Short answer: the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It ranks #8 of 178 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $1,150 and is still sold new; the Jamo S 803 ranks #175 (rated 1.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Arendal 1961 Monitor is the better-sounding pick. A robust sealed monitor with two 5.5” woofers that delivers low compression, low distortion and really good overall neutrality. 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 Jamo S 803 is the deeper-bass option. Low pair price, compact dimensions and a front slot port suit inexpensive desktop or surround installations. Its bass reaches about 60.1Hz before falling 3dB, against 84Hz for the Arendal 1961 Monitor. Watch for: A textbook V-shaped response rather than accurate reproduction.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Jamo S 803 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
A robust sealed monitor with two 5.5” woofers that delivers low compression, low distortion and really good overall neutrality.
Arendal Sound $1150 eBay
Low pair price, compact dimensions and a front slot port suit inexpensive desktop or surround installations.
Amazon $119.99 Crutchfield eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1961 Monitor | Jamo S 803 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1150 per pair | $119.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 178 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #175 of 178 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 48.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 60.1Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1500Hz | - |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 6.4”W x 5.9”D (421.6 x 162.6 x 149.9 mm) | 13.9”H x 7.5”W x 9.9”D (353 x 191 x 252 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 81dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 2 x 5.5” woofers, 28mm tweeter | 5” polyfiber woofer, 1” soft-dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) each | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | ported, front slot |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.38 | 3.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | 6.10 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 57Hz-26kHz (manufacturer specified) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Arendal 1961 Monitor (measured by Audio Science Review) and Jamo S 803 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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