Short answer: the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G for better sound quality, the Klipsch RP-500M II for the lower price. The Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G ranks #12 of 63 bookshelf speakers at $799. The Klipsch RP-500M II ranks #16 at $389.99, $409.01 cheaper.
What the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G gets right: 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. Set against that: The on axis response trends noticeably upward toward the treble (measured slope +0.50 per octave, the steepest of any speaker in this batch), which can read as bright on already bright recordings.
On the Klipsch RP-500M II side: Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response, giving a noticeably more resolved, detailed midrange. Watch for: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement; on an anechoic basis it measures closer to about 85dB, in line with typical bookshelf speakers this size, so it isn’t the outlier in efficiency the spec sheet implies.
Buy the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Klipsch RP-500M II if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G | Klipsch RP-500M II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 | $389.99 |
| Ranked | #12 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | 1" C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter, 5.25" C-CAM RST II mid bass driver | 5.25" Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1" LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Dimensions | 11.1"H x 6.5"W x 10.7"D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) (11.125 x 6.5 x 10.375 in) | 13.6"H x 6.8"W x 10.6"D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12 lbs 6 oz) each | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m | 85dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 67Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 53Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Max SPL | 104dB | - |
| Crossover Points | 2.6kHz | - |
| Port Tuning | 58Hz | - |
| Power Output (Watts) | 100W RMS handling, 40-100W recommended amplifier power | - |
| Warranty | Lifetime, parts and labor | - |
| Country | China | - |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 1530Hz |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported, rear |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G: $799 Crutchfield
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.
Cons: The on axis response trends noticeably upward toward the treble (measured slope +0.50 per octave, the steepest of any speaker in this batch), which can read as bright on already bright recordings. The sound power directivity index also has the widest standard deviation in this batch, 3.95, meaning off axis energy tracks the on axis response less consistently than the rest of this group. 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.
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 Points | 2.6kHz |
| Dimensions | 11.1"H x 6.5"W x 10.7"D (282 x 165 x 272 mm) (11.125 x 6.5 x 10.375 in) |
| 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 |
| Max SPL | 104dB |
| Port Tuning | 58Hz |
| Power Output (Watts) | 100W RMS handling, 40-100W recommended amplifier power |
| Sensitivity | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Warranty | Lifetime, parts and labor |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12 lbs 6 oz) each |
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- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Revel M105
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Elac Carina BS243.4
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Wharfedale Super Denton
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs KEF LS50 Meta
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs KEF Q150
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
- Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G vs Polk Audio XT15
Klipsch RP-500M II: $389.99 Amazon
Pros: Major mid-range clarity improvement over the original RP-500M: about a 5dB fill-in between 1-3kHz in the estimated in-room response, giving a noticeably more resolved, detailed midrange. More neutral and linear overall than its sibling RP-600M II, which carries about 2-3dB more high-frequency energy and a touch more bass but less overall balance. Very precise soundstage imaging and instrument placement. Distortion through the midrange is cleaner than the previous generation.
Cons: Klipsch’s quoted sensitivity (around 92-93dB) uses an unconventional in-room-based rating rather than the standard anechoic measurement; on an anechoic basis it measures closer to about 85dB, in line with typical bookshelf speakers this size, so it isn’t the outlier in efficiency the spec sheet implies. Horizontal dispersion of about ±40-50° is narrower and more directive than the reviewer’s preference for a wider, more enveloping soundstage. Toeing the speaker out to widen the soundstage or soften on-axis brightness comes at some cost to imaging precision. Slightly less clean in the tweeter region than the midrange, likely tied to crossover placement, though not considered a dealbreaker. Low-frequency output is limited - measured around 95dB at 4 meters for the pair before the woofers started to unload, so a subwoofer is recommended for anyone wanting real bass rather than stepping up to a larger model.
Full Klipsch RP-500M II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 67Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Crossover Frequency | 1530Hz |
| Dimensions | 13.6"H x 6.8"W x 10.6"D (344.4 x 173 x 270.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25" Cerametallic™ cone woofer with Faraday rings, 1" LTS Titanium diaphragm tweeter with Hybrid Cross-Section Expanded Tractrix® horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Weight | 13 lbs / 5.9 kg each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Wharfedale Super Denton
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- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Revel M105
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Moondrop M4P MTM
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs KEF Q150
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Arendal 1961 Monitor
- Klipsch RP-500M II vs Wharfedale Diamond 220
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