Design and Engineering
“The cabinet is sealed and boasts an extremely substantial build quality.”
“It’s made of HDF sections and feels entirely non-resonant in construction.”
“Arendal tops off the cabinet’s aesthetic appeal by spray finishing rather than lacquering it. The result is that it feels different to almost anything else on the market.”
“This is not a large, ornate speaker but it feels impressively well engineered and substantial for the money.”
“The waveguide… reflects that a considerable amount of care has been directed at its design.”
Sound Quality & Performance
“The fluency and cohesion on offer brings to mind the old BBC LS3/5A monitor.”
“The tonal realism and accuracy on offer here are also absolutely outstanding.”
“This considered, effortless realism brings to mind the old BBC LS3/5A monitor at times thanks to the fluency and cohesion on offer.”
“The Arendal captures these deceptively complex pieces in a way that allows you to hear everything that goes into them without the experience feeling like a dissection.”
“The effect is like wearing a pair of incredible open-back headphones.”
“This is a level of transparency and sheer realism that I don’t recall hearing under £1,000.”
“For all the resolving power on offer, the Arendal manages to be both forgiving and genuinely good fun.”
“There is also an inarguable sense of joy to what the 1961 Bookshelf does that I haven’t always found to be present in some of Arendal’s larger models.”
“The sheer euphoria that they demonstrate with Find The Colour is the perfect boost to the technical proficiency that they demonstrate as a matter of course.”
Conclusion
“The 1961 Bookshelf shouldn’t be seen as a home cinema satellite with ambition, but a genuinely capable compact standmount that combines realism with joy in a wholly compelling way.”
“The Arendal manages to deliver a level of performance that many people will find irresistible and very possibly a bridge to other members of the range.”
