Vocals - mid-range, highs, value, beauty

Low bass

I bought my Monitor Audio Bronze 3s off TradeMe (NZ version of Ebay) for only $NZ500. These replaced my Wharfedale Valdus 400s, which were great for parties but now that I’m getting older I’m finding that I’d prefer a more accurate and refined sound. The first thing I noticed them when I transported and installed them is how heavy they are, especially down the bottom. It feels like there is already some lead in the bottom of the cabinets. The second observation is that I really like the way they look – mine are black and I think they are beautiful. I have bi-wired them and attached the spikes but haven’t mass-loaded them (yet). After a little faffing about to get them in just the right positions (which I didn’t find very difficult partly due to them being front-ported) I settled down to listen to a few test tracks. I tried Damien Rice’s ‘O’ album, which is a good test of musical separation and soundstage. I find the separation to be very good across the soundstage but not quite as clear from front to back. His vocals are nice and clear but not too bright, something that my old Wharfedales couldn’t achieve – they made Damien sound a little like he was in a concrete bunker. I then tried a couple of tracks to check out the highs and lows. I have no complaints about the highs and the lows were well produced but fell away on some of the lower notes. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase. I think I got a very good deal and made a noticeable improvement in the quality of the sound. This hobby could start to get much more expensive from here so I am likely to enjoy what I have for some time now!

Similar Products Used:

Wharfedale Valdus 400s

Price, performance

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For the price these speakers offer outstanding value. While they are not as musically articulate as the silver series, they compete quite closely for home theatre.

Similar Products Used:

HK AVR 500 Bronze 1's ASW 100 Kimber 8TC Bi-wire

Very impressive midrange, Good Bass, detailed highs. Mass Loadable and bi-wireable. Attractive veneer finish.

Highs are slightly overemphasized with some vocal tracks. Will require a subwoofer to reproduce from 50 or 60 HZ and below (although the bass it does reproduce is exceptional). Speakers are a bit unsteady when placed on carpeting with spikes (Monitor Audio recommends the use of plinths which are sold separately)

These speakers convey a very detailed, musical soundstage resulting in a convincingly real reproduction of music in the Jazz, Acoustic , and classical genres. Midrange reproduction is outstanding, (example:Steeley Dan Two Against Nature, Drum fills are reproduced with uncanny power and dynamics). Lower bass is very impressive considering the size of the woofer. Fill the lower cavity with sand and bi-wire and these speakers will sing!. For convincing reproduction of rock or movie soundtracks a subwoofer will be required however these speakers will handle this type of music and movie soundtracks with no sign of strain or distortion even at high levels. These speakers are undoubtedly one of the best in this price range built by a leading edge speaker manufacturer.

Similar Products Used:

Infinity, Polk,

Great tweeter, Smooth yet detailed response, Easy to place, Bi-wireable, just plain musical, tight bass - no boom

Sort of cheapish 5 way posts, Not going to win any beauty prizes, bland looking but not ugly...just plain.

I purchased these about a week ago from my local dealer who was closing out his last two pairs. These are an incredible bargain! The musicality of these little guys is outstanding. There is nice, weighty, detailed bass. The midrange is well placed and articulate. The gold dome tweeter is the same used in the Silver series. Its excellent, quite lively, yet not forward or brash. Its sort of the best of a good musical soft dome and a detailed aluminum dome. In a small to medium room, a sub is optional. You wont miss much. Overall a really nice, well rounded speaker.

Similar Products Used:

AE Aegis 1, NHT Super Ones, Energy C2's

clean, transparent sound (especially hi- and mids), can be bi-wired, bi-amped and set on spikes (also mass loadable)

if only they have some more bass (but hey for this price it would destroy loudspeaker industry)

If one doesn't have lot's of space in his room (my life story) but wants floor standing loudspeakers - Bronze 3 is way to go. Sound is brilliant, overall quality of loudspeakers is excelent, supported options are many (bi-wire, bi-amplify, spikes and mass loading). Also comes with very good manual, which contains detailed instructions on placement. For classical music Bronze 3 sounds perfect, for metal and rock one may want some more bass, but it can be issued by placing and mass loading. The bottom line is - very recomended for musical enthusiasts and home theater fans alike.

Similar Products Used:

various Pioneer, Sony and not expensive Tannoy

Good bass and very clean sound. The voice is wonderful. Great with acoustic music.

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I used this product early with a Technics amplifier and found it not particular good. Then I bought an Onkyo amplifier and the result was surprisin: the sound was completely different than before: more bass, clear treble and clean and hot voice: in one word, fantastic!!!

Very transparent. Open and effortless character. Speakers disappear, sonically. Good bass for size/price. Bi-amp/Bi-wire/Mass Loadable (!)

Just a tad short. Could use a 3 to 5 inch stand. Spikes would be a nice touch, but at the price...

I bought these speakers as a second system for a bedroom, mostly because I got them at a pretty good price. I didn't realize just how good they truly were until I got them home and hooked them up.

Firstly, these are very attractive and well made speakers. How many bi-wireable speakers can you get for under $500? Not only are they bi-wireable, they can be mass loaded and are equipped with good, sturdy binding posts.

Right out of the box, these speakers have a clarity and "rightness" that is amazing at their price, and would be at perhaps one and a half times that. (I'm constantly amazed at how good speakers are, by and large, compared to five or ten years ago, at nearly every price range). Vocals are crisp and uncolored with instrumentation subtly layered on top. These are excellent speakers for the Classical music lover on a budget. Especially noteworthy is the astonishing Gold Dome tweeter. As I understand, this is the same tweeter used in the much-spendier and incredible sounding Silver series. This exceptional unit provides airy and effortless, extended treble response that you just don't get at this price. Violins soar, horns have a satisfying blatt, and cymbals just float in the air.

But these speakers can really rock when called upon. I at first hooked them up with an $1800 subwoofer system, so impressed was I by their sound. Naturally they rocked with the assistance of a sub. Not till I moved them to the bedroom system did I realize how much they "rock" on their own. The digitally remastered version of Billy Joel's "The Stranger" blew me away with its presence and sheer dynamics. I would note, for the record, that I did mass load the Bronze 3s with lead shot and replaced the gold shorting strips with 16 ga. speaker wire.

My everyday speakers are Monitor 7i's with FXi surrounds: can the Bronze 3's match the clarity of the Silvers? No, but at 30% of the price, they come a lot closer than they have a right to. I highly recommend them to the music lover on a budget, or just someone that appreciates great sound at a good price.

As an aside, I bought a pair of Bronze 2's as well; a bit cheaper and more compact, but still fantastic speakers which retain the bi-wire option but not mass loadable.

IMHO, an unbeatable series at the price. Note that my Star rating takes into consideration the very low MSRP.