In this review, we will be comparing F5E and Silver 50 7G, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Fyne Audio and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fyne Audio F5E and Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fyne Audio F5E | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G |
|---|
| Brand | Fyne Audio
United Kingdom · founded 2017 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" | 5.25" C-CAM RST II |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-38k Hz | 47-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30 - 90 W watts | 40-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.90kg / 8.6lbs | 5.63kg / 12.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 10.6" x 6.9" x 9"
269.2 x 175.3 x 228.6mm | 11-1/8" x 6-9/16" x 10-3/4"
283.0 x 167.0 x 274.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Fyne Audio F5E and Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G 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* |
Fyne Audio F5E |
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G |
| Near-field |
Good |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Bad |
(* 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 F5E and Silver 50 7G are 2-way speakers.
Fyne Audio F5EMonitor Audio Silver 50 7G
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Fyne Audio F5E |
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
x 5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
F5E features a " Tweeter and x 5" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800 Hz. On the other hand, the Silver 50 7G features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" C-CAM RST II Woofer.
Frequency Response
F5E has a frequency range of 55-38k Hz whereas Silver 50 7G has a frequency range of 47-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the Silver 50 7G can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the F5E's min frequency of 55Hz.
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
F5E and Silver 50 7G have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. F5E sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Silver 50 7G's is at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Fyne Audio F5E a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G, 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.
Silver 50 7G can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas F5E has a max power handling value of 90 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the Silver 50 7G.
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.
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Silver 50 7G features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. F5E 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 Fyne Audio F5E's and Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G's external dimensions. Fyne Audio F5E has external dimensions of 269.2 x 175.3 x 228.6mm (10.6 x 6.9 x 9inch) whereas Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G has external dimensions of 283.0 x 167.0 x 274.0mm (11-1/8 x 6-9/16 x 10-3/4inch).
Fyne Audio F5E is 13.8mm shorter and 45.4mm less deeper than Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G but it is also 8.3mm wider.
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.
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G needs about 14% more floor or shelf area. Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is 45mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is 14mm 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 Fyne Audio F5E is approximately 400.7cm2 / 62.1inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is approximately 457.6cm2 / 70.9inch2. The F5E requires 12% less surface area than the Silver 50 7G 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 Fyne Audio F5E weighs 3.90kg / 8.6lbs and the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G weighs 5.63kg / 12.4lbs. This makes the Silver 50 7G 44% heavier than the F5E.
Here is a comparison of how F5E and Silver 50 7G's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G?
Here are the items that come with the Silver 50 7G:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumpers (pre-installed)
- 8 Rubber feet
- 2 Foam port plugs
- Hex-key
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
35k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
269mm
vs
283mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
400cm2
vs
457cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
699USD
vs
1100USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
90 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Fyne Audio F5E |
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G |
| Brand |
Fyne Audio |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30 - 90 W watts |
40-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-38k Hz |
47-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
C-CAM RST II |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1800 Hz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
269.2mm (10.6") |
283.0mm (11.1") |
| Width |
175.3mm (6.9") |
167.0mm (6.6") |
| Depth |
228.6mm (9") |
274.0mm (10.8") |
| Weight |
3.90kg (8.6lbs) |
5.63kg (12.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Ash,High Gloss Black,Black Oak,Satin White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
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 | B | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G digs deeper - 47Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 86dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (90W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | B | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Fyne Audio F5E is cheaper - $699 against $1,100, about 36% less. |
A Fyne Audio F5E B Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
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?
The usual trade-off: Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G measures better, Fyne Audio F5E costs about about 57% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Fyne Audio F5E much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Fyne Audio F5E the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same.
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.