In this review, we will be comparing Reference 9 2023 and Platinum 100 3G, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Canton and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Canton Reference 9 2023 and Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Canton Reference 9 2023 | Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G |
|---|
| Brand | Canton
Germany · founded 1972 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1" |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 6" RDT III |
|---|
| Frequency response | 25-40k Hz | 28-60k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 85dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 125-220 watts | up to 150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 18.14kg / 39.9lbs | 15.20kg / 33.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 17.7" x 10.2" x 15.4"
449.6 x 259.1 x 391.2mm | 15.6" x 8.8" x 12.8"
398.0 x 225.0 x 325.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Canton Reference 9 2023 and Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Canton Reference 9 2023 |
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Reference 9 2023 and Platinum 100 3G are 2-way speakers.
Canton Reference 9 2023Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Canton Reference 9 2023 |
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
x -inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Reference 9 2023 features a 1" Aluminum ceramic oxyd Tweeter and x " Woofer. On the other hand, the Platinum 100 3G features a 1" MPD III Tweeter and 1 x 6" RDT III Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2850 Hz.
Frequency Response
Reference 9 2023 has a frequency range of 25-40k Hz whereas Platinum 100 3G has a frequency range of 28-60k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Reference 9 2023 can go slightly deeper then the Platinum 100 3G's min frequency of 28Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Reference 9 2023 and Platinum 100 3G have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Reference 9 2023 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Platinum 100 3G's is at 85dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Canton Reference 9 2023 a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Reference 9 2023 and the Reference 9 2023 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Reference 9 2023 can handle a max power of 220 watts RMS, whereas Platinum 100 3G has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 70 watts less than the Reference 9 2023.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Platinum 100 3G features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Reference 9 2023 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G Port
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Canton Reference 9 2023's and Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G's external dimensions. Canton Reference 9 2023 has external dimensions of 449.6 x 259.1 x 391.2mm (17.7 x 10.2 x 15.4inch) whereas Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G has external dimensions of 398.0 x 225.0 x 325.0mm (15.6 x 8.8 x 12.8-inch).
Canton Reference 9 2023 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 34.1mm wider, 51.6mm taller and 66.2mm deeper than Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Canton Reference 9 2023 needs about 39% more floor or shelf area. Canton Reference 9 2023 is 66mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Canton Reference 9 2023 is 52mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Canton Reference 9 2023 is approximately 1013.6cm2 / 157.1inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G is approximately 731.3cm2 / 113.4inch2. The Reference 9 2023 requires 39% more surface area than the Platinum 100 3G which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Canton Reference 9 2023 weighs 18.14kg / 39.9lbs and the Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G weighs 15.20kg / 33.4lbs. This makes the Reference 9 2023 19% heavier than the Platinum 100 3G.
Here is a comparison of how Reference 9 2023 and Platinum 100 3G's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G
 Max Input Power |
220 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
28 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
6300USD
vs
7599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
60k Hz
vs
40k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
398mm
vs
449mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
731cm2
vs
1013cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Canton Reference 9 2023 |
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G |
| Brand |
Canton |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
125-220 watts |
up to 150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
85dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
25-40k Hz |
28-60k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
RDT III |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2850 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
449.6mm (17.7") |
398.0mm (15.7") |
| Width |
259.1mm (10.2") |
225.0mm (8.9") |
| Depth |
391.2mm (15.4") |
325.0mm (12.8") |
| Weight |
18.14kg (39.9lbs) |
15.20kg (33.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Piano Black, Piano Ebony, Satin White |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Canton Reference 9 2023 digs deeper - 25Hz against 28Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Canton Reference 9 2023 is more sensitive (87dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Canton Reference 9 2023 takes more power (220W vs 150W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G is easier to place; Canton Reference 9 2023 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Canton Reference 9 2023 is cheaper - $6,300 against $7,599, about 17% less. |
A Canton Reference 9 2023 B Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Canton Reference 9 2023 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. Match it to your room: we rate Canton Reference 9 2023 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G for a mid-size room and a large room. In a large or open-plan room, Canton Reference 9 2023 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.