To Hans Wetzel,
I hope that you and yours are doing well in these trying times. Being stuck at home, we can’t go out to the stores for some hands-on advice. We came across an article you had written back in 2015 about the Monitor Audio Bronze 6 loudspeaker. We would like to purchase a 5.1 speaker set for our home cinema. We were originally interested in a Monitor Audio Bronze speaker set (Bronze 5, Bronze 1, Bronze Centre), but we read about the new PSB Alpha T20 speaker system. Have you, or one of your colleagues, had a chance to hear both systems? The chosen bundle would also have to sound great for listening to music. Would you mind sharing your experience? Can you think of anything better in this price range?
Olivier B.
Canada
I really loved the Bronze 6 loudspeakers, as you could tell from my review. That was five years ago, however, and Monitor Audio has just announced an updated Bronze line. I don’t think that you can go wrong by picking up the outgoing Bronze system on special so long as you like a dynamic, lively sound. The Bronze 6 speakers definitely had a bite to them, emphasizing attack, with a splashy treble. I like that kind of sound, but I know not everyone will.
I reviewed the PSB Alpha P5 minimonitors last year and really liked those speakers, too. If we’re assuming that all of the speakers in each of the respective speaker ranges are voiced similarly to the two speakers that I reviewed, then it really comes down to your sonic tastes. If you like an exciting sound, the Monitor Bronzes will serve you well. By comparison, the PSBs will sound a little more laid back, as the P5’s tweeter was a bit smoother and more refined to my ears, without sounding boring. To be clear, the PSB P5 isn’t a relaxed, warm-sounding speaker, though -- just in comparison to the eager and forward-sounding Monitor Bronze 6.
You can’t go wrong with either, however. When I move to the suburbs and have a dedicated home-theater setup of my own, you can bet Monitor’s Bronze line and PSB’s Alpha line will be at the top of my to-audition list. Good luck. . . . Hans Wetzel
