In this review, we will be comparing Reva 1 and Bronze 1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Wharfedale and Monitor Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Wharfedale Reva 1 and Monitor Audio Bronze 1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Wharfedale Reva 1 and Monitor Audio Bronze 1 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Wharfedale Reva 1 and Monitor Audio Bronze 1 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 Reva 1 and Bronze 1 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Wharfedale Reva 1 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
Reva 1 features a 1" woven textile Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Woven Glass Fiber Woofer . On the other hand, the Bronze 1 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz.
Frequency Response
Reva 1 has a frequency range of 52-20k Hz whereas Bronze 1 has a frequency range of 55-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the Reva 1 can go slightly deeper then the Bronze 1's min frequency of 55Hz.
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
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
Reva 1 and Bronze 1 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Reva 1 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Bronze 1's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Reva 1, 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.
Reva 1 can handle a max power of 70 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Reva 1 has a max power handling value of 60 watts RMS , 10 watts less than the Bronze 1.
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
Reva 1 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Bronze 1 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Reva 1 has a bottom firing port whereas Bronze 1 has a rear firing ports. Wharfedale Reva 1's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Monitor Audio Bronze 1 with its rear-firing port.
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 Wharfedale Reva 1's and Monitor Audio Bronze 1's external dimensions. Wharfedale Reva 1 has external dimensions of 318.0 x 174.0 x 285.0mm ( 12-1/2 x 6-13/16 x 11-3/16inch) whereas Monitor Audio Bronze 1 has external dimensions of 260.0 x 165.0 x 205.0mm ( 10.2 x 6.4 x 8.0inch) .
Wharfedale Reva 1 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 9mm wider, 58mm taller and 80mm deeper than Monitor Audio Bronze 1.
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 Reva 1 is approximately 495.9cm2 / 76.9inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 is approximately 338.3cm2 / 52.4inch2. The Reva 1 requires 47% more surface area than the Bronze 1 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Wharfedale Reva 1 weighs 5.64kg / 12.4lbs and the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 weighs 3.50kg / 7.7lbs. This makes the Reva 1 61% heavier than the Bronze 1.
Here is a comparison of how Reva 1 and Bronze 1'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 Reva 1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Reva 1:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles (pre-installed)8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper bars (pre-installed)Pair of white glovesUser-feets Manual
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Bronze 1?
Here are the items that come with the Bronze 1:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 2 Foam port plugs Hex-key Owner's Manual Important Safety Instructions
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Max Input Power |
70 watts
vs
60 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
260mm
vs
318mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
338cm2 (165x205mm)
vs
495cm2 (174x285mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Wharfedale Reva 1 |
Monitor Audio Bronze 1 |
Brand |
Wharfedale |
Monitor Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-60 watts |
20-70 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
52-20k Hz |
55-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
4.5" |
5.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Glass Fiber |
C-CAM |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2700Hz |
Firing Direction |
bottom |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
318.0mm (12.5") |
260.0mm (10.2") |
Width |
174.0mm (6.9") |
165.0mm (6.5") |
Depth |
285.0mm (11.2") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
Weight |
5.64kg (12.4lbs) |
3.50kg (7.7lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Wood composite laminate |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Walnut |
Walnut, White, Rosemah, Black |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
28-30" |
30-31" |
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 |