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Monitor Audio Bronze 1 vs B&W 705 S2 Comparison

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Monitor Audio Bronze 1

Passive Bookshelf | 55-30k Hz

Monitor Audio Bronze 1
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B&W 705 S2

Passive Bookshelf | 50-28k Hz

Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2
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Monitor Audio Bronze 1 Monitor Audio Bronze...
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B&W 705 S2 B&W 705 S2
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Monitor Audio Bronze...
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B&W 705 S2
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Monitor Audio Bronze 1 vs B&W 705 S2 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Bronze 1 and 705 S2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Monitor Audio and Bowers Wilkins.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and B&W 705 S2 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Monitor Audio Bronze 1 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Dome Tweeter
  • 5.5" C-CAM Woofer
  • 55-30k Hz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-70watts
  • Weight:3.50kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 260.0" x 6.4" x 8.0"( 260.0 x 165.0 x 205.0mm )

B&W 705 S2 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Solid Body Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Continuum Woofer
  • 50-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:30-120watts
  • Weight:9.32kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 407.0" x 7.8" x 11.9"( 407.0 x 200.0 x 301.0mm )

What size room are the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and B&W 705 S2 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* Monitor Audio Bronze 1 B&W 705 S2
Near-field Good Poor
Small Room Good Average
Mid-size Room Average Good
Large Room Poor Average
Very Large Room No way 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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and B&W 705 S2 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 Bronze 1 and 705 S2 are 2-way speakers.

Driver Monitor Audio Bronze 1 B&W 705 S2
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5.5-inch 1 x 6.5-inch

Bronze 1 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz. On the other hand, the 705 S2 features a 1" Solid Body Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer .

Frequency Response

Bronze 1 has a frequency range of 55-30k Hz whereas 705 S2 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the 705 S2 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

Bronze 1
705 S2
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Monitor Audio Bronze 1
B&W 705 S2
Min
Average
Max

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

Bronze 1 and 705 S2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 88 dB.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Bronze 1
705 S2
Min
Average
Max

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.

Bronze 1 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Bronze 1 has a max power handling value of 70 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the 705 S2.

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.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

705 S2 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Bronze 1 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Monitor Audio Bronze 1 Terminals
Monitor Audio Bronze 1's Post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Bronze 1 and 705 S2 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
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 Monitor Audio Bronze 1's and B&W 705 S2's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Bronze 1 has external dimensions of 260.0 x 165.0 x 205.0mm ( 10.2 x 6.4 x 8.0inch) whereas B&W 705 S2 has external dimensions of 407.0 x 200.0 x 301.0mm ( 16-inch x 7.8-inch x 11.9-inch) .

B&W 705 S2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 35mm wider, 147mm taller and 96mm 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 Monitor Audio Bronze 1 is approximately 338.3cm2 / 52.4inch2 and base area of the B&W 705 S2 is approximately 602.0cm2 / 93.3inch2. The Bronze 1 requires 44% less surface area than the 705 S2 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 Monitor Audio Bronze 1 weighs 3.50kg / 7.7lbs and the B&W 705 S2 weighs 9.32kg / 20.5lbs. This makes the 705 S2 166% heavier than the Bronze 1.

Here is a comparison of how Bronze 1 and 705 S2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Monitor Audio Bronze 1
B&W 705 S2
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Bronze 1?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Bronze 1:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 2 Foam port plugs
  • Hex-key
  • Owner's Manual
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • What's in the Box of B&W 705 S2?

    Here are the items that come with the 705 S2:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 2 Two-piece foam port plugs
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • 4 Jumper-straps
  • Manual
  • Bowers & Wilkins brochure
  • Warranty Information

  • Reasons to choose Monitor Audio Bronze 1 over Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2
    High Frequency Response 30k Hz vs 28k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 260mm vs 407mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 338cm2 vs 602cm2 Takes less floor space

    Reasons to choose Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 over Monitor Audio Bronze 1

    Max Input Power 120 watts vs 70 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 5.5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 50 Hz vs 55 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections
    Monitor Audio Bronze 1 vs B&W 705 S2 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Monitor Audio Bronze 1 Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2
    Brand Monitor Audio Bowers Wilkins
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 20-70 watts 30-120 watts
    Sensitivity 88 dB 88 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance n/a 3.1 ohms
    Frequency Response 55-30k Hz 50-28k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 5.5" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition C-CAM Continuum
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Dome Solid Body Soft-Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2700Hz n/a
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 260.0mm (10.2") 407.0mm (16")
    Width 165.0mm (6.5") 200.0mm (7.9")
    Depth 205.0mm (8.1") 301.0mm (11.9")
    Weight 3.50kg (7.7lbs) 9.32kg (20.5lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl MDF/Wood veneer
    Available Colors Walnut, White, Rosemah, Black Rosewood, Gloss Black, Satin White
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 30-31" 24-26"
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No Yes
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

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