A cup of coffee with
Ambassador David Q
from USA
A cup of coffee with
from USA
I use a dedicated home theater room measuring approximately 17′ x 14′ with two rows of seating and a 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos speaker layout.
My primary listening position is centered in the front row, roughly 10 feet from the screen. The system is built around Arendal 1723 Monitors, a 1723 Center, 1723 Surrounds, and four 1961 Heights, powered by separate amplification and dual subwoofers.
The room is used primarily for movies and streaming content, although I also enjoy occasional two-channel music listening.
Over time, I’ve added acoustic treatments, curtains, and carpeting to improve both sound quality and immersion.
My goal was to achieve a true cinema-quality experience at home without sacrificing clarity or detail. I wanted speakers capable of effortless dynamics, crystal-clear dialogue, and the ability to remain composed during demanding movie scenes at reference-level volumes.
Many speakers can play loud, but I was searching for a system that could deliver impact, realism, and precision simultaneously.
Arendal stood out because their products offered the performance and build quality I was looking for while maintaining exceptional balance for both movies and music.
I first discovered Arendal Sound through home theater forums, YouTube reviews, and recommendations from enthusiasts looking for high-performance alternatives to traditional speaker brands. What initially caught my attention was the overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding build quality, dynamics, and customer support.
The more research I did, the more I realized Arendal had developed a reputation for delivering serious performance without compromise. After purchasing my first speakers, the performance exceeded my expectations and ultimately led me to build an entire Arendal-based theater system.
After years of building and upgrading my home theater, I wanted speakers that could deliver true cinema dynamics without sacrificing detail or musicality. Arendal stood out because of their exceptional measurements, overwhelmingly positive owner feedback, and direct-to-consumer model that delivers premium performance at a very competitive price.
What ultimately convinced me was Arendal’s reputation for combining reference-level sound with incredible build quality. Once I experienced the 1723 series in my own room, I knew I had found speakers that could deliver the scale, clarity, and impact I had been chasing for years. I’m literally still in awe every time I sit down to enjoy them.
My experience with Arendal has been outstanding. The first thing that impressed me was the build quality. Every speaker feels incredibly solid and engineered to a level that rivals products costing significantly more. From the cabinets to the finishes and drivers, everything exudes quality.
Sonically, the speakers are equally impressive. Dialogue is exceptionally clear, effects are effortless and dynamic, and they maintain composure even during demanding movie scenes played at reference levels. The soundstage is expansive, immersive, and incredibly precise, making both movies and music engaging.
Compared to previous speakers I’ve owned, the Arendal 1723 series delivers a level of refinement and authority that immediately stands out. They provide the impact and excitement of a commercial cinema while preserving the detail and accuracy needed for critical listening. They’ve become the foundation of my entire theater system and remain one of the most satisfying upgrades I’ve ever made.
The ease of output when driven hard. I’ve abandoned commercial cinemas altogether. The sheer size and heft of them bring a smile to my face every single time I see them. The first time I pushed the system to reference level, it was honestly jaw-dropping. I’m someone who regularly watches movies around reference level or -5 dB, and I often listen to music just as loud, if not louder. With many speakers, those listening levels start to reveal their limitations. You hear compression, harshness, or fatigue creep in. The 1723s simply don’t.
The biggest surprise was how effortless everything remained. Dynamics stayed intact, vocals never became shouty, and complex scenes retained their separation and clarity. Even at volumes that should feel overwhelming, the presentation remained relaxed and completely under control.
When it comes to specific listening moments that stand out, there have been quite a few, but Top Gun: Maverick, Avatar: The Way of Water, Dune: Part Two, and Blade Runner 2049 immediately come to mind. What stands out isn’t just the explosive action. It’s how naturally the Arendal speakers transition from the quietest moments into absolute chaos without ever sounding strained or compressed.
Dialogue remains crystal clear, subtle ambient details hang effortlessly in the room, and when the soundtrack finally erupts, the system simply scales. It never feels like the speakers are working harder. They just get bigger. That ability to remain composed at any volume has completely changed the way I experience movies.
What continues to impress me every day is the openness of the soundstage. Instruments and effects aren’t confined to the speakers. They occupy space throughout the room. Even poorly recorded albums have a raw honesty to them. Rather than trying to smooth over every flaw, the Arendals let you hear exactly what’s in the recording while still making it enjoyable. That’s something I hadn’t experienced before. Ever.
Before Arendal, I was running a Klipsch Reference home theater powered by Emotiva XPA DR amplifiers. While the Klipsch system was certainly exciting, it simply couldn’t keep up once the volume started climbing. It would become harsh and fatiguing long before I reached the listening levels I enjoy. And before that I had all Emotiva speakers which were nice and warm at moderate volumes but
the Arendal system has been the exact opposite in fact they seem to sound better the harder you push them.
The speakers have limitless headroom, remarkable neutrality, and an effortlessness that’s difficult to describe until you experience it.
They’re incredibly revealing without becoming analytical, and they remain smooth no matter how demanding the soundtrack becomes.
Looking back, the Klipsch system made me aware that I was listening to speakers. The Arendal system lets me forget they’re even there. It simply fills the room with a massive, believable soundstage that draws me into the movie or music. That’s probably the highest compliment I can give any loudspeaker.
Extremely happy. Arendal has exceeded my expectations in every way. What impressed me most was how effortlessly the speakers balance accuracy, dynamics, and musicality. They can reproduce the smallest details in a quiet scene while delivering the kind of impact and scale that makes blockbuster movies feel truly cinematic.
My 1723 Monitors, Center, Surrounds, and 1961 Heights have completely transformed my theater. The build quality is exceptional, the engineering is obvious from the moment you unbox them, and they’ve proven to be a long-term investment rather than just another upgrade.
After years in this hobby, Arendal is one of the few brands that genuinely lived up to the hype. In fact, as much as I’d like to hear the new line up, I’m not as tempted to upgrade. Extremely happy with the 1723/ 1961 combo.
Building my theater has been a long journey rather than a single project. Over the years I’ve owned and experienced equipment from many respected brands, but Arendal is the first speaker system that made me stop thinking about upgrades and start focusing on enjoying movies and music.
What stands out most is that the speakers disappear and let the content take center stage. Whether it’s an intimate conversation scene or a massive action sequence, they simply deliver.
The Arendal community has also been a great experience, filled with passionate enthusiasts who genuinely enjoy helping one another. I’m proud to showcase the brand in my home and would be honored to share my experiences with others who are considering Arendal for their own systems.
| Build year: | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Products: | 1723 Monitor THX |
| Location: | USA |
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