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Monitor Audio Gold 100 : 'Little Rockers'
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ส.ค. 2024
- #MonitorAudio #Gold100 #Audiophiles
Monitor Audio Gold 100 v KEF LS50 Meta v Definitive Technology Demand D11 v Neat Iota Alpha.
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0:00 Introduction
1:19 Review intro / Where they fit in the ranges
1:50 Design and Specifications
2:40 Tweeter - Ribbons, AMT and MPD
4:25 Ports & Binding Posts
5:14 Stated Specs to Rachmaninoff 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini'
6:55 Grills & 'contrasting design' + build quality
8:17 Hegel H390 slow motion
8:51 Stand-out sonic traits
11:05 Tweeter sound
12:12 NAD M10 section (another amp used)
12:53 Speaker Comparisons clip
14:01 KEF LS50 Meta Comparison
14:51 Neat Iota Alpha Comparison
15:42 Definitive Technology Demand D11 Comparison
17:32 Summary Sonic Qualities / End
Product info from Monitor Audio Website : www.monitoraud...
'Stand' : www.monitoraud...
This is an unpaid review, as ALL my reviews are, and I don't currently court advertising income via Manufacturers, to keep the project independent.
My TH-cam channel is for credible and honest, very well produced engaging content covering all things HiFi. I buzz off of the production!
Check out some other videos of products featured in this video :
PMC twenty 5.23i speakers : • An Appraisal of the Ne...
KEF LS50 Meta speakers : • A Spotlight on KEF LS5...
Neat Iota Alpha speakers : • What are 2.5-Way Speak...
Definitive Technology Demand D11 speakers : • Definitive Technology ...
Hegel H390 Amp : • A film about the Hegel...
NAD M10 Amp : • NAD Masters M10 Film :...
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Cables Used : Chord Epic Reference Speaker wire, Atlas / AudioQuest Interconnects.
Music Clips used in this video from Epidemic Sound :
1) The Garden's Light : Trevor Kowalski
2) Reversed Beginning : Luwaks
3) Luminescence : Trevor Kowalski
4) Prelude in C Major
5) Patchwork : Ever So Blue
Music Playlist (of music mentioned in this video)
Tidal here : tidal.com/brow...
Qobuz here : open.qobuz.com/...
Simon, this is perhaps the best video yet. You manage to incorporate a TON of information in an elegant presentation. Please take many bows! And yes! The "Rocky" is just lovely--an all time favorite in my book. I suspect I will be revisiting this review to "soak in" all the info.
Oh thanks Catherine . Really kind. As I always say, all these lovely comments keep me going. 😀😀
just bought gold 100 half price as new model coming out £960 with five year warranty
and that piano ebony is to die for , replaced my kef ls50 meta with these and wow the
difference , using roksan attessa streaming amp with everolo dmp-a6 and svs 3000 micro .......
I love my MA Silver 500. Hoping one day to move up to the gold series. Don’t know why MA doesn’t get more reviews. Keep up the excellent work. Cheers
Thank you very much. I think a brand with this much history, development and clout, it’s unsurprising they make good products, that some of the smaller independent speaker firms can’t muster.
Simon, this was the first comprehensive review I've seen on the MA Gold 100 5g's. I have owned the MA Gold 100's for almost a year and have them on dynaudio stands with ISO Acoustic Gaia III's. One thing I did notice was that these speakers can handle a lot of power as you have them paired to Hegel H390. I have recently added a pair of JL Audio D110's to my listening room (13 ft x13 ft). I was initially was looking at the REL T7i's which are also a fantastic sub to pair withe MA Golds. I have been listening to your 100 list and must say that my sound stage with and depth is over the top!
Thanks Michael. 5G for fifth gen , wasn’t aware of that but great stuff.
So much offered. Thank you, D.
Nice review as always Simon. I like the fact you do comparisons and show equipment used.
Thank you Edward. Glad you liked it and thanks for helping out earlier. As I said, means a lot.
I own some Gold 100's and have to say that pairing with the right electronics is critical here. They demand very clean power. Getting by on a budget amp will leave you disappointed so choose carefully. With the right amplifier, the sound quality is worth the price point.
I’ve been trying them against the excellent Dynaudio Emit 20s, posting the video tomorrow.
Heard them with a Denon PMA-1600- was just brilliant. They love current.
I just got them and I am quite disapointed.
I can't believe I like the Silver much more.
Any suggestions for the equipment?
Currently using Rotel A11 tribute and Topping E50 dac...
Independent thinking ("musical" 😁) and music taste (classical 😜) lead to highly entertaining reviews from A to Z, even when you are not interested in glossy speaker finishes. Excellent! 👍
Thank you. I’ve never got that one as it’s ok to say “musical” , as that’s the point of hifi. I dislike “night and day” etc and all pretentious descriptions which vary , where they take people off the hunt of a clear understanding of what products do.
Wow, this is the first video i've watched from your channel. I am impressed with the quality of your editing and the precision of the information. I just bought a pair of ls50 meta's and I did not liked them that much so I have decided to sell them. Your review of the gold 100 came very handy because I'm looking for something more musical and fun sounding.
Subscribed and best regards from Argentina.
Thanks very much Suena, hold the fort because I’m doing a video atm - will publish in the next week or two on some Dynaudio’s Emit 20’s which may help considerably. What didn’t you like about meta’s out of interest? From a dark England (clocks change from British summertime soon). Best wishes simon 😀
@@13thnotehifireviews7 thanks a lot Simon for the reply. Is not that I don't like them, they actually are very balanced and almost technically perfect for my ears. I just found them dry, there is not enough meet on the bone for me. I also listen to a wide variety of music genres and the meta's are not an all rounder to my taste.
Thanks for feedback. More treble too?
@@13thnotehifireviews7 if you are asking if I would like more treble, that is difficult to answer. It all depends in how that treble is delivered. I prefer it smooth sounding with a good extention.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 A bit ago I received a pair of MA bronze 500 floor standers for review and I loved the sound signature. Maybe that is why I'm looking closely to the gold 100
Wonderfully useful comparisons and the varied music selections for triangulation, super again Simon.
Thanks very much Michael 👍😀😀
Outstanding review…I have the golds and love them .. your right on the mark with this review….I haven’t try the bungs but I definitely will now… my are about the same distance as your set from the back wall .. thanks for this review!!
Thanks Gerald. Really appreciated. You’ve got a reference now of my views with your speakers. Great for the money.
Simon, another top notch review. Very well put together and very well presented. Congratulations.
Thanks Adrian. Doing one next on some Solidsteel stands (SS6) next, which just came in. Have really tightened up bass to my cheapey hifi racks ones. Then hopefully new bluesound node (v old 2i) and am waiting on a mytek Brooklyn Amp + too. Will use with Cambridge CXN v2. After that I’m going to try and get some gear that indulges myself, lol, maybe much more premium speaker like kef reference ones with the great Sonore OpticalRendu.
Hi Simon, just watched a couple of your reviews for the first time. Great quality and thanks for the heads up on the music choices, I occasionally buy new gear , however, I’m constantly on the look out for new music.
I’ve been a Monitor Audio fan for years and I recognise all the traits you describe in your review. If I just had another room, I could be tempted by these beauties. By the way, I bi-wire all my systems. 😄
Subscribed 👍
Thank you Mark, music so important and surprises me how some channels forget it!
Great review, and brilliantly presented Simon. I have the Gold 100’s and Gold 300’s. Love the sound. Thanks for the detail you went into about the speakers. I learnt more off you than from my speaker dealer lol.
Thank you very much Mark. I do try and go into some details that everyone can understand (or refresh on) but I dont want to make it too technically onerous. 😁👍
@@13thnotehifireviews7 well you’re doing a great job then. Thanks.
The Monitor Audio Golds are fantastic speakers
7:00 it's for putting on when you are not using the speakers, so that less dust gets on them, and to offer a small amount of protection
Preferred the Dali Rubicon 2 to the Gold 100 G4. Perhaps the G5 gets a little closer?
Great presentation & music recommendations. I always pause and play the tracks on my 2 channel!
Awesome! Thank you!
Man, you make some really good quality videos. Keep them coming!
Thank you very much Juan 😀👌👍
Really enjoyed that review, thank you!
Cheers very much 😀
Great review, and thanks for the comparisons, I own the Neats, so as a reference point its particularly useful to me! Thankyou.
Thank you too 😀
Great review. I'd love to hear some. Shouts from NZ. I'll stick to my klipsch for now but cool to hear thoughts on dope speakers. Keep rocking.
As ways a really great and detailed review Simon, these are now on my short list for my home set up as you can now get them for around £1000/pair as it now states these are end of line units which would replace my original Kef LS50 Anniversary speakers.
I’d recommend signing up to patreon John and I can offer advice there.
Love the way you describe the gold 100s (hence the subscription) and having a similar taste in music... always helps!
Considering I've only got limited space, I'm just wondering if the ARCAM AVR20 will be able to make these gold 100s sing. 🤔
Nice job. One day I’ll get to hear them. Have a great day.
Come round mine if nearby ?
Usable insights - Thank You !
I have the piano ebony. Coming from Revel m16, which are brilliant, these are on another level.
What a great review.
The monitor audio Gold’s are on my ‘listen to’ list thanks to you.
Thanks for the music recommendations but I’d love to know what the music is at 8.20s in your Hegel video montage piece.
I’d love to hear more of that beautiful track..
Many thanks from a new subscriber. 👌
I would recommend signing up to patreon on the free trial as there is lots of info I can give you since this review. Regards Simon
Beautiful speakers❤ I have Gold 100 which are fantastic
I have the gx 200 gold floor standing speakers (the previous one with the ribbon tweeter). Enjoying the sound every single day. Currently on an Arcam p240 poweramp.
Always listen first of course, but monitor audio deserves to be on any shortlist imho.
Love the review mate
For those like me who had no idea of the cost (currently) of these speakers: in the EU, €2100
Great level headed review - thanks. I have a set of bronze2 bookshelves and have an opportunity to buy a set of good 100 4g's at a good price. Now I am certain to snag them.
Would it be helpful to parhaps also mention which amplifiers are tipically better suited, or indeed, if any, which ones to avoid? I've read somewhere that the 4G is an easier speaker to drive than the 5G - any input is welcome - I'm still quite green as a hifi enthusiast.
Thank you. I would recommend buchardt or Arendal over these now. Better vfm.
Your videos are uber fantastic as are your reviews , I have been looking at the gold to pair with my roksan attessa streaming amp and cdt , currently running kef r3 but can't stop wandering if these would be a more suitable synergy match
Great review as always!
Carl Cox 🙏 Jose Padilla 🙏
Thank you Markus. Both of them are legends….
Nice review. Never heard the sound of the Gold serie. My freind use to have a silver 6 with Yamaha as2100 and I Really did not like the harshness at the top end. Could not find a demo. I knew the Ribbon tweeter smooths the hole presentation but I end up with Dali Rubicon2 wich is a greit 2 way speaker
Thanks very much. Definitely no harshness at all in the top end with these
Great review; thank you! I’m curious about room size…as you mentioned the 100s need space. My room is 11x13x10 (sorry, that’s in feet). How do you think they would fair? Thanks!
Patreon please
I've always loved MA's Bronze and Silver series, but I haven't heard the Golds. What I've heard on TH-cam of the Gold 100s has really impressed me. Compared to B&W's 600 series, which are so popular, I much prefer the MA's, KEF's, and Wharfedale's richer and more balanced sound over the tipped up treble and sucked out midrange of the B&W's.
I was pleasantly surprised with their quality having heard their budget offerings of 5-6 years ago, as I said in the video
The Monitor Audio Golds are fantastic speakers
I own these and found them a bit bright on power amps! On my Tube Amp they sing!!!
I definitely don't think they are bright with solid state amps, unless the preference is for uber smooth hifi.
Great Review thx a lot. Do you know the 12 year old Gold 50 too. I wonder if i can Mix both series in a 5 or 7 . 2. 4 setup in Home Cinema use. New Gold 300 and 250 Center with old Gold 200 as Surround and the 50 as Surround Back. Thx in advance
Really understated. 805D is close comparison
Great review!
Even though it pains me to say this buchardt speakers sound better !
Nice review Simon. Using a higher priced amp with a lesser grade speaker is in my opinion allowing the likes of these speakers to express their fullest potential. Terry Ellis also does this with great results. This makes the old idea of spending much more on speakers than your source no sense what so ever. After all the sound does start at the source and your speakers can only produce what is being fed to them. I'm sure the h390 does these wee speaker's proud. 🙂
Thanks Steve. It does you are right. People should spend at least the same on amps (not sources) to speakers. So when one viewer asked me is a naim uniti atom good for pmc twenty5.23i , I say yes, but nowhere near getting the speakers full benefit. I did have the M10 for this video so these Gold’s had the benefit of two amps. I’m hoping to get a mytek Brooklyn amp soon and I can use the Cambridge audio cxn v2 as a pre amp and streamer, so if I have the golds long enough I can test with that duo too.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 I totally agree on spending the same money on amps as the speakers, if not more. Any chance that you'll be reviewing the Ophidian p2's in the near future? I can never find a good review on what appears to be a very good match for my room.
@@steverees1936 I could ask Gareth. I did review his minimo's a while back.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 that would be great. Thank you and keep up the great effort. 🙂
Simon, I have been viewing your channel with great interest because you seem to be interested in using equipment to express music rather than music to test equipment. I am returning to HIFI after nearly 30 years and I am pleasantly shocked by equipment improvements. Have you ever heard the Amphion argon 1 or 3S? Or can you speculate on how they might compare to this speaker. It is very difficult for me to visit a showroom so I must prepare a solid but slim audition list (I retired to France). I want a final music system and your choice of music for this speaker hit the spot for me - classical piano, (plus jazz, classical guitar, folk & natural vocals). I do not want to throw too much money into my retirement present - any idea how capable (or not) might Audiolab 7000a or 9000a or Cambridge Audio cxa81 be as partners?
Pioneer SX-1080 or my Pacific Stereo Concept 11.0 receiver powering my MA Gold 100’s is ... beautiful.
I used to own the platinum stand mounts original series, which I never really gelled with. Could not get a great sound in the room I had at the time. It was a big disappointment for me considering the investment made. Could have been lots of reasons, system, room or just not my cuppa tea.
Thanks for your feedback to me and others reading Tony.
Can’t decide between these and Dali Opticon 2 book shelves. Will be running them on Anthem MRX 540 AV receiver. Mainly for movies with a matching centre speaker. Must say Anthem is very neutral and detailed receiver. Any help or idea is welcome.
I would strongly recommend signing up to patreon for proper advice
I'm pretty much sold on monitor audio Gold 100's...just a quick question? My room is small 9' 1/2 wide by 13' long with office furniture. I will set them up on stands close to back wall. Do you think that'll be ok? I currently have it set up that way with a pair of NHT three's and it sounds pretty good. But I'm looking to significantly improve music experience overall.
so kef ls50 meta has the same bass quality and quantity and better sounstage for 500 less price?
Hi Simon. I like Monitor Audio... but what about Spendor A4? Spendors are just so overlooked speakers in the reviews.
Hi Maj, I agree they make great speakers - I like the A7s , sometimes it’s not just due to what we’d like to review though as I’m sure you can appreciate. 😀
Well said
tx ... Gold 200 G9 or Platinum 100 G3? :) or just Gold 100 G7 after all? and spend some more on the DAC ... :)
Don’t bother, buy Arendal or Buchardt - they are better speakers imo
I had the most recent Gold 200's but replaced them with PMC TWENTY523s which I like more but are not my favourite of the 4 pairs I currently own which all cost less.
Enjoyed the Rachmaninov Paganini piece.
What’s your favourite Mike?
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Rachmaninov is one of my favourite composers. Along with Paganini I like all his symphonies and piano concertos and incidental piano music.
@@mikebooth8858 What are “the 4 pairs” that you currently own “which all cost less” and which is your favorite?
@@greenbeginner3353 I am using my Cambridge Audio Aero Max 6's at present. Also I like my Kali Audio IN8's which are an active speaker. I also enjoy a DIY speaker that is based on Wilmslow Audio's Classique which has a modded hard wired X over with much better internal wiring and better parts than you would normally get from a commercial speaker. The Xovers are bulit into boxes which sit outside the cabinets.
@@mikebooth8858 I’m curious about the Kali IN-8. The only reviews I can find are using them as a near field studio monitor (which is their originally designed purpose). How are they in your home listening room? Do they do well when farther from your seated location?
Would they make sense with audiolab 8300 amplifier?
I’d recommend waiting a bit - few weeks- for a review I’m filming / editing atm
Wonder how they'd perform with a Hegel H120 amplifier or would I be wasting my time?
Buy the Buchardt’s I reviewed instead. Better speakers , similar money
Thanks very much. Not available in our country. I'm curious about the Elac Vela 403. Will keep looking?
Thanks very much for your kind response.
Hello! I have a hegel h95 . Do you think they’ll work well with the gold 100 5g?
Or kef r3 would be a better match?
Both will work ok I think
Thank you!
Gold or Silver for TV/Movie vocal clarity ?
Gold
It would be so nice to see some measurments, to have some objectivity , beside your opinion and your impression on sound these speakers produce. Spinorama perhaps, to see freq.response on and off axis, directivity, sensitivity, impedance, cross over points, things like that. But i guess those are trivial things compared to subjectivity.
Measurements doesn’t mean objectivity but subjectivity. Hate to break it, but little in hifi is objective against what we like (and expect others too). My impression is all we have therefore and anyone who does it different is fooling the viewer. You can’t say that it’s trivial if a person likes a certain food due to impression, over what is chemically pertinent or prevalent in the food. As how on earth can measured chemical constituents relate to preference, wowabality or whatever? I guess that’s a trivial thing that nobody has thought to consider in the measurementist debate. Plus does anyone postulate that liking or appreciating something in audio, like food, is not an academic exercise or abject lesson of proving something? The proof is when you decide to buy or not based on your own listening or so on, not mine. I’m no academic but is this not obvious?
@@13thnotehifireviews7 cant debate about the food you mentioned, dont know about that. I auditioned gold 100 and they are not like you say subjectively, and measurments show that as well. So if just one viewer read this and makes him want to look at measurments which are available on net, than I am glad I helped. Best regards
@@gorancho1 if they are not like I say than that is your subjective opinion in the mix. Looking at measurements won’t help in an over-arching opinion about sound quality, and I think most people realise this. How do you suppose they take all those measurements and cone up with a view about the quality of the product. How would you do that with a car driving, food eating and so on. The measurementist people in hifi talk nonsense
@@13thnotehifireviews7 subjectivists are just as bad if that's the case :) You like something, you use a different room, different ears, different brain. So I should be asking, why should I listen to any subjective reviews? Useless for any individual except the reviewer right?
Most speakers are designed using measurements. They then listen to make sure things are in check.
For the record I'm sure the chemists have used objective methods to create some of those addictive food products you can buy
Yeah but you are missing one point btw. That’s music quality isn’t objective. Also btw I rate buchardt s400 and Arendal speakers over monitor audio now. If you want it objective how do you then suppose I then rate that to what is a subjective quality. It’s like this wine technically should taste better but most prefer the other. Sorry you haven’t thought your line of debate through.
+⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐,, review, Simon.
I gave the MAG 100,s a couple of hours last August and they are good.
In the same session I was presented to the Triangle Signature Thetas, yes I know, a very different price point.
The Thetas are now "housed" here and will for a loooong time in the future,, 🥰.
( You have to stop making better and better reviews. Im running out of stars,, 🤪😅)
Like it Irene and thanks for your great comments again. Would like to try Triangle speakers at some point.
The logo plastered on the front of the white is an eye sore 👀
Stick some white card cover or 3D print one (not that many audiophiles know how, maybe you could outsource it)
Hallo
What amp do you recommand for the gold 100
Gr
Too many, see description
@@13thnotehifireviews7
Nad m10 good choise !!
I bi-wire!
You need to stiffen up the stands that they’re on! They’re swinging back and forth like a Jack in a box!
That’s because i had my hand on them for a particular shot I did and close up lens magnifies movement. Lol. 😂
Beautiful but nowhere near B&W
Thanks, but it doesn’t exist in speaker brands that one brand is better than another because It depends on the model.
@@13thnotehifireviews7 very true that. I like ma among others too of course 🙌
Needs a descriptor of in what? Looks? Sound? Build quality? B&W can look nice, though sometimes I find the inset woofer and protruding tweeter on 600 series looks a bit funny
thank
Hi Simon, I am trying to open the qobuz playlist and got "The playlist you are trying to access is private and can only be viewed by the user who created it."
Liked the review BTW (and others). BR, Arne
Thanks I’ll try and look at that today and post back later . Thanks for your nice comments Bw simon
I changed it as it was on private link. Sorry. Please let me know if it’s all ok. Bw simon
hope you got it OK?
@@13thnotehifireviews7 Yes, thank you for fixing :-)