Short answer: the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It ranks #8 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,150. The Dayton Audio OPAL1 ranks #59, rated 3.6/5, at $1,038.99, $111.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Arendal 1961 Monitor is the better-sounding pick. A tank built sealed monitor with two 5.5 inch woofers, neutral sound and low distortion, great as home theater mains or surrounds. The tradeoff: Bass rolls off around 70-80Hz, so it cannot be used as full-range mains for music without a subwoofer, and a sub is recommended for home theater use as well.
The Dayton Audio OPAL1 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Bookshelf speakers with twin rear passive radiators for deep bass that can sit close to a wall without booming. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.08 against 3.38 for the Arendal 1961 Monitor. Its bass reaches about 55Hz before falling 3dB, against 84Hz for the Arendal 1961 Monitor. The catch: Measured average sensitivity is notably low at about 75.7dB (well under the 78dB spec) due to a nearly 3dB dip through the midrange, and the reviewer needed serious amplification (monoblock power amps, not just a compact streaming amp) to drive them to real listening levels for bass testing.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $111.01 you would save on the Dayton Audio OPAL1 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Dayton Audio OPAL1 reaches 30 Hz (10 dB down) against 60 Hz for the Arendal 1961 Monitor, about an octave deeper. Low bass that the other only hints at comes through with real weight.
- Efficiency: the Arendal 1961 Monitor is rated at 85.9 dB sensitivity against 75.7 dB for the Dayton Audio OPAL1, so it plays as loud with roughly a third of the amplifier power.
- Close enough not to matter: preference score with a subwoofer (6.7 vs 6.6).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1961 Monitor | Dayton Audio OPAL1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1150 per pair | $1,038.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #59 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 30Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 55Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1500Hz | 2,200Hz |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 6.4”W x 5.9”D (421.6 x 162.6 x 149.9 mm) | 14”H x 7”W x 9.5”D |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (4.3 ohms minimum @ 4.4kHz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 75.7dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner; 78dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 2 x 5.5” woofers, 28mm tweeter | 5.25” mid-woofer, 1” dome tweeter, dual rear passive radiators |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) each | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | passive radiator, rear (dual) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.38 | 5.08 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | 6.58 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 32Hz - 20kHz (-3dB, half-space, manufacturer specified) |
| Power Handling | - | 200W RMS (75-200W recommended amplifier power) |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Arendal 1961 Monitor: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner and Audio Science Review.
- Dayton Audio OPAL1: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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