Short answer: the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G for better sound quality, the Polk Audio XT15 for the lower price. The Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G ranks #12 of 63 bookshelf speakers at $799. The Polk Audio XT15 ranks #26 at $179, $620 cheaper.
What the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G offers: 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. The tradeoff: 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 case for the Polk Audio XT15: Very low $179/pair entry price for a Hi-Res Audio Certified 2-way design that’s Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs so it drops into almost any AVR without matching concerns. Watch for: Bass rolls off earlier than most of this batch at 77.6Hz (-3dB) / 54.2Hz (-10dB).
Buy the Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Polk Audio XT15 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G | Polk Audio XT15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 | $179 |
| Ranked | #12 of 63 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #26 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 | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 5.25" bi-laminate paper woofer |
| 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) | 16.51 x 18.24cm (6.5 x 7.18 in), 4.08kg (9 lb) each |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs / 5.6 kg (12 lbs 6 oz) each | 9 lbs / 4.08 kg (9 lb) each |
| Sensitivity | 86dB @ 2.83V/1m | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 87.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 54.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| 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 | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | Ported |
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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 Klipsch RP-500M II
- 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
Polk Audio XT15: $179 Amazon Bhphotovideo Crutchfield
Pros: Very low $179/pair entry price for a Hi-Res Audio Certified 2-way design that’s Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible, and works with either 4- or 8-ohm amplifier outputs so it drops into almost any AVR without matching concerns. Directivity spread is reasonably even for the price (directivity_spdi_stddev 3.60).
Cons: Bass rolls off earlier than most of this batch at 77.6Hz (-3dB) / 54.2Hz (-10dB). On-axis deviation is the roughest measured figure here (aad_on_axis 0.449), and listening-window smoothness (0.303) trails the pricier options in this group. Modest 86dB sensitivity wants a reasonably powered amp channel. The 5.25” bi-laminate paper woofer is Polk’s entry-tier driver, not the polypropylene/Turbine cones used in its pricier Signature Elite/Reserve lines.
Full Polk Audio XT15 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 54.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 77.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 16.51 x 18.24cm (6.5 x 7.18 in), 4.08kg (9 lb) each |
| Drivers | 1" Terylene dome tweeter, 5.25" bi-laminate paper woofer |
| Impedance | 4/8-ohm compatible |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (1W/1m) |
| Weight | 9 lbs / 4.08 kg (9 lb) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | Ported |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
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- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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