In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by Monitor Audio. Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Platinum 100 3G is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G 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 )
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Tweeter
- 6" RDT III Woofer
- 28-60k Hz Frequency Response
- 85dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:up to 150watts
- Weight:15.20kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 398.0" x 8.8" x 12.8"( 398 x 225 x 325.6 mm )
Platinum C250 3G and Platinum 100 3G are members of Monitor Audio's Platinum 3G series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Monitor Audio Platinum 3G Series
History
What size room are the Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G 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 |
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G |
| 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 Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G 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 Platinum 100 3G 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 |
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 2.5-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
1 x 6-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 Platinum 100 3G features a 1" MPD III Tweeter and 1 x 6" RDT III Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2850 Hz.
Frequency Response
Platinum C250 3G has a frequency range of 30-60k Hz whereas Platinum 100 3G has a frequency range of 28-60k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Platinum 100 3G can go slightly deeper then the Platinum C250 3G's min frequency of 30Hz.
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
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 C250 3G and Platinum 100 3G 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 Platinum 100 3G's is at 85dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G, 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. 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 Platinum 100 3G has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 150 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
Both Platinum C250 3G and Platinum 100 3G 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
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G Port
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 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 Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G'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 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) .
Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G is 405mm narrower and 1mm less deeper than Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G but it is also 173mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G in scale.
Comparison image of Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G 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 Monitor Audio Platinum 100 3G is approximately 731.3cm2 / 113.4inch2. The Platinum C250 3G requires 181% more surface area than the Platinum 100 3G which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.