In this review, we will be comparing Silver 100 7G and BRX, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Monitor Audio and GoldenEar.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and GoldenEar BRX first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G | GoldenEar BRX |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | Folded Ribbon |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" C-CAM RST II | 6" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 35-35k Hz | 40-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87.5 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-120 watts | 20-250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.43kg / 20.7lbs | 5.45kg / 12lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 12-1/8" x 8-1/8" x 12-5/16"
308.0 x 207.0 x 313.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and GoldenEar BRX 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 |
GoldenEar BRX |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
(* 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 BRX are 2-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7GGoldenEar BRX
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 |
GoldenEar BRX |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Silver 100 7G features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" C-CAM RST II Woofer. On the other hand, the BRX features a " Folded Ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 6" Polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Silver 100 7G has a frequency range of 35-35k Hz whereas BRX has a frequency range of 40-35k 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 BRX's min frequency of 40Hz.
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 and BRX have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Silver 100 7G sensitivity is rated at 87.5 dB and the BRX's is at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the GoldenEar BRX a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G, 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.
BRX can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas Silver 100 7G has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 130 watts less than the BRX.
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. BRX has a 5-way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
GoldenEar BRX's 5-way post terminals
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 GoldenEar BRX'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 GoldenEar BRX has external dimensions of 308.0 x 207.0 x 313.0mm (12-1/8 x 8-1/8 x 12-5/16inch).
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 25mm wider, 69mm taller and 19mm deeper than GoldenEar BRX.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and GoldenEar BRX in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G and GoldenEar BRX 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 GoldenEar BRX is approximately 647.9cm2 / 100.4inch2. The Silver 100 7G requires 19% more surface area than the BRX 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 GoldenEar BRX 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 GoldenEar BRX weighs 5.45kg / 12lbs. This makes the Silver 100 7G 73% heavier than the BRX.
Here is a comparison of how Silver 100 7G and BRX'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 GoldenEar BRX?
Here are the items that come with the BRX:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
Grille
Owner's Manual
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
35 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Price per pair* |
1400USD
vs
1598USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Passive Radiator |
two rectangular side-mounted
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
308mm
vs
377mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
647cm2
vs
770cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G |
GoldenEar BRX |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-120 watts |
20-250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87.5 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
35-35k Hz |
40-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
C-CAM RST II |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Folded Ribbon |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
377.0mm (14.8") |
308.0mm (12.1") |
| Width |
232.0mm (9.1") |
207.0mm (8.1") |
| Depth |
332.0mm (13.1") |
313.0mm (12.3") |
| Weight |
9.43kg (20.7lbs) |
5.45kg (12lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Ash,High Gloss Black,Black Oak,Satin White |
Gloss Black |
| 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 40Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
GoldenEar BRX is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
B |
GoldenEar BRX takes more power (250W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
GoldenEar BRX is easier to place; Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Ported vs Passive Radiator. |
| Expandability |
A |
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G: bi-amping. |
| Price |
A |
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G is cheaper - $1,400 against $1,598, about 12% less. |
A Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G
B GoldenEar BRX
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 40Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G the better fit for a small room, and GoldenEar BRX for a large room and a very large room.
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.