Don't make my mistake when you choose speakers! Monitor Audio Bronze 50

A review of the Monitor Audio Bronze 50, compact, affordable, 2-way ported bookshelf speakers including frequency response measurements and comparisons with the Harbeth P3ESR XD monitor speakers.

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00:00 Introduction
02:10 Design & specs
05:56 Sound quality
09:47 Bronze 50 vs Harbeth P3ESR XD
13:34 Wrap-up

#audiophile #audioreview #speakers

[davidbennett]

My parents have been absolutely loving the MA Silver 100's that I bought for them last year.

[andreemilsen]

The Bronze series from Monitor Audio, is kind of a unicorn, I think.
The Bronze, sound almost identical to its more expencive sibling (especially the bookshelves).
I have the Bronze 100's as bedlayer speakers all the way in my cinema/ musicroom, and the sound absolutly stuning.
The details are so clear, bass tight and punchy (yes, they are crossed to subs). The coherency in the sound is fantastic (probably due to the speakers beeing identical all the way).
I find that they actually sound best closer too the walls (don't understand why). The soundstage actually open up more, closer to the wall, and the buble of sound surrounding me, is more present in that position (in stereo).
I have a rather dampened/ treated room, and I gues that might have something to do with placment/ soundstage.
😊

[shipsahoy]

My days of buying expensive speakers are over, but I have a couple pairs of large and expensive (in today's dollars) stereo pairs that I'm maintaining for the long haul that were both refreshed within the last 5 yrs. In more recent days, I have purchased a TV soundbar and sub for TV room, pairs of open and closed back headphones for various applications,
and a pair of bookshelf speakers with stands for low spl nighttime use.
I've been working with audio long enough that I usually have a fairly good idea of what I want apriori, so these days I research options of my target product, find out all I can, and order what I think I want online, making sure that if I was wrong, I can return the product. I have a fairly good success rate that way, and rarely have to deal with the hassle of returns, thankfully!

[badinkstudios]

I saved up for quite a while to get the Silver 100s—for me it was a big purchase. But I really enjoy them, especially for rock and modern pop, which I think benefit from a rather impressive bass, given their size. Overall I think the monitor house sound is just plain and simple fun

[shipsahoy]

Yes, always good to have a few speaker setups so that you can pick which to listen to based on application or program material for maximum enjoyment👍😉.

[johnshaw]

Went for ATC (40 SCM), because they appealed to me as an engineering brand and had a proven track record.

[rayr]

In the last 2-4 yr, companies like Monitor, JBL, Polk, wharfdale have really upped their game in the 600-800 dollar range. There really are a bunch of fabulous speakers down in that price range. I repair equipment for several pawn shops and online resellers on the east coast. When I tear down speakers I can observe the equipment without all the window dressing. 1. Cabinet and bracing design are very important. 2. Cross over design and capacitor quality are also important. 3. How pressurized air is directed into a port is also important. 4. Tweeter quality is also important. All of these are observable when a speaker is open. I like what JBL, WD, Martin Logan do in a mid cost speaker. Sometimes I open up costly speakers from lesser known companies and I do not like what I see (or hear). So the correlation between price 500---->3, 000 and sound quality isnt always accurate. SVS PB-2000 Pro is a good sub in a moderately sized footprint. Air management from cabinet to port is well controlled. Larger woofer size ( > 12") are not always good for music, particularly when pairing to bookshelf size front speakers. Total overkill.

[joshuabrain]

Always loved Monitor Audio and i now own the Platinum 100 3G with Accuphase and Holo Audio electronics. Started off 15 odd years ago with the RX6 and the Rega Brio R amplifier. Since then i've tried other speakers from Focal and heard tons of different speakers over the years and have always loved their lively house sound.

[BobbyBass-xi]

Thanks for the review. I’ve seen several good reviews of those MAs. A great deal at $600 for the pair. I have a pair of SVS SB1000 Pros in my 2.2 music system. They are only about a foot wide and a foot deep so they fit into small spaces with a 12 inch woofer and they sound excellent. No port so I have them each in a corner close to the front and side walls without any sound issues. I got the pair of open-box for under $1, 000 US for the pair so very affordable. SVS also has excellent customer service before, during and after the sale. Rock on!

[Snowbird-vl]

Lachlan, I have the Silver 50 7g which is being used in a near field application. They are terrific for many of the reasons you noted. I paired them with the REL TX5 sub which helped round out the low end. I also switched DACs from the RMA to the Bifrost 264. The latter has more low mid grip which helped as well. Cheers.

[paulok]

I have the KEF KC62 and love it, zero issues with it. Lovely little box. Pretty basic controls though, but that doesnt bother me

[michaelm]

I bought them as back surrounds for 400 Euros. Indeed great for the job, not as your mains, but when you’re on a tight budget they will do nice work as your mains.

[scottmanship]

Bought the silver 300s 5.1 set up, really happy with the quality, I used to have the mordaunt short mezzo set up, really happy I upgraded

[kerryvanderkamp]

The RSL Speedwoofer line is highly rated and a fantastic value but may not be as small as you are looking for.

[punkrock]

I'm currently running the Monitor Audio Radius 90's with a Rel T/5x for my computer desk audio, absolutely satisfied with the results!

[radomirsretenovic]

I have Monitor Audio Silver 100 with 8' woofer. BEST SPEAKERS. No need for subwoofer.

[valentinobv]

A very compact, sealed subwoofer is Lyngdorf's BW-3. It's not exatly cheap, but if you're thinking on long term, might be a solution. Cheers.

[sweetsansui]

So glad finally someone has made a comparison with Harbeth. I've been impressed by Harbeth's sound at audio shows but couldn't justify their high price tags. Hope there's more options that can match its performance. Look forward to your next review of mini monitors.

[DeMorcan]

I love the HSU VTF2mk5 fir a sub. $690 USD plus shipping. It has a 1 adjustment which I used to tuen to the room. It has 2 ports of different sizes which give it 4 tunings. And, it extends below 20hz. Performance for the price is excellent.

[kevindillinger]

I hate dual binding post on bookshelf speakers. For a bookshelf speaker there is no reason to bi-wire or bi-amp them. unnecessary crap in the signal path.