The Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX is rated 4.2/5 for sound quality, #50 of 222 Large Size Bookshelf Speakers. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.
Prices on this page were last checked November 11, 2026 at 3:26 AM 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Brand: Arendal
#50 Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX: $1,499 per pair Arendal Sound $1,499 eBay
Same family: the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Tower S THX (smaller floorstanding, estimated 4.2/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Tower THX (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5), the Arendal Sound 1723 Center S THX (smaller center, estimated 3.7/5) and the Arendal Sound 1723 Center THX (larger center, estimated 3.8/5).
Pros: A THX certified bookshelf speaker with well controlled sound, strong midbass punch, and clean output for home theater. 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.
Is the Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX right for you?
Buy it if
- you want measurably neutral sound (preference score 7.7 with a subwoofer).
Skip it if
- you have a low-power amplifier: 81 dB sensitivity needs more power to play loud.
- you want the best value: the higher-rated AsciLab C6B costs about $354 less.
| Released | Feb 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| 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
11 comparisons- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs JBL HDI-1600
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs Philharmonic BMR (v1)
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs Power Sound Audio MT-110-M
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs Wharfedale Linton 85
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs Wharfedale Super Linton
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs ELAC DBR62
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs KEF R3
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs KEF Q Concerto Meta
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs KEF R3 Meta
- Arendal 1723 Bookshelf S THX vs Klipsch RP-600M II
No comparisons match that search.