By George de SaCaptivating musical realismAlchemy is a medieval quasi-science that emerged in the Middle Ages. Its proponents were convinced that ordinary metals could be transformed into gold, the most precious metal. Although the attempts of alchemists never really came to fruition, the practice of refining metals has been around for centuries. Metal refining is a process that seeks to remove impurities from the metal and obtain the purest possible element, thereby achieving the most desirable qualities and greatest value. With that in mind, allow me to bring to your attention the remarkable UK audio manufacturer, Monitor Audio . Monitor Audio, in 2022 released its latest iteration of the Platinum Series loudspeaker models: the third generation (3G). This latest Platinum 3G Series continues the evolution of the range’s latest comprehensive update, with the series retaining its status as the company’s flagship speaker line. The Platinum Series 3G is the series’ most comprehensive refinement and incorporates decades of research and development. Monitor Audio claims its Platinum 3G series is its best ever, which is saying a lot considering the company also celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. Those in the know about celebrations birthday know that a 50 th anniversary is traditionally commemorated as a golden anniversary, but I’m sure Monitor Audio is even happier to celebrate its own with platinum from Platinum.At launch, Monitor Audio ‘s Platinum 3G series consisted of four models, the Platinum 100 3G bookshelf speaker , the 200 3G mid-size freestanding speaker , the 300 3G freestanding speaker and the C250 3G center speaker. . Since the initial launch, Monitor Audio has expanded the Platinum 3G range , adding a few architectural loudspeaker models, the Platinum In-Wall 3G and the Platinum PLIC II in the in-ceiling speakers. Together, these models are the company’s highest-end offerings for two-channel and multi-channel applications.With the Platinum 3G Series , Monitor Audio has holistically refined its series lineup, moving closer to its goal of delivering even greater sonic purity and perfection to the listener. Monitor Audio said its new Platinum 3G series provides …a visceral experience for the ears as well as the eyes…deepens the connection between listening and humanizing audio . Lively and inspiring musical performances are a most exciting goal and it is the latest of its innovations, incorporated in the new Platinum 3G series , which aims to achieve this goal.What’s new with this 3rd generation ?First, there’s an in-depth re-creation of its Micro Pleated Diaphragm tweeter , the third iteration, which the company calls the MPD III . The MPD III is, like the previous two versions, an in-house Monitor Audio design. The MPD III comes from a lineage that began with the Monitor Audio engineering team’s initial exploration in its Concept 50 prototype a few years ago, and now draws on all the lessons of the company from its revolutionary Hyphyn loudspeaker .This latest MPD III incorporates the company’s latest R&D which aims to further reduce distortion and provide the smoothest frequency response with an extended bandwidth of >60kHz. The MPD III is paired with an optimized waveguide that maximizes control directivity while optimizing soundstage and sensitivity. What purpose ? Monitor Audio claims that with MPD III and the optimized waveguide, the sound is bigger, clearer and more consistent with an even greater level of precision and detail.Beyond the MPD III tweeter , the Platinum 3G Series speakers use Monitor Audio ‘s RDT III cones for the midrange and bass drivers. The RDT III benefits from three improvements over the previous generation, including a new carbon fiber skin for the back layer, an optimized cone edge treatment and an optimized rubber surround.The RDT III is comprised of three distinct layers, with a Nomex honeycomb core, sandwiched between an extremely thin, yet rigid, ceramic-coated aluminum ( C-CAM ) front layer, and an all-new rear skin to double layer carbon fiber, consisting of two layers of carbon fiber fused at 90 degrees against their grain, maximizing their combined strength. In everyday terms, the Platinum Series 3G midrange and bass speakers are claimed by Monitor Audio to be their lowest distortion loudspeakers ever!Platinum 200 3G and Platinum 300 3G now use Monitor Audio ‘s Dynamic Coupling Filter ( DCF ) mechanism , which controls cone breakup, along with stronger neodymium magnets in a new motor design featuring a suspended side-wound voice coil. These improvements provide a smoother transition across the frequency range, allowing for greater consistency with the MPD III tweeter . . Specific to woofers, the side-wound, large-diameter suspended voice coils provide better power handling and allow for greater, more linear excursion of the driver over a wider dynamic range with better control and tighter bass.Crossovers have been enhanced with elliptical filters for absolute time alignment of drive units at crossover points supporting a large improvement required in directionality. Monitor Audio claimed that hundreds of iterations of the crossovers were vetted through their state-of-the-art virtual simulation and prototyping techniques to arrive at a final system that harmonizes all elements into a completely optimized acoustic whole. This crossover performanceenhanced is enhanced by an upgraded plinth that uses four new sets of molded stabilizers, which are locked together with a heavy-duty steel spacer, ensuring maximum isolation of the crossover from any interaction with the enclosure.What do they look like?Careful thought and development has also gone into the speakers and aesthetic design of the Platinum Series 3G. The all-new speakers are available in luxurious, contemporary finishes including Piano Ebony, Piano Black and Pure White Satin. These speakers now feature a unique curved front profile to reduce diffraction. Gone is the leatherette front baffle covering, replaced by a sleek real wood wrap-around veneer and bold speaker surrounds. The new aluminum speaker chassis continue to use front-to-back tension rods to secure the speakers to the enclosure and increase the inert, vibration-free characteristics of the enclosure.The Platinum PL 200 3G is a mid-size, 3-way, dual rear port, bass-reflex, freestanding loudspeaker. It was designed to deliver high-end dynamic performance with tight, controlled bass in a relatively compact enclosure. The PL 200 3G uses Monitor Audio ‘s latest MPD III high-frequency transducer, paired with a 4″ RDT III midrange driver and two RDT III woofers. 6 in. Pointed and flat surface feet are also provided. Two 5-way binding posts sit on the rear, allowing for bi-amped or bi-wire configurations, and it’s good to see real cable terminal blocks rather than poorly conductive brass bars.The Platinum PL 200 3G provides a frequency response of (-6 dB) 32 Hz – 60 kHz (anechoic) / 23 Hz – 60 kHz (in the room), with a sensitivity of 88 dB (2.83 Vrms at 1 m , free field ‘ Free-Field ‘). The nominal and minimum impedance is 4 ohms, while the power is 300 W (RMS). Dimensions are 41” (H) x 14.5” (W) x 17.8” (D), with stabilizing feet and spikes, while weight is 35.8 kg / 78 lb 14 oz by loudspeaker.The Platinum 200 3G speaker is undeniably beautiful, traditionally shaped with contemporary appointments. The different finishes will undoubtedly enhance the decor of any room where it is placed. My test sample was Piano Ebony, perhaps the boldest of finishes, but also, in my eyes, the most glorious example of the finest audio furniture and layouts. The veneer and lacquer are of the highest quality, with a finish and construction that is nothing short of impeccable. I expect the Platinum 200 3G to meet the aesthetic desires of virtually any potential buyer and can offer no criticism of its form, function and functionality.Testing ConditionsI tested the Monitor Audio Platinum 200 3G in my dedicated, acoustically treated listening room, with my BR20 preamp/ streamer/DAC and my Bryston 7B3 monoblocks and towards the end of my review I found used a MOON 860 v2 power amplifier from Simaudio , just for fun. Sources included Tidal HiFi via Bryston ‘s BR20 streamer , as well as CDs via my Apollo CDP from Rega . Vinyl records were also part of the experience, through my Scout 1.1 turntable from VPI which I have used for a long time, the PH-10 phono stage and the PSU-10 power supply from Gold Note . Audio Sensibility Statement Single-Wire speaker cables were used in all listening sessions.In my 13 x 18 ½ x 7 ¾ ft listening room, I experimented with the speaker setup and found that the pair of Platinum 200 3Gs performed best about 4.5 ft from the back wall, at just over 2′ from the side walls and with 9′ between them. I also found that to get the best treble presence and center locking of the sound image, I had to set them within a few degrees of my listening position. Every room is different, and we all have personal preferences, but I’m just mentioning this to let you know that the PL 200 3G requires some experimentation with positioning.Listening sessionsI did a little listening to vinyl records and on this occasion, I was particularly seduced by the album Popular Problems by Leonard Cohen . Almost Like the Blues is a musical piece that allows a good understanding of realism given the different acoustic elements. By playing this song, the Monitor Audio PL 200 3Ghave disappeared, exposing in front of me a well-defined and very generously sized soundstage. The images had a very natural presentation with un-emphasized edges, yet possessing a roundness and reality that was nothing short of spellbinding. The sound of the only vibrator at the opening was exceptionally realistic. Not only was the resonance of the granules always clear, but in the accompaniment, one heard a microdynamism giving the sound of the instruments an authentic and real presence. The Late Leonardseemed to be resurrected with his most present voice and offered with a deep and guttural, yet impeccably clear ghostly character. The images, whether they come from the voice or from an instrument, had a slightly greater width, depth and height and found their place in the space within the sound stage, the restitution of the PL 200 being devoid of any cookie-cutter silhouette. In fact, Leonard ‘s voicewas bigger than I’ve ever heard on that track in my play, and its quiet poetic rhyme captivated me. The tactility of the percussion and the bongo playing relayed not only the sounds of skins, but also the impact of the hand and the resonance of the slaps in the most authentic way, its image being to the left, behind and higher on the holographic scene. It was obvious that the PL 200 had an aptitude for rendering music in a strangely realistic way.I switched to Keep the Wolves Away by Uncle Lucius , from the album And You Are Me , streamed via Tidal HiFi . It was really a title oh ! my God with the PL 200 3G speakers . The first strikes on the bass drum were gloriously masterful, dynamic, with enormous weight and solidity. Bass frequencies were superbly dense with rear resonance providing a deep, high soundstage. The PL 200 3Grender these bass notes with a slight weight bias over texture, resulting in bass notes sounding grander and more masterful compared to my own Dynaudio C2 Signatures . It’s bass that can be not only heard, but felt , with punch and impact. In fact, although the PL 200 3Gs only had about 75% of the internal volume of my C2s , they transmitted sound like a full-sized freestanding speaker. In short, the PL 200 3Gshould not be underestimated on the basis of their modest dimensions. They play like full-size speakers and should be more than adequate in most rooms in terms of pure bass output. Also with the musical piece Keep the Wolves Away , the bodies of acoustic guitars were rendered very well by the PL 200s , with obvious string textures, while having a roundness on the leading edge of the strings. The mids, as evidenced by the vocals, were smooth and very natural, with the emphasis seemingly on communicating the humanity of the voice rather than the recording. As mentioned previously, the PL 200 3Gprovide softer contoured images and greater dimension to images, resulting in a heightened perception of the reality of the music. Another endearing quality of the PL 200 3G is its strength in communicating harmonic colors. On this track, this technicolor harmonic presentation was heard in a delightfully soft glow and tubular electric guitar resonance. The title served to solidify the PL 200 3G ‘s ability to not only play music, but provide an emotional connection during the listening experience.An Unusual Listening SessionDuring my time with the PL 200 3Gs , I had the opportunity to visit a nearby retailer, EQ Audio, located north of Toronto in Barrie, Ontario. Ed O’Helihy , the friendly and gracious owner, had installed the PL 200 3G loudspeakers in a meticulously appointed showroom. Ed walked us through a tracklist that included Yosi Horikawa ‘s Fluid , Musica Nuda ‘s Eleanor Rigby , Justin Timberlake ‘s Say Something , and Keb Mo ‘s Train Out of Hollywood., as well as many others. Accompanying equipment was a Naim set , comprising the NSC 222 , NAP250 and NPX 300 , with Adept Response power conditioning from Audience and Frontrow cables .The soundstage was enormous, both wide and surprisingly deep. The dynamic impact was visceral and clear through the expansive soundstage. The PL 200 3G confidently and efficiently energized the 17′ by 23′ space, delivering exceptional performance. Traits of realism, naturalness, warmth, solidity and dynamic prowess were all abundantly evident. The demonstration proved that the PL 200 3G were very capable of providing a credible scale.Moon River by Lori Cullen is one of my favorite tracks, both because of Lori ‘s artistic performance of this classic song , but also for the diversity of sonic elements, low level detail, detailed instrumentation and deep, textured bass notes. Listening to the PL 200 3Gs play this song, I found myself giving in to the sweet splendor of the music. Lori ‘s voice was most captivating given the human accuracy in which the PL 200 3Gwere able to evoke it. The high frequencies had a very graceful and slender characterization of innate detail. I noted that there was just a slight shyness in the air, a little less shimmer and sparkle in the upper treble and a softening of the leading edges, which is what I’m used to. However, none of this took away from the enjoyment of the listening experience. In fact, the PL 200 3Gin all its repertoire have always avoided attracting undue attention, not using theatrical effects which, in the case of less elaborate designs, seem to surprise and shock us. You might even say that their skillful reluctant nature serves to provide the listener with a greater appreciation for holistic performance, rather than distracting antics. The bass notes on Moon River were exactly what I expected from the PL 200 3G , possessing high density, excellent low range, deft control and intimidating weight.Conclusions Monitor Audio ‘s PL 200 3Gloudspeakers are the most successful evolution of its proven Platinum series . This model has a propensity for naturalness, precision of timbre and dimensionality of the image. These are speakers that not only skillfully play music, but recreate live performance extraordinarily. At $17,500, the PL 200 3G are also affordable high-end speakers. I said that alchemy was unachievable, but rather we should talk about refining. In this area, Monitor Audio has undoubtedly achieved its greatest success in terms of performance with the Platinum 3G series . The PL 200 3G possesses the most desirable quality in high-end audio… gripping musical realism . Therefore, this is an amazingly valuable loudspeaker.GENERAL INFORMATIONPrice: $17,500 / pairWarranty: 5 years, parts and labor