In this review, we will be comparing Platinum C250 3G and Kanta Center, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Monitor Audio and Focal.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Focal Kanta Center first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Tweeter
- 2.5" Midrange
- 2 x 5" RDT III Woofer
- 30-60k Hz Frequency Response
- 88dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:up to 300watts
- Weight:25.40kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 225.0" x 24.8" x 12.8"( 225 x 630 x 325.7 mm )
Focal Kanta Center Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1.1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 2 x 6.5" flax cone with TMD (Tuned Mass Damping) suspension Woofer
- 55-44k Hz Frequency Response
- 92 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:40-200watts
- Weight:18.00kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 247.0" x 22-1/8" x 15-1/2"( 247.0 x 562.0 x 394.0mm )
What size room are the Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Focal Kanta Center 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 C250 3G |
Focal Kanta Center |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
(* 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 C250 3G and Focal Kanta Center 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 C250 3G is a 3-way design whereas the Kanta Center is a 2-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 C250 3G |
Focal Kanta Center |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 2.5-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
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. On the other hand, the Kanta Center features a 1.1" IAL3 Beryllium Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" flax cone with TMD (Tuned Mass Damping) suspension Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400 Hz.
Frequency Response
Platinum C250 3G has a frequency range of 30-60k Hz whereas Kanta Center has a frequency range of 55-44k 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 Kanta Center's min frequency of 55Hz.
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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 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 C250 3G is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Kanta Center 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 C250 3G can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Platinum C250 3G sensitivity is rated at 88dB and the Kanta Center's is rated at 92 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Focal Kanta Center a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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 C250 3G can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Kanta Center has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Platinum C250 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 C250 3G features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Kanta Center has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Focal Kanta Center's Binding post terminals
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 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 C250 3G's and Focal Kanta Center's external dimensions. 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) whereas Focal Kanta Center has external dimensions of 247.0 x 562.0 x 394.0mm ( 9-11/16inch x 22-1/8inch x 15-1/2inch ) .
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G is 22mm shorter and 68mm less deeper than Focal Kanta Center but it is also 68mm wider.
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 C250 3G is approximately 2053.8cm2 / 318.3inch2 and base area of the Focal Kanta Center is approximately 2214.3cm2 / 343.2inch2. The Platinum C250 3G requires 7% less surface area than the Kanta Center which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.