Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G vs Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G Comparison

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Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G

Passive Surround | 82-35k Hz

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Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G

Passive Surround | 76-35k Hz

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Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G vs Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Silver AMS 8G and Silver AMS 7G, two Passive Surround speakers by Monitor Audio.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G and Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key Specs	Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G	Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G
Brand	Monitor Audio United Kingdom · founded 1972	Monitor Audio United Kingdom · founded 1972
Design	2-way	2-way
Tweeter	1" gold dome C-CAM	1" Hard-Dome
Woofer	5.25" C-CAM RST III	5.25"
Frequency response	82-35k Hz	76-35k Hz
Sensitivity	85.5 dB	87.5 dB
Impedance	8 ohms	8 ohms
Power range	15-60 watts	—
Weight	4.50kg / 9.9lbs	3.97kg / 8.7lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)	7-5/16" x 7-5/16" x 12-5/16" 185.0 x 185.0 x 312.0mm	7-5/16" x 7-3/8" x 12-5/16" 185.7 x 187.3 x 312.7mm

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.

Drivers

Both Silver AMS 8G and Silver AMS 7G are 2-way speakers.

Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G

Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G

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 AMS 8G	Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G
Driver Setup	2-way	2-way
Tweeter	1-inch	1-inch
Midrange	-	-
Woofer	1 x 5.25-inch	1 x 5.25-inch

Silver AMS 8G features a 1" gold dome C-CAM Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" C-CAM RST III Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz. On the other hand, the Silver AMS 7G features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Woofer.

Frequency Response

Silver AMS 8G has a frequency range of 82-35k Hz whereas Silver AMS 7G has a frequency range of 76-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 76Hz, the Silver AMS 7G can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Silver AMS 8G's min frequency of 82Hz.

The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Surround class in our database.

Low Frequency

Surround Speakers

Silver AMS 8G

Silver AMS 7G

Min

Average

Median

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 AMS 8G and Silver AMS 7G have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Silver AMS 8G sensitivity is rated at 85.5 dB and the Silver AMS 7G's is at 87.5 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Surround Speakers

Silver AMS 8G

Silver AMS 7G

Min

Average

Median

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.

Amplifier - change this

Distance

Playing as

Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G

Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Silver AMS 8G features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Silver AMS 7G has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/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 AMS 8G's and Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G has external dimensions of 185.0 x 185.0 x 312.0mm (7-5/16 x 7-5/16 x 12-5/16inch) whereas Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G has external dimensions of 185.7 x 187.3 x 312.7mm ().

Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 2.3mm wider, 0.69999999999999mm taller and 0.69999999999999mm deeper than Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G.

Size, drawn to scale

Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.

One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.

Near-identical footprints.

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 AMS 8G is approximately 577.2cm² / 89.5inch² and base area of the Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G is approximately 585.7cm² / 90.8inch². The Silver AMS 8G requires 1% less surface area than the Silver AMS 7G which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

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 AMS 8G weighs 4.50kg / 9.9lbs and the Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G weighs 3.97kg / 8.7lbs. This makes the Silver AMS 8G 13% heavier than the Silver AMS 7G.

Here is a comparison of how Silver AMS 8G and Silver AMS 7G's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Surround class.

Weight
All Surround Speakers

Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G

Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G

Min

Average

Max

Reasons to choose Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G over Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G

Height	185mm vs 185mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area	577cm² vs 585cm²	Takes less floor space

Reasons to choose Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G over Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G

Sensitivity	88 dB vs 86 dB	Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Low Frequency Response	76 Hz vs 82 Hz	Generates deeper bass
Price per pair*	1199USD vs 1400USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G vs Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G	Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G
Brand	Monitor Audio	Monitor Audio
Speaker Type	Surround speaker	Surround speaker
Sensitivity	85.5 dB	87.5 dB
Impedance	8 ohms	8 ohms
Impedance	3.5 ohms	n/a
Frequency Response	82-35k Hz	76-35k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity	1	1
Woofer Size	5.25"	5.25"
Woofer Composition	C-CAM RST III
Tweeter Size	1"	1"
Tweeter Type	gold dome C-CAM	Hard-Dome
Aimable Tweeter	No	No
Midrange Driver	No	No
Crossover Frequency	2800Hz	n/a
Physical Specs
Height	185.0mm (7.3")	185.7mm (7.3")
Width	185.0mm (7.3")	187.3mm (7.4")
Depth	312.0mm (12.3")	312.7mm (12.3")
Weight	4.50kg (9.9lbs)	3.97kg (8.7lbs)
Enclosure	Sealed
Finish	MDF/High gloss, veneer or satin paint	MDF/Lacquer
Available Colors	High Gloss Black, European Walnut, Satin White	Gloss Black
Grille	Yes	n/a
Moisture Resistancy	No	No
Connections
Biamp Inputs	Yes	n/a
Other
Parts Warranty	5 Years	5 Years
Labor Warranty	5 Years	5 Years

Verdict

A generation apart: Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G is the newer design, against a 2021 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.

Area	Better	Why
Bass	B	Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G digs deeper - 76Hz against 82Hz. A subwoofer would even that out.
Amplifier needs	B	Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier.
Size	depends	Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit.
Cabinet	depends	Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it.
Expandability	A	Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G: bi-amping and Atmos drivers.
Price	B	Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G is cheaper - $1,199 against $1,400, about 14% less.

A Monitor Audio Silver AMS 8G B Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G
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 AMS 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 82Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Monitor Audio Silver AMS 7G is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.

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.