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 Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G ranks #16 (rated 4.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G’s replacement, the Monitor Audio Silver 50 8G, is rated 4.2/5 at $1,250.
Why pick the Arendal 1961 Monitor: A robust sealed monitor with two 5.5” woofers that delivers low compression, low distortion and really good overall neutrality. 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.
The Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is the more accurate pick. The 7th generation C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide II and RST II mid bass driver produce a listening window smoothness score of 0.50 at an accessible price, earning a Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product Award. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.40 against 3.38 for the Arendal 1961 Monitor. Watch for: The on axis response trends noticeably upward toward the treble (rising about 0.5dB per octave, a steep tilt), which can read as bright on already bright recordings.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete 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
The 7th generation C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide II and RST II mid bass driver produce a listening window smoothness score of 0.50 at an accessible price, earning a Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product Award.
Crutchfield $799 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 | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1150 per pair | $799 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 178 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 178 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1500Hz | 2.6kHz |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 6.4”W x 5.9”D (421.6 x 162.6 x 149.9 mm) | 11.1”H x 6.5”W x 10.7”D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Drivers | 2 x 5.5” woofers, 28mm tweeter | 1” C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, 5.25” C-CAM RST II mid bass driver |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) each | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.38 | 5.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | 8.01 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Port Tuning | - | 58Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 100W RMS handling, 40-100W recommended amplifier power |
| Warranty | - | Lifetime, parts and labor |
| Country | - | China |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB (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 Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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