Sonus faber Lumina II Amator - Walnut - Red - Wenge

Description

The Premium Version of the Lumina Bookshelf

The Lumina II Amator is the "Amator" variant of the 2-way bookshelf loudspeaker Lumina II. In the Sonus faber vocabulary, the Amator designation identifies the premium editions of a model: same fundamental architecture, same dimensions, same drivers, but with refinements in the passive crossover, the components, and the finish. It targets listeners who want the Lumina II but favor a premium finish and a more elaborate crossover topology. Hand-built in the Sonus faber workshops in Vicenza, Italy.

IFF (Interactive Fusion Filtering) Crossover at 2,600 Hz

The key acoustic difference from the standard Lumina II is the crossover. The Lumina II Amator uses the IFF (Interactive Fusion Filtering) topology developed for the flagship Maxima Amator, adapted here for a 2-way system. This crossover philosophy seeks tighter time-domain integration between the tweeter and midwoofer for a more precise three-dimensional spatial rendering. The crossover point is raised to 2,600 Hz (vs 1,800 Hz on the standard Lumina II) — the midwoofer therefore covers more of the midrange before handing off to the tweeter.

29 mm DAD™ Tweeter and 150 mm Midwoofer

The tweeter is a 29 mm DAD™ (Damped Apex Dome) silk dome with a hand-coated Kurtmueller diaphragm, ferrite motor, and visco-elastic baffle decoupling — the same driver used in the Sonetto collection and in the other Lumina models. The 150 mm midwoofer uses a custom-made basket and a diaphragm composed of cellulose pulp blended with other natural fibers, in the Natural Sound philosophy proper to Sonus faber.

Front-Firing Bass-Reflex Port: Flexible Placement

Like the standard Lumina II, the Lumina II Amator uses a front-firing bass-reflex port. This architectural choice makes it noticeably less sensitive to placement than most bookshelf loudspeakers: it works near a back wall, in a corner, on a bookshelf, or on a low cabinet without a marked loss of bass definition. A concrete advantage for small rooms where ideal placement is not possible.

Squared Cabinet, High-Gloss Finish with Black Leather

The cabinet adopts the squared shape signature of the Lumina collection, but in a premium finish: high-gloss wood veneer (unlike the standard Lumina II, which also offers a semi-gloss option) and a black leather top panel. Chrome rings frame each driver. It is this upgraded aesthetic package, on top of the IFF crossover, that justifies the Amator positioning in the range.

4 Nickel-Plated Terminals, Rubber Decoupling Pads

Like the standard Lumina II, the Amator features four nickel-plated binding posts (Hi and Mid-Low pairs) that allow bi-wiring or bi-amplification. Decoupling from the mounting surface is provided by included rubber pads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose the Sonus faber Lumina II Amator?

The Lumina II Amator is the premium version of the 2-way bookshelf loudspeaker in the Lumina collection. It keeps the house signature DAD™ tweeter and the 150 mm midwoofer of the standard Lumina II, but adds two refinements: the IFF (Interactive Fusion Filtering) crossover inherited from the flagship Maxima Amator, and a high-gloss wood finish with black leather. It is the choice for listeners who want the Lumina II at its highest level of execution.

What is the difference from the standard Lumina II?

Both models share the same 2-way architecture, the same drivers (29 mm DAD™ tweeter, 150 mm midwoofer), the same dimensions, and the same weight. The real differences are the following: (1) the passive crossover — the standard Lumina II uses a traditional Sonus faber crossover at 1,800 Hz, the Amator uses the IFF crossover raised to 2,600 Hz; (2) the finish — the standard Lumina II offers several finishes, the Amator is high-gloss only with black leather. The other specs (response, sensitivity, impedance, recommended power) are identical.

Can it be placed near a wall or on a bookshelf?

Yes. Like the standard Lumina II, the Amator uses a front-firing bass-reflex port, which makes it noticeably less sensitive to placement than most bookshelf loudspeakers. It delivers powerful, nuanced sound near a back wall, in a corner, on a low cabinet, or on a bookshelf. A clearance of 10 to 20 cm is still recommended for the most open soundstage.

Which amplifier should I choose?

The Lumina II Amator has 86 dB sensitivity and 4 Ω nominal impedance. Sonus faber recommends a power range of 30 to 150 W per channel. A mid-range integrated amp from 30 W is a great fit, as are many low- to medium-power tube amplifiers. The four nickel-plated binding posts also allow bi-wiring or bi-amplification for those who want to optimize the separation between the registers.

Is a dedicated stand necessary?

For serious stereo listening, a rigid stand that places the tweeter at ear height is highly recommended. Decoupling is provided by the included rubber pads. A solid bookshelf, dense cabinet, or thick console are acceptable alternatives. The Lumina II Amator also works as a surround channel in a home cinema based on the Lumina V or V Amator as fronts.

What's in the Box

Sonus faber Lumina II Amator Bookshelf Loudspeakers (pair)

Magnetic grilles

Rubber decoupling pads

Owner's manual