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Monitor Audio Bronze 1 vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf Comparison

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Monitor Audio Bronze 1

Passive Bookshelf | 55-30k Hz

Monitor Audio Bronze 1
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SVS Ultra Bookshelf

Passive Bookshelf | 45-32k Hz

SVS Ultra Bookshelf
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Monitor Audio Bronze 1 Monitor Audio Bronze...
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SVS Ultra Bookshelf SVS Ultra Bookshelf
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Monitor Audio Bronze...
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SVS Ultra Bookshelf
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Monitor Audio Bronze 1 vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf Speaker Comparison

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

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and SVS Ultra Bookshelf 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 )

SVS Ultra Bookshelf Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
  • 6.5" Composite glass-fiber Woofer
  • 45-32k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:20-150watts
  • Weight:8.64kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 380.0" x 8-9/16" x 11-1/16"( 380.0 x 218.0 x 281.0mm )

What size room are the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and SVS Ultra Bookshelf 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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf
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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf 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 Ultra Bookshelf are 2-way speakers.

Driver Monitor Audio Bronze 1 SVS Ultra Bookshelf
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 Ultra Bookshelf features a 1" aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Composite glass-fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.

Frequency Response

Bronze 1 has a frequency range of 55-30k Hz whereas Ultra Bookshelf has a frequency range of 45-32k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Ultra Bookshelf 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
Ultra Bookshelf
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Monitor Audio Bronze 1
SVS Ultra Bookshelf
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 Ultra Bookshelf 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 Ultra Bookshelf's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Ultra Bookshelf, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Bronze 1
Ultra Bookshelf
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 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Bronze 1 has a max power handling value of 70 watts RMS , 80 watts less than the Ultra Bookshelf.

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

Ultra Bookshelf features 5-way 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

SVS Ultra Bookshelf5-way post Terminals
SVS Ultra Bookshelf's 5-way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Bronze 1 and Ultra Bookshelf 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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf'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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf has external dimensions of 380.0 x 218.0 x 281.0mm ( 14-15/16 x 8-9/16 x 11-1/16inch) .

SVS Ultra Bookshelf is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 53mm wider, 120mm taller and 76mm 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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf is approximately 612.6cm2 / 95.0inch2. The Bronze 1 requires 45% less surface area than the Ultra Bookshelf 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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the Ultra Bookshelf 147% heavier than the Bronze 1.

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

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Monitor Audio Bronze 1
SVS Ultra Bookshelf
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 SVS Ultra Bookshelf?

    Here are the items that come with the Ultra Bookshelf:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 8 Rubber feet
  • 2 Terminal jumpers (pre-installed)
  • Owners Manual
  • SVS brochure
  • Online Product Registration Card

  • Reasons to choose Monitor Audio Bronze 1 over SVS Ultra Bookshelf
    Sensitivity 88 dB vs 87 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Height 260mm vs 380mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 338cm2 vs 612cm2 Takes less floor space

    Reasons to choose SVS Ultra Bookshelf over Monitor Audio Bronze 1

    Max Input Power 150 watts vs 70 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 5.5 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 45 Hz vs 55 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 32k Hz vs 30k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring Yes vs No Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections
    Monitor Audio Bronze 1 vs SVS Ultra Bookshelf Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Monitor Audio Bronze 1 SVS Ultra Bookshelf
    Brand Monitor Audio SVS
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 20-70 watts 20-150 watts
    Sensitivity 88 dB 87 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 55-30k Hz 45-32k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 5.5" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition C-CAM Composite glass-fiber
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Dome Hard-Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 2700Hz 2000Hz
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 260.0mm (10.2") 380.0mm (15")
    Width 165.0mm (6.5") 218.0mm (8.6")
    Depth 205.0mm (8.1") 281.0mm (11.1")
    Weight 3.50kg (7.7lbs) 8.64kg (19lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl MDF/Oak veneer
    Available Colors Walnut, White, Rosemah, Black Black Oak,Piano Gloss Black,Piano Gloss White
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 30-31" 22-28"
    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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