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Not enough to upgrade because I'd probably have bought something with good fit and finish in the first place. But when it comes to a new speaker for any reason, fit and finish is important to me, albeit not at expense of sound quality
FYI 7G refers to it being the 7th generation of the Silver series. I too love the Monitor Audio look and own the Bronze 2 which is the Bronze 6G series.
As much as I enjoy Andrew's reviews, my favorite part of all the reviews are hearing Kristi's opinions. She gives a more down to earth take that the audio layman can easily understand. I also enjoy listening to their conversations and interaction in an informal manner. Keep it up guys.
Just got back to audition the MA Silver 500 7G and Focal 826. I started with the Focal and there was a pair of Focal Aria 936 next to them. I brought my own media. Initially the 826 sounds good, but lacked low end. The sales person then put on the Aria 936. Night and day different, the 826 came around bright an harsh compared to the 936 which had smooth highs and deep bass, although it seemed boomy. the Sales person said we should listen tot he Monitor Audio as their 936 competitor will be better both top and bottom. Well he brought me to the Monitor Gold 300. It was substantially more expensive than the 2 Focals, but it sounded amazing. Smooth clean highs better than either Focla and the bass was deep, clean and tight. We then moved to the MA Silver 500 7G and I was impressed with how well the Silver 500 held its own. The lows were deep tight and clean, if I had not just heard the Gold I would never know there was any better. The Silver 500 7G was deep and cleaner than either focal. The major difference in the Gold (more than 2X more than the Silver 500) than the Silver was the Silver highs were brighter, but by no means harsh. I feel like the Focal 826 would be fatiguing over time. The Monitor Silver 500 7G was actually a great speaker. I am not sure the Focal 826 and MA Silver 500 7G is that close in my opinion. I guess I would have to listen to the Focal with a sub as the low end was just missing on the Focals.
Silver destroy the 826 no doubt, they punch in a different league and can compete with the Aria 948 easily. However MA are not that expensive iike Focal, so these speaker are a Win-Win for every Audiophile.
@@ManuelMedellin. The thing that hurts Monitor Audio here in the US is they need to get them here so those costs wind up putting them in some serious competition. I heard Gold 300s and feel in love, bt the price is just too much (3X Silver 500) to warranty the marginal upgrade.
Good morning Hello, I have some Focal Aria 926 and I am wondering if upgrading to Monitor Audio Silver 500 7G is a sensible upgrade... I use a Yamaha R-N2000A amplifier and I find it to be amazing in sound... The Gold series is too far out of budget. Other contenders are Polk Audio R700 and Martin Logan Foundation F2 (although I read that this Martin Logan line has a fairly cheap construction). Which of the three do you prefer? Silver 500 7G?
They look awesome in the white as well. It’s what swayed me into buying them for the living room. I don’t want to have to hide ugly speakers when anyone comes round 😀 I’m surprised about the centre image comment - when I set mine up (toed in to point just behind the listening position) I had to constantly check the centre speaker wasn’t playing as the image seemed so centred with 2 channel music.
I switched to the Silver 500 6G not because of the look but because of: 1) neutral sound 2) laser accuracy 3) maximum speed The main difference between Silver 500 6G and Dali and Emotiva is the feeling of a recording studio. In Dalí it is almost always a disco club, in Emotiva it is a jazz club, and in Silver 500 6G it is a different place every time. P.S. And yet, not compatible with the panorama Silver 500 with the center DALI Vocal 2 disappeared after 145 hours of warm-up Silver 500 6G. The total warm-up time of the Silver 500 6G was ... 383 hours !!!
I have recently upgraded from Monitor Audio 500 6G to 7G. By the way the 'G' stands for 'Generation' - because you were wondering about this... Also, the feet you have removed doesn't improve the sound for you, but their purpose is to decrease the sound vibrations for your... neighbors :)) - you will quickly learn this when leaving in a tower building and not in an isolated house in the woods. I found no major difference in design between the two generations (I had the white versions) but in sound... it is funny - I prefer the older 6G as it has more bass and I like my music to kick my lung. The awarded 7G has better medium and high response - it is true. I will keep them anyway especially because I have added a Monitor Audio Gold W15 subwoofer (discontinued) for the extra-bass. The overall sound of my 2.1 system is very good for the price I paid. I would say I never heard a better combination but you might not beleieve me - so - test it! I use an Advance Paris XA600 (2x200W) power amplifier to power them.
Neighbours is a hugely underestimated factor in Hifi in general, lol. Not everyone wants to be a "Klipsch Douchebag" and purposely piss them off for the Fun of it. (I know it's just their slogan but still...) As for the 6G vs 7G conversation, it's true the 7G are way more Detail and Vocal focused, less airy / spacious and a bit less bass heavy. Then again what they do with Vocals and Instruments is INCREDIBLE ! They are getting pulled so much more forward now, like directly in front of your Seat, that's how Vocals and Instruments now sound much more rich and voluptous, I prefer this over the slight increase in Bass.
I can't keep my eyes off the McIntosh behind you, To me it is the coolest looking and sounding gear. I bought as used Mac C 26 preamp in 1985, $300 Canadian. I used it DAILY until I sold it in 2018 for $300 Canadian. The preamp was virtually never turned off for 33 years. Great video as usual Andrew.....thanks !
Haha me neither re the McIntosh. Just bought a C27 preamp that I use with my dad's Dynaco Mark III monoblock tube amps and it sounds pretty fantastic. I'm trying to convince myself to take the plunge regarding new MAC gear but it's pretty pricey.
What a gorgeous speaker. I would want it in my living room even if it is a shell. Seriously, how does it do with Naim Atom or Audiolab 6000 play? Are these integrated amp with 40-50 WPC output a bit thin for this class of speaker? Should we step down to Monitor silver 200 or 300 series?
Hey Andrew & Kristi. I had Silver 2 standmount speakers, and the finish and build quality were outstanding for the price. I think all of us would say sound is the most important thing, but it sure is nice to have a beautiful speaker as well. I would certainly pay a little more for a nicely finished product.
Guys you hit it out of the park on this one. Andrew, your description-review was the best one yet. I can actually make an intelligent purchase decision based on your review. As for the QOTD, Difficult question…I’ve owned ugly speakers that sound great (cerwin vega, 15” woofer circa 1972) and, I think, beautiful speakers (JBL 100’s circa 1975)…but when push comes to Shove, I want both lol. I currently have the Klipsch Heresy IVs and I like both. Speaking of purchase decisions, I really miss going into a stereo store and being able to sample speakers!
Kristi, I smiled when at 14'09" you said: "for those of you that are still with us"... Kristi, I like your husband's reviews, but you are the reason why I stick till the end, I value you take more than his because you are candid, he leans heavely on lots of words that might mean nothing to the un-initiated, you are direct and take the WAF into more consideration if applies. You guys make a great team in camera, as much as I imagine you do when you are not. Take care, and keep him on his toes. Rickie
Speaking of Monitor Audio....is it time for a round up of "in-ceiling" speakers? Monitor Audio? Polk? Martin Logan? Lots of choices with specs that rival typical surround/bookshelf speakers.
Ok, first I have ask. After removing the feet did the speaker become top heavy? Cause I tried that with a set of towers and they became very tippsey on carpet, enough that I didn’t trust them around kids or pets. So unfortunately the feet went back on. And at 3200 a pair,how would these compete with the Polk Reserve L700’s? Or the cheaper Heco towers you reviewed earlier in the year. Honestly I don’t know how you guys keep track of everything you’ve reviewed. You do a absolutely awesome job reviewing products in a fair manner.
I had a chance to try the MA Silver 100 6th Ed. (previously had Silver RX1s) as a possible replacement for my current speakers which are Focal 807Ws. That said, among all the speakers I tried over the years up to their price, I likes the Silver 100s best for overall performance. Getting to the chase, very easy to drive, I really liked the added bass and punch of the low end through the lower mids, making for a bit warmer presentation but the Focals weren't too far behind and perhaps a tad faster. The Silver 100s and Focals were about equal in resolution which a slight nod to the Focals but they displayed the detail in soundtracks and especially music a bit differently. Both were sufficiently revealing but in different ways, without a quick AB switch I couldn't put my finger on it. Maybe the Focals were a bit more subtle while the MAs seemed to throw everything at you but not real sure. Previously had the Silver RX1s and I really liked the tonal decay of piano and voices in a few of my particular CDs sounding more lifelike in comparison to the Focals which at the time were new out of the box. The Focals do sound natural but they couldn't quite bring me as close to the RX 1s on some of my music (both bested everything else I've ever tried). The issue with the RX1s were they were too laid back especially for soundtracks while watching movies and not very good for Rock music and sometimes other genres but violins, acoustic, etc sounded superb as they do with Focals. The little RX1s also played very wide, beyond the speakers but had a flattish depth of stage. The Silver 100 6th Ed. retained the wide stage and added depth and sounded great with soundtracks adding a more forward sound. In the end however, I decided to stay with Focal as the upper mids and highs were IMO better than the Silver series. The Silver 100 had some of that naturalness in voice I remember, for some music a little grittyness/energy could sound live while the Focals are more studio clear with some music which may come across as a drier sound to some but don't sound like studio speakers. Just a preference. The upper mids and high of the Silver 100s just had a bit too much energy and less subtlety in dynamic shifts. The Focals could bring energy when needed but go softer very quickly. It seemed the Silvers threw everything at you in similar volume and lacked that aire, dynamic range, and spaciousness I look for in upper frequencies, so Focal can be detailed and sweeter sounding while Silver 100s have more punch, I suppose. I think they geared them more towards home theater and my understanding is that the newer series might be more so. It was a great price for new at well under $700 including tax and they looked great, in a slightly smaller package vs the larger Focals but the Focals remained great for movies and even better for music, IMO. Didn't make sense to swap. If it weren't for the Focal 807W, I would have gladly kept the MA Silver 100s, especially for the price. I preferred both to say Quad S2s that in spite of better detail and resolution than either the MAs/Focals, sounded dull with music, too dry for me and had a completely flat plane for stage depth. Great for movies as you could hear everything in the track however. So the Silvers definitely compete at their retail price. The new series took a large price bump upwards however, and for 50% more you are in Buchardt 400 MK II and other territory so, there you go. Home Theater, absolutely. For music, some may find the 6th/perhaps 7th edition a bit "shouty" on top? As is the case system matching, individual tastes can determine acceptability. I miss the stage width but the Focals have really nice depth and I wouldn't call the stage narrow either. Still makes go ahhh after all these years. Equipment used is not bright sounding: Amp used: Keces E40 Dac used: Topping D70S Speaker Cables used: Blue Jeans Cable 10 gauge 15'
QOTD: Look and finish would not move me to "upgrade" a speaker. With that said, on the initial purchase, both look and finish play a substantial part in my purchasing decision.
I remember the first time I saw a set of Monitor Audio speakers in a Yodobashi Camera store in Tokyo. Just stunning - they're design people really know what they are doing. In the last gen, I liked the smooth aluminum woofers. Now, the golf ball woofers are pretty cool. I've still never owned a pair, but maybe someday.
Thanks for the video , monitor audio fan since forever! Gold 200 and roksan blak currently in my livingroom, just makes med enjoy music so much more + looks better than most
I recently got into hifi again for the first time since the tape deck on my excellent Pioneer all-in-one (given to me as a gift) gave out, and bought Monitor Audio Bronze 2 speakers to go with the Marantz amp and sources (not all Marantz). Growing up my parents had an all-Pioneer separates system and then an Arcam amp/tuner set-up (Delta 60 and Delta 80, not a receiver) with Linn turntable and speakers. These (along with my Pioneer all-in-one and earlier Sharp system) were what started me on my audiophile journey. I had never heard of MA until I started researching and found that even people who advocated for second-hand gear recommended buying new speakers unless you’re prepared to have to repair old ones, which I’m not. I absolutely love the Bronze 2s. There’s nothing wrong with my speakers ATM but if I were in the market, I don’t see a reason not to consider myself a brand loyalist although not everyone (Britain’s What HiFi, for example) loves the Bronze 100s as much as they loved the Bronze 2s, which they replaced and which WHF gave an award.
@@jeffreyjoshuarollin9554 my father got a marantz system in the 70s, that is what peeked my interest in hifi, I got my first real hifi back in 89i had just joined the RAF, I purchased a quad 33 preamplifier and 606 power amp, pioneer PD 75 cd player and tannoy dc 3000 speakers, from then on ive had most British and UK manufactured hifi brands, I hate to think how much I've spent over the years but these days you can get great sound at reasonable cost, I do like vintage older hifi and like to mend upgrade equipment as. A hobby.
@@avro66 if I were in the market for another amp (and again I’m not, as the Marantz PM6006 is also great), I might audition the Quad Vena II. That (along with electrostatic speakers in general, which of course they’re best known for) is another brand I had never heard of until I took up the hobby again. Mind you, I’m not casting aspersions on your choices (and even if I were, “the only person who has to like the sound of your system is you, as someone once said 😉) but to me Tannoy are nothing more than synonymous with those horrendous speakers you get in train stations 😂
Thanks for the detailed review. I'm stuck between these and the Q Acoustic Concept 50, mainly for music. Do you have any thoughts? I'm not in a position to make an A/B comparison unfortunately.
I listened to both - hooked up to a Cambridge Audio Evo 150. The Silver 500s have a richer, deeper, more room-filling sound but the Concept 50s edge it on vocals. Price difference is big here in the UK where the Silver 500s are £2,500 but you can get the C 50s for £1,200 on offer. I went for the C50s as my room isn't massive.
Listened to silver 500s today ( Cambridge cd/ amp, Organ Symphony DDD Karajan): superb sensitivity/ the best in the silver series, having tried the 200 and 300 - all 7G. Rich, warm, detailed, good spatial depth. More detail than the other silvers. I settled for the 300 which is a good balance between price and quality of sound. In the end the 500 are too powerful for me. For solo voices or choral classical/opera Monitor Audio was very impressive.
Love watching your reviews! Because of your review I am the owner of Klipsch Hersey IV speakers. And to answer you question, yes I would buy/upgrade speakers based on looks and most important sound. I am actually going to sell my Magnepan 1.7i speakers mainly because of the looks. I like the sound and how they disappear, but I have grown annoyed at the size and real-estate they eat up in my listening room. Speakers are not the only component I would or have upgraded, because of looks. I have a McIntosh c50 preamp and a Yamaha p2200 amp that sounded fantastic with the Maggie's and the Klipsch Herseys. But the little yellow meters on the amp clashed and looked garage saleish to me. I ended up buying a Mcintosh mc352 that honestly sounds as good as the old Yamaha, but looks so cool that I actually paid 3 times more for the Mac, just for the looks! And now I am considering selling my my Carver Crimson 275 tube amp and buying a McIntosh mc275 IV. I have listened to the mc275 many times and can honestly say it sounds no better than the Carver. But the aesthetics to me just call out to me. I also think build quality is important too. Any way that's my opinion, I was a card carrying audiophile in my college days in the late 70's early 80's, lost interest for many years until my wife gave me an ipod. I dusted of my old college stereo system and gave a listen while having a glass of wine. I then heard a clunk to my far left, as if some one was there, I turned and looked, no one was there, it was the stereo, after that I was hooked again. Any ways keep up the great work!
These puppies love power! I had the 5th generation silver 10, went to 6th allthough opted for the bookshelfs with two subs. Now im stuck between dynaudio emit 50 and these 500s. Going to be fed with a hegel h360 and a primare dac 30 in dacloop. What i noticed in this video, is why werent there any stand for them? What i did, i used a slab of thicc tile, and some absorbers under them, also threw some under the silver 10s. What happened was control !
The only direct comparison I have with Monitors different series was the previous generation Silver 300 and Gold 300 in an A/B comparison. The Gold 300 with it's ribbon tweeter was very pristine sounding to the point of being unrealistically polished and rounded off. The Silver 300 was a more natural tone up until the point where distortion started to creep in at higher volumes. Which, to be fair, was quite loud. But there was no doubt that at the same volumes the Gold 300 sounded exactly the same as it did at more typical listening levels as it just kept getting louder whereas the Silver started to give up the fight a few DB earlier. I'd have chosen the Silver based on their more natural tone but neither was impressive enough to me to warrant the money. I will say, however, the Gold 300 tower and the bookshelf speakers were easily in the top three or four speakers looks wise I have ever seen.
Again - feels like I’m lining up something new on Netflix when Sunday morning hits :) watching this video I feel the Wharfedale Evo 4.3/4.4 and Dynaudio Evoke 50 are up your alley - maybe a review for 2022? 💙✌️
I have monitor audio silver and I have sacrificed sound for looks. Ive had proac, spendor and kef ls50 speakers all of which got booted out by monitor audio because they sound good enough and look great
how did you "sacrifice" sound ? Curious. I think the Silver destroy the Kef LS50, but with ProAc and Spendor of course they have very tough competition. I have listened to the ProAC Response DT8 and they have insane resolution, possibly better than the Monitor Audio Silver. But they also need a really really large room, or else could maybe become "too powerful".
7G stands for 7th generation of the Silver series speakers. And yes build quality and looks do matter but sound quality always comes first....if I have the choice though I would always choose a real wood veneer finish over vinyl any day and so would my wife! LOL!😉
You're right, at the end of the day, speakers are furniture. So naturally it should look and feel good to live with as much as it should sound pleasing in performance. These towers look like a great harmony between the two.
QOTD. Yes, depending on the cost to do so, looks and finish (without sonic improvement) would be enough to get me to buy a new set of speakers. If there was sonic regression, no.
Andrew and Kristi , I really enjoyed watching your review .I have MA Bronze 500 with Cambridge Audio CXA81 amplifier. It sounds phenomenal IMO . I personally preferer it`s sound over KEF750 and Klipsch R820-F. planning to upgrade to Silver 500 6G as soon as I can however, sometimes I think of Transpuls 1500 and it makes this decision difficult for me
@@mw12387 My space is about 40 square meters, but I haven't upgraded to Silver 500 yet. What is the rest of your system? Are you satisfied with the result?
These are class A rated by Stereophile. That convinces me they are a more better choice than some of the ones on here for sound quality. Just do your research. I am going to AXPONA in 23. These are on my short list Andy.
Great review once again. QOTD: absolutely aesthetics matter. I will pay more for better aesthetics as I will pay more for better sound. Now if the sounds are equally pleasing and I can go with either choice, how much more would I be willing to pay for the better look? That’s a great question I never have a firm set number on. I would take that on a case by case comparison. What I will not settle for is something that sounds great but I hate the looks. I’m sorry but there are NUMEROUS great sounding speakers and gear where I strongly feel I shouldn’t need to sacrifice my satisfaction looking at them for their sound. I expect and demand both. I should not need to sacrifice one or the other. Maybe I’m too demanding?
Went for a demo , after hearing all the rave reviews, they dont have any bottom end …. The dealer suggested to also demo the quadrals that he had on demo , Loved them and booked a pair immediately.
odd, since they are having Dual 8 inch woofer, when I auditioned them in Dolby atmos, the earth was rumbling under my feet lol. I guess it depends on AV Receiver and Amp matching.
Great review! I had the same issue with the C250 centre, it gets lost due to driver size. In family room I'm running MA Silver 100 7G (x4) and the C350 6G centre. The C350 matches better with the 100 and 500s and tons better then C250. GREAT SPEAKERS. 👍
Great review. Have you tried the silver 100 or 300 7G? What do you think of pairing them with a Musical Fidelity integrated to add some tonal thickness and Low end?
R700 vs silver 500 7g vs emotiva t3+ vs arendal 1723 thx? Which is best regardless of price honest opinion please 🙏 i need your help choosing my first audiophile purchase for some speakers.
I have not spent time with the Emotiva or the Arendal 1723 so I cannot advise you there, sorry. Between the Polk R700 and Monitor Audio, it's going to come down to two things; bass and high frequencies. If you want a "brighter" more lively sound with good bass but maybe better punch go with the MA. If you want a smoother sound, that isn't as bright with a bit more bass weight and oomph get the Polk.
Once again, couldn't agree more. I have a set of previous generation Monitor Audio Silvers and they are fantastic in my home theater system paired with my Yamaha RX-A1000 and Martin Logan sub in a 7.1 rig. The finish and look really help win their spot in the living room.
I love the look of these speakers. To your question - currently running the klipsch in 11.2 in my home theatre… in that environment the finish isn’t as important to me, but if I could get a second system in my main floor living room, then I’d prioritize the finish and would love to have as something as pretty as these speakers.
Thanks for the review Andrew & Kristi. Yes…I would pay more for a speaker that looks better. Our speakers are in our family room so looks are important. Wood veneer speakers always look better than vinyl wraps. These MA speakers look great! I am currently deciding between the MA 500 7G and the Klipsch RF-7 III, along with the RC-64 center channel. I’d be curious to hear your thoughts (or anyone else’s) on the RF-7 (because you both love the RP-8000’s). BTW…we are opting for the RF-7’s due to the fact they look better than the 8000’s with the veneer finish. I’d be grateful for any feedback! Thanks!
Great review guys. I've been the proud owner of the previous incarnation Silver 500 6G for a couple of years now. Noticed Monitor Audio have reduced the size of the midrange driver from 4" to 3" on the 7G.
Just bought a pair of Paradigm Premier 200B bookshelves, wonderful build quality and 100% Made in Canada, $1K for the pair, I'm over the moon with their sound and looks.
QOTD: design, build and sound are equally important to me. I really wanted the PMC Twenty23 based on their looks a couple of years ago, but following an audition, they weren't for me. Too bright! Will try the active ATS SCM 19a, next. Again, I love their looks..... So, looks draw me in, and then performance is the buy/sell decision. Same with amps and turntables.
Great video! Can you guys do a review of Bronze 500 as well? Due to it's lack of mid range woofer I'm really curious what difference is there. Thank you!
I have a Yamaha R- N803D amp.. about 130 watts RMS I’m told. I run infinity RS3001, basic sound, Infinity RS635 basic and far away sound unless I run the amp at 90% volume then I get some loud sound but lacks what I call headroom and there’s not much presence. I’m told the Silver 7 monitor audio speakers are the way to go. They sure look good. I think I need a 500 watt amp to run those old infinity speakers….. what do you think? Thank you in anticipation!! Great video by the way!!! Mike
I have a pair of second hand silver 8 monitor + center channel from few years ago and I love them. Even the rosewood finish is nice. I wouldn't change them for a different look except if it was for a significant jump in audio quality. Connected to a Cambridge audio avr is fine for me.
Any thoughts or attempts to get any of the Arendal Sound or Aperion Audio speakers in house for review? I've always been a 2 channel guy, but I've recently began looking at surround sound possibilities for our living room. These two brands keep coming up in my researching.
Good review. Manufacturer recommends 80W per channel. Nice to hear my older 60W Rotel will power them nicely. Heard them today. Stunning clarity. Refined sound with lively bass. I disagree with your view on soundstage. Slightly toed in these are among the best I’ve heard. On my short list for new towers this year!
Nice review, as always. You convinced me to buy the Magnats but when I tried to they were out of stock. Likely a good thing as I don’t think my wife would appreciate the size. I thought for a very brief moment that Kristi didn’t have a link to them in the description but, of course, I was wrong. I not only appreciate Kristi’s opinions on the products you review but I really, really appreciate all the work that goes into the thoroughness of the descriptions. So many reviewers on this platform say there will be “links in the description” but often don’t actually put them there. Yes I would upgrade over looks and finish. It’s not the first thing on my list but it’s definitely a factor. That’s the reason I hadn’t yet bought the Magnats.
There are enough stylish and great sounding speakers out there that you can find both without breaking a sweat. Like you I love the look of the La Scalas and I also love the look of Pearl Acoustic’s Sibelius speakers. I’m sure both sound amazing.
To answer your question on build fit and finish and would I upgrade, the answer is no not on that alone. Part of my current dilemma is I am looking at the Polk R700, but the vinyl wrap is turning me off. That has me looking to spend more to get a better looking speaker with same sound qualities.
I would definitely pay more to buy speakers that have a better look and finish, especially if it's for the living room (perhaps not so much for a basement home theater). However, I would not upgrade my speakers just to get a better look. I really like that you're paying attention to design during your reviews. Design is clearly mentioned in the introduction sequence of all your videos, so it's nice to see that it's a part of your evaluation.
Amazing Review, Andrew! I like how you always seem to find the right words to describe what you're hearing 🙂 How would you compare the Monitor Audio Silver 500 with the slightly cheaper B&W 603 S2 speakers? Have you got any B&W reviews coming up next? 😃
I think it depends on the room decor and taste. Like, I love reddish woods that I know you guys don't, and the light woods and that stark scandanavian type design is ok for what it is, but doesn't do anything for me and wouldn't fit in my house. I have more midcentury decor and live in a 90 year old brownstone, so stuff like the Linton, KLH and even the retro JBL fits in a lot better. So while I think that looks can matter, thats more of a personal read and value proposition.
Thanks to your first video about the Bronze 100, I become aware of this brand in general. Since its not as common as Klipsch you cannot try these out in a Hifi-Store (here in Germany). Lucky, I found one by coincidence. First on the Website I thought, "nah this Store is way out of this league" since they are specialized on custom home cinema (>100k€ in total), selling Trinnov AV Processors for 18k and stuff. Never the less they acually sell Monitor Audio Products. After a 1 hour trial in their (acustic perfect) listening room I was blown away. This stage and detail, jeez. I didnt tried out the SIlver Series, because couldnt afford these. After some consinderations I made myself a chistmas gift and bought the bronze 500. Im just in love with these speakers, they make so much fun. Some acustic tweek need to be done in my room, and it will be perfect for me.
That was great review Drew those are definitely some pretty floor standers. So I just ordered the nad316bee to play with. I'm kind of excited I've never heard one I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it I rewatched your video on the newer NAD earlier today.
Never disappointed with your reviews. Ugly doesnt really bother me. Just look at my picture... Ugly is ok with ugly :-D. Both my Karmann Ghias have great sound systems and patch work paint lol Great job
How can I compare my B&W CM8 S2 to these Monitor Audio? Are the MA a whole other level or are they similar, will I experience a big step of improvement or barely noticable?
I want to thank you and Kristi for this channel. My favourite on TH-cam and most watched. I am a proud member of the Monitor Audio Family now… I went and listened to the Paradigm F80 and Audiovector QR 3. On a New Yamaha 2000 A integrated amp qbuzz 44.1 kHz cd quality. The QR 3 by Audiovector was better than the Paradigm F80, better clarity and bass and imaging. On a Rotel integrated ? Listened to the Silver 300’s which have 6 inch drivers. The tweeter and mid range were very lively and imaged quite well. Streaming on tidal. Bit better not by much than the Paradigm to my ears, but a tad less than Audiovector Qr 3. The Silver 500 was next to the 300. The 300 was as tight as the QR 3. The 500 has same mid range and tweeter as the 300 but had wider sound. Plus it bested both brands because it comes with foam bungs. This allows for making the speaker a sealed (close to wall or ported (away from wall) Sealed tightens the bass, ported well….nice bass. No other speakers I looked at did this. I like flexibility and this sold me. I liked the 500 the best for my room and to my ears. The others would get lost in my theater room because of the smaller drivers in a 20 ft by 27 ft basement. Gloss black arrives Saturday. My 2 cents. Thanks.
@@MasterofpuppetsBS yes very happy. Also wish reviewers would mention port bungs, for sealed option. This plus the myriad of other things these speakers offered are what got me to buy them.
@@twotooneadam1239I dont have much experience and am learning about all this new stuff =) What is the reason for using the emotiva? Did you feel the Onkyo had not enough power to drive the MA500? Or any other reasons or points I should also consider. Thank you so much! =)
Hi, Andrew. When Monitor Audio was actually made in England, the speakers had a very different sound. Basically, the response was on the neutral side, not emphasising any part of the frequency range. The soundstage appeared to come from behind the speakers spread out in a wide arc from speaker to speaker. This was the sound every hi fi enthusiast was after. Unfortunately at the time the high cost of importing British speakers was very expensive. Today, that has all changed. Being assembled in China, , there are no rules to follow. Regarding the centre image, two identical speakers at the same volume, in a room with the same acoustic properties at each speaker will produce a clear centre image if you are sitting at the same distance from both speakers. As soon as you move your head to the left or right that centre image will also move off centre . I would never "upgrade" because of a speaker's appearance or finish. How will that "upgrade the sound" ?
Great video as always! QOTD answer: Fit, finish, and aesthetics are a huge factor for me. Looking forward to the Silver series bookshelf review - thank you Andrew and Kristi!
These are among my favorite Speakers up to 2500 $, really a step above the Klipsch 8000F, they are trading blows with the more expensive Dali Opticon 8 MK II, which is like 3500 $, and has slightly more impressive Bass. But still ... for that kind of money you are hard pressed to find a better balanced Floorstanding Speaker, I think the KLH Model 5 are on even grounds in the Mids and Treble, but will still not have the Scale of Bass that these MA 500 Silver do. Other strong competitors are the Canton Vento 896.2, but I find their Treble a tad on the bright side.
Hi Andrew, I'm a fan of your channel from Chile. Could you explain to me how to configure the silver 500 speakers with audiolab 6000a at 4 ohms as you recommend? After seeing this video I bought both but I don't know how to connect them correctly 😅. Thank you!!
Hi!!! Great video! A quick question, regarding the sensibility of 87 db of the bronze 100, isn't a bit low for the audiolab 6000? This MA silver 500 with 90, 5 sounds mach better pair regarding power/performance ratio. Thanks!!!
Of coarse sonics are priority but build quality and finish are very important to me. I just recently upgraded to the Kef R3's with the oak finish. They are as stunning to look at as they are to listen to. I doubt Andrew would like them. Accuracy is their trademark.
Excellent review, Monitor Audio is a great company. To the QOTD, absolutely, Build quality, fit, finish, and overall presentation mean alot to my system, as well they should have a great sound. Are there any chances that the Dali Oberon 9 is/can be reviewed here also? Used to be a solid sound and the price is very reasonable.
Thanks so much for doing this review! I have a pair of Monitor Audio Bronze 500 6G series speakers, and I think they sound pretty good. Have been trying to pair them with an amplifier that will get the best out of them, as I’m currently running an old Denon AVR 2700. What would you recommend?
I'm in the market for a pair of floorstanders and build quality and appearance are very important to me. I've had my current speakers for 25 years now. Although I probably won't have my next set of speakers for that long I want something that looks good in my living room. Right now my biggest contenders are the Monitor 300 7G and Sonus Faber Lumina V
@J Yes, I"m considering Paradigm as well and a local shop carries them. I actually just replaced a 25 year old pair of Paradigm bookshelf speakers that I used as surrounds at first then as PC speakers. I have multiple friends and family that bought Paradigms after hearing mine. Paradigm's competitors seem to be getting reviews but I plan to hear them for myself.
i have the silver 300 g6 range ( 5 on the floor ) 2x 6g w12 subs, 4 50s and the siver fx for hights. and im thinking of swopping them out for the new 300 7gs, because the finnish in wood veneers is just ₩@₩ , and i understad them😇👌
I love the look of these in ash. I had Monitor on my shortlist of speakers to check out, but was never able to find a place to audition them and because I don’t typically like speakers with a bright top end, I was concerned I wouldn’t love the sound in the long term.
✅ *GET IT HERE: **bit.ly/31SXLby**, **amzn.to/3GCjaF1*
★ *CLICK 🔝 “SHOW MORE” in the description for answers to many of your questions*
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Probably not.
Budgetary reasons.
That and the rest of my decor is "middling". They'd outshine everything.
Good review
along time waiting for SVS prime pinnacle tower review from you 🙏
Not enough to upgrade because I'd probably have bought something with good fit and finish in the first place. But when it comes to a new speaker for any reason, fit and finish is important to me, albeit not at expense of sound quality
I would upgrade
FYI 7G refers to it being the 7th generation of the Silver series. I too love the Monitor Audio look and own the Bronze 2 which is the Bronze 6G series.
this man never had trouble writing enough words for his h.s. papers.
😂. 🤣. 😂
Lol 😂
As much as I enjoy Andrew's reviews, my favorite part of all the reviews are hearing Kristi's opinions. She gives a more down to earth take that the audio layman can easily understand.
I also enjoy listening to their conversations and interaction in an informal manner. Keep it up guys.
We sincerely appreciate you sticking around to watch the full video. Thank you.
I've adored my Silver 6 speakers for more than a decade. I just get a big smile on my face every time I listen to them!
Just got back to audition the MA Silver 500 7G and Focal 826. I started with the Focal and there was a pair of Focal Aria 936 next to them. I brought my own media. Initially the 826 sounds good, but lacked low end. The sales person then put on the Aria 936. Night and day different, the 826 came around bright an harsh compared to the 936 which had smooth highs and deep bass, although it seemed boomy. the Sales person said we should listen tot he Monitor Audio as their 936 competitor will be better both top and bottom. Well he brought me to the Monitor Gold 300. It was substantially more expensive than the 2 Focals, but it sounded amazing. Smooth clean highs better than either Focla and the bass was deep, clean and tight. We then moved to the MA Silver 500 7G and I was impressed with how well the Silver 500 held its own. The lows were deep tight and clean, if I had not just heard the Gold I would never know there was any better. The Silver 500 7G was deep and cleaner than either focal. The major difference in the Gold (more than 2X more than the Silver 500) than the Silver was the Silver highs were brighter, but by no means harsh. I feel like the Focal 826 would be fatiguing over time. The Monitor Silver 500 7G was actually a great speaker. I am not sure the Focal 826 and MA Silver 500 7G is that close in my opinion. I guess I would have to listen to the Focal with a sub as the low end was just missing on the Focals.
Silver destroy the 826 no doubt, they punch in a different league and can compete with the Aria 948 easily. However MA are not that expensive iike Focal, so these speaker are a Win-Win for every Audiophile.
@@ManuelMedellin. The thing that hurts Monitor Audio here in the US is they need to get them here so those costs wind up putting them in some serious competition. I heard Gold 300s and feel in love, bt the price is just too much (3X Silver 500) to warranty the marginal upgrade.
Hi...with what amp did you try all that speakers?
Good morning Hello,
I have some Focal Aria 926 and I am wondering if upgrading to Monitor Audio Silver 500 7G is a sensible upgrade...
I use a Yamaha R-N2000A amplifier and I find it to be amazing in sound...
The Gold series is too far out of budget.
Other contenders are Polk Audio R700 and Martin Logan Foundation F2 (although I read that this Martin Logan line has a fairly cheap construction).
Which of the three do you prefer?
Silver 500 7G?
They look awesome in the white as well. It’s what swayed me into buying them for the living room. I don’t want to have to hide ugly speakers when anyone comes round 😀
I’m surprised about the centre image comment - when I set mine up (toed in to point just behind the listening position) I had to constantly check the centre speaker wasn’t playing as the image seemed so centred with 2 channel music.
I switched to the Silver 500 6G not because of the look but because of:
1) neutral sound
2) laser accuracy
3) maximum speed
The main difference between Silver 500 6G and Dali and Emotiva is the feeling of a recording studio. In Dalí it is almost always a disco club, in Emotiva it is a jazz club, and in Silver 500 6G it is a different place every time.
P.S. And yet, not compatible with the panorama Silver 500 with the center DALI Vocal 2 disappeared after 145 hours of warm-up Silver 500 6G.
The total warm-up time of the Silver 500 6G was ... 383 hours !!!
I have recently upgraded from Monitor Audio 500 6G to 7G. By the way the 'G' stands for 'Generation' - because you were wondering about this... Also, the feet you have removed doesn't improve the sound for you, but their purpose is to decrease the sound vibrations for your... neighbors :)) - you will quickly learn this when leaving in a tower building and not in an isolated house in the woods.
I found no major difference in design between the two generations (I had the white versions) but in sound... it is funny - I prefer the older 6G as it has more bass and I like my music to kick my lung. The awarded 7G has better medium and high response - it is true. I will keep them anyway especially because I have added a Monitor Audio Gold W15 subwoofer (discontinued) for the extra-bass. The overall sound of my 2.1 system is very good for the price I paid. I would say I never heard a better combination but you might not beleieve me - so - test it! I use an Advance Paris XA600 (2x200W) power amplifier to power them.
Neighbours is a hugely underestimated factor in Hifi in general, lol. Not everyone wants to be a "Klipsch Douchebag" and purposely piss them off for the Fun of it. (I know it's just their slogan but still...)
As for the 6G vs 7G conversation, it's true the 7G are way more Detail and Vocal focused, less airy / spacious and a bit less bass heavy. Then again what they do with Vocals and Instruments is INCREDIBLE ! They are getting pulled so much more forward now, like directly in front of your Seat, that's how Vocals and Instruments now sound much more rich and voluptous, I prefer this over the slight increase in Bass.
I was wondering about 6G vs 7G. My local dealer has a pair of 500 6G demos for half the price of 7Gs.
I can't keep my eyes off the McIntosh behind you, To me it is the coolest looking and sounding gear. I bought as used Mac C 26 preamp in 1985, $300 Canadian. I used it DAILY until I sold it in 2018 for $300 Canadian. The preamp was virtually never turned off for 33 years. Great video as usual Andrew.....thanks !
Haha me neither re the McIntosh. Just bought a C27 preamp that I use with my dad's Dynaco Mark III monoblock tube amps and it sounds pretty fantastic. I'm trying to convince myself to take the plunge regarding new MAC gear but it's pretty pricey.
What a gorgeous speaker. I would want it in my living room even if it is a shell. Seriously, how does it do with Naim Atom or Audiolab 6000 play? Are these integrated amp with 40-50
WPC output a bit thin for this class of speaker? Should we step down to Monitor silver 200 or 300 series?
One of the best channels for audio gear ever!
Wow, thanks!
Hey Andrew & Kristi. I had Silver 2 standmount speakers, and the finish and build quality were outstanding for the price. I think all of us would say sound is the most important thing, but it sure is nice to have a beautiful speaker as well. I would certainly pay a little more for a nicely finished product.
Guys you hit it out of the park on this one. Andrew, your description-review was the best one yet. I can actually make an intelligent purchase decision based on your review.
As for the QOTD, Difficult question…I’ve owned ugly speakers that sound great (cerwin vega, 15” woofer circa 1972) and, I think, beautiful speakers (JBL 100’s circa 1975)…but when push comes to Shove, I want both lol. I currently have the Klipsch Heresy IVs and I like both.
Speaking of purchase decisions, I really miss going into a stereo store and being able to sample speakers!
Watched it. Bought it. Will never regret it. They are so damn good. Thank you A&K!
So glad to know that!
Kristi, I smiled when at 14'09" you said: "for those of you that are still with us"... Kristi, I like your husband's reviews, but you are the reason why I stick till the end, I value you take more than his because you are candid, he leans heavely on lots of words that might mean nothing to the un-initiated, you are direct and take the WAF into more consideration if applies. You guys make a great team in camera, as much as I imagine you do when you are not. Take care, and keep him on his toes. Rickie
I sincerely appreciate your comment, Rickie. Thank you ❤️.
Speaking of Monitor Audio....is it time for a round up of "in-ceiling" speakers? Monitor Audio? Polk? Martin Logan? Lots of choices with specs that rival typical surround/bookshelf speakers.
Ok, first I have ask. After removing the feet did the speaker become top heavy? Cause I tried that with a set of towers and they became very tippsey on carpet, enough that I didn’t trust them around kids or pets. So unfortunately the feet went back on. And at 3200 a pair,how would these compete with the Polk Reserve L700’s? Or the cheaper Heco towers you reviewed earlier in the year. Honestly I don’t know how you guys keep track of everything you’ve reviewed. You do a absolutely awesome job reviewing products in a fair manner.
I love my 6G towers! They pair up awesomely with my Technic SU-G700 and cant wait to connect it to my new TX-RZ50 when it comes next week.
I had a chance to try the MA Silver 100 6th Ed. (previously had Silver RX1s) as a possible replacement for my current speakers which are Focal 807Ws. That said, among all the speakers I tried over the years up to their price, I likes the Silver 100s best for overall performance.
Getting to the chase, very easy to drive, I really liked the added bass and punch of the low end through the lower mids, making for a bit warmer presentation but the Focals weren't too far behind and perhaps a tad faster. The Silver 100s and Focals were about equal in resolution which a slight nod to the Focals but they displayed the detail in soundtracks and especially music a bit differently. Both were sufficiently revealing but in different ways, without a quick AB switch I couldn't put my finger on it. Maybe the Focals were a bit more subtle while the MAs seemed to throw everything at you but not real sure.
Previously had the Silver RX1s and I really liked the tonal decay of piano and voices in a few of my particular CDs sounding more lifelike in comparison to the Focals which at the time were new out of the box. The Focals do sound natural but they couldn't quite bring me as close to the RX 1s on some of my music (both bested everything else I've ever tried). The issue with the RX1s were they were too laid back especially for soundtracks while watching movies and not very good for Rock music and sometimes other genres but violins, acoustic, etc sounded superb as they do with Focals. The little RX1s also played very wide, beyond the speakers but had a flattish depth of stage.
The Silver 100 6th Ed. retained the wide stage and added depth and sounded great with soundtracks adding a more forward sound.
In the end however, I decided to stay with Focal as the upper mids and highs were IMO better than the Silver series. The Silver 100 had some of that naturalness in voice I remember, for some music a little grittyness/energy could sound live while the Focals are more studio clear with some music which may come across as a drier sound to some but don't sound like studio speakers. Just a preference.
The upper mids and high of the Silver 100s just had a bit too much energy and less subtlety in dynamic shifts. The Focals could bring energy when needed but go softer very quickly. It seemed the Silvers threw everything at you in similar volume and lacked that aire, dynamic range, and spaciousness I look for in upper frequencies, so Focal can be detailed and sweeter sounding while Silver 100s have more punch, I suppose. I think they geared them more towards home theater and my understanding is that the newer series might be more so.
It was a great price for new at well under $700 including tax and they looked great, in a slightly smaller package vs the larger Focals but the Focals remained great for movies and even better for music, IMO. Didn't make sense to swap.
If it weren't for the Focal 807W, I would have gladly kept the MA Silver 100s, especially for the price. I preferred both to say Quad S2s that in spite of better detail and resolution than either the MAs/Focals, sounded dull with music, too dry for me and had a completely flat plane for stage depth. Great for movies as you could hear everything in the track however. So the Silvers definitely compete at their retail price.
The new series took a large price bump upwards however, and for 50% more you are in Buchardt 400 MK II and other territory so, there you go. Home Theater, absolutely. For music, some may find the 6th/perhaps 7th edition a bit "shouty" on top? As is the case system matching, individual tastes can determine acceptability.
I miss the stage width but the Focals have really nice depth and I wouldn't call the stage narrow either. Still makes go ahhh after all these years.
Equipment used is not bright sounding:
Amp used: Keces E40
Dac used: Topping D70S
Speaker Cables used: Blue Jeans Cable 10 gauge 15'
Focal Aria 926 vs Silver 500G ? Which one?
QOTD: Look and finish would not move me to "upgrade" a speaker. With that said, on the initial purchase, both look and finish play a substantial part in my purchasing decision.
I remember the first time I saw a set of Monitor Audio speakers in a Yodobashi Camera store in Tokyo. Just stunning - they're design people really know what they are doing. In the last gen, I liked the smooth aluminum woofers. Now, the golf ball woofers are pretty cool. I've still never owned a pair, but maybe someday.
I would never sacrifice sound for looks. But i would absolutely spend an extra $500 for good sound and good looks. Rather than just good sound.
Thanks for the video , monitor audio fan since forever! Gold 200 and roksan blak currently in my livingroom, just makes med enjoy music so much more + looks better than most
I've used monitor audio speakers on and off since the 80s always great build quality and sound
I recently got into hifi again for the first time since the tape deck on my excellent Pioneer all-in-one (given to me as a gift) gave out, and bought Monitor Audio Bronze 2 speakers to go with the Marantz amp and sources (not all Marantz).
Growing up my parents had an all-Pioneer separates system and then an Arcam amp/tuner set-up (Delta 60 and Delta 80, not a receiver) with Linn turntable and speakers. These (along with my Pioneer all-in-one and earlier Sharp system) were what started me on my audiophile journey.
I had never heard of MA until I started researching and found that even people who advocated for second-hand gear recommended buying new speakers unless you’re prepared to have to repair old ones, which I’m not. I absolutely love the Bronze 2s.
There’s nothing wrong with my speakers ATM but if I were in the market, I don’t see a reason not to consider myself a brand loyalist although not everyone (Britain’s What HiFi, for example) loves the Bronze 100s as much as they loved the Bronze 2s, which they replaced and which WHF gave an award.
@@jeffreyjoshuarollin9554 my father got a marantz system in the 70s, that is what peeked my interest in hifi, I got my first real hifi back in 89i had just joined the RAF, I purchased a quad 33 preamplifier and 606 power amp, pioneer PD 75 cd player and tannoy dc 3000 speakers, from then on ive had most British and UK manufactured hifi brands, I hate to think how much I've spent over the years but these days you can get great sound at reasonable cost, I do like vintage older hifi and like to mend upgrade equipment as. A hobby.
@@avro66 if I were in the market for another amp (and again I’m not, as the Marantz PM6006 is also great), I might audition the Quad Vena II. That (along with electrostatic speakers in general, which of course they’re best known for) is another brand I had never heard of until I took up the hobby again.
Mind you, I’m not casting aspersions on your choices (and even if I were, “the only person who has to like the sound of your system is you, as someone once said 😉) but to me Tannoy are nothing more than synonymous with those horrendous speakers you get in train stations 😂
I've got Monitor Audio Silvers I bought in 2011. Towers for fronts, center and the BX-FX for rears
Thanks for the detailed review. I'm stuck between these and the Q Acoustic Concept 50, mainly for music. Do you have any thoughts? I'm not in a position to make an A/B comparison unfortunately.
I listened to both - hooked up to a Cambridge Audio Evo 150. The Silver 500s have a richer, deeper, more room-filling sound but the Concept 50s edge it on vocals. Price difference is big here in the UK where the Silver 500s are £2,500 but you can get the C 50s for £1,200 on offer. I went for the C50s as my room isn't massive.
Listened to silver 500s today ( Cambridge cd/ amp, Organ Symphony DDD Karajan): superb sensitivity/ the best in the silver series, having tried the 200 and 300 - all 7G. Rich, warm, detailed, good spatial depth. More detail than the other silvers. I settled for the 300 which is a good balance between price and quality of sound. In the end the 500 are too powerful for me. For solo voices or choral classical/opera Monitor Audio was very impressive.
Where do you live? UK?
Love watching your reviews! Because of your review I am the owner of Klipsch Hersey IV speakers. And to answer you question, yes I would buy/upgrade speakers based on looks and most important sound. I am actually going to sell my Magnepan 1.7i speakers mainly because of the looks. I like the sound and how they disappear, but I have grown annoyed at the size and real-estate they eat up in my listening room. Speakers are not the only component I would or have upgraded, because of looks. I have a McIntosh c50 preamp and a Yamaha p2200 amp that sounded fantastic with the Maggie's and the Klipsch Herseys. But the little yellow meters on the amp clashed and looked garage saleish to me. I ended up buying a Mcintosh mc352 that honestly sounds as good as the old Yamaha, but looks so cool that I actually paid 3 times more for the Mac, just for the looks! And now I am considering selling my my Carver Crimson 275 tube amp and buying a McIntosh mc275 IV. I have listened to the mc275 many times and can honestly say it sounds no better than the Carver. But the aesthetics to me just call out to me. I also think build quality is important too. Any way that's my opinion, I was a card carrying audiophile in my college days in the late 70's early 80's, lost interest for many years until my wife gave me an ipod. I dusted of my old college stereo system and gave a listen while having a glass of wine. I then heard a clunk to my far left, as if some one was there, I turned and looked, no one was there, it was the stereo, after that I was hooked again. Any ways keep up the great work!
They look great with your floors.
I think so too!
These puppies love power! I had the 5th generation silver 10, went to 6th allthough opted for the bookshelfs with two subs. Now im stuck between dynaudio emit 50 and these 500s. Going to be fed with a hegel h360 and a primare dac 30 in dacloop. What i noticed in this video, is why werent there any stand for them? What i did, i used a slab of thicc tile, and some absorbers under them, also threw some under the silver 10s. What happened was control !
The only direct comparison I have with Monitors different series was the previous generation Silver 300 and Gold 300 in an A/B comparison.
The Gold 300 with it's ribbon tweeter was very pristine sounding to the point of being unrealistically polished and rounded off. The Silver 300 was a more natural tone up until the point where distortion started to creep in at higher volumes. Which, to be fair, was quite loud. But there was no doubt that at the same volumes the Gold 300 sounded exactly the same as it did at more typical listening levels as it just kept getting louder whereas the Silver started to give up the fight a few DB earlier. I'd have chosen the Silver based on their more natural tone but neither was impressive enough to me to warrant the money. I will say, however, the Gold 300 tower and the bookshelf speakers were easily in the top three or four speakers looks wise I have ever seen.
Which speaker you ended up buying?
Great looks great sound definitely one of my favorite speakers nice review both of you.
Thanks for dropping by, WC! Enjoy your Sunday.
Again - feels like I’m lining up something new on Netflix when Sunday morning hits :) watching this video I feel the Wharfedale Evo 4.3/4.4 and Dynaudio Evoke 50 are up your alley - maybe a review for 2022? 💙✌️
I can’t wait to hear your review of the Mac 7200!
I have monitor audio silver and I have sacrificed sound for looks. Ive had proac, spendor and kef ls50 speakers all of which got booted out by monitor audio because they sound good enough and look great
how did you "sacrifice" sound ? Curious. I think the Silver destroy the Kef LS50, but with ProAc and Spendor of course they have very tough competition. I have listened to the ProAC Response DT8 and they have insane resolution, possibly better than the Monitor Audio Silver. But they also need a really really large room, or else could maybe become "too powerful".
Curious how these might compare to Aperion Verus Grand … ?
7G stands for 7th generation of the Silver series speakers. And yes build quality and looks do matter but sound quality always comes first....if I have the choice though I would always choose a real wood veneer finish over vinyl any day and so would my wife! LOL!😉
Yea real wood won't scrub off and will last you for Decades
Absolutely gorgeous speakers. Yes, I would definitely get new speakers based on child quality and aesthetics. But I love the look of my Klipsch Fives.
You're right, at the end of the day, speakers are furniture. So naturally it should look and feel good to live with as much as it should sound pleasing in performance. These towers look like a great harmony between the two.
That's why we have the wharfedale Lintons with the stands :)
Yes absolutely I would upgrade based on fit and finish. Looks are a big part of the reason I initially gravitated towards my Zu’s.
Have the silver bookshelves in my bedroom, and they have a very refined tweeter and great imaging.
I have the 7G 300s in walnut , they are SOOoooo beautiful and the sound is stunning. I run mine with bluesound powernode 2ii
Thanks for sharing!
QOTD. Yes, depending on the cost to do so, looks and finish (without sonic improvement) would be enough to get me to buy a new set of speakers. If there was sonic regression, no.
Andrew and Kristi , I really enjoyed watching your review .I have MA Bronze 500 with Cambridge Audio CXA81 amplifier. It sounds phenomenal IMO . I personally preferer it`s sound over KEF750 and Klipsch R820-F. planning to upgrade to Silver 500 6G as soon as I can however, sometimes I think of Transpuls 1500 and it makes this decision difficult for me
Nice..how big is your room?..planing to have 500 7g..have 20 square meters room
@@mw12387 My space is about 40 square meters, but I haven't upgraded to Silver 500 yet.
What is the rest of your system? Are you satisfied with the result?
I’ve had my Silver 500’s driving my MAC6700 for 4 years! My first and only pair of speakers and my first and only amp. 🤘🏻
Reverse that
These are class A rated by Stereophile. That convinces me they are a more better choice than some of the ones on here for sound quality. Just do your research. I am going to AXPONA in 23. These are on my short list Andy.
Great review once again. QOTD: absolutely aesthetics matter. I will pay more for better aesthetics as I will pay more for better sound. Now if the sounds are equally pleasing and I can go with either choice, how much more would I be willing to pay for the better look? That’s a great question I never have a firm set number on. I would take that on a case by case comparison. What I will not settle for is something that sounds great but I hate the looks. I’m sorry but there are NUMEROUS great sounding speakers and gear where I strongly feel I shouldn’t need to sacrifice my satisfaction looking at them for their sound. I expect and demand both. I should not need to sacrifice one or the other. Maybe I’m too demanding?
Went for a demo , after hearing all the rave reviews, they dont have any bottom end …. The dealer suggested to also demo the quadrals that he had on demo ,
Loved them and booked a pair immediately.
odd, since they are having Dual 8 inch woofer, when I auditioned them in Dolby atmos, the earth was rumbling under my feet lol. I guess it depends on AV Receiver and Amp matching.
Great review! I had the same issue with the C250 centre, it gets lost due to driver size. In family room I'm running MA Silver 100 7G (x4) and the C350 6G centre. The C350 matches better with the 100 and 500s and tons better then C250. GREAT SPEAKERS. 👍
I picked up a MA Gold C350 for £500 on Ebay.
Great review. Have you tried the silver 100 or 300 7G? What do you think of pairing them with a Musical Fidelity integrated to add some tonal thickness and Low end?
R700 vs silver 500 7g vs emotiva t3+ vs arendal 1723 thx? Which is best regardless of price honest opinion please 🙏 i need your help choosing my first audiophile purchase for some speakers.
I have not spent time with the Emotiva or the Arendal 1723 so I cannot advise you there, sorry. Between the Polk R700 and Monitor Audio, it's going to come down to two things; bass and high frequencies. If you want a "brighter" more lively sound with good bass but maybe better punch go with the MA. If you want a smoother sound, that isn't as bright with a bit more bass weight and oomph get the Polk.
Once again, couldn't agree more. I have a set of previous generation Monitor Audio Silvers and they are fantastic in my home theater system paired with my Yamaha RX-A1000 and Martin Logan sub in a 7.1 rig. The finish and look really help win their spot in the living room.
how would these or the bronze series go against the Dali Oberons?
My first pair of 'good' speakers were an earlier silver generation, the monitor audio RS6. I still miss them... 😭
For the price NOTHING beats them, I still have them with the matching centre and they won't be replaced.
I love the look of these speakers. To your question - currently running the klipsch in 11.2 in my home theatre… in that environment the finish isn’t as important to me, but if I could get a second system in my main floor living room, then I’d prioritize the finish and would love to have as something as pretty as these speakers.
Thanks for the review Andrew & Kristi. Yes…I would pay more for a speaker that looks better. Our speakers are in our family room so looks are important. Wood veneer speakers always look better than vinyl wraps. These MA speakers look great!
I am currently deciding between the MA 500 7G and the Klipsch RF-7 III, along with the RC-64 center channel. I’d be curious to hear your thoughts (or anyone else’s) on the RF-7 (because you both love the RP-8000’s). BTW…we are opting for the RF-7’s due to the fact they look better than the 8000’s with the veneer finish.
I’d be grateful for any feedback! Thanks!
You cant go wrong with the RF-7! Hope you got some power!
Great review guys. I've been the proud owner of the previous incarnation Silver 500 6G for a couple of years now. Noticed Monitor Audio have reduced the size of the midrange driver from 4" to 3" on the 7G.
What are your thoughts on the Klipsch RF-7 iii? Would you ever review them? 😁
These are £1750 a pair in the UK, I bagged myself the 300 7g for £1450 a pair also the c250 7g
@robinsonbrand one thing I dont get: the Audiolab 6000A delivers 2 X 50W (8 Ohm, THD
the 50w will be enough to drive the speaker... it will sound great.
@@petermuwanula7142how much power do you use for them?
Just bought a pair of Paradigm Premier 200B bookshelves, wonderful build quality and 100% Made in Canada, $1K for the pair, I'm over the moon with their sound and looks.
QOTD: design, build and sound are equally important to me. I really wanted the PMC Twenty23 based on their looks a couple of years ago, but following an audition, they weren't for me. Too bright! Will try the active ATS SCM 19a, next. Again, I love their looks.....
So, looks draw me in, and then performance is the buy/sell decision. Same with amps and turntables.
Great video! Can you guys do a review of Bronze 500 as well? Due to it's lack of mid range woofer I'm really curious what difference is there. Thank you!
I have a Yamaha R- N803D amp.. about 130 watts RMS I’m told. I run infinity RS3001, basic sound, Infinity RS635 basic and far away sound unless I run the amp at 90% volume then I get some loud sound but lacks what I call headroom and there’s not much presence.
I’m told the Silver 7 monitor audio speakers are the way to go. They sure look good. I think I need a 500 watt amp to run those old infinity speakers….. what do you think? Thank you in anticipation!! Great video by the way!!! Mike
I have a pair of second hand silver 8 monitor + center channel from few years ago and I love them. Even the rosewood finish is nice. I wouldn't change them for a different look except if it was for a significant jump in audio quality. Connected to a Cambridge audio avr is fine for me.
Any thoughts or attempts to get any of the Arendal Sound or Aperion Audio speakers in house for review? I've always been a 2 channel guy, but I've recently began looking at surround sound possibilities for our living room. These two brands keep coming up in my researching.
Good review. Manufacturer recommends 80W per channel. Nice to hear my older 60W Rotel will power them nicely. Heard them today. Stunning clarity. Refined sound with lively bass. I disagree with your view on soundstage. Slightly toed in these are among the best I’ve heard. On my short list for new towers this year!
Nice review, as always. You convinced me to buy the Magnats but when I tried to they were out of stock. Likely a good thing as I don’t think my wife would appreciate the size. I thought for a very brief moment that Kristi didn’t have a link to them in the description but, of course, I was wrong. I not only appreciate Kristi’s opinions on the products you review but I really, really appreciate all the work that goes into the thoroughness of the descriptions. So many reviewers on this platform say there will be “links in the description” but often don’t actually put them there. Yes I would upgrade over looks and finish. It’s not the first thing on my list but it’s definitely a factor. That’s the reason I hadn’t yet bought the Magnats.
There are enough stylish and great sounding speakers out there that you can find both without breaking a sweat. Like you I love the look of the La Scalas and I also love the look of Pearl Acoustic’s Sibelius speakers. I’m sure both sound amazing.
To answer your question on build fit and finish and would I upgrade, the answer is no not on that alone. Part of my current dilemma is I am looking at the Polk R700, but the vinyl wrap is turning me off. That has me looking to spend more to get a better looking speaker with same sound qualities.
What did you decide? I'm still in the same boat
I would definitely pay more to buy speakers that have a better look and finish, especially if it's for the living room (perhaps not so much for a basement home theater). However, I would not upgrade my speakers just to get a better look.
I really like that you're paying attention to design during your reviews. Design is clearly mentioned in the introduction sequence of all your videos, so it's nice to see that it's a part of your evaluation.
Amazing Review, Andrew! I like how you always seem to find the right words to describe what you're hearing 🙂
How would you compare the Monitor Audio Silver 500 with the slightly cheaper B&W 603 S2 speakers? Have you got any B&W reviews coming up next? 😃
I think it depends on the room decor and taste. Like, I love reddish woods that I know you guys don't, and the light woods and that stark scandanavian type design is ok for what it is, but doesn't do anything for me and wouldn't fit in my house. I have more midcentury decor and live in a 90 year old brownstone, so stuff like the Linton, KLH and even the retro JBL fits in a lot better. So while I think that looks can matter, thats more of a personal read and value proposition.
The looks and premium feel are very important to me.
Thanks to your first video about the Bronze 100, I become aware of this brand in general. Since its not as common as Klipsch you cannot try these out in a Hifi-Store (here in Germany). Lucky, I found one by coincidence. First on the Website I thought, "nah this Store is way out of this league" since they are specialized on custom home cinema (>100k€ in total), selling Trinnov AV Processors for 18k and stuff. Never the less they acually sell Monitor Audio Products. After a 1 hour trial in their (acustic perfect) listening room I was blown away. This stage and detail, jeez. I didnt tried out the SIlver Series, because couldnt afford these. After some consinderations I made myself a chistmas gift and bought the bronze 500. Im just in love with these speakers, they make so much fun. Some acustic tweek need to be done in my room, and it will be perfect for me.
That was great review Drew those are definitely some pretty floor standers. So I just ordered the nad316bee to play with. I'm kind of excited I've never heard one I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it I rewatched your video on the newer NAD earlier today.
Never disappointed with your reviews.
Ugly doesnt really bother me. Just look at my picture... Ugly is ok with ugly :-D. Both my Karmann Ghias have great sound systems and patch work paint lol
Great job
Thanks, Jack!
Great review, currently have the MO Silver 500 6g could not be happier and opted for the Ash finish as it matches my A/V cabinets.. cheers
How can I compare my B&W CM8 S2 to these Monitor Audio? Are the MA a whole other level or are they similar, will I experience a big step of improvement or barely noticable?
I want to thank you and Kristi for this channel.
My favourite on TH-cam and most watched.
I am a proud member of the Monitor Audio Family now…
I went and listened to the Paradigm F80 and Audiovector QR 3. On a New Yamaha 2000 A integrated amp qbuzz 44.1 kHz cd quality.
The QR 3 by Audiovector was better than the Paradigm F80, better clarity and bass and imaging.
On a Rotel integrated ? Listened to the Silver 300’s which have 6 inch drivers. The tweeter and mid range were very lively and imaged quite well. Streaming on tidal.
Bit better not by much than the Paradigm to my ears, but a tad less than Audiovector Qr 3.
The Silver 500 was next to the 300. The 300 was as tight as the QR 3.
The 500 has same mid range and tweeter as the 300 but had wider sound.
Plus it bested both brands because it comes with foam bungs. This allows for making the speaker a sealed (close to wall or ported (away from wall) Sealed tightens the bass, ported well….nice bass.
No other speakers I looked at did this. I like flexibility and this sold me.
I liked the 500 the best for my room and to my ears.
The others would get lost in my theater room because of the smaller drivers in a 20 ft by 27 ft basement.
Gloss black arrives Saturday. My 2 cents. Thanks.
Happy so far?
@@MasterofpuppetsBS yes very happy. Also wish reviewers would mention port bungs, for sealed option. This plus the myriad of other things these speakers offered are what got me to buy them.
On what amp or avr did you hook them? Did you manage to stream somehow losless from any streaming service? Cheers and have fun =)
@@MasterofpuppetsBS emotiva A7 using Onkyo RZ 50 as processor.
@@twotooneadam1239I dont have much experience and am learning about all this new stuff =)
What is the reason for using the emotiva? Did you feel the Onkyo had not enough power to drive the MA500? Or any other reasons or points I should also consider. Thank you so much! =)
I think looks are worth an upgrade alone. Especially if you have a S.O. that cares about the aesthetics of the speakers. It is a easier to sell.
Surprised no one has chimed in with love for the Soliloquy speakers referenced in this video.
I'm not familiar with them at all.
I was too busy freezing the frames with the McIntosh amp!
Hi, Andrew. When Monitor Audio was actually made in England, the speakers had a very different sound. Basically, the response was on the neutral side, not emphasising any part of the frequency range. The soundstage appeared to come from behind the speakers spread out in a wide arc from speaker to speaker. This was the sound every hi fi enthusiast was after. Unfortunately at the time the high cost of importing British speakers was very expensive. Today, that has all changed. Being assembled in China, , there are no rules to follow. Regarding the centre image, two identical speakers at the same volume, in a room with the same acoustic properties at each speaker will produce a clear centre image if you are sitting at the same distance from both speakers. As soon as you move your head to the left or right that centre image will also move off centre . I would never "upgrade" because of a speaker's appearance or finish. How will that "upgrade the sound" ?
Fantastic review, I appreciate all the comparisons!
Great video as always! QOTD answer: Fit, finish, and aesthetics are a huge factor for me. Looking forward to the Silver series bookshelf review - thank you Andrew and Kristi!
Every Silver speaker I had in my system had flawless finish and looked great.
@@nc3419 thank you!
Really enjoying these tower reviews.
Can you do one on the BMR towers? I believe they’re fairly new and may be of interest!
These are among my favorite Speakers up to 2500 $, really a step above the Klipsch 8000F, they are trading blows with the more expensive Dali Opticon 8 MK II, which is like 3500 $, and has slightly more impressive Bass. But still ... for that kind of money you are hard pressed to find a better balanced Floorstanding Speaker, I think the KLH Model 5 are on even grounds in the Mids and Treble, but will still not have the Scale of Bass that these MA 500 Silver do. Other strong competitors are the Canton Vento 896.2, but I find their Treble a tad on the bright side.
Hi Andrew, I'm a fan of your channel from Chile. Could you explain to me how to configure the silver 500 speakers with audiolab 6000a at 4 ohms as you recommend? After seeing this video I bought both but I don't know how to connect them correctly 😅. Thank you!!
Hi!!! Great video! A quick question, regarding the sensibility of 87 db of the bronze 100, isn't a bit low for the audiolab 6000? This MA silver 500 with 90, 5 sounds mach better pair regarding power/performance ratio. Thanks!!!
Of coarse sonics are priority but build quality and finish are very important to me. I just recently upgraded to the Kef R3's with the oak finish. They are as stunning to look at as they are to listen to. I doubt Andrew would like them. Accuracy is their trademark.
Excellent review, Monitor Audio is a great company. To the QOTD, absolutely, Build quality, fit, finish, and overall presentation mean alot to my system, as well they should have a great sound. Are there any chances that the Dali Oberon 9 is/can be reviewed here also? Used to be a solid sound and the price is very reasonable.
Kristi opinion is very valuable too
By the way, what do you think about Focal Aria vs Chora? Is Aria worth almost double price? Or only Kanta would be a significant step up?
Thanks so much for doing this review! I have a pair of Monitor Audio Bronze 500 6G series speakers, and I think they sound pretty good. Have been trying to pair them with an amplifier that will get the best out of them, as I’m currently running an old Denon AVR 2700. What would you recommend?
I have same connected to Cambridge Audio CXA81. It sounds fantastic. I strongly recommend you to change your amplifier
I'm in the market for a pair of floorstanders and build quality and appearance are very important to me. I've had my current speakers for 25 years now. Although I probably won't have my next set of speakers for that long I want something that looks good in my living room. Right now my biggest contenders are the Monitor 300 7G and Sonus Faber Lumina V
@J Yes, I"m considering Paradigm as well and a local shop carries them. I actually just replaced a 25 year old pair of Paradigm bookshelf speakers that I used as surrounds at first then as PC speakers. I have multiple friends and family that bought Paradigms after hearing mine. Paradigm's competitors seem to be getting reviews but I plan to hear them for myself.
Proud owner of silvers :) Monitor audio with proper wood veneers also
i have the silver 300 g6 range ( 5 on the floor ) 2x 6g w12 subs, 4 50s and the siver fx for hights. and im thinking of swopping them out for the new 300 7gs, because the finnish in wood veneers is just ₩@₩ , and i understad them😇👌
I love the look of these in ash. I had Monitor on my shortlist of speakers to check out, but was never able to find a place to audition them and because I don’t typically like speakers with a bright top end, I was concerned I wouldn’t love the sound in the long term.
sneak peak at the Mcintosh?!?
hyped.