In this review, we will be comparing 1610 Bookshelf 8 and Silver 100 8G, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Arendal Sound and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 and Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 | Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G |
|---|
| Brand | Arendal Sound
Norway · founded 2015 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" Dome | 1" gold dome C-CAM |
|---|
| Midrange | 5" | 3" |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" Aluminium cone, reinforced ribbed surround | 8" C-CAM RST III |
|---|
| Frequency response | 34-20k Hz | 33-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 400 watts | 50-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 16.20kg / 35.6lbs | 12.10kg / 26.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 18-3/4" x 10-7/16" x 11-13/16"
477.0 x 265.0 x 300.0mm | 17-5/16" x 9-1/16" x 13-15/16"
440.0 x 230.0 x 354.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 and Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 |
Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both 1610 Bookshelf 8 and Silver 100 8G are 3-way speakers.
Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 |
Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5-inch |
1 x 3-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1610 Bookshelf 8 features a 1.1" Aluminium-magnesium dome in the Rost Essence waveguide with acoustic lens Dome Tweeter, a 5" Midrange and 1 x 8" Aluminium cone, reinforced ribbed surround Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 330Hz / 2300Hz. On the other hand, the Silver 100 8G features a 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter, a 3" Midrange and 1 x 8" C-CAM RST III Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 610Hz and 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
1610 Bookshelf 8 has a frequency range of 34-20k Hz whereas Silver 100 8G has a frequency range of 33-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 33Hz, the Silver 100 8G can go slightly deeper then the 1610 Bookshelf 8's min frequency of 34Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
1610 Bookshelf 8 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Silver 100 8G which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the 1610 Bookshelf 8 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 1610 Bookshelf 8 sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the Silver 100 8G's is rated at 87 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G a more sensitive speaker compared to Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
1610 Bookshelf 8 can handle a max power of 400 watts RMS, whereas Silver 100 8G has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 200 watts less than the 1610 Bookshelf 8.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8
Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Silver 100 8G features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. 1610 Bookshelf 8 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8's and Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G's external dimensions. Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 has external dimensions of 477.0 x 265.0 x 300.0mm (18-3/4 x 10-7/16 x 11-13/16inch) whereas Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G has external dimensions of 440.0 x 230.0 x 354.0mm (17-5/16 x 9-1/16 x 13-15/16inch).
Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G is 35mm narrower and 37mm shorter than Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 but it is also 54mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Near-identical footprints. Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G is 54mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 is 37mm taller.
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 Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 is approximately 795.0cm2 / 123.2inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G is approximately 814.2cm2 / 126.2inch2. The 1610 Bookshelf 8 requires 2% less surface area than the Silver 100 8G which gives it a small advantage 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 Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 weighs 16.20kg / 35.6lbs and the Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G weighs 12.10kg / 26.6lbs. This makes the 1610 Bookshelf 8 34% heavier than the Silver 100 8G.
Here is a comparison of how 1610 Bookshelf 8 and Silver 100 8G's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8
Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G
 Max Input Power |
400 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Base Surface Area |
795cm2
vs
814cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
33 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
440mm
vs
477mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
2300USD
vs
3600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 |
Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G |
| Brand |
Arendal Sound |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 400 watts |
50-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
34-20k Hz |
33-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminium cone, reinforced ribbed surround |
C-CAM RST III |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
gold dome C-CAM |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5" |
3" |
| Crossover Frequency |
330Hz / 2300Hz |
610Hz and 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
477.0mm (18.8") |
440.0mm (17.3") |
| Width |
265.0mm (10.4") |
230.0mm (9.1") |
| Depth |
300.0mm (11.8") |
354.0mm (13.9") |
| Weight |
16.20kg (35.6lbs) |
12.10kg (26.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
HDF, painted |
MDF/High gloss, veneer or satin paint |
| Available Colors |
Basalt, Polar, Black |
High Gloss Black, European Walnut, Satin White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (34Hz vs 33Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G is more sensitive (87dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 takes more power (400W vs 200W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | B | Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G: bi-amping. Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G is cheaper - $2,300 against $3,600, about 36% less. |
A Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 B Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. Match it to your room: we rate Arendal Sound 1610 Bookshelf 8 the better fit for a large room and a very large room; elsewhere the two are rated the same. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Monitor Audio Silver 100 8G is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.