In this review, we will be comparing Bronze 100 and Bronze 2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Monitor Audio Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Bronze 100 and Monitor Audio Bronze 2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Bronze 100 and Bronze 2 are members of Monitor Audio's Bronze series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Monitor Audio Bronze Series History
What size room are the Monitor Audio Bronze 100 and Monitor Audio Bronze 2 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 100 and Monitor Audio Bronze 2 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 100 and Bronze 2 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Monitor Audio Bronze 100 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 2 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Bronze 100 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz. On the other hand, the Bronze 2 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3100Hz.
Frequency Response
Bronze 100 has a frequency range of 37-30k Hz whereas Bronze 2 has a frequency range of 42-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 37Hz, the Bronze 100 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Bronze 2's min frequency of 42Hz.
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 100 and Bronze 2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Bronze 100 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Bronze 2's is at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Bronze 2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Bronze 100, 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 100 and Bronze 2 has the same power range of 30-100 watts.
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
Both Bronze 100 and Bronze 2 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Bronze 100 has a rear firing port whereas Bronze 2 has a front firing ports. Monitor Audio Bronze 2's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Monitor Audio Bronze 100 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 100's and Monitor Audio Bronze 2's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Bronze 100 has external dimensions of 376.0 x 231.0 x 325.0mm ( 14.8 x 9.0 x 12.7inch) whereas Monitor Audio Bronze 2 has external dimensions of 350.0 x 185.0 x 281.0mm ( 13.7 x 7.2 x 11.0inch) .
Monitor Audio Bronze 100 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 46mm wider, 26mm taller and 44mm deeper than Monitor Audio Bronze 2.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Bronze 100 and Monitor Audio Bronze 2 in scale.
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 100 is approximately 750.8cm2 / 116.4inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Bronze 2 is approximately 519.9cm2 / 80.6inch2. The Bronze 100 requires 44% more surface area than the Bronze 2 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
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 100 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs and the Monitor Audio Bronze 2 weighs 5.30kg / 11.7lbs. This makes the Bronze 100 47% heavier than the Bronze 2.
Here is a comparison of how Bronze 100 and Bronze 2'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 100?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Bronze 100:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 4 Terminal-jumpers (pre-installed) 2 Foam port plugs 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Hex-key Quick Start Guide Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Bronze 2?
Here are the items that come with the Bronze 2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 2 Foam port plugs Hex-key Owner's Manual Important Safety Instructions
Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
37 Hz
vs
42 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
Height |
350mm
vs
376mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
519cm2 (185x281mm)
vs
750cm2 (231x325mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Monitor Audio Bronze 100 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 2 |
Brand |
Monitor Audio |
Monitor Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-100 watts |
30-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
90 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
4.5 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
37-30k Hz |
42-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
C-CAM |
C-CAM |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2200Hz |
3100Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
376.0mm (14.8") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
Width |
231.0mm (9.1") |
185.0mm (7.3") |
Depth |
325.0mm (12.8") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
Weight |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
5.30kg (11.7lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Walnut, Black, White, Urban Grey |
Walnut, White, Rosemah, Black |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
30-31" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |