Arendal 1723 Monitor THX

Introduction

Jan Ove Lassesen, founder of Arendal Sound, grew up in Arendal, Norway, spending his time on fishing trips with his grandfather, then helping to sell the catch. At 14, he started helping in his father’s successful electronics store, where he was introduced early to both entrepreneurship and audio technology. He studied electronics for 8 years, graduated from Grimstad with an engineering degree and was lucky enough to get a job in the oil industry.

However, the oil industry was not for Jan, and a move back to audio was made.  Eventually, Jan and his team decided to create something of their own—Arendal Sound. Built on years of research, customer feedback, and engineering expertise, the company was born to blend high-quality craftsmanship, strong acoustic principles, and the cultural heritage of Norway. Beyond building market-leading products, the venture is deeply personal, grounded in family support and a desire to share pride in both the products and their Norwegian roots.

Arendal’s design ethos is described as purposeful, precise, and proud.  This is reflected in their unique customer service and sales operation that is retained in-house, cutting out retail and distribution margins and sharing the savings with the customer.

Design

Arendal’s 1723 range is one of three series offered by Arendal in both the two-channel and AV market spaces. The three series all feature towers, monitors, centre speakers, subwoofers, rear bookshelf options, and surround speakers for a full range of options.  The founding 1723 range offers an S Series* of similar units designed for smaller rooms if needed.

This review focuses on the 1723 Monitor THX two-way loudspeakers, which feature two 203.2mm (8-inch) midrange woofers and a wave-guided 28mm soft dome tweeter. They are, as the name suggests, THX (Ultra**) certified, which declares high performance and accuracy without distortion.

These monitors are constructed from internally braced HDF cabinets, resulting in a firm, weighty unit with minimal unwanted resonance.

*S Series

The primary difference between the Arendal 1723 Monitor THX and the 1723 Monitor S THX is size and resulting bass output; the “S” in Monitor S indicates a smaller, more compact version of the original 1723 Monitor, while maintaining similar sound quality and dynamics. The 1723 Monitor S utilises smaller woofers and a smaller cabinet, resulting in a slightly reduced bass output compared to the larger 1723 Monitor.

**THX Ultra

Refers to the room size certification, designed for rooms up to 85 square meters in size, with a viewing distance of ~3.7 meters from the screen

Quality

The cabinets are made of HDF, and they are quite cumbersome for their size. Suitable stands will be needed. To the rear, the cabinets have two ports that can be either sealed with the enclosed bungs or vented for deeper bass extension (depending on location). The cabinets feature substantial metal magnetic grilles. The cabinets are available in black or white, in both gloss and satin finishes.

The copper binding posts are beautiful, featuring rhodium-plated speaker terminals that can accommodate any cable configuration required.

Specification and Price

Performance

Review Equipment

Initially, with a Naim Audio New Classic NAP 250, I was enjoying the loudspeakers as they settled in. I then switched to the Audiolab 9000P power amplifier, an altogether different beast but one that is similarly rich with dynamic power. Supported by the Audiolab Stack, reviewed here, this is a high-quality matchup.

Physically

These loudspeakers are big for me and the room (5m x 7m x 2m high), and they are heavy.  The stands I have from Atacama (NEXUS 700) are possibly a fraction too high, but they had the desired effect of tightening up the presentation; fortunately, they were supplied with Atabites, their high-density inert filler for the stands.

Naim Audio New Classic NAP 250

I started with the NAP 250, but in hindsight, as the speakers have opened out through use, I wasn’t hearing them at their best with this epic amplifier. The loudspeakers coped admirably with the power and dynamics of the amplifier, and their pristine presentation emerged with the hours of continued use.

Audiolab 9000P power amplifier

The NAP 250 had to be returned, but the Audiolab 9000P stepped in well, certainly maintaining the resolution on offer and smooth vocals from the likes of, who else, Norah Jones. However, my favourite revealing and vocally stunning track is by a New Yorker called Amos Lee. His track ‘Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight’ (Qobuz, 16-bit, 44.1kHz) features a subtle bass response (with the right equipment), with fabulous production resolution and a centred vocal. The controlled bass in this combination, with the accompanying subwoofer, is a sound to behold, and it could well be as good as I’ve heard this track. With a crossover at 1500Hz, vocals are exceptionally smooth and uninterrupted in this presentation. Similarly beautiful, Paul Simon’s heartbreaking Let Me Live in Your City (Qobuz 24-bit, 96kHz) is pristine in these loudspeakers.

Gradually cranking up the pace, with What is and What Should Never Be (Qobuz 24-bit, 96kHz) from Led Zeppelin II, the crack of John Bonham’s snare is accurate, edgy, and clean.

1723 Subwoofer

I also received the matching Arendal 800 IQ subwoofer, which features Avalanche IQ Amplifiers with ‘intelligent’ DSP (Digital Signal Processing)-driven amplification, promising ‘room-shaking bass’.  The moniker “Avalanche” is not wasted on this subwoofer. The subwoofer was very easy to set up, featuring a menu system on the rear, a screen, and an EQ.  In the interest of keeping the pictures on my wall, I have turned the subwoofer down and removed the rear vent seals on the monitor loudspeakers to maintain control of the bass response.

The effect of the matching 1723 Subwoofer 1S is immense, and as a subwoofer advocate, this one is compelling. With a 35cm (13.8-inch) driver, this is probably more suited to larger AV rooms than my listening space (hence the THX Ultra certification).  However, even at low volume, it does a great job of establishing the music’s soundstage. If you want to try fast bass, Billie Eilish’s bad guy (Qobuz 24-bit, 44.1kHz) is the place to be, and the synthetic bass comes through the room with that bass drop at the end of the track under total control with super clean vocals.

Turning the subwoofer off leaves you, quite literally, with an empty feeling, though I think you could run these loudspeakers without the matching subwoofer with confidence in a smaller, two-channel space.

With a few more test tracks, like Dire Straits’ Money for Nothing (Qobuz 24-bit, 192kHz), or Gorgio by Moroder (Daft Punk, Qobuz 254-bit, 88.2kHz), these loudspeakers crackle and punch with the best of them, many at higher price points. The model here, featuring online distribution and sixty-day trials, will deliver a loudspeaker with twice the thump at half the price, in my view. With a free extended trial, you might as well give them a listen if this is near your price point.

Musical Interlude

This is the Qobuz Playlist used in this review. The playlist contains the tracks mentioned along with some additional selections inspired by my extended listening sessions. These loudspeakers are suitable for prolonged use and thus imply musicality.

Thoughts

In summary, I’m left with thoughts of unbridled power delivery and an outstanding, crisp and clear presentation.  The Audiolab 9000P power amplifier is a fine partner.

Owners of a new Naim NAP 250 or Moon amplification can now pair their electronics with a high-end loudspeaker at an unbeatable price—direct from the manufacturer, with a risk-free sixty-day trial. This is a premium sound at a competitive price point.

Overall

Arendal talks of purposeful, precise, and proud sound and these loudspeakers are of this. With such a clean presentation, there is everything to like here with an aesthetic and build quality unmatched by many/any at this price point.