Short answer: the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It ranks #8 of 160 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,150. The Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 ranks #149, rated 1.7/5, at $398.40, $751.60 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Arendal 1961 Monitor is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A physically robust build the reviewer calls “a little bit of a tank,” delivering low compression, low distortion, and overall really good neutrality: one of the reviewer’s top 10 picks under $1,500 across roughly 250 speakers tested. Its bass reaches about 84Hz before falling 3dB, against 95Hz for the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000. The catch: 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 case for the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. The tradeoff: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $751.60 saving on the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1961 Monitor | Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1150 per pair | $398.40 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #149 of 160 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1500Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 6.4”W x 5.9”D (421.6 x 162.6 x 149.9 mm) | 10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB) |
| Drivers | 2 x 5.5” woofers, 28mm tweeter | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25” BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25” planar bass radiator |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) each | 7.3 lbs (3.29 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | passive radiator |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.38 | 3.2 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | 6.58 (spinorama.org) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 9, 2026 at 8:01 AM 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 1961 Monitor: $1150 per pair Arendal Sound eBay
Same family: the Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5), the Arendal 1961 Tower (floorstanding, rated 4.4/5) and the Arendal Sound 1961 Center (center, rated 3.6/5).
Pros: A physically robust build the reviewer calls “a little bit of a tank,” delivering low compression, low distortion, and overall really good neutrality: one of the reviewer’s top 10 picks under $1,500 across roughly 250 speakers tested. Works well both as home theater mains and as surrounds. Independent ASR Klippel measurements corroborate the low-distortion finding: THD at 86dB SPL/1m stays well below the reviewer’s audibility threshold, and even at 96dB SPL/1m it stays “far better than most bookshelves” thanks to the built-in high-pass filter that protects the woofers. Measured bass extension of 84Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.9dB.
Cons: 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. Vertical radiation window is narrow, typical of MTM (mid-tweeter-mid) layouts (tighter than a standard two-way’s roughly ±20°) so a second home theater row sitting above or below the tweeter axis will hear a noticeably different tonal balance. ASR’s CEA2034 measurements show the response is elevated above 2kHz with resonant peaks around 3kHz and 9kHz, leading the reviewer to predict it will “likely sound bright.” Those same resonances show up as lingering ridges in the cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) at 96dB SPL/1m.
Full Arendal 1961 Monitor review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1500Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 6.4”W x 5.9”D (421.6 x 162.6 x 149.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2 x 5.5” woofers, 28mm tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000: $398.40 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass distortion is well controlled per the measurements, and the slow bass rolloff means it can be pushed fairly hard for its size. Ships with a footer that keeps the small cabinet planted despite its light weight. Measured bass extension of 95Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows severely reduced bass energy between 40-120Hz, a directivity mismatch between the tweeter and woofer, and a severe resonance/interference issue around 14kHz. Distortion at 96dB SPL was so bad the reviewer limited testing to 86dB. Direct comparison to a $118/pair Pioneer SP-BS22-LR left the reviewer calling the $199/pair ProMonitor 1000 “a bad experiment that should be forgotten” and concluding “there is nothing Pro about it.”
Full Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 95Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.88H x 6.25W x 6.5D in |
| Drivers | 1” aluminum dome tweeter, 5.25” BDSS mid/woofer, 5.25” planar bass radiator |
| Frequency Response | 47Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review - reviewer noted this vs. a manufacturer spec of 91dB) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.2 (spinorama.org) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.58 (spinorama.org) |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.29 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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