HOW IS YOUR ROOM SET UP?

My home theater occupies a 19′ wide × 22′ deep × 8′ high dedicated viewing area within an open-concept finished basement. The rear of the theater features a 16-foot-wide opening that transitions into an additional 11-foot-deep open living area with adjoining rooms, creating a challenging acoustic environment that has required careful speaker placement, room treatment, and calibration. The system is centered around a 150-inch projection screen with the primary listening position approximately 12 feet from the screen in a row of four reclining theater seats. Built around an Arcam AV41 with Dirac Live Bass Control, an Arendal 1723 front soundstage, and five independently managed subwoofers, the theater is designed primarily for movies while also delivering excellent musical performance.

WHAT WAS YOUR GOAL WHEN LOOKING FOR NEW SPEAKERS AND SUBWOOFERS?

My goal has been to recreate and improve the scale, dynamics, and emotional impact of a commercial cinema while maintaining the clarity, detail, and accuracy expected from a high-end home audio system.

I replaced an older set of Definitive Technology in-wall speakers and upgraded to the Arendal 1723. I expected the change to be more, I guess, louder, more bass, something like that. But really when it came down to it, the change from the Arendal versus the Definitive is just so different, there’s not really a good way to describe it other than as you increase the volume you become more enveloped into the movie, more enveloped into your soundtrack.

WHERE DID YOU HEAR ABOUT US?

I found Arendal speakers online while looking for subs at one point over the years. I then followed the company for a few years before actually pulling the trigger. I follow Audioholics for a lot of my review information, and I love Gene. The other platform I have had interest in was Youthman. He did a few reviews of the subs and towers that I enjoyed.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ARENDAL SOUND?

Audio has been a lifelong passion of mine, and today my home features eight different audio systems, with dedicated listening or home theater setups in nearly every room. Over the years I’ve owned and enjoyed a variety of respected speaker brands, including multiple systems built around KEF speakers. I’ve always appreciated KEF for their natural, detailed, and effortless presentation.

When I began planning my dedicated home theater, I wanted to preserve that level of refinement while adding the dynamic capability and midrange impact needed to recreate the excitement of a commercial cinema. I spent months researching speaker designs, reading professional reviews, and listening to the experiences of other enthusiasts before ultimately choosing the Arendal 1723 Monitors.

YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE PRODUCTS?

That decision has exceeded my expectations. The 1723s deliver effortless dynamics, exceptional vocal clarity, and a smooth, highly detailed top end that never becomes fatiguing, even during long movie sessions at reference listening levels. One of the first things I noticed was that I could continue turning the volume up without the sound becoming harsh or uncomfortable. Instead of simply getting louder, the entire presentation became larger, more immersive, and more lifelike.

Equally impressive is the engineering and construction. The cabinets are incredibly solid, the attention to detail is outstanding, and every component reflects a company that prioritizes performance and longevity over marketing. They truly feel like speakers built to perform at a reference level for many years.

What impressed me most, however, wasn’t just the specifications or the craftsmanship—it was how the speakers disappeared into the room. They allow me to become immersed in the movie instead of listening to the equipment. That’s exactly what I had been searching for, and it’s why I believe so strongly in what Arendal has created.

It gets louder without ever being too loud, and I listen to reference level all the time, so it’s amazing. The clarity and the way that it envelops you at my seating position is just nothing like what I had before. I find myself listening to music much louder than I was before and enjoying it. It doesn’t ever hurt your ears, and it’s just a game changer.

WHAT ELSE DOES YOUR SYSTEM CONSIST OF?

HOW HAPPY ARE YOU WITH ARENDAL SOUND PRODUCTS?

I couldn’t be happier with the Arendal 1723 THX front stage. They delivered exactly what I had hoped for—a speaker that combines exceptional clarity and refinement with effortless dynamics and cinematic impact. The biggest surprise has been how comfortable they remain at high listening levels. Instead of sounding strained or fatiguing, they simply become more immersive and lifelike. Dialogue is exceptionally clear, vocals have remarkable presence, and action scenes have the scale and authority I was searching for. They have transformed my theater into a system that is both technically impressive and incredibly enjoyable to listen to.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?

Building my theater has never been about collecting expensive equipment. It’s been about creating an experience that brings family and friends together. Over the years, I’ve invested countless hours researching equipment, learning about room acoustics, calibration, and speaker placement because I genuinely enjoy the process of improving my system and helping others improve theirs.

One of the things that impressed me most about Arendal wasn’t just the speakers themselves—it was the community. Reading the experiences of other owners and seeing the passion behind the brand gave me confidence that I was making the right decision. After living with the 1723 THX speakers, I understand why so many owners are passionate about them.

I enjoy sharing my experiences, answering questions, demonstrating my theater to friends and fellow enthusiasts, and helping others make informed decisions based on real-world experience rather than marketing. If selected as an ambassador, I would represent Arendal with honesty and authenticity. I believe credibility comes from genuine enthusiasm, objective experience, and a willingness to help others enjoy this hobby as much as I do.

More than anything, I hope to inspire others to build a system they truly love. For me, that’s what this hobby has always been about.

Audio has been a lifelong passion for me. Every room in my home tells a different story, but my dedicated theater is where that passion comes together. The Arendal 1723 THX front stage has become the centerpiece of that journey, and I look forward to continuing to learn, share, and hopefully help others discover what thoughtful system design and great engineering can achieve.

Setup details

Build year:2026
Products:1723 Monitor THX
Location:USA

Get in touch with John B

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