In this review, we will be comparing Platinum 100 3G and Dovedale, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Monitor Audio and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G and Wharfedale Dovedale first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G and Wharfedale Dovedale 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G and Wharfedale Dovedale compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Platinum 100 3G is a 2-way design whereas the Dovedale 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 |
Wharfedale Dovedale |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5-inch |
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 10-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 Dovedale features a 1" soft dome Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 1 x 10" black woven Kevlar cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 560Hz and 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
Platinum 100 3G has a frequency range of 28-60k Hz whereas Dovedale has a frequency range of 36-20K 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 Dovedale's min frequency of 36Hz.
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 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Dovedale which has a nominal impedance of 6.5 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Platinum 100 3G can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Platinum 100 3G sensitivity is rated at 85dB and the Dovedale's is rated at 89 DB. This 4 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Dovedale a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Platinum 100 3G has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the Dovedale.
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
Platinum 100 3G features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Dovedale has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Platinum 100 3G and Dovedale 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.
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 Wharfedale Dovedale'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 Wharfedale Dovedale has external dimensions of 660 x 370 x 417mm ( 23.6 x 14.6 x 16.4 inch) .
Wharfedale Dovedale is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 145mm wider, 262mm taller and 92mm deeper than Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G.
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 Wharfedale Dovedale is approximately 1542.9cm2 / 239.1inch2. The Platinum 100 3G requires 53% less surface area than the Dovedale 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 Platinum 100 3G weighs 15.20kg / 33.4lbs and the Wharfedale Dovedale weighs 26.20kg / 57.6lbs. This makes the Dovedale 72% heavier than the Platinum 100 3G.
Here is a comparison of how Platinum 100 3G and Dovedale'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
3.6 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
36 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
60k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Height |
398mm
vs
660mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
731cm2 (225x325mm)
vs
1542cm2 (370x417mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
6.5 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
10 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Price per pair* |
5000USD
vs
6900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G |
Wharfedale Dovedale |
Brand |
Monitor Audio |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
up to 150 watts |
25-250 watts |
Sensitivity |
85dB |
89 DB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
6.5 ohms |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
3.6 ohms |
Frequency Response |
28-60k Hz |
36-20K HZ |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6" |
10" |
Woofer Composition |
RDT III |
black woven Kevlar cone |
Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
n/a |
soft dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
5" |
Crossover Frequency |
2850 Hz |
560Hz and 2900Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
398.0mm (15.7") |
660.0mm (26") |
Width |
225.0mm (8.9") |
370.0mm (14.6") |
Depth |
325.0mm (12.8") |
417.0mm (16.4") |
Weight |
15.20kg (33.4lbs) |
26.20kg (57.6lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
Available Colors |
Piano Black, Piano Ebony, Satin White |
Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |