In this review, we will be comparing Bronze 1 and Alpha P5, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Monitor Audio and PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and PSB P5 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Bronze 1 | PSB P5 |
|---|
| Brand | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 0.75" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.5" C-CAM | 5.25" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-30k Hz | 55-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-70 watts | 10-90 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 3.50kg / 7.7lbs | 4.61kg / 10.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 10.2" x 6.4" x 8.0"
260.0 x 165.0 x 205.0mm | 11-3/8" x 6-3/4" x 10"
289.0 x 172.0 x 254.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and PSB P5 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 |
PSB P5 |
| 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 Bronze 1 and Alpha P5 are 2-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Bronze 1PSB P5
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
PSB P5 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-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 Alpha P5 features a 0.75" anodized aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Bronze 1 has a frequency range of 55-30k Hz whereas Alpha P5 has a frequency range of 55-21k Hz.
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
Bronze 1 and Alpha P5 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Bronze 1 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Alpha P5's is at 89 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the PSB P5 a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Bronze 1, 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.
Alpha P5 can handle a max power of 90 watts RMS, whereas Bronze 1 has a max power handling value of 70 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Alpha P5.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Bronze 1 features 5-way post type posts and Alpha P5 has a 5-way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Monitor Audio Bronze 1's Post terminals
PSB P5's 5-way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Bronze 1 and Alpha P5 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
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 Monitor Audio Bronze 1's and PSB P5'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 PSB P5 has external dimensions of 289.0 x 172.0 x 254.0mm (11-3/8 x 6-3/4 x 10inch).
PSB P5 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 7mm wider, 29mm taller and 49mm deeper than Monitor Audio Bronze 1.
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.
PSB P5 needs about 29% more floor or shelf area. PSB P5 is 49mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. PSB P5 is 29mm 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 Monitor Audio Bronze 1 is approximately 338.3cm2 / 52.4inch2 and base area of the PSB P5 is approximately 436.9cm2 / 67.7inch2. The Bronze 1 requires 23% less surface area than the Alpha P5 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 PSB P5 weighs 4.61kg / 10.1lbs. This makes the Alpha P5 32% heavier than the Bronze 1.
Here is a comparison of how Bronze 1 and Alpha P5'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 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 PSB P5?
Here are the items that come with the Alpha P5:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
 Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
21k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
260mm
vs
289mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
338cm2
vs
436cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
449USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
90 watts
vs
70 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
| General |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
PSB Alpha P5 |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-70 watts |
10-90 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-30k Hz |
55-21k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
C-CAM |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2700Hz |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
260.0mm (10.2") |
289.0mm (11.4") |
| Width |
165.0mm (6.5") |
172.0mm (6.8") |
| Depth |
205.0mm (8.1") |
254.0mm (10") |
| Weight |
3.50kg (7.7lbs) |
4.61kg (10.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut, White, Rosemah, Black |
Walnut,Black Ash |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
30-31" |
28-30" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
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 (55Hz vs 55Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 89dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | B | PSB P5 takes more power (90W vs 70W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Bronze 1 is easier to place; PSB P5 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | A | Monitor Audio Bronze 1 is cheaper - $299 against $449, about 33% less. |
A Monitor Audio Bronze 1 B PSB P5
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?
PSB P5 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 50% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Monitor Audio Bronze 1 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the PSB P5 appeals to you. Match it to your room: we rate Monitor Audio Bronze 1 the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same. In a large or open-plan room, PSB P5 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Monitor Audio Bronze 1 is the easier speaker to get right.
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.