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Monitor Audio Bronze 1 vs Polk L100 Comparison

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Monitor Audio Bronze 1

Passive Bookshelf | 55-30k Hz

Monitor Audio Bronze 1
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Polk L100

Passive Bookshelf | 57-38k Hz

Polk Audio Legend L100
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Monitor Audio Bronze 1 Monitor Audio Bronze...
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Polk L100 Polk L100
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Monitor Audio Bronze...
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Polk L100
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Monitor Audio Bronze 1 vs Polk L100 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Bronze 1 and L100, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Monitor Audio and Polk Audio.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and Polk L100 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 )

Polk L100 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter
  • 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer
  • 57-38k Hz Frequency Response
  • 85.5 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:30-160watts
  • Weight:7.68kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 348.0" x 7-7/8" x 11-5/16"( 348.0 x 201.0 x 288.0mm )

What size room are the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and Polk L100 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 Polk L100
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 Polk L100 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 L100 are 2-way speakers.

Driver Monitor Audio Bronze 1 Polk L100
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-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 L100 features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2900Hz.

Frequency Response

Bronze 1 has a frequency range of 55-30k Hz whereas L100 has a frequency range of 57-38k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Bronze 1 can go slightly deeper then the L100's min frequency of 57Hz.

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
L100
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Monitor Audio Bronze 1
Polk L100
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 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the L100 which has a nominal impedance of 4 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 L100 can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Bronze 1 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the L100's is rated at 85.5 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk L100, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Bronze 1
L100
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 160 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Bronze 1 has a max power handling value of 70 watts RMS , 90 watts less than the L100.

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

Bronze 1 features Post type posts and L100 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

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

Polk L100Post Terminals
Polk L100's Post terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Bronze 1 and L100 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

Polk L100  Port
Polk L100 Enhanced Power Port 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 Polk L100'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 Polk L100 has external dimensions of 348.0 x 201.0 x 288.0mm ( 13-11/16 x 7-7/8 x 11-5/16inch) .

Polk L100 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 36mm wider, 88mm taller and 83mm 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 Polk L100 is approximately 578.9cm2 / 89.7inch2. The Bronze 1 requires 42% less surface area than the L100 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 Polk L100 weighs 7.68kg / 16.9lbs. This makes the L100 119% heavier than the Bronze 1.

Here is a comparison of how Bronze 1 and L100's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Monitor Audio Bronze 1
Polk L100
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 Polk L100?

    Here are the items that come with the L100:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • Cleaning cloth
  • Owners Manual
  • Online Registration

  • Reasons to choose Monitor Audio Bronze 1 over Polk Audio Legend L100
    Sensitivity 88 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Woofer Size 5.5 inches vs 5.25 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 55 Hz vs 57 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Height 260mm vs 348mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 338cm2 vs 578cm2 Takes less floor space

    Reasons to choose Polk Audio Legend L100 over Monitor Audio Bronze 1

    Max Input Power 160 watts vs 70 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    High Frequency Response 38k Hz vs 30k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Monitor Audio Bronze 1 vs Polk L100 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Monitor Audio Bronze 1 Polk Audio Legend L100
    Brand Monitor Audio Polk Audio
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 20-70 watts 30-160 watts
    Sensitivity 88 dB 85.5 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 4 ohms
    Impedance n/a 3 ohms
    Frequency Response 55-30k Hz 57-38k 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" 1"
    Tweeter Type Dome Ring Radiator
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2700Hz 2900Hz
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 260.0mm (10.2") 348.0mm (13.7")
    Width 165.0mm (6.5") 201.0mm (7.9")
    Depth 205.0mm (8.1") 288.0mm (11.3")
    Weight 3.50kg (7.7lbs) 7.68kg (16.9lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl MDF/Wood veneer
    Available Colors Walnut, White, Rosemah, Black Brown Walnut, Black Ash
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 30-31" 24-28"
    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

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