Short answer: the Arendal 1961 Monitor for the higher ranking, the Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM for the lower price. The Arendal 1961 Monitor ranks #5 of 21 bookshelf speakers at $1150. The Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM ranks #6 at $383, $767 cheaper.
The case for the Arendal 1961 Monitor: A physically robust build the reviewer calls “a little bit of a tank,” delivering low compression, low distortion. The catch: Bass rolls off around 70-80Hz, so it cannot be used as full-range mains for music without a subwoofer.
What the Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM gets right: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly smooth on-axis response. The catch: Predicted in-room response is tilted upward toward the treble, which the reviewer flagged as a likely audible brightness.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Monitor if the ranking matters more than the price. Buy the Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM if the price matters more than the ranking.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1961 Monitor | Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1150 | $383 |
| Ranked | #5 of 21 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #6 of 21 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz | 40Hz |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz | 60Hz |
| 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 8"W x 9.5"D (355.6 x 203.2 x 241.3 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 86dB | 82dB |
| Drivers | 2 x 5.5" woofers, 28mm tweeter | 5" ZA14W08 aluminum cone woofer, 1" DQ25SC16-04 titanium dome tweeter |
| Weight | 16 lbs / 7.25 kg each | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
| Woofer Cabinet | Sealed | - |
The Two Speakers In Full
Arendal 1961 Monitor: $1150 Arendalsound
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.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz |
| 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 |
| Sensitivity | 86dB |
| Weight | 16 lbs / 7.25 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Sealed |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
Zaph Audio ZA5.2 TM: $383 Madisoundspeakerstore
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a fairly smooth on-axis response. Cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) is clean overall, with only minor lingering energy around 400-700Hz.
Cons: Predicted in-room response is tilted upward toward the treble, which the reviewer flagged as a likely audible brightness. Low sensitivity of about 82dB requires more amplifier gain than typical. Relative harmonic distortion is excessive in the low frequencies, climbing to 6-8% under a 10-volt test signal in the 60-150Hz region - notably worse than typical two-way designs in this price range. Impedance runs close to 7 ohms through much of the audible range, with additional peaks that make it a moderately demanding load for a low-sensitivity design. Vertical directivity narrows unevenly above about 1kHz, typical of this MTM-adjacent tweeter/woofer spacing.
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 40Hz |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60Hz |
| Dimensions | 14"H x 8"W x 9.5"D (355.6 x 203.2 x 241.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" ZA14W08 aluminum cone woofer, 1" DQ25SC16-04 titanium dome tweeter |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 82dB |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Links
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Product prices and availability were last checked August 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC 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.