Short answer: the KEF Q Concerto Meta. It ranks #11 of 222 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $999.99; the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX ranks #55, rated 4.2/5, and costs $2,400, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The KEF Q Concerto Meta is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. A neutral three way bookshelf speaker that sounds consistent from seat to seat, with smooth treble that many rivals at its price lack. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.01 against 5.16 for the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 3dB, against 63Hz for the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX. The tradeoff: 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: A THX certified monitor with dual 8 inch woofers, a waveguide tweeter, and sturdy build for high output home theater rooms. 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.
Measured Differences
- Bass depth: the KEF Q Concerto Meta reaches 53 Hz (3 dB down) against 63 Hz for the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX, about half an octave deeper. You hear more of the lowest bass notes and kick drums.
- Tonal accuracy above the bass: with a subwoofer taking the low end, the KEF Q Concerto Meta scores 7.7 against 7.3 for the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX on the Spinorama preference scale. Its frequency response and off-axis sound are smoother, so voices and instruments sound closer to the recording.
- Efficiency: the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX is rated at 89 dB sensitivity against 84.2 dB for the KEF Q Concerto Meta, so it plays as loud with roughly half the amplifier power.
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Specifications Side By Side
| KEF Q Concerto Meta | Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999.99 per pair | $2,400 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #55 of 222 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 |
Where the Ratings Come From
- KEF Q Concerto Meta: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner.
- Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX: 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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