Monitor Audio Silver 100 Review (Speaker)

[paultownsend5384]

I can’t quite understand the graphs. What can these speakers realistically hit in the boom boom department at -3db?

 

[Jim Creek]

I can’t quite understand the graphs. What can these speakers realistically hit in the boom boom department at -3db?

Using only my ears I hear a useful response down to about 42hz. I use a bass measuring CD called BASS MECHANICS. At 42hz it is rolled off (even with 3db equalization) but quite audible. If I crank the volume I can hear something at 40hz. Above 45hz the bass is very satisfying. That 8” woofer puts out some very decent sub base considering the small cabinet. I hate subwoofers. I won’t use one.

 

[paultownsend5384]

Thanks. I have a pair (7g). I was just looking for an indication of where to start setting the LPF on my sub.

 

[ricardomontalbahn77]

I think the Polk r200 and the Philharmonic ceramic mini would come off " warmer " than the rest, the r200s can be set off axis and the tweeter beams a bit , lowering treble emphasis, the ceramic mini has a mid bass bump that you might like...

I have both the Polk R200 and the MA Silver 100 7g. Both excellent but completely different sound signature which makes it fun listening to each.

 

[ricardomontalbahn77]

Using only my ears I hear a useful response down to about 42hz. I use a bass measuring CD called BASS MECHANICS. At 42hz it is rolled off (even with 3db equalization) but quite audible. If I crank the volume I can hear something at 40hz. Above 45hz the bass is very satisfying. That 8” woofer puts out some very decent sub base considering the small cabinet. I hate subwoofers. I won’t use one.

I don't like using the sub either for two channel audio but for my home theatre they come in handy. The MAs do fine without the sub in my use cases.

 

[pathtonowhere]

I really tried to like the Monitor Audio Silver 100, and other Monitor Audio speakers, too, but just couldn't. I've tried multiple amplifiers, including warm sounding Marantz and NAD (the amp character is highly overrated anyway). I've bought the Silver 100 twice and even listened to the 7G version, hoping for some improvement. Nope, just can't stand it. Even though the bass is wonderful, the highs are too shrill and loud.

I've been enjoying a pair of Wharfedale 230 for a few years and I've just bought a pair of Elac DBR62. I was afraid the Elacs would be too bright, since I'm used to the velvety sound of the Wharfedales. And yes, they are noticeably brighter than the Wharfedales. They are at the limit for me. One dB brighter and I would have returned them. The dispersion of the Elacs is a little erratic, but nowhere near as that of the MA.

I've attached a comparison chart. It's just two superimposed charts, I haven't used a comparison tool. (DBR62 in black, MA Silver 100 in red)
Even though I consider the Elacs neutral-slightly bright speaker, the Silvers are still even brighter, over the limit which I consider reasonable to use them. You just can't hear much besides bass and treble.

Also, it's not only the dB's. The MA treble has a metallic character, too, no matter what amp or DAC you use.
In fact, you can't even find that many brighter or shriller speakers than this on the mainstream market. Even KEFs are less bright and metallic. The only worse ones that I can think of are some B&W models which have ridiculously elevated treble, to the point I consider them a curiosity, not real speakers.

I lied to myself for years that the Silvers were ok, tried different amps, treated the room, sold them and bought them again. Nope! Just stay away from them if you want normal speakers. They aren't even neutral-bright, like Elacs or KEFs, they're just overly bright, metallic and shrill, there's no way around it.

PS: Also, equalisation doesn't work either. If you reduce the highs to the point you consider to be at the right level, the songs will sound strange and the metallic character will still make its way through the sound.

 

[Jim Creek]

I really tried to like the Monitor Audio Silver 100, and other Monitor Audio speakers, too, but just couldn't. I've tried multiple amplifiers, including warm sounding Marantz and NAD (the amp character is highly overrated anyway). I've bought the Silver 100 twice and even listened to the 7G version, hoping for some improvement. Nope, just can't stand it. Even though the bass is wonderful, the highs are too shrill and loud.

I've been enjoying a pair of Wharfedale 230 for a few years and I've just bought a pair of Elac DBR62. I was afraid the Elacs would be too bright, since I'm used to the velvety sound of the Wharfedales. And yes, they are noticeably brighter than the Wharfedales. They are at the limit for me. One dB brighter and I would have returned them. The dispersion of the Elacs is a little erratic, but nowhere near as that of the MA.

I've attached a comparison chart. It's just two superimposed charts, I haven't used a comparison tool. (DBR62 in black, MA Silver 100 in red)
Even though I consider the Elacs neutral-slightly bright speaker, the Silvers are still even brighter, over the limit which I consider reasonable to use them. You just can't hear much besides bass and treble.

Also, it's not only the dB's. The MA treble has a metallic character, too, no matter what amp or DAC you use.
In fact, you can't even find that many brighter or shriller speakers than this on the mainstream market. Even KEFs are less bright and metallic. The only worse ones that I can think of are some B&W models which have ridiculously elevated treble, to the point I consider them a curiosity, not real speakers.

I lied to myself for years that the Silvers were ok, tried different amps, treated the room, sold them and bought them again. Nope! Just stay away from them if you want normal speakers. They aren't even neutral-bright, like Elacs or KEFs, they're just overly bright, metallic and shrill, there's no way around it.

PS: Also, equalisation doesn't work either. If you reduce the highs to the point you consider to be at the right level, the songs will sound strange and the metallic character will still make its way through the sound.

Interesting evaluation, thanks for your review.

To my ears the MA Silver 100s lean to the bright side of neutral but are not excessively bright. They are detailed with great bass response in a smallish cabinet. The smallish, nicely finished cabinet gives them a high WAF. I don’t hear the metalic characteristics of the tweeter either.

Your listening room characteristics have a big influence on the speaker’s perceived response. Your ears are likely more acute than mine, hence your intolerance for a brighter response. I had plans to upgrade my speakers to Linton Heritage but after hearing them I found their resolution of detail lacking. I knew I wouldn’t be happy with them. So I gave them up.

We’re all different.

 

[Smislov]

MA SIlver 500 8G (HIFI NEWS 10.2026)

 

[Beave]

I knew they were coming, but I didn't realize that the Silver 8G series was out already. Thanks for letting me (us) know.

Interesting that Monitor Audio finally made the Silver 100 a true three-way bookshelf.

Also interesting that for the Silver 50, they went from a 6" woofer in the 5G series to a 5.25" woofer for the 6G and 7G series, only to go back to a 6" woofer again for the 8G series.

 

[Penelinfi]

I guess it would be interesting to see what the gold 100 6g adds to the silver, besides an amt and some more acronyms

 

[Jim Creek]

I love my Silver 100 6G stand mount speakers. But those Silver 100 8G speakers are 3-way and look really interesting. Monitor Audio uses top notch components and cabinets. The veneer on my 6G cabinets are perfect and beautiful. The Silver 100 8G are competing directly against Warfedale Lintons which are a few hundred bucks less expensive. That’s going to be a challenging market for Monitor Audio.