In this review, we will be comparing Silver 100 7G and Oberon 3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Monitor Audio and DALI.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and DALI Oberon 3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 8" C-CAM RST II Woofer
- 35-35k Hz Frequency Response
- 87.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:40-120watts
- Weight:9.43kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 377.0" x 9-1/8" x 13-1/16"( 377.0 x 232.0 x 332.0mm )
DALI Oberon 3 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 7" Wood Fiber Woofer
- 47-26k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:25-150watts
- Weight:6.32kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 350.0" x 7-7/8" x 12-3/16"( 350.0 x 201.0 x 310.0mm )
What size room are the Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and DALI Oberon 3 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 Silver 100 7G |
DALI Oberon 3 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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 Silver 100 7G and DALI Oberon 3 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 Silver 100 7G and Oberon 3 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G |
DALI Oberon 3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.125-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 7-inch
|
Silver 100 7G features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" C-CAM RST II Woofer . On the other hand, the Oberon 3 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 7" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400Hz.
Frequency Response
Silver 100 7G has a frequency range of 35-35k Hz whereas Oberon 3 has a frequency range of 47-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the Silver 100 7G can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Oberon 3's min frequency of 47Hz.
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
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G
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
Silver 100 7G is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Oberon 3 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Silver 100 7G sensitivity is rated at 87.5 dB and the Oberon 3's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI Oberon 3, 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.
Silver 100 7G can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Silver 100 7G has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 30 watts less than the Oberon 3.
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
Silver 100 7G features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Oberon 3 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
DALI Oberon 3's Post terminals
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 Silver 100 7G's and DALI Oberon 3's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G has external dimensions of 377.0 x 232.0 x 332.0mm ( 14-13/16 x 9-1/8 x 13-1/16inch) whereas DALI Oberon 3 has external dimensions of 350.0 x 201.0 x 310.0mm ( 13-3/4 x 7-7/8 x 12-3/16inch) .
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 31mm wider, 27mm taller and 22mm deeper than DALI Oberon 3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and DALI Oberon 3 in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and DALI Oberon 3 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 Silver 100 7G is approximately 770.2cm2 / 119.4inch2 and base area of the DALI Oberon 3 is approximately 623.1cm2 / 96.6inch2. The Silver 100 7G requires 24% more surface area than the Oberon 3 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:
Size Comparison image of Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and DALI Oberon 3 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 Silver 100 7G weighs 9.43kg / 20.7lbs and the DALI Oberon 3 weighs 6.32kg / 13.9lbs. This makes the Silver 100 7G 49% heavier than the Oberon 3.
Here is a comparison of how Silver 100 7G and Oberon 3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Silver 100 7G:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles4 Jumpers (pre-installed)8 Rubber feet2 Foam port plugsHex-keyOwners ManualImportant Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of DALI Oberon 3?
Here are the items that come with the Oberon 3:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber feetManual
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
7 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
35 Hz
vs
47 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Height |
350mm
vs
377mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
623cm2
vs
770cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
899USD
vs
1400USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G |
DALI Oberon 3 |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
DALI |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-120 watts |
25-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87.5 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
35-35k Hz |
47-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
C-CAM RST II |
Wood Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.125" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2400Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
377.0mm (14.8") |
350.0mm (13.8") |
| Width |
232.0mm (9.1") |
201.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
332.0mm (13.1") |
310.0mm (12.2") |
| Weight |
9.43kg (20.7lbs) |
6.32kg (13.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Ash,High Gloss Black,Black Oak,Satin White |
Black Ash, Light Oak, Dark Walnut, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
24-26" |
| 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 |