Monitor Audio Resets The Standard

Born in 1972, British speaker company Monitor Audio, has seen numerous iterations over the past few decades. Over that span, the brand has retained its position among the most important in the audio world. In 2017, Monitor Audio introduced the Silver Series G6 (Generation Six), revamping and improving what was already one of the most popular speaker series in the world.

The new Silver G6 family shown in walnut, one of six finish options.

Monitor Audio as a UK-based speaker has serious competition, occupied by brands each with their own solid reputations. B&W, Harbeth, KEF, and Wharfedale are of course well-known within Europe and without. It may surprise you to know that all of those brands are outsold by Monitor Audio on a near-annual basis in the UK and Europe. Part of the reason for this, outside of outstanding performance across the range, is it's high value proposition. Like Canada's Paradigm, Monitor Audio represents a vertically-integrated, highly-tested and engineered product that tends to outperform products costing considerably more. The brand is still making inroads in North America, with the goal to have their consumers recognize Monitor Audio as perhaps the speaker brand to look at first as it is in the remainder of Western markets. 

Patented designs found in the range include:

• C-CAM Drivers: Conventional speaker cones are liable to flex in operation, which can result in a significant level of audible distortion. Using a material originally developed by the aerospace industry, Monitor Audio created loudspeaker cones, which have a high resistance to bending stress, resulting in a smooth transition of audio frequencies.
• DCF (Dynamic Coupling Filter): DCF replaces the customary rigid coupling of a driver and voice coil with a pliable unit. In doing so, DCF helps to dampen surplus energy produced by the driver, resulting in a more natural sound.
• Gold Dome C-CAM: First introduced in the latter half of 1980s, the Gold Dome Tweeter is built on its maker’s 1985 metal dome tweeter technology. Monitor Audio anodizes its ceramic-coated aluminium/magnesium alloy, creating a thinner, lighter more rigid dome, one which is extremely efficient and less prone to audio distortion.
• HiveII Port: This proprietary speaker port technology accelerates air flow and reduces turbulence, resulting in fast, powerful bass coupled with superior transient response.
• IDC: The Inverted Dual Concentric midrange/tweeter module offers up to 18 degrees of play, enabling in-ceiling and in-wall speakers to be discreetly positioned, yet still direct sound towards the listening zone.
• RDTII: The second generation of Rigid Diaphragm Technology (RDT) bonds an ultra-thin composite structure to a honeycomb Nomex core material. Using C-CAM for the front skin and woven carbon fibre for the rear, the RDTII structure reduces distortion by over 8dB above 300Hz, making RDTII the lowest distortion cone technology in Monitor Audio’s history
• RST: Rigid Surface Technology (RST), inspired by the Japanese art of origami, strengthens the speaker cone, letting Monitor Audio speakers use thinner, lighted and more responsive C-CAM cones, meaning greater speed and accuracy, as well as greatly reduced distortion.
• Tri-Grip Dog Fixings: All current Monitor Audio custom install models use this fixing design. This three-position ‘dog’ style fix enables great contact surface area over other designs, while also saving installation time. This design is also nearly binding-proof, meaning no more stuck doglegs during installation.

Critical to Monitor Audio's success is the fact that across the board, the quality from model to model doesn't vary. Of course, there are significant differences in performance as you move up the line, but in terms of sheer build and attention to detail at each price point, you'll never feel as though you bought something that's "second best" in its category. Each driver technology found in a Silver Series floor stander, for example, is also found in their architectural (in-wall, in-ceiling) product. It's examples like this that indicate an obsessive level of attentiveness across the board, something that's more than evident when listening to the Gold and Platinum Series, the latter considered by all serious reviewers to be among the absolute best -- period.

The all-world Platinum II Series will happily go toe-to-toe with the best in the world.

River City Sales is proud to offer the full range of Monitor Audio speakers. The line is available through distribution from our local warehouse, with direct terms available for dealers making regular, larger orders. Contact us at 866-980-2777 today to arrange a demo!