In this review, we will be comparing Platinum 100 3G and Reference 1 Meta, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Monitor Audio and KEF. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G and KEF Reference 1 Meta first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Tweeter
- 6" RDT III Woofer
- 28-60k Hz Frequency Response
- 85dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:up to 150watts
- Weight:15.20kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 398.0" x 8.8" x 12.8"( 398 x 225 x 325.6 mm )
KEF Reference 1 Meta Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 12th Generation Uni-Q Driver
- 1" aluminium dome with MAT Tweeter
- 5" Midrange
- 6.5" aluminium cone Woofer
- 5" Midrange
- 45-35k Hz Frequency Response
- 85 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:50-200watts
- Weight:18.20kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 440.0" x 8.1" x 16.6"( 440 x 205 x 422 mm )
What size room are the Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G and KEF Reference 1 Meta 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 Platinum 100 3G |
KEF Reference 1 Meta |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G and KEF Reference 1 Meta compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Platinum 100 3G is a 2-way design whereas the Reference 1 Meta is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G |
KEF Reference 1 Meta |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Platinum 100 3G features a 1" MPD III Tweeter and 1 x 6" RDT III Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2850 Hz. On the other hand, the Reference 1 Meta features a 1" aluminium dome with MAT Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" aluminium cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 2100Hz.
Frequency Response
Platinum 100 3G has a frequency range of 28-60k Hz whereas Reference 1 Meta has a frequency range of 45-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Platinum 100 3G can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Reference 1 Meta's min frequency of 45Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Platinum 100 3G and Reference 1 Meta have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Platinum 100 3G sensitivity is rated at 85dB and the Reference 1 Meta's is at 85 dB.
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 Platinum 100 3G and the Platinum 100 3G 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. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Platinum 100 3G can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Platinum 100 3G has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the Reference 1 Meta.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Platinum 100 3G and Reference 1 Meta features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
KEF Reference 1 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Platinum 100 3G and Reference 1 Meta have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G Port
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Platinum 100 3G's and KEF Reference 1 Meta's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G has external dimensions of 398 x 225 x 325.6 mm ( 15.6 x 8.8 x 12.8-inch) whereas KEF Reference 1 Meta has external dimensions of 440 x 205 x 422 mm ( 17.3 x 8.1 x 16.6 ) .
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G is 42mm shorter and 97mm less deeper than KEF Reference 1 Meta but it is also 20mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G and KEF Reference 1 Meta in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G and KEF Reference 1 Meta 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 Platinum 100 3G is approximately 731.3cm2 / 113.4inch2 and base area of the KEF Reference 1 Meta is approximately 865.1cm2 / 134.1inch2. The Platinum 100 3G requires 15% less surface area than the Reference 1 Meta which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G and KEF Reference 1 Meta on a Media Console
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 Platinum 100 3G weighs 15.20kg / 33.4lbs and the KEF Reference 1 Meta weighs 18.20kg / 40lbs. This makes the Reference 1 Meta 20% heavier than the Platinum 100 3G.
Here is a comparison of how Platinum 100 3G and Reference 1 Meta's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G