Short answer: the Ascend Acoustics Luna V2 Mini-Monitor Titan. Both are rated 4.3/5 for sound quality (#10 and #8 of 179 bookshelf speakers), and the Ascend Acoustics Luna V2 Mini-Monitor Titan costs $898 against $1,150 for the Arendal 1961 Monitor, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The Ascend Acoustics Luna V2 Mini-Monitor Titan is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. A tiny, affordable bookshelf speaker with accurate sound, a big soundstage for its size and a seven year warranty. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.17 against 3.38 for the Arendal 1961 Monitor. Its bass reaches about 74.7Hz before falling 3dB, against 84Hz for the Arendal 1961 Monitor. The tradeoff: On axis deviation measures 0.599dB average, a comparatively rough figure for this driver class, so a listener sitting dead center is more likely to notice unevenness than with the RAAL ribbon version of this same cabinet.
What the Arendal 1961 Monitor does well: A tank built sealed monitor with two 5.5 inch woofers, neutral sound and low distortion, great as home theater mains or surrounds. Watch for: 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.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Luna V2 Mini-Monitor Titan. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $252 less than the Arendal 1961 Monitor.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A tiny, affordable bookshelf speaker with accurate sound, a big soundstage for its size and a seven year warranty.
A tank built sealed monitor with two 5.5 inch woofers, neutral sound and low distortion, great as home theater mains or surrounds.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics Luna V2 Mini-Monitor Titan | Arendal 1961 Monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $898 per pair | $1150 per pair |
| Ranked | #10 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #8 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | SEAS Titan 26mm aluminum/magnesium dome tweeter, 4.5” long throw glass fiber cone woofer | 2 x 5.5” woofers, 28mm tweeter |
| Dimensions | 10.6”H x 5.7”W x 6”D (270 x 146 x 152 mm) | 16.6”H x 6.4”W x 5.9”D (421.6 x 162.6 x 149.9 mm) |
| Weight | 8.3 lbs (3.75 kg) each | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 82dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) | 85.9dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 100W continuous, 150W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 75-27,000Hz +/-3dB anechoic (manufacturer) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 74.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 84Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 45.7Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.17 | 3.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.78 | 6.69 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1500Hz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | sealed |
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