In this review, we will be comparing Gold C250 6G and Platinum C250 3G, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G and Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G | Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | 3" | 2.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6" HDT C-CAM | 2 x 5" RDT III |
|---|
| Frequency response | 64 Hz – 60 kHz | 30-60k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87.5 dB | 88dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 250 watts | up to 300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 15.32kg / 33.7lbs | 25.40kg / 55.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8-1/16" x 21-1/8" x 13-3/16"
537.0 x 205.0 x 335.0mm | 8.8" x 24.8" x 12.8"
225 x 630 x 325.7 mm |
|---|
What size room are the Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G and Monitor Audio Platinum C250 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* |
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G |
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Average |
(* 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.
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Drivers
Both Gold C250 6G and Platinum C250 3G are 3-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6GMonitor Audio Platinum C250 3G
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G |
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 3-inch |
1 x 2.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-inch
|
2 x 5-inch
|
Gold C250 6G features a 1" MPD III Tweeter, a 3" Midrange and 2 x 6" HDT C-CAM Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 800 Hz - 2700 Hz. On the other hand, the Platinum C250 3G features a 1" MPD III Tweeter, a 2.5" Midrange and 2 x 5" RDT III Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 850 Hz - 3500 Hz.
Frequency Response
Gold C250 6G has a frequency range of 64 Hz – 60 kHz whereas Platinum C250 3G has a frequency range of 30-60k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the Platinum C250 3G can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Gold C250 6G's min frequency of 64Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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
Gold C250 6G and Platinum C250 3G have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Gold C250 6G sensitivity is rated at 87.5 dB and the Platinum C250 3G's is at 88dB.
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 Gold C250 6G and the Gold C250 6G can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
Platinum C250 3G can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas Gold C250 6G has a max power handling value of 250 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Platinum C250 3G.
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 Gold C250 6G
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Gold C250 6G and Platinum C250 3G features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 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 Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G's and Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G has external dimensions of 537.0 x 205.0 x 335.0mm (21-1/8 x 8-1/16 x 13-3/16) whereas Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G has external dimensions of 225 x 630 x 325.7 mm (8.8 x 24.8 x 12.8-inch).
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G is 93mm narrower and 20mm shorter than Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G but it is also 9mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G and Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G and Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G Size and External Dimensions
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 Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G is approximately 686.8cm2 / 106.5inch2 and base area of the Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G is approximately 2053.8cm2 / 318.3inch2. The Gold C250 6G requires 67% less surface area than the Platinum C250 3G which gives it a small advantage 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 Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G weighs 15.32kg / 33.7lbs and the Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G weighs 25.40kg / 55.9lbs. This makes the Platinum C250 3G 66% heavier than the Gold C250 6G.
Here is a comparison of how Gold C250 6G and Platinum C250 3G's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G
What's in the Box of Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Gold C250 6G:
- Center-channel speaker
- 3 Grilles
- 4 Rubber feet
- 2 Jumper-plates (pre-installed)
- Hex-key
- Quick Setup Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
 Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
205mm
vs
225mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
686cm2
vs
2053cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2499USD
vs
5900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
250 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.9 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
|
Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
64 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G |
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 250 watts |
up to 300 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87.5 dB |
88dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.9 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
64 Hz – 60 kHz |
30-60k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
HDT C-CAM |
RDT III |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
3" |
2.5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
800 Hz - 2700 Hz |
850 Hz - 3500 Hz |
| Suggested Break-in Period |
4 Rubber feet |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
205.0mm (8.1") |
225.0mm (8.9") |
| Width |
537.0mm (21.1") |
630.0mm (24.8") |
| Depth |
335.0mm (13.2") |
326.0mm (12.8") |
| Weight |
15.32kg (33.7lbs) |
25.40kg (55.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Available Colors |
Macassar Wood Veneer, High-Gloss Black, Satin White |
Piano Black, Piano Ebony, Satin White |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G costs roughly 2.4x what Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G digs deeper - 30Hz against 64Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom |
evenly matched |
Similar power handling (250W vs 300W). |
| Size |
depends |
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G is easier to place; Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G: bi-amping; Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G: bi-amping. |
| Price |
A |
Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G is cheaper - $2,499 against $5,900, about 58% less; arguably a different class. |
A Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G
B Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 58% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 64Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Monitor Audio Gold C250 6G much easier to justify. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $3,401 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.