Short answer: the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It ranks #8 of 168 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) at $1,150 and is still sold new; the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G ranks #16 (rated 4.2/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G’s replacement, the Monitor Audio Silver 50 8G, is rated 4.2/5.
Why pick the Arendal 1961 Monitor: A physically robust build the reviewer calls “a little bit of a tank,” delivering low compression, low distortion, and overall really good neutrality: one of the reviewer’s top 10 picks under $1,500 across roughly 250 speakers tested. Watch for: Bass rolls off around 70-80Hz, so it cannot be used as full-range mains for music without a subwoofer, and a sub is recommended for home theater use as well.
The Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is the more accurate pick. The 7th generation C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide II and RST II mid bass driver produce a listening window smoothness score of 0.50 at an accessible price, earning a Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product Award. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.40 against 3.38 for the Arendal 1961 Monitor. Watch for: The on axis response trends noticeably upward toward the treble (rising about 0.5dB per octave, a steep tilt), which can read as bright on already bright recordings.
Buy the Arendal 1961 Monitor. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is no longer sold new.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Arendal 1961 Monitor | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1150 per pair | $799 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #8 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1500Hz | 2.6kHz |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 6.4”W x 5.9”D (421.6 x 162.6 x 149.9 mm) | 11.1”H x 6.5”W x 10.7”D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Drivers | 2 x 5.5” woofers, 28mm tweeter | 1” C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, 5.25” C-CAM RST II mid bass driver |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) each | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.38 | 5.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 | 8.01 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | ported |
| Port Tuning | - | 58Hz |
| Power Handling | - | 100W RMS handling, 40-100W recommended amplifier power |
| Warranty | - | Lifetime, parts and labor |
| Country | - | China |
| Maximum SPL | - | 104dB (manufacturer specified) |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Arendal 1961 Monitor: $1150 per pair Arendal Sound eBay
Same family: the Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (smaller bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 4.2/5), the Arendal 1961 Tower (floorstanding, rated 4.4/5) and the Arendal Sound 1961 Center (center, rated 3.6/5).
Pros: A physically robust build the reviewer calls “a little bit of a tank,” delivering low compression, low distortion, and overall really good neutrality: one of the reviewer’s top 10 picks under $1,500 across roughly 250 speakers tested. Works well both as home theater mains and as surrounds. Independent ASR Klippel measurements corroborate the low-distortion finding: THD at 86dB SPL/1m stays well below the reviewer’s audibility threshold, and even at 96dB SPL/1m it stays “far better than most bookshelves” thanks to the built-in high-pass filter that protects the woofers. Measured bass extension of 84Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85.9dB.
Cons: Bass rolls off around 70-80Hz, so it cannot be used as full-range mains for music without a subwoofer, and a sub is recommended for home theater use as well. Vertical radiation window is narrow, typical of MTM (mid-tweeter-mid) layouts (tighter than a standard two-way’s roughly ±20°) so a second home theater row sitting above or below the tweeter axis will hear a noticeably different tonal balance. ASR’s CEA2034 measurements show the response is elevated above 2kHz with resonant peaks around 3kHz and 9kHz, leading the reviewer to predict it will “likely sound bright.” Those same resonances show up as lingering ridges in the cumulative spectral decay (waterfall) at 96dB SPL/1m.
Full Arendal 1961 Monitor review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 84Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1500Hz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 16.6”H x 6.4”W x 5.9”D (421.6 x 162.6 x 149.9 mm) |
| Drivers | 2 x 5.5” woofers, 28mm tweeter |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (4.1 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85.9dB (measured average, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.38 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.69 |
| Weight | 16 lbs (7.25 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | sealed |
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Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G: $799 per pair Discontinued Crutchfield eBay
Newer model: the Monitor Audio Silver 50 8G, estimated 4.2/5. See every Monitor Audio Silver generation.
Same family: the Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G (larger bookshelf, estimated 4.3/5), the Monitor Audio Silver 200 7G (smallest floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5), the Monitor Audio Silver 300 7G (floorstanding, estimated 4.4/5), the Monitor Audio Silver 500 7G (largest floorstanding, estimated 4.5/5) and the Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G (center, estimated 4.1/5).
Pros: The 7th generation C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide II and RST II mid bass driver produce a listening window smoothness score of 0.50 at an accessible price, earning a Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product Award. A HiVe II reflex port system is tuned to 58Hz for real bass weight from a compact 5.25 inch two way. Measured bass extension of 87.9Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The on axis response trends noticeably upward toward the treble (rising about 0.5dB per octave, a steep tilt), which can read as bright on already bright recordings. Off axis sound also tracks the on axis response less consistently than most speakers here. Bass extension is limited to a measured 87.9Hz at -3dB, so a subwoofer is recommended for full range use, and minimum impedance dips to 3.9 ohms at 250Hz. Discontinued.
Full Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Country | China |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1”H x 6.5”W x 10.7”D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, 5.25” C-CAM RST II mid bass driver |
| Enclosure | ported |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Port Tuning | 58Hz |
| Power Handling | 100W RMS handling, 40-100W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.40 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.01 |
| Warranty | Lifetime, parts and labor |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
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