommends equal-height support surfaces if Lumina speakers are placed on shelving.
Speaker Stand Requirements
A suitable stand should offer:
- A stable top plate
- Appropriate height
- Safe support for a 5.8kg cabinet
- Good lateral stability
- A suitable interface with your flooring
Browse speaker stands at Audio T or speak to your local store for a suitable match.
Compact Cabinet Dimensions
Each speaker measures:
- Height: 304mm
- Width: 180mm
- Depth: 263mm
- Weight: 5.8kg
A Useful Middle Ground
Lumina II Amator remains compact enough for normal living rooms while providing significantly more cabinet volume and driver area than Lumina I.
At 180mm wide, it still occupies much less visual space than many premium standmount loudspeakers.
Allow for Speaker Cable
The quoted depth is the cabinet dimension, so allow additional clearance behind the speaker for the binding posts and speaker cable.
Four Binding Posts
Each cabinet provides separate high-frequency and mid/low connections.
This permits conventional single wiring, bi-wiring or appropriate bi-amplification.
Single Wiring
For most systems, one good speaker cable run per channel is perfectly suitable.
Make sure the terminal links remain fitted securely between the two crossover sections.
Bi-Wiring
Bi-wiring uses separate cable runs from the same amplifier channel to the high-frequency and mid/low terminals.
Bi-Amping
Bi-amping uses separate amplifier channels for the two sections.
This requires suitable electronics and the terminal links must be removed before connection.
Check the Terminal Links
For conventional single-wire operation, leave the high-frequency and mid/low terminal links securely fitted. Remove them only when using a correctly configured bi-wire or bi-amp connection.
Correct Polarity
Connect positive on the amplifier to positive on each loudspeaker and negative to negative.
Accidentally reversing the polarity of one speaker can substantially weaken bass and stereo centre-image focus.
Switch Off Before Connecting
Always switch the amplifier off before connecting or changing speaker cables.
Also check that no loose conductor strands can bridge the positive and negative terminals.
High-Gloss Amator Front Baffle
The Amator models introduce a more elaborate front-panel treatment than standard Lumina.
The woodgrain is arranged at 45 degrees, creating a distinctive geometric pattern across the high-gloss multilayer wood surface.
Why the 45-Degree Grain?
It gives the speaker a clear visual distinction from standard Lumina II without abandoning the restrained squared cabinet architecture of the range.
The change is decorative rather than an excuse to disguise the underlying wood material.
Black Leather Cabinet
The remaining cabinet surfaces are covered in Sonus faber's characteristic black leather.
The combination of high-gloss wood and leather retains the tactile material contrast associated with the brand's more expensive loudspeakers.
Walnut High Gloss
Walnut offers the warmest traditional wood appearance and works naturally with both classic and contemporary hi-fi systems.
Wenge High Gloss
Wenge provides a darker, more contemporary wood finish while retaining visible natural grain beneath the gloss coating.
Red High Gloss
Sonus faber also manufactures Lumina II Amator in a distinctive Red High Gloss multilayer wood finish with black leather.
Finish availability can vary by market and stock holding.
Made in Vicenza, Italy
Lumina II Amator is built in Sonus faber's factory in Vicenza, Italy.
The wider Lumina Collection is produced there by Sonus faber's own craftspeople rather than being positioned simply as an externally produced entry-level range.
Lumina II Amator vs Lumina II
The two speakers share many headline specifications, making the differences especially interesting.
Lumina II
- 29mm D.A.D. tweeter
- 150mm paper midwoofer
- 1800Hz crossover
- 55Hz–24kHz response
- 86dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm impedance
- 30–150W amplification
- 304 x 180 x 263mm
- 5.8kg each
Lumina II Amator
- 29mm D.A.D. tweeter
- 150mm paper midwoofer
- 2600Hz IFF crossover
- 55Hz–24kHz response
- 86dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm impedance
- 30–150W amplification
- 304 x 180 x 263mm
- 5.8kg each
The Difference Is in Integration
Because sensitivity, frequency response and cabinet dimensions remain the same, the Amator upgrade should not be interpreted simply as "more bass" or "more volume".
The emphasis is on the relationship between the two drivers, crossover behaviour and overall coherence.
Is Lumina II Amator Automatically Better for Every System?
Not necessarily.
The standard Lumina II remains an excellent and less expensive loudspeaker.
If the rest of the system is relatively modest, putting the price difference towards amplification, source quality or speaker stands may potentially produce a larger overall improvement.
Where the electronics are already capable, Lumina II Amator gives you more of what the basic platform can deliver.
Lumina II Amator vs Lumina I
Lumina I remains the choice where compact dimensions are the overriding priority.
Lumina I
- 120mm midwoofer
- 65Hz lower response
- 84dB sensitivity
- 30–100W amplification
- 280mm high
- 148mm wide
- 4.4kg each
Lumina II Amator
- 150mm midwoofer
- 55Hz lower response
- 86dB sensitivity
- 30–150W amplification
- 304mm high
- 180mm wide
- 5.8kg each
Choose Lumina I If...
- Your room is genuinely compact
- Speaker width is restricted
- You plan to use a subwoofer
- You want the smallest possible passive Sonus faber
Choose Lumina II Amator If...
- You have a little more space
- You want deeper bass without automatically using a subwoofer
- You want greater sensitivity and dynamic headroom
- Your amplifier and source justify the upgraded crossover
- You prefer the Amator high-gloss finish
Lumina II Amator vs Lumina V Amator
Lumina V Amator takes the same special-edition philosophy into a much larger three-way floorstanding loudspeaker.
Choose Lumina II Amator If...
- You have a small or medium room
- You prefer standmount speakers
- You want easier room placement
- You do not need floorstander bass extension
- You want the most compact Amator model
Choose Lumina V Amator If...
- Your room is larger
- You want greater bass extension
- You listen at longer distances
- You want greater dynamic scale
- You prefer a floorstanding installation
Lumina II Amator in Home Cinema
Lumina is designed for both stereo and multichannel use.
Lumina II Amator can therefore operate as:
- Front left and right speakers
- Premium rear surround speakers
- Side surround speakers
- Part of a 3.1 system
- Part of a 5.1 system
- Part of a 7.1 system
- An ear-level channel in a Dolby Atmos system
Matching Lumina CI
Lumina CI is the dedicated compact centre channel in the Lumina Collection.
It shares closely related D.A.D. tweeter and natural-fibre midwoofer technology, making it the obvious centre-channel starting point for a Lumina-based cinema system.
Should Lumina II Amator Be Set to Small?
In a home cinema system with a capable subwoofer, this is normally a sensible starting point.
"Small" simply tells the AV receiver to redirect frequencies below the selected crossover to the subwoofer.
Can Lumina II Amator Be Used Without a Subwoofer?
Yes.
Its 55Hz extension makes it considerably more capable in the bass than a very small surround speaker, although a subwoofer remains the preferred way to reproduce dedicated LFE information in home cinema.
Recommended Lumina II Amator Setup Routine
- Unpack both speakers carefully and retain the original packaging.
- Inspect the high-gloss front panels before installation.
- Place the speakers on stable stands of equal height.
- Position the tweeters close to seated ear level where practical.
- Start away from room corners.
- Where space allows, begin with useful clearance from the rear wall.
- Aim for approximately 1.8 metres between the stereo pair where practical.
- Start with the cabinets aimed towards the listening position.
- Keep left and right wall relationships broadly symmetrical.
- Switch the amplifier off before connecting speaker cables.
- Check the terminal links if using normal single wiring.
- Connect positive to positive and negative to negative.
- Begin playback at a moderate level.
- Use a familiar vocal recording to judge centre-image focus.
- Adjust toe-in in small increments.
- Use familiar bass recordings to judge wall interaction.
- If bass is excessive, move the speakers further from nearby walls.
- If bass is too light, experiment with slightly more boundary reinforcement.
- Listen to several different musical styles before finalising placement.
- Add or adjust a subwoofer only after the main speakers are positioned properly.
Caring for the High-Gloss Finish
The Amator front panels deserve careful handling.
Avoid:
- Abrasive cloths
- Furniture wax
- Alcohol-based cleaners
- Strong household cleaning products
- Spraying liquid directly onto the cabinet
Use a clean, soft cloth and follow Sonus faber's current care instructions.
Natural Wood Variation
Real wood grain naturally varies from one piece to another.
This means individual Walnut and Wenge front panels can show small differences in grain and tone, which form part of the character of the natural material.
Keep the Packaging
Retaining the original packaging is strongly recommended if the speakers ever need to be transported, moved or returned for service.
Product Registration
Sonus faber currently offers an extended manufacturer warranty on eligible products registered within 30 days of purchase, subject to its current warranty terms.
Who Is Lumina II Amator For?
- Small and medium-sized listening rooms
- Customers wanting a premium compact standmount
- Existing Lumina owners moving up the range
- Listeners who value stereo imaging and coherence
- Turntable-based systems
- Streaming systems
- CD systems
- Systems using capable 4-ohm amplification
- Customers wanting more bass and scale than Lumina I
- Listeners who do not require a floorstander
- Home cinema front-channel systems
- Premium surround-speaker installations
- Systems that may later add a subwoofer
- Customers attracted to the special Amator finishes
Who Might Prefer Standard Lumina II?
The standard Lumina II can make more sense where:
- Budget is more important than the crossover upgrade
- The rest of the system is relatively modest
- You prefer the standard Lumina finishes
- You would rather put the price difference towards amplification or source quality
Who Might Prefer Lumina V Amator?
The larger floorstander may be more appropriate if:
- Your room is large
- You want deeper bass without a subwoofer
- You listen at longer distances
- You regularly play music at higher levels
- You do not want separate speaker stands
Key Features
- Sonus faber Lumina II Amator
- Lumina Amator Collection
- Special Amator model
- Made in Vicenza, Italy
- Passive standmount speaker
- Two-way loudspeaker
- Vented-box enclosure
- 29mm tweeter
- High-definition D.A.D. tweeter
- Damped Apex Dome technology
- Soft-dome tweeter
- Ferrite tweeter motor
- Visco-elastic tweeter decoupling
- 150mm midwoofer
- Paper-cone midwoofer
- Cellulose-pulp diaphragm
- Natural-fibre blend
- Custom Sonus faber basket
- IFF crossover circuitry
- Interactive Fusion Filtering
- Phase-coherent crossover
- Homage-derived crossover development
- 2600Hz crossover frequency
- 55Hz–24kHz frequency response
- 86dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 30–150W recommended amplification
- Four binding posts
- Bi-wire capability
- Bi-amp capability
- Rubber decoupling pad
- High-gloss multilayer wood
- 45-degree woodgrain design
- Black leather cabinet covering
- Walnut High Gloss
- Wenge High Gloss
- Red High Gloss manufacturer finish
- 304mm height
- 180mm width
- 263mm depth
- 5.8kg per speaker
- Suitable for small rooms
- Suitable for medium rooms
- Suitable for vinyl systems
- Suitable for streaming systems
- Suitable for CD systems
- Suitable for home cinema
- Suitable for surround duties
- Suitable for subwoofer integration
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sonus faber Lumina II Amator still current?
Yes. Lumina II Amator remains a current model in Sonus faber's Lumina Collection.
Is Lumina II Amator discontinued?
No.
What does Amator mean?
Amator is a name Sonus faber traditionally uses for special models that receive additional development beyond the standard version.
Is Lumina II Amator different from Lumina II?
Yes. The principal acoustic difference is a redesigned 2600Hz crossover using IFF circuitry and a phase-coherent philosophy influenced by Sonus faber's Homage Collection development.
Does Lumina II Amator use different drivers from Lumina II?
The headline driver configuration remains the same: a 29mm D.A.D. tweeter and 150mm paper-cone midwoofer.
What is the standard Lumina II crossover frequency?
1800Hz.
What is the Lumina II Amator crossover frequency?
2600Hz.
What is IFF?
IFF stands for Interactive Fusion Filtering, Sonus faber's crossover approach intended to optimise the way drivers interact through their crossover region.
Is the crossover related to the Homage range?
Yes. Sonus faber states that solutions used in Lumina II Amator were influenced by development work on the Amati G5 and Guarneri G5.
Is Lumina II Amator two-way?
Yes.
What size is the tweeter?
29mm.
What type of tweeter is it?
A high-definition soft-dome D.A.D. tweeter.
What does D.A.D. mean?
Damped Apex Dome.
Is the tweeter mechanically decoupled?
Yes. Sonus faber specifies visco-elastic baffle decoupling.
What size is the midwoofer?
150mm.
What is the midwoofer cone made from?
Paper based on cellulose pulp blended with other natural fibres.
Why do some Sonus faber pages describe the midwoofer as four inches?
Sonus faber's current detailed technical specification gives the correct diameter as 150mm. Audio T uses the manufacturer's technical specification figure.
What is the frequency response?
55Hz to 24kHz.
How low does Lumina II Amator play?
The manufacturer's published lower frequency-response figure is 55Hz.
Does it need a subwoofer?
Not necessarily for music in a small or medium-sized room. A subwoofer can provide deeper extension and additional low-frequency headroom if required.
Can I use a REL subwoofer?
Yes. Audio T has demonstrated Lumina II Amator successfully with REL subwoofers.
What is the sensitivity?
86dB SPL at 2.83V measured at one metre.
What is the nominal impedance?
4 ohms.
What amplifier power does Sonus faber recommend?
30 to 150 watts per channel with an undistorted signal.
Will a 30W amplifier drive them?
Yes, particularly in a smaller room and at sensible levels, provided it is comfortable driving a 4-ohm load.
Can I use a 50W amplifier?
Yes. A capable 50W amplifier can be an excellent partner.
Can I use a 100W amplifier?
Yes.
Can I use a 150W amplifier?
Yes. That is the upper end of Sonus faber's current recommendation.
Can I use a Rega amplifier?
Yes, provided the chosen model is appropriate for the room and required listening level. Audio T has demonstrated Lumina II Amator with the Rega Aethos.
Can I use a valve amplifier?
Potentially. Ensure the amplifier has sufficient power and is suitable for a nominal 4-ohm loudspeaker.
Can I use Class D amplification?
Yes, provided the amplifier is comfortable with the speaker load.
Can I use a streaming amplifier?
Yes.
Is Lumina II Amator a bookshelf or standmount speaker?
Sonus faber officially categorises it as bookshelf. Audio T recommends treating it as a standmount for serious stereo use because dedicated stands provide better control of listening height and room position.
Can it actually sit on a bookshelf?
Yes if the shelf is stable, suitably deep and positions the speakers symmetrically, although separate speaker stands are preferable where possible.
Does Sonus faber make a dedicated Lumina II Amator stand?
Sonus faber's current product page does not specify a dedicated matching stand. Audio T can advise on appropriate supports.
How big is each speaker?
304mm high, 180mm wide and 263mm deep.
How much does each speaker weigh?
5.8kg.
Is it larger than standard Lumina II?
No. The published cabinet dimensions are the same.
Is it heavier than Lumina II?
No. Both current specifications give 5.8kg per speaker.
Does Amator play deeper than Lumina II?
The published frequency response is the same at 55Hz–24kHz.
Is Amator more sensitive than Lumina II?
No. Both are rated at 86dB.
Why buy Amator if the headline specifications are the same?
The principal upgrade is the redesigned crossover and the way it integrates the existing drivers, together with the special high-gloss Amator finish.
Can Lumina II Amator be bi-wired?
Yes.
Can it be bi-amped?
Yes, with suitable amplification and correct removal of the terminal links.
Do I need to bi-wire?
No. Standard single-wire operation is entirely suitable.
What finishes are available?
Sonus faber manufactures Walnut High Gloss, Wenge High Gloss and Red High Gloss versions with black leather. Audio T finish availability may vary.
What is different about the Amator finish?
The high-gloss multilayer wood front panels use grain arranged at 45 degrees, creating a distinctive geometric pattern.
Does it use leather?
Yes. The cabinet uses black leather alongside the high-gloss wood front panel.
Is Lumina II Amator made in Italy?
Yes. It is manufactured at Sonus faber's factory in Vicenza, Italy.
How far from the wall should it be?
Sonus faber's general Lumina guidance recommends beginning around one metre from the rear wall where possible, then adjusting to suit the room.
What if I cannot put them one metre from the wall?
Move them closer and listen. The recommendation is a starting point, not a compulsory installation distance.
How far apart should the speakers be?
Sonus faber's general Lumina guidance suggests at least 1.8 metres where practical.
Should they be toed in?
Aiming them towards the listening position is the manufacturer's recommended starting point. Fine-tune the angle by ear.
What if the bass sounds too heavy?
Move the speakers further from the rear wall or corners.
What if the bass sounds too light?
Try slightly more boundary reinforcement or consider a properly integrated subwoofer.
What size room suits Lumina II Amator?
Small and medium-sized rooms are particularly natural applications.
Can it work in a large room?
Yes at sensible listening distances, although a Lumina floorstander may provide more effortless scale.
Is Lumina II Amator good for vinyl?
Yes.
Is it good for streaming?
Yes.
Is it good for CD?
Yes.
Is it good for vocals?
Yes. The revised crossover is specifically relevant to driver coherence and image focus through the vocal range.
Is it good for jazz?
Yes.
Is it good for rock?
Yes. The 150mm midwoofer provides useful bass weight and dynamic scale in an appropriately sized room.
Is it good for classical music?
Yes, particularly in small and medium-sized rooms.
Is it good for electronic music?
Yes, although adding a subwoofer can extend reproduction of the lowest synthesised bass.
Can Lumina II Amator be used for home cinema?
Yes. The Lumina Collection is designed for both stereo and multichannel systems.
What centre speaker matches it?
Sonus faber Lumina CI is the dedicated centre-channel speaker in the range.
Can it be used as surround speakers?
Yes, where the physical size and system budget make this appropriate.
Can it be used in Dolby Atmos?
Yes, as a conventional ear-level loudspeaker within a compatible Atmos system.
How does Lumina II Amator compare with Lumina V Amator?
Lumina V Amator is a larger three-way floorstander designed to deliver substantially greater bass extension and room-filling scale.
Should I audition Lumina II Amator against standard Lumina II?
Yes. Because the main drivers and headline measurements are so similar, a direct demonstration is the best way to understand what the crossover upgrade contributes.
Related Sonus faber Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy Sonus faber Lumina II Amator From Audio T?
Lumina II Amator is a particularly interesting speaker to demonstrate because the headline specifications only tell part of the story. Its drivers, cabinet size and sensitivity are very close to the standard Lumina II, so the real question is whether your amplifier, source and room allow the upgraded crossover to justify the step up.
Audio T can compare Lumina II Amator with other Sonus faber models, help choose suitable amplification and stands, and optimise room positioning once the speakers are installed. We can also advise on turntables, streaming, CD, subwoofer integration and complete Lumina home cinema systems.
- Sonus faber demonstrations
- Lumina II Amator demonstrations
- Lumina II versus Lumina II Amator comparisons
- Lumina I comparisons
- Lumina V Amator comparisons
- Amplifier matching for 4-ohm speakers
- Solid-state amplifier matching
- Rega amplifier matching
- Valve amplifier advice
- Class D amplifier matching
- Streaming amplifier matching
- Turntable and phono-stage matching
- CD and streaming system planning
- Speaker stand advice
- Room-size matching
- Speaker-positioning guidance
- Toe-in optimisation
- Bass optimisation
- REL and other subwoofer matching
- Subwoofer crossover setup
- Home cinema system planning
- Lumina CI centre-speaker matching
- Bi-wire and bi-amp advice
- Speaker cable matching
- 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 II Amator or compare it directly with other models in the Lumina range.