Short answer: the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX. It ranks #56 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $2,400. The Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX ranks #67, rated 4.1/5, at $2,200, $200 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX is the deeper-bass choice. Independent ASR Klippel data shows a narrow 1.8dB reference band, 0.391 listening-window smoothness, and useful bass extension to 48.3Hz at -6dB. Its bass reaches about 63Hz before falling 3dB, against 76.9Hz for the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX. The tradeoff: The measured on-axis average absolute deviation is 0.979dB and the sound-power directivity-index standard deviation is 3.63, so its response and dispersion are less even than the best alternatives.
Why pick the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX: A THX-certified two-way with twin 6.5-inch woofers around a waveguided 28mm tweeter, and port plugs that let you run it sealed, with one vent or two to suit the room. Watch for: In the configuration measured, the bass response starts to fall early, about 77Hz at -3dB, though it keeps going to about 50Hz at -6dB and 33Hz at -10dB, so it benefits from a subwoofer or placement near a wall.
Buy the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $200 you would save on the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX does not close the gap.
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Independent ASR Klippel data shows a narrow 1.8dB reference band, 0.391 listening-window smoothness, and useful bass extension to 48.3Hz at -6dB.
Arendal Sound $2,400 eBay
A THX-certified two-way with twin 6.5-inch woofers around a waveguided 28mm tweeter, and port plugs that let you run it sealed, with one vent or two to suit the room.
Arendal Sound $2,200 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX | Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,400 per pair | $2,200 per pair |
| Ranked | #56 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #67 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 76.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 37Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 32.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Two 8-inch woofers; 28mm waveguided tweeter | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 28mm waveguided tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal |
| Certification | THX Ultra | THX Ultra |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.16 | 5.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.30 | 7.08 |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) | 88.7dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 10.8”W x 25”D (400 x 275 x 635 mm) | 22.4”H x 9.6”W x 12.6”D (569 x 245 x 320 mm) |
| Weight | 58.9 lbs (26.7 kg) each | 41.2 lbs (18.7 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 46Hz-20kHz ±3dB with two vents, 66Hz sealed (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed or ported (port plugs included) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX (measured by Audio Science Review) and Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
Watch Them Compared
Videos and reviews that test both speakers side by side.
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