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.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G | KEF Reference 1 Meta |
|---|
| Brand | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1" aluminium dome with MAT |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" RDT III | 6.5" aluminium cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 28-60k Hz | 45-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 150 watts | 50-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 15.20kg / 33.4lbs | 18.20kg / 40lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 15.6" x 8.8" x 12.8"
398.0 x 225.0 x 325.0mm | 17.3" 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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.
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3GKEF Reference 1 Meta
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 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.
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
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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Reference 1 Meta can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas Platinum 100 3G has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Reference 1 Meta.
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
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
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 Platinum 100 3G's and KEF Reference 1 Meta's external dimensions. 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) 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 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
 Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
60k Hz
vs
35k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
398mm
vs
440mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
731cm2
vs
865cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
6900USD
vs
9000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| General |
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G |
KEF Reference 1 Meta |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 150 watts |
50-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
85dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
28-60k Hz |
45-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
RDT III |
aluminium cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
aluminium dome with MAT |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2850 Hz |
450Hz and 2100Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
398.0mm (15.7") |
440.0mm (17.3") |
| Width |
225.0mm (8.9") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
| Depth |
325.0mm (12.8") |
422.0mm (16.6") |
| Weight |
15.20kg (33.4lbs) |
18.20kg (40lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
Piano Black, Piano Ebony, Satin White |
High-Gloss White/Blue, High-Gloss White/Champagne, High-Gloss Black/Grey, High-Gloss Black/Copper, Satin Walnut/Silver |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
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 | Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G digs deeper - 28Hz against 45Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (85dB vs 85dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Headroom | B | KEF Reference 1 Meta takes more power (200W vs 150W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G is easier to place; KEF Reference 1 Meta is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G: bi-amping; KEF Reference 1 Meta: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G is cheaper - $6,900 against $9,000, about 23% less. |
A Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G B KEF Reference 1 Meta
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 45Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G the better fit for a small room, and KEF Reference 1 Meta for a large room and a very large room.
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.