The Lumina II Amator is an upgraded version of the Lumina II stand-mount from Sonus faber's Lumina collection, announced in 2023 and available in Europe from December 2023 at USD 1,499 per pair. The Amator name marks Sonus faber models with solid wood fronts and revised crossovers, and this version brings a baffle design and crossover approach derived from the company's larger Amati G5 and Guarneri G5.
Key specs that matter
Like the standard model, it is a two-way vented design with a 29 mm DAD soft dome tweeter and a 150 mm midwoofer. Here the tweeter uses a hand-coated silk diaphragm from Kurtmueller, and the midwoofer cone is made of cellulose pulp with natural fibres in a custom basket. The crossover point moves to 2,600 Hz, compared with 1,800 Hz in the Lumina II. Frequency response is 55 Hz to 24 kHz, sensitivity is 86 dB and nominal impedance is 4 ohms, with amplifiers of 30 to 150 W recommended. The enclosure measures 304 x 180 x 263 mm and weighs 5.8 kg per speaker.
Engineering and use context
The crossover follows a phase-coherent design and adds IFF circuitry, techniques that Sonus faber carries over from its Homage models. The higher crossover lets the midwoofer cover more of the midrange, while the tweeter takes over from a higher frequency. The front baffle is finished in wood veneer at a 45 degree grain angle in high gloss, while black leather wraps the sides and top. Finishes are Red, Wenge and Walnut. The tweeter is decoupled from the baffle with a visco-elastic mount, and a port assists bass output. Sonus faber's Damped Apex Dome construction treats the centre of the tweeter dome so that it does not move out of phase with the rest of the diaphragm. Bi-wiring terminals are provided, and the speaker is built in Arcugnano, Italy, like the standard version. The upgrade costs USD 200 per pair over the Lumina II.
Pairing
Its low impedance and moderate sensitivity suggest a solid integrated amplifier of 50 W or more for a room of about 20 m2, and rigid stands suit the small cabinet. A Gravis subwoofer extends the response at the bottom end, and the port needs some room behind the speaker.
Alternatives
The Sonus faber Lumina V Amator applies the same Amator treatment to a floorstanding design, with a 2,850 Hz crossover.