In this review, we will be comparing Radius 90 and Bronze 50, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Radius 90 and Monitor Audio Bronze 50 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Radius 90 | Monitor Audio Bronze 50 |
|---|
| Brand | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" | 5.25" C-CAM |
|---|
| Frequency response | 80-35k Hz | 40-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 83 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 20-80 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.09kg / 4.6lbs | 5.00kg / 11lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-13/16" x 4-7/8" x 6-9/16"
198.4 x 123.8 x 166.7mm | 11.0" x 6.5" x 10.4"
281.0 x 166.0 x 265.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Radius 90 and Bronze 50 are 2-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Radius 90Monitor Audio Bronze 50
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 Radius 90 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 50 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Radius 90 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Woofer. On the other hand, the Bronze 50 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Radius 90 has a frequency range of 80-35k Hz whereas Bronze 50 has a frequency range of 40-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the Bronze 50 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Radius 90's min frequency of 80Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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
Radius 90 and Bronze 50 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Radius 90 sensitivity is rated at 83 dB and the Bronze 50's is at 85 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Bronze 50 a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Radius 90, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Bronze 50 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Radius 90 has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 Radius 90's and Monitor Audio Bronze 50's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Radius 90 has external dimensions of 198.4 x 123.8 x 166.7mm () whereas Monitor Audio Bronze 50 has external dimensions of 281.0 x 166.0 x 265.0mm (11.0 x 6.5 x 10.4inch).
Monitor Audio Bronze 50 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 42.2mm wider, 82.6mm taller and 98.3mm deeper than Monitor Audio Radius 90.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Monitor Audio Bronze 50 needs about 113% more floor or shelf area. Monitor Audio Bronze 50 is 98mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Monitor Audio Bronze 50 is 83mm 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 Radius 90 is approximately 206.4cm2 / 32.0inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Bronze 50 is approximately 439.9cm2 / 68.2inch2. The Radius 90 requires 53% less surface area than the Bronze 50 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 Radius 90 weighs 2.09kg / 4.6lbs and the Monitor Audio Bronze 50 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the Bronze 50 139% heavier than the Radius 90.
Here is a comparison of how Radius 90 and Bronze 50'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 50?
Here are the items that come with the Bronze 50:
- 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
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
30k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
198mm
vs
281mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
206cm2
vs
439cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
85 dB
vs
83 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Monitor Audio Radius 90 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 50 |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
83 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4.4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
80-35k Hz |
40-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
C-CAM |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
198.4mm (7.8") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Width |
123.8mm (4.9") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
166.7mm (6.6") |
265.0mm (10.4") |
| Weight |
2.09kg (4.6lbs) |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Lacquer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
White |
Walnut, Black, White, Urban Grey |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
28-32" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Monitor Audio Bronze 50 is the newer design, against a 2016 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 50 digs deeper - 40Hz against 80Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 50 is more sensitive (85dB vs 83dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Radius 90 is easier to place; Monitor Audio Bronze 50 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 50: bi-amping. Monitor Audio Bronze 50 sits in a wider range (11 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
A Monitor Audio Radius 90 B Monitor Audio Bronze 50
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Monitor Audio Bronze 50 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 80Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Monitor Audio Bronze 50 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Monitor Audio Radius 90 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.