Short answer: the Arendal 1961 Monitor for better sound quality, the Neumi BS5 for the lower price. The Arendal 1961 Monitor ranks #8 of 87 bookshelf speakers at $1150. The Neumi BS5 ranks #22 at $110, $1040 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 Neumi BS5 offers: Exceptional budget value: Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB on-axis linearity through most of the mid/treble, 84dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity and a manageable 4.6-ohm minimum. The 5-inch fiberglass woofer and 1-inch silk dome provide good horizontal directivity for the price; a mild upper-bass rise adds punch, and ordinary modern AVRs can generally drive the mostly six-ohm load at sensible levels. Watch for: Erin measured F3 at 64Hz, so kick-drum punch should not be mistaken for deep-bass extension. Output around 90dB began to reveal distortion and compression, limiting farfield/high-volume use. A narrow dip near 800Hz, port/cabinet resonances and imperfect crossover directivity remain visible; the tweeter itself is approximately four ohms even though the system is sold as nominal six ohms. A subwoofer is strongly preferred.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Monitor if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Neumi BS5 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1961 Monitor | Neumi BS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1150 | $110/pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #22 of 87 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41.0Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 64Hz (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) | - |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4.6 ohms minimum; approximately 6 ohms nominal (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | Approximately 84dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 2 x 5.5" woofers, 28mm tweeter | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 5" fiberglass woofer |
| Weight | 16 lbs / 7.25 kg each | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | ported, front |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 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 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.
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) |
| Weight | 16 lbs / 7.25 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Arendal 1961 Monitor More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Audio Science Review Arendal 1961 Monitor More from Audio Science Review →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: I Tested 250 Speakers So You Don’t Have To!
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Arendal 1961 Monitor Review
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Neumi BS5: $110/pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Exceptional budget value: Erin measured approximately +/-1.5dB on-axis linearity through most of the mid/treble, 84dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity and a manageable 4.6-ohm minimum. The 5-inch fiberglass woofer and 1-inch silk dome provide good horizontal directivity for the price; a mild upper-bass rise adds punch, and ordinary modern AVRs can generally drive the mostly six-ohm load at sensible levels.
Cons: Erin measured F3 at 64Hz, so kick-drum punch should not be mistaken for deep-bass extension. Output around 90dB began to reveal distortion and compression, limiting farfield/high-volume use. A narrow dip near 800Hz, port/cabinet resonances and imperfect crossover directivity remain visible; the tweeter itself is approximately four ohms even though the system is sold as nominal six ohms. A subwoofer is strongly preferred.
Full Neumi BS5 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41.0Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 64Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 5" fiberglass woofer |
| Impedance | 4.6 ohms minimum; approximately 6 ohms nominal (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 84dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, front |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons