Short answer: the Audio First Fidelia. It ranks #1 of 179 bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.8/5) 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.
Why pick 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 Audio First Fidelia is the more accurate, deeper-bass pick. An excellent medium bookshelf speaker, a compact kit with remarkably accurate sound and good bass for its size at a great value. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 6.45 against 5.40 for the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G. Its bass reaches about 53Hz before falling 3dB, against 87.9Hz for the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G. Watch for: Kit assembly required; lower sensitivity (~83-85 dB vs. typical 85 dB average) demands adequate amplifier power.
Buy the Audio First Fidelia. 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.
An excellent medium bookshelf speaker, a compact kit with remarkably accurate sound and good bass for its size at a great value.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G | Audio First Fidelia | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 per pair Discontinued | £950 per pair for the flatpack kit (assembly required) |
| Ranked | #16 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #1 of 179 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | 1” C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, 5.25” C-CAM RST II mid bass driver | 5” ceramic-aluminum cone woofer, 1” ceramic-aluminum tweeter |
| Dimensions | 11.1”H x 6.5”W x 10.7”D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) | 11.8”H x 7.1”W x 11.7”D (300 x 180 x 297.6 mm) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m | 84dB |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum | 4 ohms |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 38Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6kHz | 1560Hz |
| 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) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.40 | 6.45 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 8.01 | 8.46 |
| DIY Kit | No | Yes |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Audio First Fidelia: