Intro
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Does Arcam make speakers? Absolutely. In fact, this isn’t their first attempt. They actually made one back in the early 1990s: the Arcam Alpha! What’s in a name. Fast forward to 2026, and it hasn’t stopped at just one model. An entire series has been developed, including monitors, floor-standing speakers, and soon a subwoofer as well. Today we’re testing the Arcam R25, the larger of two bookshelf models. Although putting them on a bookshelf isn’t the best idea.
With the arrival of the new Radia line a few years ago, Arcam took a big step forward. Partly due to their new design language, but also—and especially—because of the further development of their Class G amplification. Better performance with a modern twist, so to speak. This new series of speakers seems like a logical step in that process of innovation. Under the safe umbrella of the Harman Luxury Audio Group—which also includes Revel Speakers—the idea rose to really put together a line of speakers.
Fortunately, these speakers aren’t just Revels with a new look, but Arcam off course benefits from the know-how and technology of its American partner. We see a number of similarities but also plenty of unique character in this Arcam R25 monitor. In any case, it’s a serious speaker with equally substantial dimensions. It’s 36 cm tall, 32 cm deep, and a whopping 24 cm wide. A hefty piece of equipment, to be sure, but its flowing lines make it look less bulky. And those curves, of course, also enhance sound reproduction—standing waves anyone.
Yellow Ribbon
While Revel primarily uses aluminum as the base material in its M series, Arcam opts for ceramic—or rather, a composite that incorporates ceramic. The 25mm DCC (Deep Ceramic Composite) tweeter is housed behind a specially developed waveguide designed to ensure better dispersion. The 165 mm MCC (Micro Ceramic Composite) midrange driver—audio companies sure do love their acronyms—was developed for its rigidity and is designed to allow air to flow through it almost perfectly. In any case, it looks very sleek. You only see the driver move at higher volumes due to the use of an oversized magnet. As a result, the Arcam R25 sounds very balanced even at lower volumes.
The Arcam R25 is a 6-ohm speaker with a frequency range of 43 Hz to 40 kHz. The large bass port on the back requires some distance from the wall. Be sure to leave at least 40 cm to achieve tight bass. The sensitivity of 85.5 is quite low, which in practice means you’ll need to turn the volume knob up a bit more. A solid amplifier with sufficiently stable wattage is a must here.
Lifestyle
Black walnut is the only finish available, and that’s a clear statement from Arcam. At the bottom, there’s a subtle yellow line that contrasts nicely with the black. We also see that yellow accent in the regular Radia series. And it must be said, the combination of yellow and black works wonderfully here as well. The matte front panel is prone to fingerprints and scratches, so handle with care.
Pair this Arcam R25 with an SA35 or SA45, and you’ll have a very sleek setup. Many people want fewer devices in their living space, and matching speakers from the same manufacturer make that possible. Design is becoming more important to many buyers, and Arcam is responding to that trend. We’ve also been seeing this trend with other brands for a while now.