Short answer: the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It ranks #11 of 131 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $1,399.99; the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX ranks #43, rated 4.2/5, and costs $1,499, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the KEF Q Concerto Meta: Really good in-room neutrality with consistent horizontal directivity from seat to seat. Watch for: Radiation pattern measures about ±50°, narrower than the reviewer’s preferred ±60° for a stronger sense of envelopment.
Why pick the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX: Exceptionally controlled radiation for a conventional two-way: Erin found the early-reflections directivity index smooth enough for broad-band EQ, while horizontal coverage remains orderly through the 1.5kHz crossover. The tradeoff: Erin measured only 81.6dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, so substantial amplifier voltage is required.
Buy the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q Concerto Meta | Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,399.99 per pair | $1,499 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #43 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 44.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | ~80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 8.3”W x 12.4”D (414 x 210.8 x 315 mm) | 15.2”H x 9.6”W x 12.6”D (385 x 245 x 320 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofer, 100 mm (4 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 19 mm (0.75 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | 6.5-inch woofer; 28mm waveguided soft-dome tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 84.2dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 81.6dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.01 | 4.89 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.71 | 7.68 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | HDF, sealed/ported |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for KEF Q Concerto Meta:
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- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs AsciLab C6B
Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
KEF Q Concerto Meta: $1,399.99 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Really good in-room neutrality with consistent horizontal directivity from seat to seat. Directivity holds remarkably steady from lower treble into upper treble, where many similarly-priced speakers narrow sharply as frequency rises - one of the reviewer’s top 10 picks under $1,500. Measured bass extension of 53Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 84.2dB.
Cons: Radiation pattern measures about ±50°, narrower than the reviewer’s preferred ±60° for a stronger sense of envelopment. Needs to be pointed closer to on-axis rather than heavily toed out - combined with its rolled-off, shelved-down top end, too much toe-out makes it sound noticeably dark.
Full KEF Q Concerto Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 8.3”W x 12.4”D (414 x 210.8 x 315 mm) |
| Drivers | 165 mm (6.5 in.) hybrid aluminium cone woofer, 100 mm (4 in.) aluminium cone midrange, 19 mm (0.75 in.) vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.3 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 84.2dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.01 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.71 |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: HiFi Perfection? KEF CONCERTO META Delivers! More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website KEF Q Concerto Meta
- Erin’s Audio Corner: I Tested 250 Speakers So You Don’t Have To!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: HiFi Perfection? KEF CONCERTO META Delivers!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Absolute Favorite Products of 2024 Revealed
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs KEF R3 Meta
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs AsciLab F6B
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Wharfedale Aura 2
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Revel M106
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs KEF R3
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Audio First Cadentia 3
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs AsciLab C6B
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Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX: $1,499 per pair Arendal Sound eBay
Pros: Exceptionally controlled radiation for a conventional two-way: Erin found the early-reflections directivity index smooth enough for broad-band EQ, while horizontal coverage remains orderly through the 1.5kHz crossover. Midbass attack around 120–160Hz is strong, the response is mostly neutral below the treble shelf, and dynamic compression remains under roughly 1dB even near 102dB/1m above the bass. The waveguided 28mm dome and heavy HDF enclosure support clean, cinema-capable output, and sealed/ported flexibility eases subwoofer integration. Measured bass extension of ~80Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 81.6dB.
Cons: Erin measured only 81.6dB/2.83V/1m sensitivity, so substantial amplifier voltage is required. Anechoic output rolls off around 80Hz and 3% THD is crossed near 80Hz at 96dB, making an 80Hz subwoofer crossover effectively mandatory. The treble sits a couple dB high on-axis and can sound bright; Erin preferred roughly 20° toe-out or a ~2dB high shelf. A vertical cancellation appears above the tweeter axis, so multi-row installations need careful height/aiming.
Full Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.6Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | ~80Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.2”H x 9.6”W x 12.6”D (385 x 245 x 320 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5-inch woofer; 28mm waveguided soft-dome tweeter |
| Enclosure | HDF, sealed/ported |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 81.6dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.89 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.68 |
| Weight | 32 lbs (14.5 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
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- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs Wharfedale Linton 85
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- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs KEF R3
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