In this review, we will be comparing Silver 50 7G and 706 S2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Monitor Audio and Bowers Wilkins. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G and B&W 706 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 5.25" C-CAM RST II Woofer
- 47-35k Hz Frequency Response
- 86 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:40-100watts
- Weight:5.63kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 283.0" x 6-9/16" x 10-3/4"( 283.0 x 167.0 x 274.0mm )
B&W 706 S2 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Decoupled Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Continuum Woofer
- 50-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 88 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-120watts
- Weight:8.05kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 340.0" x 7.8" x 11."( 340.0 x 200.0 x 301.0mm )
What size room are the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G and B&W 706 S2 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 50 7G |
B&W 706 S2 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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 50 7G and B&W 706 S2 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Silver 50 7G and 706 S2 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G |
B&W 706 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Silver 50 7G features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" C-CAM RST II Woofer . On the other hand, the 706 S2 features a 1" Decoupled Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer .
Frequency Response
Silver 50 7G has a frequency range of 47-35k Hz whereas 706 S2 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the Silver 50 7G can go slightly deeper then the 706 S2's min frequency of 50Hz.
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 50 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 50 7G and 706 S2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Silver 50 7G sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the 706 S2's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the B&W 706 S2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Silver 50 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. 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 50 7G can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Silver 50 7G has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 20 watts less than the 706 S2.
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
Both Silver 50 7G and 706 S2 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
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 50 7G's and B&W 706 S2's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G has external dimensions of 283.0 x 167.0 x 274.0mm ( 11-1/8 x 6-9/16 x 10-3/4inch) whereas B&W 706 S2 has external dimensions of 340.0 x 200.0 x 301.0mm ( 13.5-inch x 7.8-inch x 11.-inch) .
B&W 706 S2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 33mm wider, 57mm taller and 27mm deeper than Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G and B&W 706 S2 in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G and B&W 706 S2 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 50 7G is approximately 457.6cm2 / 70.9inch2 and base area of the B&W 706 S2 is approximately 602.0cm2 / 93.3inch2. The Silver 50 7G requires 24% less surface area than the 706 S2 which gives it a small advantage 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 50 7G and B&W 706 S2 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 50 7G weighs 5.63kg / 12.4lbs and the B&W 706 S2 weighs 8.05kg / 17.7lbs. This makes the 706 S2 43% heavier than the Silver 50 7G.
Here is a comparison of how Silver 50 7G and 706 S2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Silver 50 7G:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles4 Jumpers (pre-installed)8 Rubber feet2 Foam port plugsHex-keyOwners ManualImportant Safety Instructions
What's in the Box of B&W 706 S2?
Here are the items that come with the 706 S2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Two-piece foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper-straps Manual Bowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information