Monitor Audio Monitor 100 Bookshelf speakers
Monitor Audio has updated the line with the name Monitor. The novelty is one step lower in the model line, but traditionally inherits several key technologies from the older series, which is inevitably perceived as a direct competitor to the Bronze series. And indeed, if we compare the new Monitor 100 and the previously released Bronze 2, the differences in passport data will be minimal.
The third generation Monitor lineup, in my opinion, turned out to be much more stylish and modern than the previous generation of Monitor and modern Bronze. And modernity today implies the use of vintage notes in the design.
The strict rectangular shape of the body, "tipped-in" front panel and the traditional method of mounting the driver and grills provide in the design the style of past years. There are no hidden screws and magnets - everything is pretty brutal. In addition, the mid/low drivers have a bright orange color, and tweeters, on the contrary, are painted in classic black.
The Monitor 100 attracted me by another specific accent: the grill does not completely cover the front panel, leaving a free strip at the bottom. This is a direct reference to the studio shelf monitors, which appeared in the seventies, where a part of the front panel was used to install the level control knobs for the mid and high-frequency drivers. Monitor 100 has only logos on this place, but it looks great, especially in walnut finish. The walnut on the sides, surely, is not natural, but the quality of the vinyl film is high. Outwardly and by touch it really resembles polished wood.
From a technological point of view, Monitor 100 has at least two elements that unite it with Bronze models. The first one is tweeter. Due to the black color, it looks like a fabric, but in its essence it is completely similar to that used in the Bronze series. This is a dome made of C-CAM brand material - an aluminum-magnesium alloy with a ceramic coating. The second element that came from the older series is HiVe II bass reflex. It is a port with an expanding socket at the exit and longitudinal grooves, which reduce turbulence during operation.
The key difference from the older model is the MF/LF driver. The Monitor series uses drivers with a diffuser made from MMPII material. This material is a mixture of polymer and the smallest metal particles. The specificity of manufacturing diffusers also implies their different thickness, depending on how the load is distributed during operation.
Sound nature is consistent with the canons of Monitor Audio - extremely accurate, focused, clear. Sometimes seeming too pedantic and strict, but in fact, it is just neutral without contributing too much to the sound. The tonal balance is smooth, the upper middle and the lower part of the high-frequency range seemed to me a little softer than usually happens with Monitor Audio. This saved the ear from sharp, screaming and whistling sounds.
Guitars, cymbals, brass were perceived naturally, there were no harsh and screaming sounds. Sibilants in vocal recordings didn't cut the ear either. At the same time, intonational voices and live instruments stayed accurate and reliable. This feature best appeared in the records of Luciano Pavarotti. His expressive vocals, which sound rather deeply and sharply in half of the recordings, were quite harmonious in the performance of Monitor 100.
Monitor Audio Monitor 100 lined up the scene well. Tweeters have a palpable focus, and when focusing them strictly on the listener, the scene was located in the space between the system and the listener. At the same time, the volume was felt well and the localization was extremely accurate. In "The Wall" by Pink Floyd, one could trace the trajectory of a helicopter flying by and estimate the scale of the choir. In the recording "Give It Up To Love" by Mighty Sam McClain we could hear where exactly each of the musicians stood.
Monitor 100 is closest in size to Bronze 2, and if you compare them at simple music, the differences are minimal. But in polyphonic, complex by structure compositions the positioning of models in the line and the differences in cost become more obvious and absolutely justified.
In general, Monitor 100 produces a pleasant impression and fits into the overall concept of the Monitor Audio sound. Fans of smooth and accurate sound will definitely appreciate them.
