Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 Loudspeaker Review

[shadyJ]

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We were deeply impressed with Arendal’s physically massive 1528 series over a number of reviews. They showed what Arendal could do when much less constrained by pricing versus the 1723 and 1961 series, and that is really saying something since those series looked and felt a lot more expensive than they really were. They were loudspeaker bargains, and even though the 1528 speakers were considerably more expensive, they are still a whole lot of speaker for the money (both literally and figuratively). However, this leaves a big gap in Arendal’s lineup between the 1723 series and the 1528 series. Arendal’s new 1610 series attempts to fill in this gap. It is priced at a reasonable spacing between the two speaker lines, but it really resembles the 1528 in design and styling. It looks to me like a 1528 made much more affordable. That would be a very good thing indeed, providing that it can give much of what the 1528s are capable of without sacrificing a whole lot - but is that the case? That is the question we will try to answer in today’s review of the 1610 Bookshelf 8 standmount loudspeaker.

READ: Areandal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 Review

 

[gene]

Here is the official Arendal Sound 1610 Series 8 Overview article we released today.

Arendal Sound 1610 Series 8 Loudspeakers: Flagship DNA, Refined for Real Rooms

Arendal’s 1610 Series brings 1528-level engineering—time-aligned baffles, waveguides, carbon mids, and serious cabinets—into a more manageable, music-first loudspeaker built for real rooms.

www.audioholics.com

 

[gene]

Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8 Speakers - First Listen

The @ArendalSound 1610 Series Tower 8s appear to have all the hallmarks of a great loudspeaker system. My initial listening impressions tell me we are deali...

youtube.com

NEW Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8 Speakers!

The @ArendalSound 1610 Series brings 1528-level engineering—time-aligned baffles, waveguides, carbon mids, aluminum-magnesium tweeters, long throw 8" alumin...

youtube.com

 

[ryanosaur]

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We were deeply impressed with Arendal’s physically massive 1528 series over a number of reviews. They showed what Arendal could do when much less constrained by pricing versus the 1723 and 1961 series, and that is really saying something since those series looked and felt a lot more expensive than they really were. They were loudspeaker bargains, and even though the 1528 speakers were considerably more expensive, they are still a whole lot of speaker for the money (both literally and figuratively). However, this leaves a big gap in Arendal’s lineup between the 1723 series and the 1528 series. Arendal’s new 1610 series attempts to fill in this gap. It is priced at a reasonable spacing between the two speaker lines, but it really resembles the 1528 in design and styling. It looks to me like a 1528 made much more affordable. That would be a very good thing indeed, providing that it can give much of what the 1528s are capable of without sacrificing a whole lot - but is that the case? That is the question we will try to answer in today’s review of the 1610 Bookshelf 8 standmount loudspeaker.

READ: Areandal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 Review

I really want to try Arendal out. They have a lot of interesting Speakers.

Can’t say I’m a fan of the 3ohm load where it matters most, though.

Always great to read your reviews, Shady! Keep ‘em coming

 

[Eppie]

Nice review Shady. Arendal continues to impress and I wish them success.

 

[Matt34]

The comparison I would love to see is these 1610’s vs the Perlisten A-series that has been out for months, but absolutely zero chatter about them.

 

[Golfx]

Very comprehensive and well written review.

 

[Kvn_Walker]

I really want to try Arendal out. They have a lot of interesting Speakers.

Can’t say I’m a fan of the 3ohm load where it matters most, though.

Always great to read your reviews, Shady! Keep ‘em coming

The new Class D amps coming into their own coincides perfectly with these ID speakers that can make use of their power and damping factor. A $1200 Purifi or Hypex amp is easily justified if someone is dropping $3600 on speakers already. I never had a problem driving the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacles and they're a worse load than any Arendal Shady has tested so far.

 

[TLS Guy]

I really want to try Arendal out. They have a lot of interesting Speakers.

Can’t say I’m a fan of the 3ohm load where it matters most, though.

Always great to read your reviews, Shady! Keep ‘em coming

It seems like a good speaker. I would bet that that 3 ohm dip in impedance is getting close to the DC resistance of that bass driver.

This shows the limitation of a passive crossover, To get that bass response from a small driver is going to require power.

This again highlights the need to get away from passive speakers and go active.

The demand is now for good smaller speakers with extended responses, and not having the expense and clutter of an AVR. TVs will quickly come to replace AVPs for most and the speakers will be connected to the TV.

This has the ability to produce really good results at less cost for most.

For full home theater I think it will go to AVPs, and they will replace receivers and speakers will be active.

I think this also has the ability to greatly increase reliability and longevity of systems. I expect a lot of standardisation of power amp modules making for easy service by an easy swap of amps on the rear of speakers. Amps won't have to be as powerful with will contribute to longevity.

To really get acceptance and easy serviceability there needs to be standardisation of amp sizing and sensitivity adjustment, to make for very easy service and parts replacement.

What we have now is resisted by most home owners and families. Soundbars have had great acceptance because of form factor and easy installation. I should point out that soundbars are active speaker. The problem is the SQ is relatively poor due to small driver size and no true acoustic loading.

The speaker reviewed here would almost certainly be better active and if it could be connected directly to a TV would likely be very popular.

I suspect now that Sound United is under the ownership of a well funded organization, major change could come fast. Samsung are big players in the TV market.

The MBAs need pink tickets. Proprietary practices could really foul this up. Standardisation will float all boats.

 

[Kingnoob]

It seems like a good speaker. I would bet that that 3 ohm dip in impedance is getting close to the DC resistance of that bass driver.

This shows the limitation of a passive crossover, To get that bass response from a small driver is going to require power.

This again highlights the need to get away from passive speakers and go active.

The demand is now for good smaller speakers with extended responses, and not having the expense and clutter of an AVR. TVs will quickly come to replace AVPs for most and the speakers will be connected to the TV.

This has the ability to produce really good results at less cost for most.

For full home theater I think it will go to AVPs, and they will replace receivers and speakers will be active.

I think this also has the ability to greatly increase reliability and longevity of systems. I expect a lot of standardisation of power amp modules making for easy service by an easy swap of amps on the rear of speakers. Amps won't have to be as powerful with will contribute to longevity.

To really get acceptance and easy serviceability there needs to be standardisation of amp sizing and sensitivity adjustment, to make for very easy service and parts replacement.

What we have now is resisted by most home owners and families. Soundbars have had great acceptance because of form factor and easy installation. I should point out that soundbars are active speaker. The problem is the SQ is relatively poor due to small driver size and no true acoustic loading.

The speaker reviewed here would almost certainly be better active and if it could be connected directly to a TV would likely be very popular.

I suspect now that Sound United is under the ownership of a well funded organization, major change could come fast. Samsung are big players in the TV market.

The MBAs need pink tickets. Proprietary practices could really foul this up. Standardisation will float all boats.

I’m general don’t passive speakers outlast active speakers? I recall seeing some vintage tube TVs and projector screens that had the ability to power a speaker although I never used the output on the tv itself . not sure how well it worked.

 

[TLS Guy]

I’m general don’t passive speakers outlast active speakers? I recall seeing some vintage tube TVs and projector screens that had the ability to power a speaker although I never used the output on the tv itself . not sure how well it worked.

With modern techniques they don't have to be unrelaible. AVRs are not known for longevity are are increasing in price, and they are not serviceable with components crammed in like sardines in a can.

Active speakers could be made much more reliable and serviceable. Subs are active speakers and no one objects to those.

 

[Kingnoob]

With modern techniques they don't have to be unrelaible. AVRs are not known for longevity are are increasing in price, and they are not serviceable with components crammed in like sardines in a can.

Active speakers could be made much more reliable and serviceable. Subs are active speakers and no one objects to those.

I’ve had two Subs break both were used the Klipsch pro media lasted about 6-7 years the rca I didn’t bother fixing or troubleshooting it may had been bought broken. Although it worked originally. Odds are I’ll never get that brand again since it’s defunct.
My other powered pc sub went missing presumed thrown out for no reason.
Yeah but Older Subs especially cheaper models don’t have any replacement parts, so if either of my 2 non diy subs break getting a replacement amp would be unlikely.

2 multi sub setup help?

I have one sub a jamo I just moved Infront of the room. And a klh in the back both are 10”. Using a Onkyo TX-NR818, these two are replaced my bigger sub that so far I’ve been forced to keep upstairs. I’ve gotten a xt32 trim of -15 all but my last try was -14. But I had to raise it to -9-10...

forums.audioholics.com

As much as the Arendal’s cost they could be Active speakers. but then the Hassel of plugging each one to a power outlet would be a pain.
Maybe Active speakers are the future?