Monitor Audio Bronze 100

[manicm]

A few here on the forum were contemplating getting this speaker, so it's reassuring that it comes recommended by reviewers like Andrew Robinson who I suspect prefer a slightly warmer sound, and another from the well known British reviewer:

Bronze 100 Speakers From Monitor Audio

In the market for a pair of budget speakers but want to go a step further? Paul Rigby embraces the generously proportioned Bronze 100s

theaudiophileman.com

 

[gasolin]

why ? https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/monitor-audio-bronze-100

 

[Al ears]

why ? https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/monitor-audio-bronze-100

This clearly demonstrates that reviewers have their own ears, always best to get out and use your own....

 

[gasolin]

Crude high frequencies

I won't even want a free pair

 

[Al ears]

Crude high frequencies

I won't even want a free pair

Your decision....as I said everyone has their own ears, either that or they simply believe a review made by others. Speakers cannot be reviewed as a separate entity.

 

[plastic penguin]

Yup, agree with @Al ears.

If you hang on to every word of a reviewer, no one would buy hi-fi components outside of the ones we have.

 

[Al ears]

My main issue with reviews in general is the partnering equipment many reviewers tend to use, yes it's their reference setup but in most cases totally unrealistic and so the review itself is meaningless.
Stick a pair of these speakers on the end of a system with thousands of pounds worth of amplification and a similarly priced source and yes they may sound pretty good.
Stick them in a system more akin to their price point and the results may be depressingly less glowing.
However, that's the nature of reviews in general, they all have a reference system so that any deficiencies they hear must be down to the actual item they are reviewing.
So take heed of what other equipment these reviewers use in their assessments, if they actually publish it, then ignore their comments and go listen yourself.
It's the only way at the end of the day.

 

[plastic penguin]

My main issue with reviews in general is the partnering equipment many reviewers tend to use, yes it's their reference setup but in most cases totally unrealistic and so the review itself is meaningless.
Stick a pair of these speakers on the end of a system with thousands of pounds worth of amplification and a similarly priced source and yes they may sound pretty good.
Stick them in a system more akin to their price point and the results may be depressingly less glowing.
However, that's the nature of reviews in general, they all have a reference system so that any deficiencies they hear must be down to the actual item they are reviewing.
So take heed of what other equipment these reviewers use in their assessments, if they actually publish it, then ignore their comments and go listen yourself.
It's the only way at the end of the day.

That's pretty much true, but there are many other aspects: who has a dedicated listening room that has sound deadening potential of a padded cell? Most people have hard flooring or suspended floors blah blah blah... very few houses or flats mirror a dedicated reviewers set-up.

Then add in a plethora of various reference equipment....

 

[gasolin]

I think most reviewers don't have a crappy system, if a speaker has crude high frequencies, it's enought for me not to try a pair, i hate intrusive,sharp highs, i can't change that with cable,amps, the only way to get rid of it,is to buy different speaker

 

[plastic penguin]

I think most reviewers don't have a crappy system, if a speaker has crude high frequencies, it's enought for me not to try a pair, i hate intrusive,sharp highs, i can't change that with cable,amps, the only way to get rid of it,is to buy different speaker

Looking at your situation, everyone will interpret a component differently. That's already been mentioned

 

[Edbostan]

This clearly demonstrates that reviewers have their own ears, always best to get out and use your own....

The Bronze 100 won an EISA Award 2020-2021 so opinions differ

 

[bigboss]

Apart from EISA award, few more glowing reviews:

Monitor Audio Bronze 100 Loudspeaker

A foundation range for two decades, MA's Bronze series goes for gold with the standmount 100 Is it brave to label a loudspeaker series 'Bronze', with the implication that its models are worse than second-best? Monitor Audio doesn't seem to think so, and has been using its precious metal...

www.hifinews.com

https://www.stereonet.com/au/reviews/monitor-audio-bronze-50-standmount-loudspeakers-review

 

[Tinman1952]

I think most reviewers don't have a crappy system, if a speaker has crude high frequencies, it's enought for me not to try a pair, i hate intrusive,sharp highs, i can't change that with cable,amps, the only way to get rid of it,is to buy different speaker

Monitor Audio tweeters have been regarded for many years as definitely 'not crude'. I don't like harsh highs either but I would be happy with MA's implementation...

 

[manicm]

why ? https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/monitor-audio-bronze-100

WHF seems to be in a group of one.

 

[Tinman1952]

WHF seems to be in a group of one.

Now there's a surprise......🙂

 

[plastic penguin]

WHF seems to be in a group of one.

They said similar things about Usher S520 years ago (lack rhythm, could be more dynamic etc etc & were given 3 stars). When I heard them they were very impressive. The amplification wasn't anything high end or special: Arcam FMJ A18

 

[Al ears]

They said similar things about Usher S520 years ago (lack rhythm, could be more dynamic etc etc & were given 3 stars). When I heard them they were very impressive. The amplification wasn't anything high end or special: Arcam FMJ A18

And if I recall correctly the Ushers were highly rated elsewhere.

 

[plastic penguin]

And if I recall correctly the Ushers were highly rated elsewhere.

They were. When I first heard them it was before I'd read other reviews. I was genuinely surprised how the What Hi-fi review was so harsh.
They are still one of my fav sub-£500 standmounts.