A Closer Look At Monitor Audio
Posted on March 11 2020
With over 40 years of experience, Monitor Audio has become the world’s foremost expert in developing metal dome drivers. Metal is not the easiest material to shape, which is why many of our competitors choose paper or plastic. When treated correctly, Metal dome drivers have amazing properties for more life-like sound reproduction.
In the strength and depth of their ever-evolving product portfolio, Monitor Audio continues to demonstrate the power of a high quality, high performance loudspeaker brand that serves every application, taste and budget.
Today, we will take a closer look at a sample of the advanced features you will find within Monitor Audio’s product ranges.
Special Features (IDC, HiVe II & Tri-Grip)
Monitor Audio consistently develops technology that sets themselves apart from competing brands, such as IDC modules, HiVe II Ports, and Tri-Grip fixings.
IDC Modules - Some of Monitor Audio’s in-ceiling and in-wall models employ a unique pivoting IDC (Inverted Dual Concentric) midrange/tweeter module offering up to 18 degrees of directional play. Within the proprietary IDC module, an inverted 4” midrange driver provides superior dispersion while enabling the midrange cone and tweeter dome assembly to be set as far forward as possible, allowing a clear acoustic ‘sighting’ of the desired listening zone and reducing undesirable diffraction effects. It’s impossible to avoid diffraction effects from conventional fixed angled speakers and designs, which locate the bass driver 3” to 6” behind the speaker grille.
With the IDC module installed, these architectural speakers become true 3-way designs, offering superior performance and flexibility over typical 2-way or fixed angle speakers.
Models include: C265-IDC, C280-IDC, C380-IDC, CP-WT380IDC, CP-CT380IDC, and SoundFrame 1 & 2.
HiVe II - A new type of port technology which uses a straight rifled design to accelerate air flow and reduce turbulence. HiVe II technology has the ability to move air in and out much quicker than a conventional port, resulting in fast, powerful bass coupled with superior transient response.
Tri-Grip - This patented 3-position ‘dog’ style fixing provides a greater contact surface area than other types, whilst saving installation time. The Tri-Grip fixings are made from a tough re-enforced polymer, giving a secure fixing without the risk of over-tightening and they always drop into place with a turn of a screwdriver!
A Groundbreaker in Metal Drivers & Tweeters
The driving force behind Monitor Audio is C-CAM (Ceramic-Coated Aluminum Magnesium), a material originally developed by the aerospace industry for jet engine components. Its properties are ideal for loudspeaker cones being extremely rigid, yet light enough to yield high overall efficiency.
Conventional drivers are liable to flex or twist in operation, producing a significant level of audible distortion. C-CAM drivers have a much higher resistance to bending stress and therefore exhibit much greater fidelity over their entire operating range. C-CAM tweeters and woofers share an audible consistency producing a smooth transition of frequencies and a sense of realism and cohesion in the soundstage.
Furthermore, C-CAM bass drivers are able to resist the bending distortion imposed by sudden and extreme bass excursions to reproduce very clean, deep and dynamic bass frequencies.
Monitor Audio has also developed variations of the C-CAM cone technology, the most prominent of which is RST (Rigid Surface Technology), which is featured in higher-end speaker ranges such as Silver and Gold. Developed and perfected using sophisticated computer modelling (Finite Element Analysis), the driver cones have been strengthened by a pattern of dimples. RST significantly increases cone rigidity, allowing the radiating surfaces to resist mechanical bending forces, which can twist the shape of conventional driver cones to produce distorted sound. The strengthening effect of RST means that Monitor Audio can use thinner, lighter and more responsive C-CAM cones, which provide speed and accuracy while offering greatly reduced distortion. The RST patterns also help to displace standing waves that can propagate on the cone’s surface.
Endless Possibilities
Monitor Audio is a brand that offers an abundance of solutions for almost any application.
Their multiple ranges of Traditional box speakers provide good / better / best options for end users who desire a high performance stereo or home theater system, no matter their budget.
If space is limited, Monitor Audio’s Lifestyle range of speakers will provide the same signature hi-fi sound the brand is known for, but in more compact and discreet designs.
Monitor Audio’s Custom range of speakers provides the perfect solution for those who desire ultimate discretion without sacrificing audio quality. There are custom options for residential, commercial and even outdoor applications.
The possibilities are endless...