The company’s new floor-standing unit is a compact version of the PL300 that has been “designed for an even broader range of environments”. Occupying approximately one third of the volume of the PL300, the PL200 (pictured) incorporates a rescaled 6.5″ version of the Platinum 8″ bass driver and a re-configured Platinum mid-range Tapered Line Enclosure (TLE) that aligns co-axially with the PL200’s HiVe II bass reflex port.
According to Monitor Audio, the PL200 and PL300 enjoy “near parity” of performance specifications. “For all the practical advantages conferred by the smaller enclosure, the PL200 surrenders a little bass extension to the PL300 and cannot quite match SPL and power handling,” notes the company. “[However] in other performance parameters the PL200 and PL300 are comparable, proving the calibre of the new PL200 design.”
Standing at just under one metre in height (99.8cm x 25.5cm W x 28.5cm D), the compact three-way PL200 speaker features dual 6.5″ RDT bass drivers, a single 4″ RDT mid-range driver, and Monitor Audio’s proprietary Platinum C-CAM ribbon transducer. As with other Platinum speakers, the PL200’s cabinet is finished in a choice of exotic lacquered Santos Rosewood and Ebony natural wood veneers, and in a rich piano black lacquer. The front baffle is upholstered in high quality leather.
Monitor Audio’s Alex Brady told IE Residential: “Since Monitor Audio launched their flagship Platinum PL300 two years ago, the speaker has gone on to achieve worldwide acclaim and awards from as far afield as Japan, Hong Kong and the UK. The new, slimline PL200 maintains many of the key ingredients of its big brother in terms of performance, but in a package that will be considered by many to be far more room-friendly for typical European living rooms. It will be exhibited at various key shows across Europe this autumn, including Top Audio in September in Milan and VAD in Eindhoven in October.”
Available this month, the PL200 loudspeaker will be priced at £4750pr approximately, inclusive of VAT.
