Arendal made a *compact* tower that hangs with the big boys.
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- Written review/data can be found here:
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Detailed review especially with the measurements, loving it! I'm looking forward (and hopefully there's the 1961 monitors being review this way too).
hopping on that 60 day try and buy for sure, thanks for the amazing review. these look perfect for me.
Arendal speakers seem to sound good to a large variety of audiophiles. Thanks for the review.
Thanks Erin for your Excellent content about my favorite hobby!
I actually just ordered the 1961 line for my 9 speaker atmos upgrade. 1723 1V sub also. I tried the monitors for the trail period and kept them. They sound great to me. Thanks for your hard work on the reviews. Peace. 😀🍻
Dang!
Crossing my fingers they can get you a center to review, the lower crossover definitely makes you think that they might fare better than other MTM designs but would be good to see.
Check ASR review for 1961 center. You were right 👍
I love the “broken in” air quotes. Are we breaking in the speakers or breaking in the listener’s ear. ;-)
These are great! I like the style, frequency curve and controlled directivity. That waveguide looks just like in typical Finnish speaker (Amphion etc.). Small rooms in Finnish homes seems to benefit from it and we use it a lot. And yes I know this is not Finnish speaker. Waiting for Genelec review👍
Thanks!
I'm currently waiting for delivery on a pair of the 1723 Monitor! I feel like a kid waiting on Christmas to come🤣
You are correct, Erin, all of their US pricing includes shipping.
I. Am. A. Genius!!!! LOL. Thanks for the backup, bro.
Their design might reflect where the come from. Scandinavian rooms are smaller and style wise are sparsely furnished, so having controlled directivity speakers are likely a plus when room treatments are not likely to be used.
The way the housing market is becoming priced in urban areas in the US, space is coming at a premium, so these could work well for those situations. Sounds like they make great products.
Except Norwegians live in on average the largest homes in Europe. My lounge is 50m square.
Also sparsely furnished, you've been looking at far to many IKEA catalogues, that comment made my Norwegian wife laugh.
Erin: Compression and distortion are on another level. You can tell quality components have been utilized in this budget speaker.
Arendal: Whew, man we were sweating when we heard our speakers were being reviewed by Erin.
Subscribers: This is why we love Erin. Tells us what the measurements are and gives the highs and lows of a speaker.
You're too kind. (but keep it coming! LOL)
It's Arendals entry level line but it's not a budget speaker.
@@MasterChief37 maybe not for you 😉
@@keepingupwiththejones2933 it’s not expensive either, but compared to other brands budge speakers it more expensive, better made with higher quality components. If it was made in the US or Europe you could easily add 1000 USD to the price.
Nice speaker, good size for small to medium rooms. Low distortion and high relative spl is a big deal for most
These have a good enough dynamic range to be useable as a studio monitor in midfield position, the dispersion would be ideal for that
Awesome video Erin, like usual!
I’ve got a lead on 3 Arendal 1723 S speakers that I’m hoping to test, as LCR.
Thanks again!
If you’re looking at the 1723 Monitor S, I’m certainly VERY impressed with mine. 👍🏻☺️
ua-cam.com/video/nd-7Jx2qjOA/v-deo.html
Thanks for the review… I can only imagine the flagship THX model
How do these compare to the Emotiva t1+ or 2+ towers beyond price and looks? Which would you recommend?
Great review as always. Any chance you’ll review the Tekton Design’s tweeter array claims in the near future?
Erin, great review as always! I'm a huge fan of soundstage, also. Of the speakers you've tested, which are best for soundstage?
I'd love to hear your views on subwoofer integration Erin.
For compression/distortion measures, does the graph favor speakers like these that aren't flat in the low end (big drop off)? They're playing lows at much lower volumes, so you'd expect less distortion (and further volume drop) as you crank them.
Actually, a speaker that has a roll-off will typically show higher levels of distortion and compression because the woofer is trying hard to produce something it just can't.
Unless I misunderstand your question.
Large speaker... We really need to get you some Tekton Design Double Impact SE to run through. Im a fan of larger tall / slim / deep towers.
Great video.. I like these speakers too. But I have to budget for their younger siblings. (Dan designed tho) #Monolith
Another great review. With them being short I think an interesting used case scenario for these could be a matching LCR set below your projector screen. Any thoughts on that?
Yea, that sounds perfectly reasonable. I didn't even consider that. 👍
They can definitely be used that way. One of the reasons I went with the 1961s is because they would fit under our screen. I went with their center channel offering though. And I've doubted that decision ever since.
@@trauma50disaster1 I stuck with it and it's performing well, but I have wondered about going with 1723S center. Unfortunately, it's been a while and I'm not sure I can afford to eat the cost of the 1961.
How do these fit in with their more neutral /balanced frequency response graphically compared to a B@W sound 603 S2 Anv. ? Or something similar? Since the higher frequencies seem to be more rolled off at the end, do you have much less detail but have the clarity, and since they need to be more toe in, the soundstage and imagining compared to a speaker that is designed with 0 or tiny angle of toe-in. They are tempting at closeout, but I am not sure exactly how they line up or compare to something equivalent. Have seen some vid but seem to be apples to oranges many times.
Erin, I currently have SVS Prime Towers that I bought used and am looking at the 1961’s to be my first new speaker purchase for my movie room. It is a dedicated space, only 13x14. Do you think the 1961’s are a step up? Or is it more of a side-grade?
I understand that the speakers are aimed at ear level but during your listening session, was the image centered vertically at ear level or below? I’m also looking at the 1723 bookshelf just to get the vertical axis sorted.
I know exactly what you mean... and the answer is: I didn't notice any issues with the soundstage being below ear level. I have noticed that before in another speaker I reviewed about a year ago, though, so I know exactly what you mean when you ask.
Thanks--another great review! You have become my "go-to" channel for speakers. In the future, would you please do more educational videos? For example, what makes a speaker sound dynamic and full at low volumes? Is this something that can be replicated with any speaker with EQ or is it speaker design? As a tinnitus sufferer, I won't buy another speaker until I understand these things. Great job!!!!
For reasons, I’m considering using these upside down as LR in my setup (they would sit on a bookshelf and essentially be TV wings…). This would put the tweeter at around ear level while seated. Any glaring issues with this approach?
Nope. I’ve seen it done by others. Even Floyd Toole. 😉
Erin, what is (commonly) considered a typical sitting hight (at ear level)?
I am planning now to build some floor-standing speakers with a ribbon tweeter that has somewhat limited vertical dispersion. So far I have determined a tweeter level as 1,0 meter above a floor. But that's just for me and my couch.
i am about 1.2 meter for reference.
Would this work as a center channel? Thinking of getting one as a center give me huge sound, I’m using bookshelf speakers for mains currently.
hope arendal send you the 1723 thx with the 8 inch woofers, the large towers to review, I like large speakers too.
Iv been looking at these, they fit my small room. Want to run them sealed also. I also run my mains tilted up as they are about the same height as the Arendal'. Worries about the impedance drops about 3.5ohm my amp is 4ohm minimal, do you think I should worry about that? Thanks 👍
I’d generally say that as long as your amp will tolerate 4 ohm loads. But it’s not a bad idea to ask the manufacturer directly; send them my image of the impedance.
@@ErinsAudioCorner yeah I'll contact Rotel before I buy. Cheers 🍻
Great review. The tilt back concerns me since I sit a recliner and my head height is a little lower than normal seating heights.
It would have been great to get your opinion and test of Arendal 1961 Monitors together with a Arendal 1961 1S Subwoofer. 2.1 stereo system 😃
12:35 why would you compare it to budget speakers that are half the price, rather than speakers that are near the same price (budget category, or otherwise)?
Would you recommend these for a living room TV/music combo speaker? It looks like it was designed to be smaller and work in that scenario, but the it sounds like they have a narrow dispersion and don't work with an AVR, which is not in line with that type of speaker.
I just ordered a pair on their closeout for $1240 shipped and no tax! Really wish I could afford the 1723's. Even just the 1723 Monitors. Erin, are you from Louisiana?
Did you think about tilting the tower 5 degrees forward, and measuring?
It wouldn’t be stable that way.
Awesome review Erin! I have. 20Dx12W listening space, it’s a living room that’s actually open concept so it extends bit more on the width about 23. I was thinking the 1961’ monitors or if I went to floors, do you think the 1723S would be a better fit? We didn’t want “super large” speakers but didn’t want to skimp on the sound either. Thanks!
If you have good subwoofers the 1961 would be OK. IMHO.
Thanks. I have a couple of Rel 1205’s
Buy: arendalsound.com/product/1961-tower/?refer=hardisj
(Earns me a small commission at no additional cost to you)
Hi, do they sound better then the bowers and wilkins 705 s2 for movies?
I have in mind to purchase this great speakers my room is small, 13.12X12.46x9.5 ft, muy listening position is at 6.56 ft and from the floor my ears are more or less 3.6 ft, since the tweeter is not at the top of the tower speaker, and it has a 5 degree tilt to rear, At what height will the dispersion lobe of the tweeter be to me? congratulations for your excellent review and measurements.
Phenomenal work my friend, cracking me up a few times in that one 😂🤣. Love it… BOOM!!
Boom!
I myself have the 1723 Tower S. Is it really better to plug the ports and run them sealed? Do you recommend that to ALL tower speakers?
It really depends on what you’re doing with them. Generally, I recommend subwoofers and when those are used then I prefer sealed speakers. But that’s not always.
@@ErinsAudioCorner Saw James Larson's review over at Audioholics and he says "However, unless you are getting excess bass from the speakers’ placement, I would advise users to run the 1723 Monitors with the ports open"...I assume it applies to other Arendal speakers as well?
JBL Studio 570 is on sale for $199 each currently direct from JBL/Harman. I already ordered a pair so it's too late for me to offer them for you to try out. As that would have saved me some shipping fees sending them to you first then I pay to ship them back to me. Though you're probably busy with other speakers anyway.
But thought I'd give you and everyone else a heads up.
After listening to daily hi-fi podcast, so I revisited this video. I know you don't like any centre channels, so this being so small would it be a perfect lcr to sit below a TV in my front room. Which is 20ftx20ft???
Erin do you prefer a neutral speaker in room or a downward slope sound?
I think you may be confusing two different things here. (apologies in advance if not)
Check this video out. It explains the difference in on-axis anechoic and in-room measurements.
ua-cam.com/video/qmBit3GWSWE/v-deo.html
@@ErinsAudioCorner i understand that thanks for the link. What I was trying to ask was do you prefer personally a in room response of flat or a small downward slope at your mlp.
Pls help . I'm looking for replacements to my jbl 530 +520c LCR in a 3.2 home theater config. I have an open kitchen,/livingroom which is not ideal . Sit 10ft from the TV in a 4 people 85" couch. Marantz nr1608 and 2x pb2000 subs. Do I wanna do 3x arendal for lcr? Or ghost center and do 2x towers. Please and thank you
How do they compare to the DIY HTM-12's?
It's 60 day buy and try, but do remember there is a restocking fee.
"The return costs are calculated by 5% of the product price, with a minimum of $49 and a maximum of $199."
Good catch. Still, for some that might be worth it for the chance to try them out in person.
@@ErinsAudioCorner Ya it's actually not too bad compared to some companies with 10%.
If you have a high pass filter on the speakers is it necessary to plug the ports?
That's more dependent on what you want to get out of them and how you're integrating to a subwoofer. Personally, I'd say use the sub and rock these sealed.
I want specifically asking about the Arendals. For example, if we had a ported speaker tuned around 40 Hz and wanted to integrate them with a sub so we high pass them at 80 Hz. Is it necessary to plug them if we are reducing the port output by way of the high pass filter?
@@ronalcasid3844 I understand. I was talking in generalities as well.
I find these to be a pretty convincing offering from Arendal, it's not for me but I'm looking forward to seeing what else they come up with. Compact speakers are highly under-represented, IMO.
I have the big ones, 1723 and they are fantastic
In most applications I cross my sub at 80hz anyway so compact speakers make pretty good sense. I know that in a perfect would a single point source would be able to play 15-40kHz at high spl but that’s not reality. As long as a speaker can dig to 80hz before rolling off, I’m ok. And vise versa for a sub
@@Chase1297 For most real-world applications a frequency response range of 100Hz to 20KHz is perfectly sufficient for a primary speaker as frequencies lower than 100Hz have a wavelength so large that humans struggle to localize them most rooms.
For reference, I'm in a 40 meter squared (430ft squared) room at the moment and meaningful localization beneath 100Hz isn't a practical possibility at listening position :)
Not saying that to nag you, just saying that 2.1 systems are so common because they're very effective at covering the the audible frequency range for the vast majority of listening scenarios! Which makes compact speakers viable sound system components for most folk :)
Hands down Erin - you are by far one of the best reviewers out their. Joining Patreon to help you out b!
Wow, thank you, dude!
Looking for speakers with "fat, headphone-like" sound. Should I consider those?
Another great review Erin! I'm going full Arendal soon in my 7.2.4 theater! I'd be curious how some of the monitors stack up if you think you can get your hands on those!
James Larson measured the 1723 Monitors... might wanna check that out. Otherwise, yep, hopefully I can measure the 1961 monitors as well.
Hi Erin, I’m considering getting three of these (LCR sitting under a projection screen) in their outlet for around $1,800. Only concern is whether off axis dialogue clarity will be an issue, seeing as “the sweet spot” you noted is narrower than you’d like it to be. Some viewers may be up to 45 degrees off axis. Btw, they would be powered by three Outlaw monoblocks.
Even though the intensity falls off, it does so pretty evenly at all angles and all frequencies, so I don’t foresee it being a major issue as long as they are watching television or a movie. That will help their speech perception as well.
The main thing I’d pay attention to is to make sure that the listening access vertically is aligned within maybe 20° or so of the tweeter.
If you do wind up buying these, please consider using my affiliate link below. It’ll help me earn a small commission, but won’t cost you anything extra.
arendalsound.com/product/1961-tower/?refer=hardisj
@@ErinsAudioCorner Thanks, and will do.
What do you think about Tekton 2-10 perfect?
Hope one day you can review one of the Ascend Acoustics speakers. They are right there with Arendal in terms of build quality.
Interested to hear how these compare to the Monolith Encore T6, for obvious reasons
Coming. One day. I swear. 😂
Did I miss the vertical directivity?
It’s in the written review. I don’t talk about all the data simply for the sake of keeping the videos reasonably short in time.
If you watch UA-cam content creators you get the impression that they are a huge player on line with almost anything. Good marketing to say the least.
At 3:05, you stated that they were broken in but then you mentioned that you’re not necessarily into that. I’m curious why you go through that process then?
I do believe break-in may be necessary but only to some extent. Nothing on the order of hundreds of hours, though. I’ll just leave it at that.
To answer your question: the main reason I do this, though, is simply to ward off anyone saying I didn’t. That’s pretty much it. 👍
@@ErinsAudioCorner fair enough. What brands have you noticed requiring more of a break in period?
@@Feliciano12v I haven’t really tested that on a large scale basis.
Is it just me or does the 96db harmonic distortion look oddly similar to the Monolith Encore series - especially the T6? The Arendals are of course much more linear. I read that Dan Roemer designed both lines.
Wonder how these would work as home theater fronts? Too bad their center speaker didn't have more than an MTM design.
I see no problem with using them for HT at all.
Its not bad its a design choice, the MTM center and monitors are the same speakers, and the towers are monitors with 2 bass woofers under it.
The towers are intern low crossed around 100 hz to match the center with is mostly crossed @ 80-100hz to the subwoofer.
THX advice 3 identical fronts, Arendal has that in their whole line.
If their center was a 3 way it was more mismatch to the towers and monitors, its a great design.
Why sit more than 25 degrees of axis to the center anyway, the whole system sound bad not only the center.
Sensitivity of 84 dB/W is adequate for that size.
I would be very interested why you prefer sealed for integration with a sub instead of ported :) It probably depends on where the port is tuned to and when the sealed is rolling of in comparison to the high pass filter and also how steep the high pass is set up.
Your video thumbnail looks like a rappers album cover from the 90's 😂😂😂
Swear to god, I planned to do such a thumbnail for a future video. (fake) Gold chains and all. 😂😂😂
"Ha I'm 6'5 when online acting tough"
7'11" is what I meant. 😁
Please measure the center too.
With so many drivers I'd expect it to hit 30hz
The amount of drivers do not determine how low a speaker would go so your expectation is not reasonable
@@-MarkWinston- Of course not, but it's easier to dig deeper with more drivers. Even though it's compact it should dig deeper than it does, in my view. I'd never buy towers that would basically require a subwoofer too.
@@Hirnlego999 if you would never want to buy floorstanders that require a sub that do full range, be prepared to fork out Salon 2 money or go active.
@@-MarkWinston- What? No need to. I can buy Ino Audio pi60 for much less. (I won't do it now, cos I currently have neighbors)
@@Hirnlego999 so the pi60 goes nearly full range but how it performs above that objectively is the biggest question mark. Without a full set of data your guess is as good as anybody's. Might as well get a good standmount and add a sub.
so close to the revel f35
Fyi, there are plenty of avrs that are 4 ohm stable.
Good to know.
I appreciate your opinions more than data measurements because even a relative bad'ish measurement can sound like gold in other listening environments , every room is not perfect as a fixed testing room
Well, just keep watching and hopefully you'll learn what to look for in the data as well. As much as one may say that the data doesn't matter because the room changes, that's where I find its usefulness. People (myself, for sure) are prone to bias or their own notions. The data is the data and isn't prone to that. I find it's pretty easy to correlate the what I hear vs what I see and after a while it starts to "click". But, I do appreciate the kind words. Just don't rely fully on what I say I hear because I believe it is more important to analyze the data than just take my word for it.
With almost the same price, do you prefer the Kef R3s or this for music/movies. Just a background, I have the Klipsch RP-280, Emotiva T1 and some budget bookshelf speakers like JBL Studio 530, JBL A130 that you don’t like lol, another Klipsch R-51M and the Wharfedale Diamond 225 which I’m fond of. Actually I like them all. However, still searching for something on those price range which will be I guess an UPGRADE as far as sound quality. Is the Parasound ( what model???) that your using is enough to run these speakers. I’m using an Adcom GFA-555 II for my music and Yamaha AVR for my movies. I sometimes use budget DAC and AMP like the SMSLs which for the price are good sounding DAC and AMP. Thanks for making these videos for reviews. For me, the only way to audition speakers.
I just realized you have a Karma shirt on!!!! Do you know Phil Gibbs????!!!
Yep! Car audio buddy.
I knew you were at least 6'4".
😂
Too short for me. I like the tweeter up high.
Did you watch the video? I discuss this.
Yeah, same for Totem.
@Erin's Audio Corner ..Ya.. I watched, still my preference.
@@psyphonyxaudio gotcha. Just making sure you understand the speaker is tilted and that the aiming of the tweeter is at average ear level.
@@ErinsAudioCorner Hard to miss that angle with my bare eyes. 🙏🙏 No rookie status over here, good sir. :-) Clear as a bell.
First of all, you are hardcore :) relative to what you contribute. I have spreadsheet databases of SO many drivers I've tested T/S on. Essentially trying to create a connection between my subjective mind and objective data. (spoiler alert: nothing is better than fiber cones, copper coils and inert as possible (kapton) poles) I have countless DIY speaker projects that are typically designs that are not available mass market. With modern day processing, coaxials are the logical go-to for the average home and I've seen your data start to back that. Especially regarding center channels. You are a gift that supplies me with better objective data with none of my time or energy input. I often think about some of the great contributors to human collective understanding and not to gush, but who else is doing what you do and providing it to us like you do? That's almost scary! Even some manufacturers are relying on you to improve THEIR products. From one "hardcore" geek to another, well done Erin. Your brain is tough AF
Fibre cones? Paper/wool etc, kevlar, glass fibre, carbon fibre?
Thanks, dude! I appreciate that!
If only Arendal did a proper 3-way center….
Have you consider 3x Monitor or Bookshelf speakers rather than a dedicated Center channel? You might get superior results. :-)
*Erindal
ur·en·dl
I used this:
www.google.com/search?q=arendal+norway+pronunciation&oq=arendal+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j69i59l2j69i60l5.2591j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
for the algorithm
WE WANT THE BIG BOY TOWERS 1723 S
Working on it. But feel free to contact Arendal yourself so they know there is interest. 👍
Tilting speakers back is not a new technology. They used to do it back in the 70s and 80s. It's called time alignment.
Of course. Not new. And not technology. I didn’t say that they were, to be clear.
FWIW, the tilt isn’t used here for time alignment. It’s used, as I said, to permit a smaller speaker but not suffer a HF droop at typical ear height when seated.
I'm sure they are great speakers. I've never heard of them until now. There's dozens of loudspeaker brands and it's overwhelming to make a wise buying decision. I have a pair of psb xt1 towers and I'm becoming bored with them. Good speakers but I want something else with more bass. I live in Tucson and the nearest hi end dealer is up in Phoenix and all that is here is best buy. I'm not knocking what they carry. Kef, Klipsch, Polk, Bower and Wilkins. But it's all for the mainstream consumer. Any thoughts?