Monitor Audio PL300 II Loudspeaker Review

2017-01-06T22:32:37+00:00January 6th, 2017|Reviews, Speakers and Subwoofers|31 Comments

monitor-audio-pl300-ii-loudspeakers-01

The music that I used for this audition included high-resolution 24/192 tracks from Chesky Records, many Redbook tracks from the seemingly limitless Tidal streaming music library and a few choice LPs. I began the audition with Yuri Honing Trio’s version of The Police classic “Walking on the Moon”. This reggae track rendered in jazz style is a treat for the ears. Right from the introductory passage of the bass guitar and kettledrums of this incredibly well recorded track, it became very apparent that I was listening to very articulate transducers. Each whack of drumsticks on the skins was crisp, taut and controlled. Then the horn joined in with incredibly breathtaking grain-free glory; sheer sonic bliss. The tone and timbre was spot on while the bass was deep, tight and tuneful.

Next up was the Chesky 24/192 resolution recording of the album “City of the Sun” featuring John Pita, Avi Snow and Zach Para playing on two guitars and percussion instruments. It’s been referred to as the reinvention of acoustic music, and experiments with everything from post-rock dynamics to gypsy jazz. I played the track ‘Brothers’ and revelled in the way the PL300 II painted the huge soundstage with such composure, it made these three intrepid musicians sound glorious. The guitar strums were finely woven with pristine tonal purity that was truly soul satisfying.

For a change of pace I put on the track “San Diego Stomp” by Bob James and Earl Klugh from their “Cool” album. This incredibly well recorded track dominated by guitar, percussion and piano, is very adept at revealing the ability of a speaker to create a three dimensional soundstage. On the PL300 II, the music burst forth in glorious splendour. The leading weight, edges and decay of each piano note were rendered with the same panache and realism as I have heard on some speakers at twice the price. The accuracy of the pace, rhythm and timing on this track compelled me to get out of my listening seat and spontaneously cut a rug with enthusiasm.

I then switched to Dire Straits “Private Investigation” from their “Love Over Gold” album. It commences with an ominous, deep-pitched synthesizer orchestration, which leads into a slow piano progression, accompanied by a classical guitar. It then opens up to a slow, bass-driven beat, with vociferous electric guitar chords, before the gradual diminuendo featuring interplay between Mark Knopfler’s acoustic guitar magic and Mike Mainieri’s marimba. This intricate and highly complicated arrangement of constant changing tempo, going from whisper quiet passages to suddenly soaring notes, is a bit too much for many speakers to handle without losing their composure. Not so with the PL300 II, which rendered the challenging dynamic contrast of the track with uncommon ease. Mark’s gravelly voice was portrayed with most of the tonal colours and saturation that I heard at many Dire Straits live concerts.

The PL300 II was equally adept at reproducing female vocals. Eva Cassidy’s voice has an unusually wide dynamic range making it a real challenge for speakers. At whisper quiet levels, the PL300 II retained most of the texture, subtlety and nuance of this exquisitely seductive voice. On the other side of the spectrum, when Eva gives her vocal chords free rein, these speakers delivered it without sounding compressed, strained or distorted.

I was quite astonished at how close the PL300 II came to my reference ACA Seraphim SE speakers ($45,000 US), which I consider to be one of the performance and value leaders even at their lofty price point.

For the past decade, the Merlin Music VSM was my benchmark against which I gauged the performance of all speakers below $20,000. However with the sad passing of Bobby Palkovich and the subsequent closing of Merlin Music Systems, I have been looking for another benchmark at this price point. At $17,995, the Monitor Audio PL300 II is a strong contender for that benchmark. If there is another pair of current speakers that deliver this elevated level of sonic performance, build quality and sheer aesthetic beauty at this price point, I have not yet encountered them.

Monitor Audio
www.monitoraudio.ca
Distributed in Canada by Kevro International
www.kevro.com
(800) 667-6065
Monitor Audio PL300 II Speaker
Price: $17,995 CDN/pair

  • About the Author:

    31 Comments

    1. how long does cialis last May 26, 2020 at 6:24 am

      how long does cialis last

      Monitor Audio PL300 II Loudspeaker Review – NOVO Audio and Technology Magazine

    2. chloroquine over the counter

      Monitor Audio PL300 II Loudspeaker Review – NOVO Audio and Technology Magazine

    3. buy hydroxychloroquine Jun 3, 2020 at 2:13 am

      buy hydroxychloroquine

      Monitor Audio PL300 II Loudspeaker Review – NOVO Audio and Technology Magazine

    4. viagra prices Jun 29, 2020 at 3:01 pm

      viagra prices

      Monitor Audio PL300 II Loudspeaker Review – NOVO Audio and Technology Magazine

    5. buy viagra without rx Jul 29, 2020 at 8:10 pm

      buy viagra without rx

      Monitor Audio PL300 II Loudspeaker Review – NOVO Audio and Technology Magazine

    6. … [Trackback]

      […] There you will find 10477 additional Information to that Topic: novo.press/monitor-audio-pl300-ii-loudspeaker-review/ […]

    7. … [Trackback]

      […] Read More on on that Topic: novo.press/monitor-audio-pl300-ii-loudspeaker-review/ […]

    8. w88 Sep 21, 2020 at 9:30 pm

      … [Trackback]

      […] Read More here to that Topic: novo.press/monitor-audio-pl300-ii-loudspeaker-review/ […]

    9. blazingtraderapp.com Oct 4, 2020 at 1:38 am

      … [Trackback]

      […] Information to that Topic: novo.press/monitor-audio-pl300-ii-loudspeaker-review/ […]

    10. http://cialistodo.com/ Oct 17, 2020 at 4:03 pm

      http://cialistodo.com/

      Monitor Audio PL300 II Loudspeaker Review – NOVO Audio and Technology Magazine

    11. … [Trackback]

      […] Find More Information here on that Topic: novo.press/monitor-audio-pl300-ii-loudspeaker-review/ […]

    12. … [Trackback]

      […] Find More Information here to that Topic: novo.press/monitor-audio-pl300-ii-loudspeaker-review/ […]

    13. … [Trackback]

      […] Read More Info here to that Topic: novo.press/monitor-audio-pl300-ii-loudspeaker-review/ […]

    14. cialis 20 mg cost Apr 28, 2021 at 2:10 am

      cialis 20 mg cost

      Generic for sale

    15. buy cialis online best price

      Health

    16. 1dressed Jan 12, 2022 at 5:25 pm

      2cataract

    17. gay free dating site Jan 14, 2022 at 10:14 am

      gay dating profile “always-looking” https://gaypridee.com/

    18. gay chat phoenix Jan 14, 2022 at 3:56 pm

      gay ky chat rooms https://gay-buddies.com/

    19. caesars casino slots Jan 28, 2022 at 11:52 am

      777 slots free https://2-free-slots.com/

    20. free slots/penny Jan 28, 2022 at 7:24 pm

      konami slots for computer https://candylandslotmachine.com/

    21. cesars slots Jan 29, 2022 at 3:28 am

      murka slots girls https://slotmachinesworld.com/

    22. wms slots Feb 3, 2022 at 12:02 pm

      igt video slots free play https://slotmachinesforum.net/

    23. sims 4 counter slots aom Feb 3, 2022 at 4:31 pm

      ashcroft slots machines https://slot-machine-sale.com/

    24. obama slots Feb 3, 2022 at 8:51 pm

      quick hits free slots https://beat-slot-machines.com/

    25. penny slots Feb 4, 2022 at 1:12 am
    26. best us online slots Feb 4, 2022 at 5:28 am
    27. high-roller-slots Feb 4, 2022 at 11:12 am

      battle slots download https://slotmachinegameinfo.com/

    28. dissertation writing reviews https://buydissertationhelp.com/

    29. dissertation writing services mumbai https://help-with-dissertations.com/

    30. what is a dissertation Feb 11, 2022 at 7:07 pm

      writing a masters dissertation https://mydissertationwritinghelp.com/

    Leave A Comment