Short answer: the Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX. It ranks #63 of 131 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $1,100. The Sonus Faber Lumina Center I ranks #83, rated 3.5/5, at $1,000, $100 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX: The center of the THX certified 1723 S line, with the 28mm waveguide tweeter between two 6.5” woofers and 88.7dB sensitivity. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured 1723 S speakers and the measured Arendal Sound 1961 Center.
What the Sonus Faber Lumina Center I does well: Iconic DAD (Damped Apex Dome) 1.1-inch tweeter and dual 4.75-inch natural cellulose pulp woofers with front reflex port. Watch for: 4-ohm nominal impedance requires adequate amplifier drive.
Buy the Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $100 you would save on the Sonus Faber Lumina Center I does not close the gap.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX 3.3 to 4.0; Sonus Faber Lumina Center I 3.3 to 3.7). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX | Sonus Faber Lumina Center I | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,100 each | $1,000.00 |
| Ranked | #63 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #83 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 28mm tweeter, 2 x 6.5” woofers | 1.1” (29mm) DAD tweeter, 2 x 4.75” (120mm) cellulose pulp woofers |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz -6dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) | 65Hz - 24kHz |
| Sensitivity | 88.7dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 87dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (port plugs included) | - |
| Dimensions | 9.6”H x 22.4”W x 12.6”D (245 x 569 x 320 mm) | 6.6”H x 20.6”W x 8.3”D (168 x 523 x 212 mm) |
| Weight | 41.2 lbs (18.7 kg) | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX compares with other leading options:
- Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX vs MartinLogan Motion C10
- Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX vs Focal Aria Evo X Center
- DALI Sonik Cinema vs Sonus Faber Lumina Center I
- KEF Q6 Meta vs Sonus Faber Lumina Center I
- Q Acoustics 5090 vs Q Acoustics 5020
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX: $1,100 each Estimated Arendal Sound eBay
Same family: the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX (smallest bookshelf, rated 4.2/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (bookshelf, rated 4.1/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX (largest bookshelf, rated 4.2/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Tower S THX (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.2/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5) and the Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX (larger center, ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5).
Pros: The center of the THX certified 1723 S line, with the 28mm waveguide tweeter between two 6.5” woofers and 88.7dB sensitivity. Supplied port plugs let it run sealed when crossed to a subwoofer.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the measured 1723 S speakers and the measured Arendal Sound 1961 Center. The horizontal woofer and tweeter layout narrows dispersion off-center, and bass is rated only to 75Hz (-3dB).
Full Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2017 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 75Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1.5kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 9.6”H x 22.4”W x 12.6”D (245 x 569 x 320 mm) |
| Drivers | 28mm tweeter, 2 x 6.5” woofers |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz -6dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 88.7dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 41.2 lbs (18.7 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported (port plugs included) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sonus Faber Lumina Center I: $1,000.00 Estimated Crutchfield eBay
Same family: the Sonus Faber Lumina I (smallest bookshelf, estimated 3.3/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina II (bookshelf, rated 3.4/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina II Amator (largest bookshelf, rated 3/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina III (smallest floorstanding, estimated 3.5/5), the Sonus Faber Lumina V (floorstanding, estimated 3.6/5) and the Sonus Faber Lumina V Amator (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.5/5).
Pros: Iconic DAD (Damped Apex Dome) 1.1-inch tweeter and dual 4.75-inch natural cellulose pulp woofers with front reflex port. Delivers warm, articulate vocal clarity and luxury handcrafted Italian cabinet aesthetics.
Cons: 4-ohm nominal impedance requires adequate amplifier drive. 2-way horizontal driver arrangement causes off-axis crossover cancellation. Rating estimated based on Lumina series measurements.
Full Sonus Faber Lumina Center I review and specifications →
| DIY Kit | No |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.6”H x 20.6”W x 8.3”D (168 x 523 x 212 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.1” (29mm) DAD tweeter, 2 x 4.75” (120mm) cellulose pulp woofers |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 24kHz |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 16.8 lbs (7.6 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons