Monitor Audio Apex A10 Speaker Review

[B77perez]

So how are these measurements different?

Thread 'Monitor Audio RX1 Spinorama measurements (CTA-2034)' https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...io-rx1-spinorama-measurements-cta-2034.57130/

 

[Lekha]

Lovely looking cone. I wonder what those evenly distributed circular bumps (pimples, tablets) do to the sound?

 

[B77perez]

Lovely looking cone. I wonder what those evenly distributed circular bumps (pimples, tablets) do to the sound?

Monitor Audio uses the same kind of dimples in some of the other models also, good question.

 

[EHO]

I have 2 of these speakers combined with a rel t5x sub. Connected to a bluesound node n132 and an overhauled quad 303. Changed to these speakers from a pair of kef ls50 meta’s (reason: fit in interior and need for small wall mounted speakers) and that felt like a step down. I found out that toeing them out improved the stereo projection. Recently applied full dirac live correction and this really turned out great! Should be better performing out of the box though at this pricepoint (luckily I got my pair second hand).

 

[SynthesisCinema]

I reached out to Monitor Audio technical engineering after this review came out. Here is what they had to say.


Thanks for getting in touch.

We are fully aware of the Klippel NFS and have been using Klippel measurement systems for nearly 20 years. The Apex A10 was launched in 2012 and has a small and very loyal following – including its own thread on AV Forums in the UK - however as you can imagine a lot has changed since this product was voiced and designed.

The sound signature back then was slightly different to now and also the market the speaker was aimed wanted a certain sound as well.

The Apex system has been a consistent seller for over 10 years hence there not being any changes to it in that time.

 

[SuperSonic]

How nice to see a review of these speakers in 2025! Since they are quite dated—launched in 2012 as mentioned above—are there any alternatives that would sound better for the price and integrate equally well into a living room? Or would the Apex A10 speakers still be one of the better options to use as surrounds in combination with fronts from the Monitor Audio Silver line of speakers, such as the Monitor Audio Silver 100?

I would say that the B&W M-1’s are a good contender, but they have also been on the market for quite some time already.

 

[Doctors11]

How nice to see a review of these speakers in 2025! Since they are quite dated—launched in 2012 as mentioned above—are there any alternatives that would sound better for the price and integrate equally well into a living room? Or would the Apex A10 speakers still be one of the better options to use as surrounds in combination with fronts from the Monitor Audio Silver line of speakers, such as the Monitor Audio Silver 100?

I would say that the B&W M-1’s are a good contender, but they have also been on the market for quite some time already.

The Paradigm MilleniaOne would be one to consider. Possible better measurements albeit with a much higher f3.

 

[SuperSonic]

The Paradigm MilleniaOne would be one to consider.

Interesting speaker. Unfortunately they don’t seem to be available for purchase in Western Europe.

 

[Lawrence of Suburbia]

I'd love to see a review of the Bronze 50

 

[Maiky76]

Here is my take on the EQ.
Please report your findings, positive or negative!

For the score rational your journey starts here
Explanation for the sub score
The following EQs are “anechoic” EQs to get the speaker right before room integration.
If you able to implement these EQs you must add EQ at LF for room integration, that is usually not optional… see hints there.

The raw data with corrected ER and PIR:

Score no EQ: 1.9
With Sub: 5.1

Spinorama with no EQ:

• Batman!
• Robin?
• resonances 1-2k
• No bass
• Actually half decent with EQ and a sub

View attachment 422992

Directivity:
Better stay at tweeter height
Horizontally, better toe-in the speakers by 10/15deg and have the axis crossing in front of the listening location, might help dosing the upper range.
View attachment 422999View attachment 423006




EQ design:
I have generated two EQs. The APO config files are attached.

• The first one, labelled, LW is targeted at making the LW flat
• The second, labelled Score, starts with the first one and adds the score as an optimization variable.
• The EQs are designed in the context of regular stereo use i.e. domestic environment, no warranty is provided for a near field use in a studio environment although the LW might be better suited for this purpose.

Score EQ LW: 5.2
with sub: 8.0

Score EQ Score: 5.7
with sub: 8.3

Monitor Audio Apex A10 APO EQ LW 96000Hz
January222025-173350

Preamp: -3.00 dB

Filter 1: ON HPQ Fc 57.5 Hz Gain 0.00 dB Q 1.33
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 170.5 Hz Gain -2.70 dB Q 1.65
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 465.2 Hz Gain 1.41 dB Q 0.90
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 833.2 Hz Gain 2.44 dB Q 2.68
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1010.3 Hz Gain -2.53 dB Q 4.68
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 1481.9 Hz Gain -3.56 dB Q 5.98
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5348.4 Hz Gain -1.84 dB Q 5.21
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 10168.0 Hz Gain -3.27 dB Q 0.97
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 19183.1 Hz Gain 2.43 dB Q 1.82

Monitor Audio Apex A10 APO EQ Score 96000Hz
January222025-173350

Preamp: -3.00 dB

Filter 1: ON HPQ Fc 59.5 Hz Gain 0.00 dB Q 1.36
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 162.9 Hz Gain -2.99 dB Q 1.41
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 461.2 Hz Gain 1.22 dB Q 0.90
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 833.7 Hz Gain 2.22 dB Q 2.61
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1008.3 Hz Gain -2.50 dB Q 4.18
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 1483.9 Hz Gain -3.15 dB Q 3.96
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5295.8 Hz Gain -1.67 dB Q 5.14
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 9174.2 Hz Gain -4.27 dB Q 0.76
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 20551.5 Hz Gain 2.41 dB Q 3.09

View attachment 422998
Spinorama EQ LW
View attachment 422993
Spinorama EQ Score
View attachment 422994View attachment 422998
Zoom PIR-LW-ON
View attachment 422997
Regression - Tonal
View attachment 422996
Radar no EQ vs EQ score
Large improvements
View attachment 422995
Rest of plots attached

@GigaChunk

PEQ only version
Note that without the Highpass the power handling will suffer so be carefull with the volume knob.
From the link demo you posted indeed it looks like the BQ are symetrical.
Good news.

Monitor Audio Apex A10 APO PEQ only EQ LW 96000Hz
April182025-112441

Preamp: -3.30 dB

Filter 1: ON PK Fc 60.5 Hz Gain 3.50 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 170.5 Hz Gain -2.70 dB Q 1.41
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 465.2 Hz Gain 1.41 dB Q 0.90
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 833.2 Hz Gain 2.44 dB Q 2.68
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1010.3 Hz Gain -2.53 dB Q 4.68
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 1481.9 Hz Gain -3.56 dB Q 5.98
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5348.4 Hz Gain -1.84 dB Q 5.21
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 10168.0 Hz Gain -3.27 dB Q 0.97
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 19183.1 Hz Gain 2.43 dB Q 1.82

Monitor Audio Apex A10 APO PEQ only EQ Score 96000Hz
April182025-112441

Preamp: -3.30 dB

Filter 1: ON PK Fc 65.5 Hz Gain 3.50 dB Q 1.00
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 162.9 Hz Gain -2.69 dB Q 1.41
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 461.2 Hz Gain 1.22 dB Q 0.90
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 833.7 Hz Gain 2.22 dB Q 2.61
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1008.3 Hz Gain -2.50 dB Q 4.18
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 1483.9 Hz Gain -3.15 dB Q 3.96
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 5295.8 Hz Gain -1.67 dB Q 5.14
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 9174.2 Hz Gain -4.27 dB Q 0.76
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 20551.5 Hz Gain 2.41 dB Q 3.09

 

[famasfilms]

I currently have a Denon A1H with Silver 500 7g L/R and c350 with 7.1.4 . Side surrounds are KEf Q3, rear are Mission M34i (both picked up used 10+ years ago)


Would the Apex A10 offer much benefit over either the Kef or the Missions?

There's a pair on FB marketplace, with stands, relatively local to me for a good price. ( 2 speakers and 2 stands for less than RRP of a single speaker) They would remove a set of bulky towers from the room, and presumably front port would be better than rear ported close to the back or side wall?

What do you think?

 

[Beave]

I currently have a Denon A1H with Silver 500 7g L/R and c350 with 7.1.4 . Side surrounds are KEf Q3, rear are Mission M34i (both picked up used 10+ years ago)


Would the Apex A10 offer much benefit over either the Kef or the Missions?

There's a pair on FB marketplace, with stands, relatively local to me for a good price. ( 2 speakers and 2 stands for less than RRP of a single speaker) They would remove a set of bulky towers from the room, and presumably front port would be better than rear ported close to the back or side wall?

What do you think?

You may find a visual improvement, but sound quality? Doubtful. Did you review the measurements on the first page here? They're not very good.

 

[famasfilms]

You may find a visual improvement, but sound quality? Doubtful. Did you review the measurements on the first page here? They're not very good.

Well they'd be replacing most likely the Mission M34i, and presumably the latest version of the Audyssey One Acoustica script would even out any measurements.

The other possibility is that I pick them up to add as front wides or as atmos speakers, but that would make the stands redundant. Not sure if my room at 5.2m x 3.0m with my home office desk in corner next to front right can accomodate front wides though