Short answer: the Aalto Speakers Aalto 1 EVO. It ranks #11 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.3/5) 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 at $1,250.
The case for the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G: An award winning compact bookshelf speaker with accurate sound, a gold dome tweeter and good bass weight for its size. The tradeoff: 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.
The Aalto Speakers Aalto 1 EVO is the more accurate pick. A very compact Finnish bookshelf speaker with excellent, neutral sound and a waveguided tweeter at a budget price. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.92 against 5.40 for the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G. The catch: Low 81.5dB sensitivity and a 3.3-ohm minimum impedance demand a capable amplifier.
Buy the Aalto Speakers Aalto 1 EVO. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
An award winning compact bookshelf speaker with accurate sound, a gold dome tweeter and good bass weight for its size.
A very compact Finnish bookshelf speaker with excellent, neutral sound and a waveguided tweeter at a budget price.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G | Aalto Speakers Aalto 1 EVO | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 per pair Discontinued | €599 per pair |
| Ranked | #16 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #11 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | Passive 2-way bass reflex |
| Drivers | 1” C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, 5.25” C-CAM RST II mid bass driver | 1-inch titanium tweeter, 4-inch woofer |
| Dimensions | 11.1”H x 6.5”W x 10.7”D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) | 9.5”H x 5.2”W x 8.2”D (242 x 132 x 208 mm) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m | 81.5dB/2.83V/1m |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum | 4 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53.4Hz (manufacturer spinorama data) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 47.4Hz (derived, log-interpolated between manufacturer spinorama -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | - |
| Port Tuning | 58Hz | - |
| Power Handling | 100W RMS handling, 40-100W recommended amplifier power | 15-100W |
| Warranty | Lifetime, parts and labor | - |
| Country | China | Finland |
| Maximum SPL | 104dB (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.40 | 5.92 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.01 | 8.25 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 53Hz-30kHz |
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