Short answer: the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX. It ranks #43 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $1,499. The Power Sound Audio MT-110-M ranks #52, rated 4.1/5, at $1,350, $149 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX: Exceptionally controlled radiation for a conventional two-way: Erin found the early-reflections directivity index smooth enough for broad-band EQ, while horizontal coverage remains orderly through the 1.5kHz crossover. The catch: Erin measured only 81.6dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, so substantial amplifier voltage is required.
Why pick the Power Sound Audio MT-110-M: Made in the USA with a 1” polyimide compression tweeter on a cast aluminum exponential horn plus a 10” high-efficiency neodymium woofer, both BMS-made drivers. Watch for: A mid-range bump makes the tonal balance sound too thick and needs 2-3 bands of EQ to flatten out; correcting it also pulls measured sensitivity down to about 90-91dB in practice.
Buy the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $149 with the Power Sound Audio MT-110-M does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX | Power Sound Audio MT-110-M | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,499 per pair | $1,350 per pair |
| Ranked | #43 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #52 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | ~80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 113Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 81.6dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 92.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Drivers | 6.5-inch woofer; 28mm waveguided soft-dome tweeter | 1” polyimide compression tweeter with cast aluminum exponential horn, 10” high-efficiency neodymium woofer |
| Enclosure | HDF, sealed/ported | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.89 | 2.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.68 | 5.86 |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 9.6”W x 12.6”D (385 x 245 x 320 mm) | 17.5”H x 11”W x 14”D (includes grille) |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) each | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each (unboxed) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Power Handling | - | 175W |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed |
| Country | - | USA |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX compares with other leading options:
- KEF R3 Meta vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
- KEF R3 vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
- Wharfedale Super Linton vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
- Wharfedale Linton 85 vs Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX: $1,499 per pair Arendal Sound eBay
Pros: Exceptionally controlled radiation for a conventional two-way: Erin found the early-reflections directivity index smooth enough for broad-band EQ, while horizontal coverage remains orderly through the 1.5kHz crossover. Midbass attack around 120-160Hz is strong, the response is mostly neutral below the treble shelf, and dynamic compression remains under roughly 1dB even near 102dB/1m above the bass. The waveguided 28mm dome and heavy HDF enclosure support clean, cinema-capable output, and sealed/ported flexibility eases subwoofer integration. Measured bass extension of ~80Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 81.6dB.
Cons: Erin measured only 81.6dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, so substantial amplifier voltage is required. Anechoic output rolls off around 80Hz and 3% THD is crossed near 80Hz at 96dB, making an 80Hz subwoofer crossover effectively mandatory. The treble sits a couple dB high on-axis and can sound bright; Erin preferred roughly 20° toe-out or a ~2dB high shelf. A vertical cancellation appears above the tweeter axis, so multi-row installations need careful height/aiming.
Full Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | ~80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 9.6”W x 12.6”D (385 x 245 x 320 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5-inch woofer; 28mm waveguided soft-dome tweeter |
| Enclosure | HDF, sealed/ported |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 81.6dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.89 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.68 |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) each |
- Links
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- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs Wharfedale Linton 85
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Power Sound Audio MT-110-M: $1,350 per pair Power Sound Audio eBay
Pros: Made in the USA with a 1” polyimide compression tweeter on a cast aluminum exponential horn plus a 10” high-efficiency neodymium woofer, both BMS-made drivers. Reasonably high measured sensitivity (about 92.5dB at 2.83V/1m), so it doesn’t need much power to play loud. Excellent dynamic range: frequency response barely shifts (about 0.5dB deviation) from 76dB to 102dB output, which the reviewer calls completely acceptable headroom. Not fatiguing or bright despite the horn-loaded compression driver: the constant-directivity horn avoids the artificially flat, reflection-heavy in-room high-frequency buildup that some waveguide designs suffer from. Sealed cabinet design means placement near a wall is less of a bass-reinforcement concern than with a ported design. Solid build quality using threaded nutserts rather than screws driven directly into the cabinet wood. Measured bass extension of 113Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 92.5dB.
Cons: A mid-range bump makes the tonal balance sound too thick and needs 2-3 bands of EQ to flatten out; correcting it also pulls measured sensitivity down to about 90-91dB in practice. F3 of 113Hz and F10 of 68Hz mean this doesn’t get low without a subwoofer: in the reviewer’s room it barely reached 70Hz with any real authority. Rising distortion in the upper mid-range, likely from woofer breakup, that lines up with anomalies seen in the impedance sweep above 500Hz: not a major concern but worth noting. The reviewer explicitly frames this as a home theater speaker rather than a stereo/music speaker.
Full Power Sound Audio MT-110-M review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 113Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | USA |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 17.5”H x 11”W x 14”D (includes grille) |
| Drivers | 1” polyimide compression tweeter with cast aluminum exponential horn, 10” high-efficiency neodymium woofer |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Power Handling | 175W |
| Sensitivity | 92.5dB (measured at 2.83V/1m, Erin’s Audio Corner; matches manufacturer spec) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.86 |
| Weight | 30 lbs (13.6 kg) each (unboxed) |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs KEF R3
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- Power Sound Audio MT-110-M vs KEF R3 Meta