Arendal 1528 high end speakers

[Oddball]

Not sure I would discount the monitors with stated extension to 30-ish Hz and weighing >100lbs! I haven't seen "monitors" that big in a while.

Looking to replace towers that are in this category of 30hz flat in room and roughly 100 pounds. So not sure why would I loose couple of grand to get to what is “arguably” the same?

 

[PGansz]

Lol why is Jay in this? Gene must be desperate for viewership or something.

Gene explains it in the video...

Jay has a serious scientific background but just loves music, which is also Gene's hobby. Jay goes on to explain why he has generally avoided measurements and focuses on listening because he likes music, not the process of denigrating bad speakers.

 

[PGansz]

Looking to replace towers that are in this category of 30hz flat in room and roughly 100 pounds. So not sure why would I loose couple of grand to get to what is “arguably” the same?

I agree they are a unique offering. Let's see how they do!

 

[Oddball]

Gene explains it in the video...

Jay has a serious scientific background but just loves music, which is also Gene's hobby. Jay goes on to explain why he has generally avoided measurements and focuses on listening because he likes music, not the process of denigrating bad speakers.

Avoiding measurement is just ignoring reality. While there are some helpful measurements Jay has done, we still need to see if other reviews get to the same place. Measuring speakers is a tidy and unforgiving job and if one does not like it it just might show sloppiness in the measurements.

I could not care less what Jay likes to listen to or why. Completely irrelevant point unless he makes it to replace Kal in Stereophile.

These speakers are meant for HT as well as stereo, so disregarding the HT aspects in the review proves its limitations. HT aspects are nowadays not just 80hz crossover but much more than that, so understanding the limits of the speaker is important to prospective buyers if they plan to abuse the speaker to the max, as they rightfully should.

 

[Pearljam5000]

How hard is it for Arendal to send one to Amir?

 

[Chromatischism]

lol, the bass extension is pretty important when dropping 10k for these as opposed to Revel 328s or others in this price range.

I guess it isn't for me, because my subs will take over no matter what speaker is in the room. I would hope that people researching speaker setups like these already have their subs sorted.

The big center is actually tower turned sideways (not monitor) - that has not been done before and detailed test how that was done are necessary to validate that speaker which is the one that could differentiate them from”smaller” competitors.

Any time this is done you can just measure the other speaker turned sideways, so there's no reason to ship and test the actual center speaker.

For the 1528 though they have gone a different route, and the Monitor and Tower are not using a center mounted tweeter. So I agree we need Center speaker measurements.

 

[Oddball]

I guess it isn't for me, because my subs will take over no matter what speaker is in the room. I would hope that people researching speaker setups like these already have their subs sorted.


Any time this is done you can just measure the other speaker turned sideways, so there's no reason to ship and test the actual center speaker.

For the 1528 though they have gone a different route, and the Monitor is not using a center mounted tweeter. So I agree we need Center speaker measurements.

I am not sure what bass management you have sorted in your setup - must be the simple 80hz or so crossover based on your answer.

There is a whole wide world that extends beyond the THX concept and people have exploring this for years with more sophisticated bass management solutions if their system allowed it. Might be difficult to integrate but that’s where the real challenge and reward might be, based on individual room and setup.

Nowadays alternative approaches are more affordable and available then before with new AVRs and solid tower speakers that perform well below 80hz. But seems like most people get stuck in the old THX world.

 

[Puddingbuks]

Gene explains it in the video...

Jay has a serious scientific background but just loves music, which is also Gene's hobby. Jay goes on to explain why he has generally avoided measurements and focuses on listening because he likes music, not the process of denigrating bad speakers.

Therefore I really do not care about his opinion.

Why should I care what someone thinks with different ears, taste, musical preferences, room and setup? And sometimes has commercial interests?

 

[PGansz]

Therefore I really do not care about his opinion.

Why should I care what someone thinks with different ears, taste, musical preferences, room and setup? And sometimes has commercial interests?

No one said you needed to care, it's an option.

I am responding to people who keep lobbing insults, and commenting before consuming the material - ultimately being less informed and requiring correction.

 

[Oddball]

No one said you needed to care, it's an option.

I am responding to people who keep lobbing insults, and commenting before consuming the material - ultimately being less informed and requiring correction.

I could care less as well what Jay hears is his own thing. Nothing to do with me. I would take into account very few opinions in this matter, and still with caution, and Jay might get there in 30 years or more.

People have different opinions and there is nothing out there that might objectively put this to rest.

Until Arendal defends themselves with some further actions/reviews, not sure why anyone else should unless somehow connected to Arendal, or perhaps, well let’s not go there. . .

 

[Shimrra Jamaane]

I actually think the design is really cool looking. I cannot comprehend why they weigh so much though and I will at minimum need reviews to figure that out.

 

[Pearljam5000]

The design is growing on me
If Perlisten and KEF had a baby it would look like that

 

[Chromatischism]

I am not sure what bass management you have sorted in your setup - must be the simple 80hz or so crossover based on your answer.

There is a whole wide world that extends beyond the THX concept and people have exploring this for years with more sophisticated bass management solutions if their system allowed it. Might be difficult to integrate but that’s where the real challenge and reward might be, based on individual room and setup.

Nowadays alternative approaches are more affordable and available then before with new AVRs and solid tower speakers that perform well below 80hz. But seems like most people get stuck in the old THX world.

My Denon X4500H handles the bass management with my Rythmik FV15HP2 subs.

FL/FR/C: 60 Hz
Surrounds (x4): 80 Hz
Tops (x4): 80 Hz

This is the best setup for this system.

 

[JustJones]

Break-in for optimal performance
50 hours

At 49 hours , ho hum mediocre
At 51 hours, OMG the veils lifted!

 

[Pearljam5000]

At 49 hours , ho hum mediocre
At 51 hours, OMG the veils lifted!

Focal recommends a minimum of 50 hours

 

[JustJones]

Focal recommends a minimum of 50 hours
View attachment 400095View attachment 400094

I guess the veils ascend slowly on the Focals. They sneak up on you as opposed to a smack across the ears the Adrenal gives at 50 hours.

 

[Shimrra Jamaane]

What would be the theoretical advantage with constructing these speakers to be so heavy?

 

[Timcognito]

What would be the theoretical advantage with constructing these speakers to be so heavy?

Typically, heavy is not an advantage but stiffness is, as cabinet resonances can be audible. Thicker more dense and stable materials and internal bracing are used in cabinet construction. Also larger magnets in speakers give more control of the pistonic action of the core and cone of the speaker drivers as well a more rigid frame or spider of the speaker itself. The number of drivers add also. So the sum of these can contribute to weight.

 

[Oddball]

My Denon X4500H handles the bass management with my Rythmik FV15HP2 subs.

FL/FR/C: 60 Hz
Surrounds (x4): 80 Hz
Tops (x4): 80 Hz

This is the best setup for this system.

Perhaps. But if your speakers could do more than that and if there were additional options, then you might want, or not, to explore them.

My point is just don’t think you have explored all the ways to bass around. That is a very tall task and many ways to do it.

 

[Shimrra Jamaane]

Has anyone at Arendal hinted at a matching line of larger subs?