Short answer: the Arendal 1961 Monitor if sound quality matters most, the Jamo S 803 if price matters most. The Arendal 1961 Monitor ranks #8 of 87 bookshelf speakers at $1150. The Jamo S 803 ranks #84 at $119.99, $1030.01 cheaper.
What the Arendal 1961 Monitor offers: 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Jamo S 803 offers: Low pair price, compact dimensions and a front slot port suit inexpensive desktop or surround installations. The pronounced 80-100Hz hump supplies immediate punch and can sound impressive in a short demonstration. Harmonic distortion at 86dB is broadly typical for an inexpensive 5-inch two-way, and high-passing near 80Hz reduces some woofer-driven midrange distortion. The cabinet also accepts Jamo’s matching top-mounted Atmos module. Watch for: A textbook V-shaped response rather than accurate reproduction. Erin measured only about 81dB average sensitivity from 300Hz-3kHz, far below Jamo’s 87dB claim; bass around 80-100Hz and the treble are each roughly 5dB above that midrange reference. The bass is therefore resonant one-note punch rather than deep extension. Horizontal coverage is only about +/-50 degrees, while the midwoofer narrows before the tweeter widens abruptly, creating a directivity discontinuity that EQ cannot repair around 4kHz. Vertical tolerance is especially asymmetric: roughly 10 degrees above tweeter axis is usable, but moving below it rapidly damages the response. At high output, compression and multitone distortion become audible; an 80Hz crossover helps but does not correct the native tonality. Erin’s conclusion was an unequivocal pass in favor of a more neutral alternative.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Monitor if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Jamo S 803 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Skip the Jamo S 803 if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 87 bookshelf speakers.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1961 Monitor | Jamo S 803 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1150 per pair | $119.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #84 of 87 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 | 2.48 | 2.92 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.79 | 5.44 |
| Frequency Response | - | 57Hz-26kHz (manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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 Arendalsound eBay
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 |
| 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 | 2.48 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.79 |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
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Jamo S 803: $119.99 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Low pair price, compact dimensions and a front slot port suit inexpensive desktop or surround installations. The pronounced 80-100Hz hump supplies immediate punch and can sound impressive in a short demonstration. Harmonic distortion at 86dB is broadly typical for an inexpensive 5-inch two-way, and high-passing near 80Hz reduces some woofer-driven midrange distortion. The cabinet also accepts Jamo’s matching top-mounted Atmos module. Measured bass extension of 60.1Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 81dB.
Cons: A textbook V-shaped response rather than accurate reproduction. Erin measured only about 81dB average sensitivity from 300Hz-3kHz, far below Jamo’s 87dB claim; bass around 80-100Hz and the treble are each roughly 5dB above that midrange reference. The bass is therefore resonant one-note punch rather than deep extension. Horizontal coverage is only about +/-50 degrees, while the midwoofer narrows before the tweeter widens abruptly, creating a directivity discontinuity that EQ cannot repair around 4kHz. Vertical tolerance is especially asymmetric: roughly 10 degrees above tweeter axis is usable, but moving below it rapidly damages the response. At high output, compression and multitone distortion become audible; an 80Hz crossover helps but does not correct the native tonality. Erin’s conclusion was an unequivocal pass in favor of a more neutral alternative.
Full Jamo S 803 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 48.7Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.1Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 13.9"H x 7.5"W x 9.9"D (353 x 191 x 252 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" polyfiber woofer, 1" soft-dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 57Hz-26kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 81dB (measured average 300Hz-3kHz, Erin's Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.92 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.44 |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front slot |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons