In this review, we will be comparing Platinum C250 3G and Reference 2 Meta, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Monitor Audio and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and KEF Reference 2 Meta first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G | KEF Reference 2 Meta |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1" aluminium dome with MAT |
|---|
| Midrange | 2.5" | 5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5" RDT III | 2 x 6.5" aluminium cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 30-60k Hz | 80-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 300 watts | 50-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 25.40kg / 55.9lbs | 22.80kg / 50.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8.8" x 24.8" x 12.8"
225 x 630 x 325.7 mm | 8.1" x 24.8" x 13.2"
205 x 630 x 335 mm |
|---|
What size room are the Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and KEF Reference 2 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 C250 3G |
KEF Reference 2 Meta |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Are you nuts? |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Bad |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Poor |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Good |
(* 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.
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Drivers
Both Platinum C250 3G and Reference 2 Meta are 3-way speakers.
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3GKEF Reference 2 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 C250 3G |
KEF Reference 2 Meta |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 2.5-inch |
1 x 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 Reference 2 Meta features a 1" aluminium dome with MAT Tweeter, a 5" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" aluminium cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 2100Hz.
Frequency Response
Platinum C250 3G has a frequency range of 30-60k Hz whereas Reference 2 Meta has a frequency range of 80-35k 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 Reference 2 Meta's min frequency of 80Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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 C250 3G and Reference 2 Meta have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Platinum C250 3G sensitivity is rated at 88dB and the Reference 2 Meta's is at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF Reference 2 Meta, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 C250 3G and the Platinum C250 3G can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
Both handle the same maximum of 300 watts RMS, though Platinum C250 3G is rated up to 300 watts and Reference 2 Meta 50-300 watts.
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 C250 3G
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Platinum C250 3G and Reference 2 Meta features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
KEF Reference 2 Meta's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 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 C250 3G's and KEF Reference 2 Meta'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 KEF Reference 2 Meta has external dimensions of 205 x 630 x 335 mm (8.1 x 24.8 x 13.2 in).
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and KEF Reference 2 Meta in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and KEF Reference 2 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 C250 3G is approximately 2053.8cm2 / 318.3inch2 and base area of the KEF Reference 2 Meta is approximately 2110.5cm2 / 327.1inch2. The Platinum C250 3G requires 3% less surface area than the Reference 2 Meta 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 C250 3G weighs 25.40kg / 55.9lbs and the KEF Reference 2 Meta weighs 22.80kg / 50.2lbs. This makes the Platinum C250 3G 11% heavier than the Reference 2 Meta.
Here is a comparison of how Platinum C250 3G and Reference 2 Meta's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
60k Hz
vs
35k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
2053cm2
vs
2110cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
5900USD
vs
6000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
205mm
vs
225mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G |
KEF Reference 2 Meta |
| Brand |
Monitor Audio |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 300 watts |
50-300 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
30-60k Hz |
80-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
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 |
2.5" |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
850 Hz - 3500 Hz |
450Hz and 2100Hz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
225.0mm (8.9") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
| Width |
630.0mm (24.8") |
630.0mm (24.8") |
| Depth |
326.0mm (12.8") |
335.0mm (13.2") |
| Weight |
25.40kg (55.9lbs) |
22.80kg (50.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Sealed |
| 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 |
| 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 C250 3G digs deeper - 30Hz against 80Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
A |
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom |
evenly matched |
Similar power handling (300W vs 300W). |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G: bi-amping; KEF Reference 2 Meta: bi-amping. |
| Price |
evenly matched |
Much the same money ($5,900 vs $6,000 a pair). |
A Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G
B KEF Reference 2 Meta
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 80Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G the better fit for a mid-size room, and KEF Reference 2 Meta for 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.