In this review, we will be comparing Silver 100 7G and Opticon 2 MK2, 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 Opticon 2 II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G | DALI Opticon 2 II |
|---|
| Brand | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1.125" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" C-CAM RST II | 6.5" Wood Fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 35-35k Hz | 59-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87.5 dB | 86.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-120 watts | 30-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.43kg / 20.7lbs | 7.73kg / 17lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14-13/16" x 9-1/8" x 13-1/16"
377.0 x 232.0 x 332.0mm | 13-13/16" x 7-11/16" x 11-11/16"
351.0 x 196.0 x 297.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and DALI Opticon 2 II 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 Opticon 2 II |
| 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.)
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 Silver 100 7G and Opticon 2 MK2 are 2-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7GDALI Opticon 2 II
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 Silver 100 7G |
DALI Opticon 2 II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.125-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Silver 100 7G features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" C-CAM RST II Woofer. On the other hand, the Opticon 2 MK2 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
Silver 100 7G has a frequency range of 35-35k Hz whereas Opticon 2 MK2 has a frequency range of 59-25k 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 Opticon 2 MK2's min frequency of 59Hz.
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
Silver 100 7G is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Opticon 2 MK2 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Opticon 2 MK2 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Silver 100 7G sensitivity is rated at 87.5 dB and the Opticon 2 MK2's is rated at 86.5 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI Opticon 2 II, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Opticon 2 MK2 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Silver 100 7G has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the Opticon 2 MK2.
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 Silver 100 7G
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Silver 100 7G features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Opticon 2 MK2 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
DALI Opticon 2 II's Post terminals
DALI Opticon 2 II 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 Silver 100 7G's and DALI Opticon 2 II'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 Opticon 2 II has external dimensions of 351.0 x 196.0 x 297.0mm (13-13/16 x 7-11/16 x 11-11/16inch).
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 36mm wider, 26mm taller and 35mm deeper than DALI Opticon 2 II.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and DALI Opticon 2 II in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and DALI Opticon 2 II 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 Opticon 2 II is approximately 582.1cm2 / 90.2inch2. The Silver 100 7G requires 32% more surface area than the Opticon 2 MK2 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is 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 Opticon 2 II 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 Opticon 2 II weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs. This makes the Silver 100 7G 22% heavier than the Opticon 2 MK2.
Here is a comparison of how Silver 100 7G and Opticon 2 MK2'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 loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumpers (pre-installed)
- 8 Rubber feet
- 2 Foam port plugs
- Hex-key
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of DALI Opticon 2 II?
Here are the items that come with the Opticon 2 MK2:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Congratulations Card
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
35 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Price per pair* |
1400USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Height |
351mm
vs
377mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
582cm2
vs
770cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G |
DALI Opticon 2 MK2 |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
DALI |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-120 watts |
30-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87.5 dB |
86.5 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
35-35k Hz |
59-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| 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 |
2000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
377.0mm (14.8") |
351.0mm (13.8") |
| Width |
232.0mm (9.1") |
196.0mm (7.7") |
| Depth |
332.0mm (13.1") |
297.0mm (11.7") |
| Weight |
9.43kg (20.7lbs) |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Ash,High Gloss Black,Black Oak,Satin White |
Satin Black, Tobacco Oak, Satin 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 |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G digs deeper - 35Hz against 59Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | B | DALI Opticon 2 II takes more power (150W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | DALI Opticon 2 II is easier to place; Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | A | Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($1,400 vs $1,500 a pair). |
A Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G B DALI Opticon 2 II
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 Silver 100 7G 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 59Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, DALI Opticon 2 II 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.