Short answer: the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX. It ranks #55 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $2,400; the Paradigm Founder 40B ranks #67, rated 4.1/5, at $2,399.98. Close enough in price that the sound-quality gap is the deciding factor.
Why pick the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX: A THX certified monitor with dual 8 inch woofers, a waveguide tweeter, and sturdy build for high output home theater rooms. Watch for: 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.
What the Paradigm Founder 40B does well: A bookshelf speaker with very even, wide sound when toed in, high sensitivity, and phase aligning lenses over its drivers. The tradeoff: Bass rolls off early for a speaker this size, about 70Hz at -3dB and 44Hz at -10dB, so it works best with a subwoofer or close to a wall.
Buy the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $0.02 with the Paradigm Founder 40B does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Measured Differences
- Close enough not to matter: bass extension (63 Hz vs 69.6 Hz, 3 dB down); preference score with a subwoofer (7.3 vs 7.1).
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Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX | Paradigm Founder 40B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,400 per pair | $2,399.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #55 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #67 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 69.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 37Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 43.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | Two 8-inch woofers; 28mm waveguided tweeter | 6” AL-MAG woofer; 1” AL-MAC ceramic dome tweeter with waveguide |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal | Compatible with 8 ohms (manufacturer specified) |
| Certification | THX Ultra | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.16 | 4.89 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.30 | 7.11 |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) | 89dB anechoic, 92dB in-room (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 10.8”W x 25”D (400 x 275 x 635 mm) | 14.5”H x 7.8”W x 12.6”D (368 x 197 x 320 mm) |
| Weight | 58.9 lbs (26.7 kg) each | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 69Hz-23kHz ±2dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Paradigm Founder 40B: Spinorama.org measurements and 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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