Monitor Audio’s Bronze series has been a mainstay of affordable hi‑fi for years, and this is this reviewer’s 4th iteration he’s been selling and listening to, the sort of range you’d recommend without hesitation to someone building their first serious system.
The new 7th Generation keeps that tradition alive, but it isn’t just a gentle update. It’s a re‑working that pushes the Bronze line closer to its pricier siblings while keeping the same sense of value that’s made it so popular. At the heart of it all are the Bronze 50s – the smallest of the bunch, but arguably the most charming. Or at least they’re the ones I’m using for this review
Straight out of the box, the Bronze 50s look the part. Compact, neat, and finished with the kind of attention to detail you don’t always see at this price point. The clean lines, magnetic grilles, and choice of finishes make them easy to slot into any room without screaming “budget hi‑fi.” They’re small enough to perch on a shelf or desk, but they carry themselves with a confidence that hints at bigger ambitions.
Sonically, they’re a real surprise. For such modest cabinets, they throw out a sound that feels far larger than their size would suggest. The soundstage is wide and airy, imaging is precise, and there’s a real sense of depth that makes them feel more like floorstanders in miniature. Close your eyes and it’s easy to forget just how small these boxes are. They sound like my own Silver 50s – and aren’t a million miles apart either with Monitor Audio’s approach to trickling down their tech – the only trickle down economy I have any interest in!
The tonal balance leans towards clarity and detail. Highs are crisp without ever becoming sharp, mids are open and expressive, and bass, while inevitably limited by the size, is impressively punchy and well controlled. You’re not going to shake the walls with these, but what low‑end they do produce is tight and musical rather than flabby. Add a decent subwoofer if you want full‑range authority, but even on their own the Bronze 50s carry enough weight to satisfy in smaller rooms.
Get the full Bronze benefit, in a compact format, with the Monitor Audio Bronze 50.
One of the big upgrades in the 7G range is the use of Monitor Audio’s latest C‑CAM drivers, borrowed from their higher‑end models. It pays off. There’s a refinement to the treble and an openness to the midrange that feels a cut above what you’d normally get at this level. Vocals are delivered with warmth and intimacy, guitars have bite, and subtle details in recordings come through clearly without being forced. It’s a presentation that feels natural and easy to live with.
The Bronze 50s also scale well. Hook them up to a modest amp and they’ll sing, but feed them with something more capable and they reveal just how much headroom they’ve got. They’re sensitive enough to be forgiving with placement and partnering, but transparent enough to grow with your system as you upgrade. That flexibility is part of what makes them so appealing, they can be the centrepiece of a simple stereo setup, or slot neatly into a larger home cinema rig as fronts or surrounds.
If there’s a limitation, it’s the obvious one: physics. They can’t reach the lowest frequencies, and in bigger rooms they’ll struggle to fill the space without support. Push them too hard and they’ll remind you of their size. But within their natural limits, they perform with a sense of composure and musicality that makes those trade‑offs easy to forgive.
What’s most striking about the Bronze 50s, and the 7G range as a whole, is how grown‑up they sound. There’s nothing shouty or brash here. Instead, you get a balanced, refined performance that makes long listening sessions a pleasure. Whether it’s vinyl, streaming, or movies, they adapt with ease, never feeling out of their depth. In a quick word – they’re less bright than they used to be and sound better for it.
The Bronze 7G series proves that Monitor Audio haven’t forgotten how important this range is. By filtering down tech from their more expensive lines and packaging it into something affordable and compact, they’ve created a speaker that feels like a genuine step up for anyone moving beyond more entry‑level gear.
The Bronze 50s, in particular, are a reminder that small speakers can be serious speakers. They won’t overwhelm you with scale, but they’ll win you over with clarity, charm, and sheer musicality. Why not pop down to your local Richer Sounds store and check them out yourself?
Author: Tom, Cardiff Store
