Short answer: the KEF R3 Meta. It ranks #10 of 134 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $2,499.99. The Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX ranks #55, rated 4.1/5, at $2,200, $299.99 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the KEF R3 Meta: Three-way design with an unconventional concentric layout: the 1” tweeter is recessed into the throat of the 5.25” midrange driver, deeper integration than a standard coaxial arrangement. The catch: Pointed straight on-axis, there’s a 1-2dB bump around 9kHz that stays consistent across angles thanks to the constant-directivity waveguide: only toeing the speaker out about 10° tames it.
The case for the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX: A THX-certified two-way with twin 6.5-inch woofers around a waveguided 28mm tweeter, and port plugs that let you run it sealed, with one vent or two to suit the room. Watch for: In the configuration measured, the bass response starts to fall early, about 77Hz at -3dB, though it keeps going to about 50Hz at -6dB and 33Hz at -10dB, so it benefits from a subwoofer or placement near a wall.
Buy the KEF R3 Meta. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $299.99 with the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| KEF R3 Meta | Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,499.99 per pair | $2,200 per pair |
| Ranked | #10 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #55 of 134 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 32.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 76.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 7.9”W x 13.2”D (421.6 x 200.7 x 335.3 mm) | 22.4”H x 9.6”W x 12.6”D (569 x 245 x 320 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal |
| Drivers | 6.5” Hybrid aluminum ported woofer, 5” aluminum cone midrange, 1” vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 28mm waveguided tweeter |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) | 88.7dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) |
| Weight | 27.3 lbs (12.4 kg) each | 41.2 lbs (18.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | sealed or ported (port plugs included) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.10 | 5.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.91 | 7.08 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Certification | - | THX Ultra |
| Frequency Response | - | 46Hz-20kHz ±3dB with two vents, 66Hz sealed (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How KEF R3 Meta compares with other leading options:
- TAD Compact Reference One (CR1TX) vs KEF R3 Meta
- KEF R3 Meta vs Perlisten S4b
- KEF Reference 1 Meta vs KEF R3 Meta
- KEF R3 Meta vs GR-Research NX-Studio
- KEF R3 Meta vs March Audio Sointuva AWG
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 R3 Meta: $2,499.99 per pair Amazon Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Three-way design with an unconventional concentric layout: the 1” tweeter is recessed into the throat of the 5.25” midrange driver, deeper integration than a standard coaxial arrangement. A quasi sealed/ported bass alignment gives an extended low-end shelf tuned to match typical in-room gain, reaching about 50Hz for most content: deeper than recently-tested rivals like the Focal Aria 906, Polk R200, and an 8” Aperion design. Spinorama measurements show class-leading directivity and sound power, plus very linear on-axis response (at the recommended 10° toe-out) and early-reflections directivity, so it takes EQ exceptionally well. The vertical sweet spot extends to about ±20-30° off the reference axis with nearly identical tonality, unusually wide for a two- or three-way design. A clear upgrade over the earlier, non-Meta R3, eliminating the treble brightness the original had even when toed off-axis. Outperforms similarly-priced rivals (Revel M106, Wharfedale Linton, Philharmonic BMR V2, JBL HDI 1600) specifically on directivity and linearity in the reviewer’s measurements. At $2500/pair, called the best value in its class with near-reference-level anechoic performance. Measured bass extension of 76Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.9dB.
Cons: Pointed straight on-axis, there’s a 1-2dB bump around 9kHz that stays consistent across angles thanks to the constant-directivity waveguide: only toeing the speaker out about 10° tames it. Minimum impedance dips to about 3.2 ohms nominal (EPDR as low as 1.9 ohms), so it needs a 4-ohm-stable amplifier; a standard AVR likely won’t cut it. Distortion crosses the reviewer’s 3% threshold around 80Hz at 96dB output and shows added deviation again near 50Hz, indicating it runs out of headroom at higher volumes: a subwoofer is recommended for loud listening. Horizontal radiation narrows from about ±70° at low frequency to ±40° at high frequency. Below about 100Hz, compression testing shows fairly wide deviations at both 86dB and 96dB output, though the reviewer notes this is typical for speakers in this size and price class. Current R3 owners who are already happy with that speaker have little reason to upgrade.
Full KEF R3 Meta review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 37Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 7.9”W x 13.2”D (421.6 x 200.7 x 335.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5” Hybrid aluminum ported woofer, 5” aluminum cone midrange, 1” vented aluminium dome with MAT tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (3.2 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner; 87dB manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 6.10 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.91 |
| Weight | 27.3 lbs (12.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: KEF R3 Meta: The Speaker to Beat. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website KEF R3 Meta Review
- Erin’s Audio Corner: Upgrade Your Sound with These 6 Surprisingly Affordable Speakers!
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Personal Favorite Speakers Under $2500
- Erin’s Audio Corner: My Top Picks of 2023: Must-Haves Under $3000
- GR-Research: Finally… a Speaker Danny Doesn’t Have to Fix? More from GR-Research →
- New Record Day: The Gold Standard Of "Pretty Good" KEF R3 Meta Review
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Erin’s Audio Corner: KEF R3 vs R3 Meta vs Reference 1 Meta. Why such a big price gap?
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX: $2,200 per pair Arendal Sound eBay
Pros: A THX-certified two-way with twin 6.5-inch woofers around a waveguided 28mm tweeter, and port plugs that let you run it sealed, with one vent or two to suit the room. Erin’s Audio Corner measured a listening window within a 2.4dB span from 300Hz to 5kHz, a smooth listening window (0.77) and predicted in-room response (0.71), and a preference score of 5.07 that rises to 7.08 with an ideal subwoofer. Sensitivity is a healthy 88.7dB. Measured bass extension of 76.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: In the configuration measured, the bass response starts to fall early, about 77Hz at -3dB, though it keeps going to about 50Hz at -6dB and 33Hz at -10dB, so it benefits from a subwoofer or placement near a wall. It is large and heavy for a stand-mount at 56.9cm tall and 18.7kg, presents a 4-ohm load, and is sold direct by Arendal.
Full Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 32.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 76.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Certification | THX Ultra |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 22.4”H x 9.6”W x 12.6”D (569 x 245 x 320 mm) |
| Drivers | Two 6.5-inch woofers; 28mm waveguided tweeter |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz-20kHz ±3dB with two vents, 66Hz sealed (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal |
| Sensitivity | 88.7dB (manufacturer specified, 2.83V/1m) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.07 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.08 |
| Weight | 41.2 lbs (18.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed or ported (port plugs included) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons