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 Sound 1723 Monitor THX ranks #48, rated 4.2/5, and costs $2,400, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the KEF Q Concerto Meta: Really good in-room neutrality with consistent horizontal directivity from seat to seat. The catch: Radiation pattern measures about ±50°, narrower than the reviewer’s preferred ±60° for a stronger sense of envelopment.
Why pick the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX: 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. The catch: 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.
Buy the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q Concerto Meta | Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,399.99 per pair | $2,400 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #48 of 131 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 35Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | approximately 37Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 63Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 16.3”H x 8.3”W x 12.4”D (414 x 210.8 x 315 mm) | 15.7”H x 10.8”W x 25”D (400 x 275 x 635 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 | Two 8-inch woofers; 28mm waveguided tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 84.2dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each | 58.9 lbs (26.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.01 | 5.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.71 | 7.30 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Certification | - | THX Ultra |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
- KEF Q Concerto Meta vs Buchardt Audio E50
- See all 104 comparisons
Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX: $2,400 per pair Arendal Sound eBay
Pros: 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 preference score rises from 5.16 to 7.30 with a subwoofer. Dual 8-inch woofers, a waveguided tweeter, robust HDF construction, and THX Ultra certification suit high-output rooms. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-3dB).
Cons: 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. Bass reaches only 63Hz at -3dB despite the very large cabinet, and the 1.239 low-frequency Q indicates a pronounced alignment. At roughly 60 lb each, these require substantial stands and space.
Full Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 37Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Certification | THX Ultra |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 15.7”H x 10.8”W x 25”D (400 x 275 x 635 mm) |
| Drivers | Two 8-inch woofers; 28mm waveguided tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.16 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.30 |
| Weight | 58.9 lbs (26.7 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX vs Power Sound Audio MT-110-M
- Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX vs Klipsch RP-600M II
- Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX vs KEF R3
- Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX vs KEF R3 Meta