Was somewhat surprised in the results and did forget to mention that the Focal's have a sensitivity of 91dB while the Arendal's have a sensitivity of 89dB. However, it didn't really stand out in the measurements and wasn't noticeable in actual listening.
I have been considering the Focal Sopra 2’s for some time. For the money and differences it sure seems like the Arendals are an excellent buy and hard to go wrong with at their price point. Not sure exactly what I would be missing by not going with the Focals. Also it would seem that the full size 1723 thx would be a more fair comparison to the Focals. I wonder what that would reveal in differences. Great review, much appreciated!
Thanks for checking out the video. Yeah, the owner of the Focals and myself both couldn't really find too much of a difference between them. As you mention the larger 1723 towers would be more in line but will say that Arendal has mentioned that they are introducing an even more advanced line (the 1528) hopefully by the beginning of the year. They will be more than the 1723 but I'm guessing they will still be less than the Focals and the look of them will seem to be different too. If you have time to wait, that new line may be something to wait for as well.
I have a few questions for you on REW. What Mic are you using? What type of measumnet are you showing? I think it would be wise to use psychoacoustics filteringing as it's much easier to compare. I think your scale should be reduced a good bit. I like your approach and keep up the good work, always nice to see some one follow their passion and be brave enough to get on here :)
Thanks for checking it out and appreciate your encouraging words. In regards to your questions, I'm using the Dayton Audio UMM-6 microphone. The measurements are of the song that I played, I could have done actual measurements but since I'm used to listening to that song and how it sounds, that seems to provide me with a better understanding of how it sounds through the speakers. I have shown the psychoacoustic filtering before on other videos with other measurements so will try adding that in the next one to see how that goes.
Hello from over in Tyler. My impression is that the bass was more tuneful on the Focals and the Focal Be tweeter really showed its mettle(pun intended!) with more natural sounding cymbals. But the Arendal sounds pretty darn good for the price.
Hey, I know where that is! Good description, that is what I was kind of trying to convey by saying that they were smoother but couldn't quite express it. Thanks!
Interesting review. Been very interested in the Arendal towers. I was also looking at Focal Sopra’s so love the comparison. I like a brighter speaker so love that the Arendal may be slightly brighter. That surprised me, though, as a I thought the Beryllium tweeter in the Focal’s would be brighter.
Thanks for checking it out and I would definitely say to give them some consideration. I was surprised about the brightness too as I have heard similarly that Focals tend to be brighter. They were a lot more noticeable when compared to my pair of Arendals (the 1961s) as I figured that having the same tweeter would not make that much of a difference but they must be tuned differently.
@@RandomDistractionsYT After hearing a good number of Focal speakers, the Sopra series tweeter seems to be not as bright as their lower series speakers. Just very natural and "right" sounding.
Unfortunately, I haven't personally listened to KEF speakers but I have heard good things about them. The best advice I can give in this situation is to try and listen to them and see which one you prefer.
i think you did not give the sopras what they deserve focal speakers especially the high end speakers upscalling with the gear you have even the cables and i feel you bottleneck them the sopra are very airy and have very strong and fast base and huge soundstage .
That could certainly be a possibility. Since that is all I had though that is what I had to go with but something for others to keep in mind. Would be interesting as well to use higher end gear with the Arendals too and see how that would affect them.
Hi, you should have compare them to the 1723 THX towers, based on Focal having a much higher price point and also they are 92 DB rated. I myself own the Sonus Faber Aida on my audio room but my studio I have the 1723 THX towers.
Yeah, that would have been a slightly fairer comparison and maybe Arendal will consider sending those out to me and will think about doing that comparison. Although the thought of having to carry around even bigger speakers sounds daunting. Will see. Thanks for checking out the video and hopefully you are liking your speakers!
I mentioned this in other videos but I think that there is a speaker out there for everyone and the Focals would be a great pick. Thanks for checking out the video!
Was somewhat surprised in the results and did forget to mention that the Focal's have a sensitivity of 91dB while the Arendal's have a sensitivity of 89dB. However, it didn't really stand out in the measurements and wasn't noticeable in actual listening.
I have been considering the Focal Sopra 2’s for some time. For the money and differences it sure seems like the Arendals are an excellent buy and hard to go wrong with at their price point. Not sure exactly what I would be missing by not going with the Focals. Also it would seem that the full size 1723 thx would be a more fair comparison to the Focals. I wonder what that would reveal in differences. Great review, much appreciated!
Thanks for checking out the video. Yeah, the owner of the Focals and myself both couldn't really find too much of a difference between them. As you mention the larger 1723 towers would be more in line but will say that Arendal has mentioned that they are introducing an even more advanced line (the 1528) hopefully by the beginning of the year. They will be more than the 1723 but I'm guessing they will still be less than the Focals and the look of them will seem to be different too. If you have time to wait, that new line may be something to wait for as well.
@@RandomDistractionsYT
I will definitely wait. Thanks for the valuable information. Wishing you my best.
Thanks for the great video and comparison!
Thanks for checking it out!
The fact that Arendal can even come close is crazy, and i dont think any other brand offer 10 year warrenty in that price range
Yes, I was definitely impressed and that is a good point on the warranty.
That’s interesting thank you yes laws of diminishing returns are very real!
Thanks for checking out the video!
I have a few questions for you on REW. What Mic are you using? What type of measumnet are you showing? I think it would be wise to use psychoacoustics filteringing as it's much easier to compare. I think your scale should be reduced a good bit. I like your approach and keep up the good work, always nice to see some one follow their passion and be brave enough to get on here :)
Thanks for checking it out and appreciate your encouraging words. In regards to your questions, I'm using the Dayton Audio UMM-6 microphone. The measurements are of the song that I played, I could have done actual measurements but since I'm used to listening to that song and how it sounds, that seems to provide me with a better understanding of how it sounds through the speakers. I have shown the psychoacoustic filtering before on other videos with other measurements so will try adding that in the next one to see how that goes.
Hello from over in Tyler. My impression is that the bass was more tuneful on the Focals and the Focal Be tweeter really showed its mettle(pun intended!) with more natural sounding cymbals. But the Arendal sounds pretty darn good for the price.
Hey, I know where that is! Good description, that is what I was kind of trying to convey by saying that they were smoother but couldn't quite express it. Thanks!
define “natural”
@@rushgush sounds more like actual cymbals I've heard.
Interesting review. Been very interested in the Arendal towers. I was also looking at Focal Sopra’s so love the comparison. I like a brighter speaker so love that the Arendal may be slightly brighter. That surprised me, though, as a I thought the Beryllium tweeter in the Focal’s would be brighter.
Thanks for checking it out and I would definitely say to give them some consideration. I was surprised about the brightness too as I have heard similarly that Focals tend to be brighter. They were a lot more noticeable when compared to my pair of Arendals (the 1961s) as I figured that having the same tweeter would not make that much of a difference but they must be tuned differently.
@@RandomDistractionsYT After hearing a good number of Focal speakers, the Sopra series tweeter seems to be not as bright as their lower series speakers. Just very natural and "right" sounding.
@@marct9587 Good to know and appreciate that additional insight.
8 away from 1k!!! Keep it up Random Distractions!!
lol, I know right? So close!
Which Speakers Would U Pick Between, Arendal Speakers And Kefs Speakers, Far As Home Theater 🎥 And Music 🎶 Speakers?????
Unfortunately, I haven't personally listened to KEF speakers but I have heard good things about them. The best advice I can give in this situation is to try and listen to them and see which one you prefer.
i think you did not give the sopras what they deserve focal speakers especially the high end speakers upscalling with the gear you have even the cables and i feel you bottleneck them
the sopra are very airy and have very strong and fast base and huge soundstage .
That could certainly be a possibility. Since that is all I had though that is what I had to go with but something for others to keep in mind. Would be interesting as well to use higher end gear with the Arendals too and see how that would affect them.
Arendal all the way! And i was a Focal owner...
Appreciate the comment and for checking out the video. I'm very happy with my Arendals as well!
im a little bit bias as i own the 1723 thx towers. hands down bang for buck!
I hear ya, I'm in that same boat!
Hi, you should have compare them to the 1723 THX towers, based on Focal having a much higher price point and also they are 92 DB rated. I myself own the Sonus Faber Aida on my audio room but my studio I have the 1723 THX towers.
Yeah, that would have been a slightly fairer comparison and maybe Arendal will consider sending those out to me and will think about doing that comparison. Although the thought of having to carry around even bigger speakers sounds daunting. Will see. Thanks for checking out the video and hopefully you are liking your speakers!
Took me a long time to decide, I aas thinking in buying another brand which are much more expensive, but I am extremely happy with them.
Sopra are more like 4-5 times the price of the 1793S, depends on your country
Thanks for pointing that out, that is quite a difference!
Focal Sopra 2 any day!
The Focals would be a great pick for sure. Thanks for checking out the video!
Not for the price difference.
Would much rather have the focals I don’t like Arendal
I mentioned this in other videos but I think that there is a speaker out there for everyone and the Focals would be a great pick. Thanks for checking out the video!