Monitor Audio Bronze 2 vs Polk S20 Comparison

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Monitor Audio Bronze 2

Passive Bookshelf | 42-30k Hz

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Polk S20

Passive Bookshelf | 39-40k Hz

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Monitor Audio Bronze...

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Polk S20

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Monitor Audio Bronze...

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Polk S20

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Monitor Audio Bronze 2 vs Polk S20 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Bronze 2 and S20, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Monitor Audio and Polk Audio.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Monitor Audio Bronze 2 and Polk S20 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Monitor Audio Bronze 2 Key Specs

2-way Design

1" Dome Tweeter

6.5" C-CAM Woofer

42-30k Hz Frequency Response

90 dB Sensitivity

Impedance: 8ohms

Power Range:30-100watts

Weight:5.30kg

Dimensions (H x W x D): 350.0" x 7.2" x 11.0"( 350.0 x 185.0 x 281.0mm )

Polk S20 Key Specs

2-way Design

1" Soft-Dome Tweeter

6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer

39-40k Hz Frequency Response

88 dB Sensitivity

Impedance: 8ohms

Power Range:20-125watts

Weight:7.73kg

Dimensions (H x W x D): 376.0" x 8.5" x 13.7"( 376.0 x 216.0 x 350.0mm )

What size room are the Monitor Audio Bronze 2 and Polk S20 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 2	Polk S20
Near-field	Average	Poor
Small Room	Good	Average
Mid-size Room	Average	Good
Large Room	Poor	Average
Very Large Room	Bad	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 2 and Polk S20 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 2 and S20 are 2-way speakers.

Driver	Monitor Audio Bronze 2	Polk S20
Driver Setup	2-way	2-way
Tweeter	1-inch	1-inch
Midrange	-	-
Woofer	1 x 6.5-inch	1 x 6.5-inch

Bronze 2 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3100Hz. On the other hand, the S20 features a 1" Terylene Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.

Frequency Response

Bronze 2 has a frequency range of 42-30k Hz whereas S20 has a frequency range of 39-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 39Hz, the S20 can go slightly deeper then 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

Bronze 2

S20

Min

Average

Max

High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Monitor Audio Bronze 2

Polk S20

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 2 and S20 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Bronze 2 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the S20's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Bronze 2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk S20, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Bronze 2

S20

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 2 can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Bronze 2 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 25 watts less than the S20.

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 2 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. S20 has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Bronze 2 has a front firing port whereas S20 has a rear firing ports. Monitor Audio Bronze 2's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Polk S20 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 2's and Polk S20's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Bronze 2 has external dimensions of 350.0 x 185.0 x 281.0mm ( 13.7 x 7.2 x 11.0inch) whereas Polk S20 has external dimensions of 376.0 x 216.0 x 350.0mm ( 14.8 x 8.5 x 13.7inch) .

Polk S20 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 31mm wider, 26mm taller and 69mm deeper than Monitor Audio Bronze 2.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Bronze 2 and Polk S20 in scale.

Comparison image of Monitor Audio Bronze 2 and Polk S20 Size and External Dimensions

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 2 is approximately 519.9cm² / 80.6inch² and base area of the Polk S20 is approximately 756.0cm² / 117.2inch². The Bronze 2 requires 31% less surface area than the S20 which gives it a small advantage 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:

Size Comparison image of Monitor Audio Bronze 2 and Polk S20 on a Media Console

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 2 weighs 5.30kg / 11.7lbs and the Polk S20 weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the S20 46% heavier than the Bronze 2.

Here is a comparison of how Bronze 2 and S20's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers

Monitor Audio Bronze 2

Polk S20

Min

Average

Max

What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Bronze 2?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Bronze 2:

2 Bookshelf loudspeakers

2 Grilles

2 Foam port plugs

Hex-key

Owner's Manual

Important Safety Instructions

What's in the Box of Polk S20?

Here are the items that come with the S20:

2 Bookshelf loudspeakers

2 Grilles (attached)

8 Self-adhesive rubber feet

Owners Manual

Online Product Registration

Reasons to choose Monitor Audio Bronze 2 over Polk Audio Signature S20

Sensitivity	90 dB vs 88 dB	Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring	Yes vs No	Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections
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 vs 756cm²	Takes less floor space

Reasons to choose Polk Audio Signature S20 over Monitor Audio Bronze 2

Max Input Power	125 watts vs 100 watts	Handle more power from your amplifier
Low Frequency Response	39 Hz vs 42 Hz	Generates deeper bass
High Frequency Response	40k Hz vs 30k Hz	Generates higher frequency

Monitor Audio Bronze 2 vs Polk S20 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Monitor Audio Bronze 2	Polk Audio Signature S20
Brand	Monitor Audio	Polk Audio
Speaker Type	Bookshelf speakers	Bookshelf speakers
Power Range	30-100 watts	20-125 watts
Sensitivity	90 dB	88 dB
Impedance	8 ohms	8 ohms
Frequency Response	42-30k Hz	39-40k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity	1	1
Woofer Size	6.5"	6.5"
Woofer Composition	C-CAM	Mica-reinforced polypropylene
Woofer Surround Material	Rubber	Butyl rubber
Tweeter Size	1"	1"
Tweeter Type	Dome	Soft-Dome
Aimable Tweeter	No	No
Midrange Driver	No	No
Crossover Frequency	3100Hz	2500Hz
Firing Direction	front	rear
Physical Specs
Height	350.0mm (13.8")	376.0mm (14.8")
Width	185.0mm (7.3")	216.0mm (8.5")
Depth	281.0mm (11.1")	350.0mm (13.8")
Weight	5.30kg (11.7lbs)	7.73kg (17lbs)
Enclosure	Bass Reflex	Bass Reflex
Finish	MDF/Wood-grain vinyl	Meddite MDF
Available Colors	Walnut, White, Rosemah, Black	Black, Walnut, Brown Walnut
Mounting Bracket	No	No
Recommended Stand Height	30-31"	24-28"
Grille	Yes	Yes
Moisture Resistancy	No	No
Connections
Biamp Inputs	Yes	No
Other
Parts Warranty	5 Years	5 Years
Labor Warranty	5 Years	5 Years