In this review, we will be comparing AE300 and Bronze 1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Acoustic Energy and Monitor Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of AE300 and Monitor Audio Bronze 1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the AE300 and Monitor Audio Bronze 1 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the AE300 and Monitor Audio Bronze 1 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both AE300 and Bronze 1 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
AE300 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.2-inch
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
AE300 features a 1.1" aluminium dome with waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 5.2" ceramic aluminium sandwich Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz. On the other hand, the Bronze 1 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz.
Frequency Response
AE300 has a frequency range of 45Hz - 30kHz whereas Bronze 1 has a frequency range of 55-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the AE300 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Bronze 1's min frequency of 55Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
AE300 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Bronze 1 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. AE300 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Bronze 1's is rated at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 a more sensitive speaker compared to AE300, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
AE300 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Bronze 1 has a max power handling value of 70 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the AE300.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both AE300 and Bronze 1 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 Port
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare AE300's and Monitor Audio Bronze 1's external dimensions. AE300 has external dimensions of 300.0 x 175.0 x 260.0mm ( 11.4 x 6.9 x 10.2inch) whereas Monitor Audio Bronze 1 has external dimensions of 260.0 x 165.0 x 205.0mm ( 10.2 x 6.4 x 8.0inch) .
AE300 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 10mm wider, 40mm taller and 55mm deeper than Monitor Audio Bronze 1.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the AE300 is approximately 455.0cm2 / 70.5inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 is approximately 338.3cm2 / 52.4inch2. The AE300 requires 34% more surface area than the Bronze 1 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The AE300 weighs 6.50kg / 14.3lbs and the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 weighs 3.50kg / 7.7lbs. This makes the AE300 86% heavier than the Bronze 1.
Here is a comparison of how AE300 and Bronze 1's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Bronze 1?
Here are the items that come with the Bronze 1:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 2 Foam port plugs Hex-key Owner's Manual Important Safety Instructions
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
70 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
5.2 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
260mm
vs
300mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
338cm2 (165x205mm)
vs
455cm2 (175x260mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Acoustic Energy AE300 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
| Brand |
Acoustic Energy |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
20-70 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45Hz - 30kHz |
55-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.2" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
ceramic aluminium sandwich |
C-CAM |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
dome with waveguide |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2800Hz |
2700Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
300.0mm (11.8") |
260.0mm (10.2") |
| Width |
175.0mm (6.9") |
165.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
260.0mm (10.2") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
| Weight |
6.50kg (14.3lbs) |
3.50kg (7.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
high density MDF |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Piano Gloss White, Piano Gloss Black, Real Walnut wood veneer |
Walnut, White, Rosemah, Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
30-31" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |