In this review, we will be comparing Platinum C250 3G and Revel C426Be, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Monitor Audio and Revel. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Revel C426Be 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 )
Revel C426Be Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" dome with proprietary acoustic lens and waveguide Tweeter
- 5-1/4" Midrange
- 4 x 6.5" aluminum with Deep Ceramic Composite coating Woofer
- 5-1/4" Midrange
- 38-40k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:50-300watts
- Weight:33.05kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 313.0" x 38-5/8" x 14-1/16"( 313.0 x 982.0 x 358.0mm )
What size room are the Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G and Revel C426Be 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 |
Revel C426Be |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Average |
(* 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 Revel C426Be 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 C250 3G and Revel C426Be are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Monitor Audio Platinum C250 3G |
Revel C426Be |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 2.5-inch |
1 x 5-1/4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
4 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 Revel C426Be features a 1" beryllium dome with proprietary acoustic lens and waveguide Tweeter , a 5-1/4" Midrange and 4 x 6.5" aluminum with Deep Ceramic Composite coating Woofer .
Frequency Response
Platinum C250 3G has a frequency range of 30-60k Hz whereas Revel C426Be has a frequency range of 38-40k 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 Revel C426Be's min frequency of 38Hz.
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 Revel C426Be 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 Revel C426Be's is rated at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Revel C426Be 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.
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. Revel C426Be 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
Revel C426Be'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 Revel C426Be'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 Revel C426Be has external dimensions of 313.0 x 982.0 x 358.0mm ( 12-5/16 x 38-5/8 x 14-1/16inch) .
Revel C426Be is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 352mm wider, 88mm taller and 32mm deeper than Monitor Audio Platinum C250 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 C250 3G is approximately 2053.8cm2 / 318.3inch2 and base area of the Revel C426Be is approximately 3515.6cm2 / 544.9inch2. The Platinum C250 3G requires 42% less surface area than the Revel C426Be 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 Revel C426Be weighs 33.05kg / 72.7lbs. This makes the Revel C426Be 30% heavier than the Platinum C250 3G.
Here is a comparison of how Platinum C250 3G and Revel C426Be'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
What's in the Box of Revel C426Be?
Here are the items that come with the Revel C426Be:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrilleFeet assembly2 Port plugsOwners Manual