In this review, we will be comparing Platinum 300 3G and Aria 948, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Monitor Audio and Focal. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G and Focal Aria 948 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G and Focal Aria 948 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 300 3G and Focal Aria 948 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
Both Platinum 300 3G and Aria 948 are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G |
Focal Aria 948 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 4-inch |
1 x 6.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 8-inch
|
2 x 8.25-inch
|
Platinum 300 3G features a 1" MPD III Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 2 x 8" RDT III Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 650 Hz - 3000 Hz. On the other hand, the Aria 948 features a 1" TNF Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter , a 6.5" Midrange and 2 x 8.25" Flax Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 280Hz and 2,600Hz.
Frequency Response
Platinum 300 3G has a frequency range of 17-60k Hz whereas Aria 948 has a frequency range of 37-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 17Hz, the Platinum 300 3G can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Aria 948's min frequency of 37Hz.
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 Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
High Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G
Impedance and Sensitivity
Platinum 300 3G is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Aria 948 which has a nominal impedance of 8 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 300 3G can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Platinum 300 3G sensitivity is rated at 88dB and the Aria 948's is rated at 92.5 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Focal Aria 948 a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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 300 3G can handle a max power of 400 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Aria 948 has a max power handling value of 350 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Platinum 300 3G.
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 300 3G features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Aria 948 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 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 300 3G's and Focal Aria 948's external dimensions. Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G has external dimensions of 1131.1 x 429.8 x 525 mm ( 44.5 x 16.9 x 20.6-inch) whereas Focal Aria 948 has external dimensions of 1150.0 x 372.0 x 421.0mm ( 45-1/4 x 14-5/8 x 16-9/16inch) .
Focal Aria 948 is 58mm narrower and 104mm less deeper than Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G but it is also 19mm 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 Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G is approximately 2257.5cm2 / 349.9inch2 and base area of the Focal Aria 948 is approximately 1566.1cm2 / 242.7inch2. The Platinum 300 3G requires 44% more surface area than the Aria 948 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 Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G weighs 53.60kg / 117.9lbs and the Focal Aria 948 weighs 35.00kg / 77lbs. This makes the Platinum 300 3G 53% heavier than the Aria 948.
Here is a comparison of how Platinum 300 3G and Aria 948's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G
What's in the Box of Focal Aria 948?
Here are the items that come with the Aria 948:
Floorstanding loudspeakerGrilleBase4 Spike feet (pre-installed in base)4 Plastic feet4 ScrewsAllen-keyHex-toolUser Manual
 Max Input Power |
400 watts
vs
350 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
2.5 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
17 Hz
vs
37 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
60k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
1131mm
vs
1150mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Woofer Size |
8.25 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
1566cm2 (372x421mm)
vs
2257cm2 (430x525mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
6598USD
vs
17900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3G |
Focal Aria 948 |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 400 watts |
50-350 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88dB |
92.5 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
2.5 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
17-60k Hz |
37-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
8.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
RDT III |
Flax |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
inverted dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
4" |
6.5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
650 Hz - 3000 Hz |
280Hz and 2,600Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1131.0mm (44.5") |
1150.0mm (45.3") |
| Width |
430.0mm (16.9") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Depth |
525.0mm (20.7") |
421.0mm (16.6") |
| Weight |
53.60kg (117.9lbs) |
35.00kg (77lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Glass/Leather |
| Available Colors |
Piano Black, Piano Ebony, Satin White |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |