In this review, we will be comparing Bronze 1 and D320, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Monitor Audio and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and Wharfedale D320 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and Wharfedale D320 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 and Wharfedale D320 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Bronze 1 and D320 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
Wharfedale D320 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
1 x 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 D320 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woven Kevlar Woofer .
Frequency Response
Bronze 1 has a frequency range of 55-30k Hz whereas D320 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Bronze 1 can go slightly deeper then the D320's min frequency of 56Hz.
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
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
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 D320 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 D320's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale D320, 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. 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 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Bronze 1 has a max power handling value of 70 watts RMS , 30 watts less than the D320.
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 D320 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Bronze 1 has a rear firing port whereas D320 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale D320's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Monitor Audio Bronze 1 with its rear-firing 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 Wharfedale D320'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 Wharfedale D320 has external dimensions of 321.0 x 181.0 x 277.0mm ( 12-5/8 x 7-1/8 x 10-7/8inch) .
Wharfedale D320 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 16mm wider, 61mm taller and 72mm 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 Wharfedale D320 is approximately 501.4cm2 / 77.7inch2. The Bronze 1 requires 33% less surface area than the D320 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 Wharfedale D320 weighs 6.02kg / 13.2lbs. This makes the D320 72% heavier than the Bronze 1.
Here is a comparison of how Bronze 1 and D320'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 Wharfedale D320?
Here are the items that come with the D320:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Tweeter grilles (pre-installed)2 Woofer grilles (pre-installed)User-feets ManualInstallation Guide
Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
260mm
vs
321mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
338cm2 (165x205mm)
vs
501cm2 (181x277mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
70 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
General |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
Wharfedale D320 |
Brand |
Monitor Audio |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-70 watts |
25-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
87 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
3.8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
55-30k Hz |
56-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5.5" |
5" |
Woofer Composition |
C-CAM |
Woven Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Foamed Polyether |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2700Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
260.0mm (10.2") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
Width |
165.0mm (6.5") |
181.0mm (7.1") |
Depth |
205.0mm (8.1") |
277.0mm (10.9") |
Weight |
3.50kg (7.7lbs) |
6.02kg (13.2lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Walnut, White, Rosemah, Black |
Rosewood, Black, White, Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
30-31" |
22-24" |
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 |