Audio T Verdict
The Apex A10 is proof that choosing a genuinely compact loudspeaker does not have to mean settling for something that feels like an afterthought. Its die-cast aluminium enclosure, 140mm RST mid/bass driver and Gold C-CAM tweeter give it engineering that would be perfectly at home in a much more conventional standmount speaker.
What makes the A10 particularly useful is its flexibility. Use a pair for a compact stereo system, put them around the room as part of a discreet home cinema installation, wall-mount them using the supplied bracket or partner them with Monitor Audio's dedicated Apex floor stands.
Just remember that the A10 is sold individually, which is ideal when building a multi-channel system but means you'll need two for conventional stereo.
Monitor Audio Apex A10
The Apex A10 is a compact two-way passive loudspeaker designed to combine high-quality Hi-Fi engineering with unusually flexible installation.
Its small dimensions make it suitable for rooms where a traditional bookshelf or standmount loudspeaker may be too intrusive, yet Monitor Audio equips it with technologies developed for its larger loudspeakers rather than treating it purely as a lifestyle satellite.
- 140mm RST mid/bass driver
- 25mm Gold C-CAM dome tweeter
- Rigid die-cast aluminium cabinet
- Front-firing HiVe II reflex port
- Central through-bolt driver fixing
- Magnetic grille
- Wall bracket supplied
- Dedicated Apex floor stand available separately
- Metallic Black or Pearl White High Gloss finishes
Sold Individually
The Monitor Audio Apex A10 is priced and supplied as a single speaker. Order two speakers if you require a conventional stereo pair.
140mm RST Mid/Bass Driver
A single 140mm mid/bass unit handles the lower and middle frequencies.
The driver uses Monitor Audio's RST dimpled cone geometry, which increases rigidity across the cone surface while allowing the driver to remain relatively lightweight.
This combination is particularly useful in a compact speaker where the same driver has to reproduce both bass and a substantial portion of the midrange before handing over to the tweeter.
25mm Gold C-CAM Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by Monitor Audio's 25mm Gold C-CAM dome tweeter.
The two drivers cross over at 3kHz, giving the A10 a conventional two-way architecture despite its unusually compact enclosure.
Monitor Audio specifies an overall frequency response of 60Hz to 35kHz.
Rigid Die-Cast Aluminium Cabinet
Rather than using a conventional MDF enclosure, the Apex A10 is housed in a rigid die-cast aluminium cabinet.
The enclosure measures just 250mm high, 140mm wide and 140mm deep before its mounting arrangement is added.
Aluminium allows Monitor Audio to create a compact, curved enclosure with considerable structural rigidity while maintaining the clean visual appearance that defines the Apex range.
Central Through-Bolt Construction
The Apex drivers are secured through the enclosure using a central through-bolt arrangement.
Rather than relying solely on multiple visible fixings around the front of the drive unit, the through-bolt also acts as an internal cabinet brace, tying the front and rear of the enclosure together and helping control unwanted cabinet resonance.
It also contributes to the particularly clean appearance of the front baffle.
Front-Firing HiVe II Port
The A10 uses a bass-reflex enclosure with Monitor Audio's HiVe II port system.
The port exits through the front of the cabinet, which gives the A10 greater flexibility when it needs to be installed near a wall than a conventional rear-ported design.
Placement still influences bass response, so final positioning should be adjusted to suit the room and whether the A10 is being used for stereo or home cinema.
Designed for Stereo and Home Cinema
The A10 can be used in several different roles rather than being tied to one particular system configuration.
Stereo
Use two A10 speakers as a compact left and right pair, either wall-mounted, placed on suitable supports or installed on the dedicated Apex floor stands.
Home Cinema
A10 speakers can be used for front, surround or other conventional passive channels, with the larger Apex A40 providing a matching option for centre-channel duties.
Monitor Audio voices the Apex models so they can be combined within the same system, making it straightforward to build a compact multi-channel package around the room.
Wall Bracket Supplied
Monitor Audio supplies the A10 with a dedicated metal wall bracket.
Once installed, the speaker can be angled to help aim it towards the listening position, which is particularly useful when the A10 is used as a surround speaker or mounted above or below normal seated ear height.
Planning a Wall-Mounted System?
Think about cable routes before fixing the brackets permanently. Speaker positioning, listening height and the location of the AV equipment are much easier to resolve before cables disappear into walls or furniture.
Dedicated Apex Floor Stands
For a more traditional freestanding installation, Monitor Audio offers a dedicated Apex stand specifically designed for the A10.
The die-cast aluminium stand is internally wired, allowing the A10 to locate onto the stand without a visible speaker cable running all the way up the outside of the support.
The dedicated floor stands are sold separately as a pair.
Magnetic Grille
The front grille attaches magnetically, avoiding visible grille pegs or mounting holes when the A10 is used with its drivers exposed.
This allows the speaker to maintain its clean appearance whether the grille is fitted or removed.
Amplifier Matching
The Apex A10 has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a sensitivity of 87dB.
Monitor Audio recommends amplifier power between 25 and 100 watts, while the speaker itself is rated for 100W RMS power handling.
Those figures make it compatible with a broad selection of conventional integrated amplifiers and AV receivers, but the quality and capability of the amplifier still matters, particularly when several A10 speakers are being driven simultaneously in a home cinema system.
Compact Dimensions
One of the A10's biggest attractions is just how little room the cabinet itself occupies.
- Cabinet: 250 x 140 x 140mm (H x W x D)
- Including table stand: 280 x 150 x 180mm (H x W x D)
- Weight: 3.95kg each
Its relatively small footprint makes it much easier to accommodate around televisions, furniture and room architecture than a conventional full-size bookshelf loudspeaker.
Two High-Gloss Finishes
The current Apex A10 is available in two finishes:
- Metallic Black High Gloss
- Metallic Pearl White High Gloss
Both use the same die-cast alloy cabinet, driver configuration and acoustic specification.
Key Features
- Compact two-way passive speaker
- Sold individually
- 140mm RST mid/bass driver
- 25mm Gold C-CAM tweeter
- 3kHz crossover
- 60Hz to 35kHz frequency response
- 87dB sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 100W RMS power handling
- 25 to 100W recommended amplifier
- 110.8dBA maximum SPL
- Front-ported bass-reflex enclosure
- HiVe II port system
- Rigid die-cast aluminium cabinet
- Central through-bolt driver fixing
- Magnetic grille
- Wall-mountable
- Dedicated wall bracket supplied
- Adjustable wall-mount angle
- Dedicated floor stands available separately
- Suitable for compact stereo systems
- Suitable for home cinema
- Metallic Black High Gloss finish
- Metallic Pearl White High Gloss finish
- 3.95kg each
- Five-year manufacturer warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Monitor Audio Apex A10 sold as a pair?
No. The Apex A10 is sold individually. Two speakers are required for a conventional stereo pair.
Is the Apex A10 still a current Monitor Audio speaker?
Yes. Although the first-generation Apex range originally appeared in 2010, Monitor Audio still manufactures the A10 and A40 as current products.
Can I use the Apex A10 for stereo music?
Yes. A pair can be used as compact left and right speakers with a suitable stereo amplifier.
Can I use it for home cinema?
Yes. The A10 is particularly well suited to compact home cinema installations and can be combined with other Apex speakers for a tonally matched multi-channel system.
Can the Apex A10 be wall-mounted?
Yes. Monitor Audio supplies a dedicated metal wall bracket with the A10.
Can the speaker be angled when wall-mounted?
Yes. The supplied bracket allows the speaker to be tilted so it can be aimed towards the listening area.
Are floor stands available?
Yes. Monitor Audio makes dedicated internally wired Apex stands for the A10, available separately as a pair.
What size is the bass driver?
The A10 uses one 140mm, or 5.5-inch, RST mid/bass driver.
Which tweeter does it use?
A 25mm Gold C-CAM dome tweeter handles high frequencies.
What amplifier power does Monitor Audio recommend?
Monitor Audio recommends an amplifier rated between 25 and 100 watts.
What is the nominal impedance?
8 ohms.
What is the sensitivity?
Monitor Audio specifies 87dB measured at 1W/1m.
How low does the A10 play?
The published frequency response extends down to 60Hz. For greater low-frequency extension in a home cinema or compact stereo system, an active subwoofer can be added.
Is the A10 rear ported?
No. It uses a front-facing bass-reflex arrangement with Monitor Audio's HiVe II port system.
What is the cabinet made from?
The enclosure is made from rigid die-cast aluminium rather than conventional MDF.
Can the grille be removed?
Yes. The grille is magnetically attached, leaving a clean front baffle without visible grille fixings when removed.
Which finishes are available?
The current finishes are Metallic Black High Gloss and Metallic Pearl White High Gloss.
How large is the A10?
The cabinet itself measures 250mm high, 140mm wide and 140mm deep.
How much does one speaker weigh?
3.95kg.
What warranty does the Apex A10 have?
Monitor Audio specifies a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Related Monitor Audio Products
Why Buy Monitor Audio From Audio T?
The Apex A10 is particularly flexible, which means the best installation depends on how you plan to use it. Audio T can help with stereo or home cinema system design, amplifier matching, wall-mounting positions, speaker stands and subwoofer integration.
- Monitor Audio demonstrations
- Stereo amplifier matching
- AV receiver matching
- Home cinema system planning
- Wall-mounting advice
- Speaker placement guidance
- Apex stand advice
- Subwoofer integration
- System setup
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a Monitor Audio Apex demonstration or discuss a complete stereo or home cinema system.