In this review, we will be comparing Silver 50 7G and Bronze 100, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G and Monitor Audio Bronze 100 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G | Monitor Audio Bronze 100 |
|---|
| 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 | 5.25" C-CAM RST II | 8" C-CAM |
|---|
| Frequency response | 47-35k Hz | 37-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-100 watts | 30-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.63kg / 12.4lbs | 7.80kg / 17.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11-1/8" x 6-9/16" x 10-3/4"
283.0 x 167.0 x 274.0mm | 14.8" x 9.0" x 12.7"
376.0 x 231.0 x 325.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G and Monitor Audio Bronze 100 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 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 100 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Bad |
(* 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.
Drivers
Both Silver 50 7G and Bronze 100 are 2-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7GMonitor Audio Bronze 100
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 50 7G |
Monitor Audio Bronze 100 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 8-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 Bronze 100 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Silver 50 7G has a frequency range of 47-35k Hz whereas Bronze 100 has a frequency range of 37-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 37Hz, the Bronze 100 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Silver 50 7G's min frequency of 47Hz.
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 50 7G and Bronze 100 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 Bronze 100's is at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Bronze 100 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 100 watts RMS, though Silver 50 7G is rated 40-100 watts and Bronze 100 30-100 watts.
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 50 7G
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Silver 50 7G and Bronze 100 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or 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 Silver 50 7G's and Monitor Audio Bronze 100'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 Monitor Audio Bronze 100 has external dimensions of 376.0 x 231.0 x 325.0mm (14.8 x 9.0 x 12.7inch).
Monitor Audio Bronze 100 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 64mm wider, 93mm taller and 51mm deeper than Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G and Monitor Audio Bronze 100 in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G and Monitor Audio Bronze 100 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 Monitor Audio Bronze 100 is approximately 750.8cm2 / 116.4inch2. The Silver 50 7G requires 39% less surface area than the Bronze 100 which gives it a small advantage 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 50 7G and Monitor Audio Bronze 100 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 Monitor Audio Bronze 100 weighs 7.80kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the Bronze 100 39% heavier than the Silver 50 7G.
Here is a comparison of how Silver 50 7G and Bronze 100'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 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 Monitor Audio Bronze 100?
Here are the items that come with the Bronze 100:
- 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 |
283mm
vs
376mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
457cm2
vs
750cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
37 Hz
vs
47 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
675USD
vs
1100USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G |
Monitor Audio Bronze 100 |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-100 watts |
30-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4.5 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
47-35k Hz |
37-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
C-CAM RST II |
C-CAM |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
283.0mm (11.1") |
376.0mm (14.8") |
| Width |
167.0mm (6.6") |
231.0mm (9.1") |
| Depth |
274.0mm (10.8") |
325.0mm (12.8") |
| Weight |
5.63kg (12.4lbs) |
7.80kg (17.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Ash,High Gloss Black,Black Oak,Satin White |
Walnut, Black, White, Urban Grey |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
22-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G costs roughly 1.6x what Monitor Audio Bronze 100 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 100 digs deeper - 37Hz against 47Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is easier to place; Monitor Audio Bronze 100 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G: bi-amping; Monitor Audio Bronze 100: bi-amping. Monitor Audio Bronze 100 sits in a wider range (11 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 100 is cheaper - $675 against $1,100, about 39% less; arguably a different class. |
A Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G B Monitor Audio Bronze 100
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 100 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 47Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Monitor Audio Bronze 100 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G 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.