In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Monitor Audio. Monitor Audio Bronze C150 is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Bronze 1 is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Bronze C150 and Monitor Audio Bronze 1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Bronze C150 | Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" vented dome with waveguide | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" aluminum | 5.5" C-CAM |
|---|
| Frequency response | 66-30k Hz | 55-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-120 watts | 20-70 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.01kg / 15.4lbs | 3.50kg / 7.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6-9/16" x 17-13/16" x 8-15/16"
167.0 x 453.0 x 228.0mm | 10.2" x 6.4" x 8.0"
260.0 x 165.0 x 205.0mm |
|---|
Bronze C150 and Bronze 1 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 C150 and Monitor Audio Bronze 1 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 C150 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Good |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
No way |
(* 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both Bronze C150 and Bronze 1 are 2-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Bronze C150Monitor Audio Bronze 1
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Bronze C150 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
Bronze C150 features a 1" aluminum vented dome with waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" aluminum Woofer. On the other hand, the Bronze 1 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz.
Frequency Response
Bronze C150 has a frequency range of 66-30k Hz whereas Bronze 1 has a frequency range of 55-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Bronze 1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Bronze C150's min frequency of 66Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Bronze C150 and Bronze 1 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 88 dB.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Bronze C150 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas Bronze 1 has a max power handling value of 70 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Bronze C150.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Monitor Audio Bronze C150
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Bronze C150 features Post type posts and Bronze 1 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Monitor Audio Bronze C150's Binding post terminals
Monitor Audio Bronze 1's Post terminals
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 Port
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 C150's and Monitor Audio Bronze 1's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Bronze C150 has external dimensions of 167.0 x 453.0 x 228.0mm (6-9/16 x 17-13/16 x 8-15/16inch) whereas Monitor Audio Bronze 1 has external dimensions of 260.0 x 165.0 x 205.0mm (10.2 x 6.4 x 8.0inch).
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 is 288mm narrower and 23mm less deeper than Monitor Audio Bronze C150 but it is also 93mm taller.
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 C150 is approximately 1032.8cm2 / 160.1inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 is approximately 338.3cm2 / 52.4inch2. The Bronze C150 requires 205% more surface area than the Bronze 1 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Bronze C150?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Bronze C150:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 2 Terminal-jumpers (pre-installed)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Hex-key
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Bronze 1?
Here are the items that come with the Bronze 1:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Foam port plugs
- Hex-key
- Owner's Manual
- Important Safety Instructions