Monitor Audio Silver 500 7g Review

[@krismccall4911]

So I bought a pair of these, running a peachtree nova350 and the sound is really awesome, instrument separation is fantastic, bass like they said is outstanding. I haven’t found a fault, they were really worth the price of admission

[@Hifyed]

Glad you found your speaker! excellent choice and match with the peachtree. Happy listening!

[@hdtvkeith1604]

Did you buy the C250 center and any of the AMS atmos speakers as well? Curious how well the over system is.

[@maryvillanueva2075]

Good to know this pair will be good for "fun and energetic" genres. And I do like good bass! Thanks for the insightful review, once again!

[@Hifyed]

👍👍

[@jonkraeme2]

Hey guys, great review! I own the predecessor 500 6G and they are an amazing pair of speakers! Over the years I’ve owned, borrowed & tested many brands of floorspeakers. It would be very difficult to find a better built and detailed floor speaker in this price range. I recently purchased a new integrated amp for the speakers. The Rotel RA1592 M2. A bit warmer sounding with additional bass punch versus the Parasound P6 preamp & A21 amp I used to own.

[@Hifyed]

Thank you! I appreciate you sharing your experience. Glad you found your speakers and Great match with your Rotel!

[@clivepacker]

I just listened to these at my dealer today, spent an hour and a half auditioning and was sold. They’re so musical. I get all the technical stuff. I’m a satellite engineer so signal processing is my thing. But when it comes to audio I want emotion, and these just had that. Choral music especially was outstanding. But across all genres they just play. I am returning some PSB Imagine X2T in favour of these.

[@Hifyed]

Enjoy! Thank you for sharing your experience. Glad you found your speaker!

[@JayDpwnz]

Interesting you found these speakers bright, or more precisely 'v-shaped'. When hifi news measured the frequency response they were fairly flat with a couple of small resonances - this is also backed up by the frequency response graph in hifion video. I'm sure they might not be as smooth and linear as perhaps Revel concerta2 or kef r7s. But the previous silver generation also measured fairly flat. So surprised you heard this v-shaped sound - are you sure it wasn't just your room/placement that was creating this brightness in the higher frequencies?

[@Hifyed]

Thank you for your insight! I know Marcos may have mentioned the word "bright" however I don't consider them bright speakers. I found the video you referred to from hifion and saw the measurements are indeed similar to mine. Although I don't post measurements I still always like using them as a baseline on the experiences that I hear. As I can see on the frequency response I don't see any attempts from the manufacture to purposely elevate the top end. I worked for many speakers manufacturers in the past was is common to voice them that way. What I do see however is a drop in the 1-3k range and again at the 6-10k range. My measurements showed a slightly higher peak at 8-10k which as you mentioned could have corrected with placement. With those drops whether it is due to the crossover or phasing issues, it will give you a sense of "perceived" brightness. Also when you hear separation due to frequency or phasing within the drivers, that distinction will make a speaker sound more detailed or brighter to the ear although it may NOT be. When you couple that up with the CAM drivers which have a pretty quick attack and decay response it adds to that perception of brightness. In the end, I don't consider any speaker bright unless it is lifted beyond neutral however the sound perception and experience is a different story. I hope I'm making sense as it's hard to describe sound experience on paper.

[@samt8017]

@@Hifyed that’s a great answer!!

[@hdtvkeith1604]

I have been auditioning several speakers lately, MA Silver 500 7G and Gold 300 as well as Martin Logan 60XTi and I think it is easy to feel the Silver 500 is bright because of the hard tweeter makes the highs a tad more harsh, but the Gold 300 has a ribbon tweeter which when A/B sounds very laid back. I really like the Silvers but having been a Klipsch owner for years am afraid that dome tweeter mare me a tad too harsh for me. I want accurate neutral not laid back and not too in your face.

[@Osuna..]

Tengo un Marantz 40n y estoy pensando en adquirir estas MA silver 500 7g. Pero no se si el Marantz las movera con soltura. Ahora mismo tengo unas whaferdale evo 4.3 que suenan de maravilla con Marantz y un subwoofer Monitor audio silver W12. Estoy muy satisfecho con el conjunto en general, pero me gustan estas silver 500.

[@eliglbe]

Nice review,most reviewers you get lost in translation, Real down to earth review

[@brianastrodoc2886]

I have the older version, right before they changed the name of the series. I believe they are the Silver 10. Will these be a noticeable upgrade to what I have? Great Review!

[@jayrev1254]

I really appreciate your work on these reviews! I have the MA Silver 8s and I’ve been considering “upgrading” to the 300s as my room is pretty small. But, I’m wondering if there is a “better” option at the price point or even a bit above. I listen to a lot of large scale classical stuff so soundstage is really important, as is detail retrieval. Do you think the Focal Aria 936 or 948 represents a step up from the 300/500? I am also really interested in the Aerial Acoustic 6T and was wondering if you had any experience with that speaker or others from the manufacturer. Thanks again!

[@Hifyed]

thank you! The Aria 936 and 948 I would consider s a step up even though it's getting quite old. Although it is a step up does not mean you will necessarily like it better especially since have silver 8's and may like the signature sound of Monitor Audio in general. Each speaker has different strengths, focal has a detailed airy sound to all their speakers, however, monitor have a more perception of dynamics in the bass. Also in a smaller room be carefuly as the 500s and 948 can easily overdrive a room. You do have the 8s so that will give you a good idea how a large speaker works in your room.

[@jayrev1254]

@@Hifyed Thank you! You’re right, the 500/948 would likely be too much in my space. I do like the MA sound, I believe them to be pretty neutral and tonally accurate. Do you consider the Aria line to be similarly neutral, despite the more open highs? Thanks again!

[@jayroland9481]

You say "...the bolt on feet give a lot of stability...", surely the best stability would be by not using the bolt on feet no? I'm considering these but wonder if they might be a bit much for a 12 feet square room. What say you?

[@mzmz9355]

Thanks for the review guys. What microphone are you using for measurements?

[@Hifyed]

Your welcome! minidsp umik-1

[@samt8017]

Great review. What is the main competition for this particular speaker.

[@Hifyed]

Quite a bit of competition at that range. If you are looking for something similar in terms of frequency range footprint etc. Have a look at the KEF Q950(much lower price), Klipsch RF7(3), Focal Aria 936(higher price point) and Wharfedale evo 4.4 are speakers that come to mind.

[@MitchHowes]

Guys thanks for this. My concern is that I have a large room and have heard that the Revel Performa F208 would be better for a bigger room, but the specs on the silvers seem to suggest this isn't true?

[@bezelhouse1135]

Very nice guys! Great info!!!

[@Hifyed]

👍👍

[@ManuelMedellin.]

I've listened to many speakers, and found there are no better sounding speakers up to 2500 $ in existance (with the KLH Model 5 coming closest) If there are tell me. Yes there are Arendal, Dali, Paradigm, Elac, Totem Acoustics, Sonus Faber, ProAc etc but they are all more expensive. Monitor Audio Silver 7G Line - Deservedly "EISA Awards 2021" winner !

[@Hifyed]

👍👍

[@zzt231gr]

Hello!You have a great review there!Can we see the in room measurements?

[@Hifyed]

Thank you! We do take measurements as a baseline to validate what we may have heard after the review...Lookout in the future as we are currently working on including measurements in a way that may be meaningful and its application in real-world conditions.

[@Mestre_tainha]

Nice review. Do you think they would fit a 250 ft2 room?

[@Hifyed]

That would be a good size room for these speakers. It will also depend how far from the rear wall etc. to get it optimal.

[@hclandscapes]

In your opinion which would you choose, Monitor audio silver 200 6g for £600 or the new silver 7G for £900?

[@Hifyed]

That's a tuff one. I do think you will be happy either way. If you are the type that wants the latest and makes you feel better spend the extra. From what I can recall soundwise it's pretty close. If they have both at the shop I would try as it's been a long time since I listened to the 6g. Lastly cosmetics the new 7g has small details that make it feel more premium if that is important to you.

[@hclandscapes]

@@Hifyed currently listening to the 200 7G 's on my Hegel h120 only been running for about 5 hours and so far im pretty impressed. Sounds much more clear and defined than my ls50 meta's. Too be honest i was pretty chuffed to get a £250 discount on the new Silver 200 7G's, If i wasn't offered the discount I would have gone for the older ones however it is nice to have up to date equipment. Great speakers just wish they were more stable, they wobble all over the place 🙄

[@Hifyed]

@@hclandscapes 👌 Glad you got a good deal to help make your decision easier. At least can put your gear shopping behind and enjoy some music. happy listening!

[@hclandscapes]

@@Hifyed i haven't 100% committed to these yet. I have 14 days to decide if i want to keep them. The ls50 Meta's are excellent speakers and i may well stick with them and just add a subwoofer at a later date.

[@andrewlee7228]

@@hclandscapes where did you get that deal from?

[@badnews12]

Currently own Dali Oberon 7, but looking into these as an upgrade. Room size is 25sq.m with 3m ceilings. Would this be worthwhile upgrade?

[@Hifyed]

That is a tough one. I terms of room size the Oberon 7 will work. Dali’s and monitor audio have quite a different sound signature. I would encourage you have a listen as you may not even like it as much.

[@yogeshsakhare8299]

How Dali floorstanding speakers sounds as compared to these monitor audio silver range...Thx

[@Hifyed]

Dali Speakers have a much more "punchier" sound in the bass region while the Monitor is more neutral. When it comes to the top end the Monitors have a quicker more articulate sound. The Dali's have a perception of a wider sound stage especially the ones with ribbon tweeters. The two speakers are quite different and will really depend on preferences.

[@paganrythyms]

Tannoy xt8f vs monitor audio silver 500?

[@Hifyed]

That's a tuff one and will really depend on what speaker strengths suit you best. The monitor audio is a more lively(not bright) quicker sounding speaker. The Tannoys have nice cleans mids and are very coherent with the top tweeter. Any horned instruments in my opinion don't get much better at the price and are less expensive (although discontinued).

[@paganrythyms]

I love horns, ska, jazz etc so I'll go with the Tannoys. Upscale audio still has some. Thanks for the reply!

[@Hifyed]

@@paganrythyms No problem! I'm sure you will like them and it's good to hear you can still get them. Enjoy!

[@hdtvkeith1604]

Coming from Klipsch I am tired of bright and it sounds like these Silver 500s are a bit on the bright side.

[@Hifyed]

I would not consider it bright however it's polite either. It leans more towards the neutral side.

[@hdtvkeith1604]

@@Hifyed Thanks. I have auditioned the Silver 500s and Gold 300s twice. The Golds clearly have amore finesse, but not sure they are worth 3X the price, the Silver 500 7G was really a nice speaker that cane across great.

[@RjTheTrigun]

Heco Aurora 1000 vs monitor audio 7g

[@Hifyed]

I know the brand as they have been around for a long time. Unfortunately, I never had a chance to listen due to the limited presence in North America. I'm very intrigued to give them a listen especially the Aurora line.

[@RjTheTrigun]

@@Hifyed thank you for the reply. I've been looking at the Aurora 1000 and 700 after the review by Andrew Robinson. I just saw how much monitor audio was charging for their speakers and that made the decision for me.

[@Hifyed]

@@RjTheTrigun 👍👍

[@fredsanke4070]

Irritating background music...

[@officialpoa3171]

*I can shave on that redundant intro*