Short answer: the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It ranks #8 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $1,150; the Wharfedale Super Denton ranks #28, rated 4.0/5, and costs $1,499, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Arendal 1961 Monitor: A tank built sealed monitor with two 5.5 inch woofers, neutral sound and low distortion, great as home theater mains or surrounds. The tradeoff: 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 Wharfedale Super Denton is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. Classic looking three way bookshelf speakers with a dedicated dome midrange, low distortion and a cabinet free of resonances. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.90 against 3.38 for the Arendal 1961 Monitor. Its bass reaches about 61Hz before falling 3dB, against 84Hz for the Arendal 1961 Monitor. The catch: A mid-range scoop from about 200-800Hz and a separate upper-midrange scoop were both audible in direct ABX comparison against a reference-neutral speaker, giving aggressive-sounding material a more subdued character.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Wharfedale Super Denton and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the Wharfedale Super Denton reaches 41 Hz (10 dB down) against 60 Hz for the Arendal 1961 Monitor, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1961 Monitor | Wharfedale Super Denton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1150 per pair | $1,499.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #8 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #28 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 61Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1500Hz | 940Hz, 4.6kHz |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 6.4”W x 5.9”D (421.6 x 162.6 x 149.9 mm) | 14.2”H x 9.7”W x 10.8”D (360 x 246 x 275 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 6 ohms nominal, 3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86.6dB (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 2 x 5.5” woofers, 28mm tweeter | 1” soft dome tweeter, 2” soft dome midrange, 6.5” woven Kevlar woofer |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) each | 20.3 lbs (9.2 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | ported |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.38 | 5.9 (Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 52Hz - 20kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified); -6dB to 40Hz |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Arendal 1961 Monitor: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner and Audio Science Review.
- Wharfedale Super Denton: reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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