In this review, we will be comparing Denton 1S and Bronze 50, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Denton 1S and Monitor Audio Bronze 50 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Wharfedale Denton 1S | Monitor Audio Bronze 50 |
|---|
| Brand | Wharfedale
United Kingdom · founded 1932 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Polypropylene | 5.25" C-CAM |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-20k Hz | 40-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-100 watts | 20-80 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.81kg / 15lbs | 5.00kg / 11lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13" x 9-5/16" x 10"
331.0 x 237.0 x 254.0mm | 11.0" x 6.5" x 10.4"
281.0 x 166.0 x 265.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Denton 1S and Bronze 50 are 2-way speakers.
Wharfedale Denton 1SMonitor Audio Bronze 50
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Wharfedale Denton 1S |
Monitor Audio Bronze 50 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Denton 1S features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Bronze 50 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Denton 1S has a frequency range of 50-20k Hz whereas Bronze 50 has a frequency range of 40-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the Bronze 50 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Denton 1S's min frequency of 50Hz.
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
Denton 1S and Bronze 50 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Denton 1S sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Bronze 50's is at 85 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Denton 1S a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Bronze 50, 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.
Denton 1S can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas Bronze 50 has a max power handling value of 80 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Denton 1S.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Bronze 50 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Denton 1S 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 Wharfedale Denton 1S's and Monitor Audio Bronze 50's external dimensions. Wharfedale Denton 1S has external dimensions of 331.0 x 237.0 x 254.0mm (13inch x 9-5/16inch x 10inch) whereas Monitor Audio Bronze 50 has external dimensions of 281.0 x 166.0 x 265.0mm (11.0 x 6.5 x 10.4inch).
Monitor Audio Bronze 50 is 71mm narrower and 50mm shorter than Wharfedale Denton 1S but it is also 11mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Wharfedale Denton 1S and Monitor Audio Bronze 50 in scale.
Comparison image of Wharfedale Denton 1S and Monitor Audio Bronze 50 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 Wharfedale Denton 1S is approximately 602.0cm2 / 93.3inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Bronze 50 is approximately 439.9cm2 / 68.2inch2. The Denton 1S requires 37% more surface area than the Bronze 50 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 Wharfedale Denton 1S and Monitor Audio Bronze 50 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 Wharfedale Denton 1S weighs 6.81kg / 15lbs and the Monitor Audio Bronze 50 weighs 5.00kg / 11lbs. This makes the Denton 1S 36% heavier than the Bronze 50.
Here is a comparison of how Denton 1S and Bronze 50's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Denton 1S?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Denton 1S:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- User's Manual
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Bronze 50?
Here are the items that come with the Bronze 50:
- 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
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
80 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
281mm
vs
331mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
439cm2
vs
602cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
550USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Wharfedale Denton 1S |
Monitor Audio Bronze 50 |
| Brand |
Wharfedale |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-100 watts |
20-80 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4.4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-20k Hz |
40-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
C-CAM |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
331.0mm (13") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Width |
237.0mm (9.3") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
254.0mm (10") |
265.0mm (10.4") |
| Weight |
6.81kg (15lbs) |
5.00kg (11lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Polymer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Walnut, Black, White, Urban Grey |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
28-32" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Wharfedale Denton 1S costs roughly 1.8x what Monitor Audio Bronze 50 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 50 digs deeper - 40Hz against 50Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Wharfedale Denton 1S is more sensitive (88dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Wharfedale Denton 1S takes more power (100W vs 80W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Bronze 50 is easier to place; Wharfedale Denton 1S is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 50: bi-amping. Monitor Audio Bronze 50 sits in a wider range (11 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Monitor Audio Bronze 50 is cheaper - $550 against $999, about 45% less; arguably a different class. |
A Wharfedale Denton 1S B Monitor Audio Bronze 50
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?
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 50Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Wharfedale Denton 1S has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Monitor Audio Bronze 50 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.