R21 000.00
Sound quality
- Dynamic and lively: The sound is described as energetic, fun, and impactful, with a powerful sense of rhythm. Reviewers from SoundStage! Hi-Fi and Hi-Fi News noted its effortless dynamics, particularly with large-scale music and cinema sound.
- Excellent detail and clarity: The flagship Silver Series speaker produces a clear, refined, and highly detailed sound. The revised C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, with its new waveguide, delivers extended highs that are vibrant but not harsh, revealing new details in familiar recordings.
- Powerful, controlled bass: Thanks to its twin 8-inch C-CAM woofers and rear-ported design, the Silver 500 7G delivers deep and powerful bass that is also tight and well-controlled. The bass is authoritative and impressive for its size, especially considering its ability to dig deep without distortion.
- Precise imaging and soundstage: Reviewers highlight the speaker’s ability to create a wide soundstage with a good sense of depth, with instruments placed precisely within the listening space. Some note that the central image can be broad, and precise toe-in is recommended.
- Room and setup sensitivity: As a large, rear-ported speaker, the Silver 500 7G requires some distance from the back wall to prevent the bass from sounding boomy. Careful placement and experimentation with toe-in are recommended to optimize the soundstage and imaging.
- Premium craftsmanship: The cabinets are solid, well-built, and available in a range of high-quality finishes, including real wood veneers and high-gloss options. The magnetic grilles provide a clean, modern aesthetic.
- Upgraded feet and stability: New outrigger feet are included for added stability, with both spikes for carpets and rubber feet for hard floors.
- Classic modern design: The overall look is described as a “modern classic” with clean lines and a finish that looks more expensive than the price suggests.
Criticisms and comparisons
- Mid-range neutrality: While the mid-range is very clear, some reviewers describe it as slightly “cool” or “lean,” distinguishing it from speakers with a warmer tonal balance. One user on Reddit found the sound fatiguing and “a bit tinny” with their specific amp and setup.
- Better value than higher-end competitors: In comparisons, reviewers noted that the Silver 500 7G came close to the performance of more expensive speakers, like the KEF R11, making its value proposition “irrefutable”.
- Sonic difference from Gold series: Compared to the pricier Monitor Audio Gold series, the Silver 500 7G has a slightly different tonal character. Some have found the Gold series’ ribbon tweeter and overall presentation to be superior, though at a significant price premium.
Conclusion
The Monitor Audio Silver 500 7G is widely regarded as an outstanding floorstanding speaker that offers a tremendous combination of dynamic sound, detailed clarity, and luxurious build quality for its price. It is best suited for those with mid-to-large-sized rooms who enjoy an energetic, engaging sound with powerful, controlled bass