Short answer: the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It ranks #8 of 168 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $1,150 and is still sold new; the Revel M105 ranks #15 (rated 4.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Revel M105’s replacement, the Revel Performa4 M145, is rated 4.3/5.
Why pick the Arendal 1961 Monitor: 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. 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 Revel M105 is the more accurate, deeper-bass choice. CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response with only a small 5kHz peak, a smooth listening window, and clean waterfall decay. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.76 against 3.38 for the Arendal 1961 Monitor. Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 3dB, against 84Hz for the Arendal 1961 Monitor. The catch: Low nominal impedance demands a capable amplifier that can handle low-impedance loads.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Revel M105 is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1961 Monitor | Revel M105 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1150 per pair | $1,500 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #15 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 49.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (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) | 14”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (355.6 x 200.7 x 248.9 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, low minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 2 x 5.5” woofers, 28mm tweeter | 5.25” aluminum cone woofer, 1” aluminum tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) each | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.38 | 5.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | 8.18 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 60Hz - 44kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
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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
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Revel M105: $1,500 per pair Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Revel Performa4 M145, ranked higher, estimated 4.3/5. See every Revel Performa generation.
Same family: the Revel M106 (larger bookshelf, rated 4.6/5), the Revel F206 (smaller floorstanding, rated 4.5/5), the Revel F208 (larger floorstanding, rated 4.5/5), the Revel Performa3 C205 (smaller center, rated 4.1/5) and the Revel Performa3 C208 (larger center, rated 4/5).
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows an essentially flat on-axis response with only a small 5kHz peak, a smooth listening window, and clean waterfall decay. Wide horizontal dispersion gives flexibility with toe-in. The reviewer called it reference-quality performance with minor EQ correction applied. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: Low nominal impedance demands a capable amplifier that can handle low-impedance loads. Bass distortion runs high in the 80-250Hz range from woofer displacement, and maximum output is limited compared to larger designs. Discontinued.
Full Revel M105 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 14”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (355.6 x 200.7 x 248.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25” aluminum cone woofer, 1” aluminum tweeter with acoustic lens waveguide |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 44kHz (+/-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, low minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.76 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.18 |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons