Another multi-award-winning speaker from the Silver series, the Monitor Audio Silver 100 is a bookshelf speaker that has amazing sound quality at an affordable price. If you are planning to enter into the world of High Fidelity then the Silver 100 is without a doubt one of the most talented speakers to go for. All it needs is an amplifier that has the right features and sonic characteristics to match them.
In order to find that matching amplifier, we must first find out more about the Monitor Audio Silver 100 standmounters. For instance, what are their strengths and sound characteristics which made them sound so great. Once we have this important information, we will then list out the best matching amplifiers which you can get and partner them with your beloved Silver 100 loudspeakers.
Table of Contents
Sound Characteristics and Merits of Monitor Audio Silver 100
There are a total of 6 finishes, and we find that the High Gloss Black looks the best. The 1″ (25 mm) C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter and the 8″ C-CAM RST bass/mid driver blend in nicely with the elegant and sleek cabinet finish. This makes the Monitor Audio Silver 100 look premium and cost more than their current price point. We would prefer to take off the speaker grille, as it looks absolutely stunning without it. Matching the Silver 100 speakers aesthetically with potential amplifier partners will be quite an easy feat. They may even look good with some vintage amps, you just need to choose the right cabinet finish.
More Details at Amazon – Monitor Audio Silver 100 Bookshelf Speakers
The Monitor Audio Silver 100 will need sufficient breathing space around it since the bass port is located at the back of the cabinet. For a bookshelf speaker, they are actually quite big and won’t be ideal to be used as desktop speakers. The frequency response (-6dB) of 40Hz–35kHz is really impressive but the speaker sensitivity of 88dB is quite a disappointment as we expected it to be higher for a speaker of this size. The nominal impedance is 8 Ohms but does drop down to about 4.5 Ohms minimum, which is still quite okay. The recommended amplifier power starts from 40W and the Silver 100 can handle up to 120W (RMS). This does indicate this loudspeaker is quite power-hungry and will need high-powered amplifiers.
The HiVe II port technology of the Monitor Audio Silver 100 is truly incredible, it is very well-controlled when it comes to bass output, meaning you can actually place the speakers nearer to the rear walls. Still, the 8″ C-CAM RST bass/mid driver is one to watch out for, as it is more than capable of producing full-bodied and rich bass. This powerful low-frequency may overwhelm the higher frequencies if is been overly reinforced by the walls. This means you still need to provide ample distance between the speaker and the wall. The overall low-end production is weighty and rich but does lack a bit of finesse and missing some of the deeper bass extension. A good subwoofer should significantly improve this area and open up the Silver 100.
The highs and midrange sound reproduction are astonishingly good, it has that enthusiastic energy that makes every music sound lively. Very entertaining to listen to, the Monitor Audio Silver 100 is also capable of digging out musical details and deliver them out in spades. The high resolution and spaciousness of the top end should be the Silver 100 greatest strengths and the smooth clean music presentation is really pleasant to hear. At higher volumes, the Monitor Audio Silver 100 may sound a bit too bright to some.
The Monitor Audio Silver 100 scales well with power and does lack a bit in sound staging. All in all, it is an exciting pair of bookshelf speakers and well worth every penny. Unless you mix in an active subwoofer, the Monitor Audio Silver 100 may not be suitable for bass-heavy soundtracks but will work well with most other music genres. We have finally gathered all the information we need and now is time for us to share with you the best amplifiers which you can go for and pair them with your Monitor Audio Silver 100 standmounters.
Monitor Audio Silver 100 Specifications
- Speaker Type: 2-way bass-reflex (rear-firing bass port)
- Drive Units: 1″ (25 mm) C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter and 8″ (200mm) C-CAM RST bass/mid driver
- Frequency Response: 40Hz-35kHz
- Amplifier Requirements: 40-120 Watts
- Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms (4.5 Ohms minimum)
- Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 88dB
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 375mm x 230mm x 329mm | 14.8″ x 9.1″ x 13″ (Including Grille and Terminals)
- Weight: 9.3kg (20lbs)
Best Amplifiers to match with Monitor Audio Silver 100
Musical Fidelity M3SI has the muscles to drive your Monitor Audio Silver 100 speakers and the musical quality to complement their sonic characteristics too. The clean and sweet sound delivery will make your music listening experience more enjoyable. The clarity of the sound reproduction is equally impressive as well. The stereo imaging of the integrated amplifier is superb and it is capable of projecting a large soundstage. The impeccable music timing of the Musical Fidelity M3SI works hand in hand with the snappy attacks of the Monitor Audio Silver 100 speakers. In short, you must have an audition with them, period.
More Information at Amazon – Musical Fidelity M3si
The articulation and the dynamic rhythmic ability of the Rega Elex-R will present you with an exhilarating and fun music delivery in which you will be tapping your toes throughout the listening session. The Rega Elex-R is more than sufficient in driving your Monitor Audio Silver 100 speakers, and the enthusiasm to match your speakers sound characteristics. The liveliness of both the amplifier and speakers simply hook you in whenever you start listening to your favorite tunes through them. The Elex-R has won many awards over the years and is more than worthy to be your Silver 100 amplifier partner, it is recommended to hear them out first.
More Information at Amazon – Rega Elex-R Integrated Amplifier
The Roksan Caspian M2 will be another impressive integrated amplifier to match your Monitor Audio Silver 100 speakers. They may not have matching looks but their sound characteristics complement each other really well. The Roksan Caspian M2 is capable of projecting a focused and large soundstage which the Monitor Audio Silver 100 does lack. The integrated amplifier also has high-resolution sound quality with plenty of details, not to mention, the surefooted pacing and the ability to deliver an impactful crescendo. The only qualm we have is the lack of a built-in DAC.
More Details at Amazon – Roksan Caspian Series M2 Integrated Amplifier
If you are planning to get an active subwoofer and your budget is tight, the Denon PMA-600NE will be an excellent budget amplifier to power your Monitor Audio Silver 100 bookshelf speakers. There is a dedicated subwoofer output that you can use to connect to your powered subwoofer. Other than the affordable price and the swiss army knife of features, the midrange of the PMA-600NE is warm and sweet-sounding. The overall music delivery is rich and detailed. At this price point and with so many features, we really can’t complain. This is probably the best budget amplifier on the market as of now.
More Information at Amazon – Denon PMA-600NE
If you want a more neutral-sounding amplifier with a little bit of warmth, you might want to check out Cambridge Audio CXA61. Like the Monitor Audio Silver 100, this integrated amplifier has that energetic presentation, engages its listeners with dynamic rhythm, and is also punchy. The music delivery is also detailed and transparent, with great control. Even when the going gets tough, the CXA61 is composed without ever breaking apart which is crucial when you have such a lively speaker like the Silver 100. There is also a subwoofer output and a high-quality built-in DAC ESS Sabre ES9010K2M (32bit/384kHz). Another notable feature will be the aptX HD Bluetooth.
More Information at Amazon – Cambridge Audio CXA61 Stereo Amplifier
When it comes to the home cinema experience, AV receivers are definitely better choices than integrated amplifiers since they are able to process the latest video and audio/surround formats. To really enjoy your home movie experience, you will require subwoofers and also room correction technology software to calibrate the sub along with your Monitor Audio Silver 100 so that they will work seamlessly together. Currently, Audyssey is one of the very best, and AVRs such as Denon AVR-X6700H use it. This is a very powerful AV receiver and has no problem driving your Silver 100 speakers.
More Information at Amazon – Denon AVR-X6700H
To Conclude
We will recommend going for the Monitor Audio Silver W12 subwoofer for a more cohesive sound but if you want better bass performance, you might want to check out SVS subwoofers. Before you decide which subwoofers to go for, you might want to audition the subwoofer along with your Monitor Audio Silver 100 and the shortlisted amplifier/AV receiver to see if you like what you hear. Best if you could demo them in your own listening room so that they can give you a more accurate result of how they would sound like.
More Details at Amazon – Monitor Audio Silver Series W-12 – Powered Subwoofer
