Blending affordable high performance with exceptional design quality, Monitor Audio’s Gold GX range captures the essence of our flagship Platinum range.
Monitor Audio is proud to launch the GX speaker range, a beautifully conceived congress of materials, technology, design innovation and performance, which expresses the spirit of our acclaimed Platinum speakers at an even more accessible price. By utilising the most precise CAD tools available, and many, many hours of listening, we’ve applied our Platinum driver, crossover and cabinet technologies to a range of entirely new speaker designs, more reminiscent of Platinum than the GS speakers they replace. There are seven GX models in black and white piano lacquer and Bubunga, Walnut and Natural Oak real wood veneers, all featuring a version of the much admired Platinum C-CAM® ribbon tweeter together with RST® C-CAM bass and mid drivers. The range comprises a brace of two-way stand-mounting monitors – the GX50 and GX100; a matching number of three-way floor-standing models – the GX200 and GX300; an ultra-versatile surround speaker – the GX-FX, featuring no fewer than six C-CAM drivers; the awesomely specified 15”, 650W GXW-15 subwoofer, and for the first time at this Monitor Audio level, two specialised centre channel speakers, the GXC 150 and GXC 350 sized for acoustic consistency with GX50/200 and GX100/300 in smaller or larger home theatres respectively.
GX Technologies
Drivers
The critical GX elements are based on the ground-breaking Platinum drivers. The GX ribbon tweeter is derived from the globally acclaimed Platinum C-CAM® ribbon transducer. Its fabulously efficient wideband design reproduces the authentic tonal character of frequencies beyond 60kHz, as well as the inherent nature of the mid-band vocal region to which the ear is most sensitively tuned.
In order to integrate mid and bass frequencies with the ribbon, we turned to critical computer-driven FEA tools to optimise the behaviour of the GX bass and mid-driver motors and diaphragms, selecting large voice-coils, powerful magnet structures and rigid, vented die-cast driver chassis to power ribbed RST® C-CAM cones. Monitor Audio’s definitive C-CAM alloy blends the exceptional properties of aluminium and magnesium to form an ultra light but ultra-strong radiating surface, responsive to the smallest impulse and yet resistant to the bending forces of longer cone excursions. Consistent with Platinum series technology, the C-CAM driver diaphragms are strengthened further with RST ribbing to create the greatest rigidity for the lowest mass.
Bolt-through Driver fixings
Single bolt-through driver fixings have the dual effect of improving cabinet rigidity while further reducing vibration at the driver/cabinet interface. By this innovative method, drivers are mounted on a single tensioned through-bolt, which is secured to the back of the cabinet. The bolt not only acts as a rigid cabinet brace to reduce box colouration, it removes the need for conventional driver fixing as well, effectively decoupling the driver and front baffle to eliminate another source of unwanted resonance. The result is a more fluid communication of mid-range frequencies, and with the absence of driver fixings at the baffle, a cleaner more refined overall appearance – especially in tandem with GX’s ‘floating’ magnetic grille location
Crossovers
Our engineers listened to hundreds of crossover component permutations before finding the optimum arrangement of polypropylene film capacitors, air core and laminated steel core inductors for each GX model. Individual driver crossovers are mounted on a dedicated panel accessible from the underside of each speaker. The adjacent GX speaker terminals are gold plated to maintain signal integrity and contact reliability. All GX speakers are wired internally with Pureflow® Silver cable.
Enclosure
Each GX enclosure is hand-built from multiple laminations of MDF, hot-pressed to form a rigid shell. Its curved nature, aided by radial internal braces and bolt-through driver fixings, inhibits unwanted vibrations and internal standing waves.
The HiVe II reflex port is shaped to have the same effect on airflow as a gun-barrel on a bullet. Rifled grooves inside the port help to accelerate the flow and reduce turbulence, so air moves in and out of the port more efficiently, for a faster more dynamic bass response.
For added stability the die-cast alloy base plinths of the floor-standing models and the dedicated GX speaker stand provide a solid foundation for superior acoustics, enhanced by hand-milled spikes. Non-slip rubber pads are supplied to protect wood floors.
Design aesthetics
Working within the parameters set by our acoustic engineers, Monitor Audio’s in-house industrial design team was charged with finding a blend of materials and geometry that would complement the exceptional GX sound. The mirror-like lustre that envelops the sensationally slender GX designs reflects the level of care invested in its evolution: beneath the piano sheen are eleven layers of lacquer, built-up individually to achieve the luxurious depth of finish; once assembled the real-wood cabinets are hand-veneered to ensure absolute precision in the joinery and in the grain matching between each pair. To accentuate the clean GX styling all seven models feature the latest ‘floating’ magnetic grilles.
Main GX design features
New C-CAM® Ribbon transducer design – providing extension to a class leading 60KHz
New 6.5” bass driver with RST profile C-CAM cone
Die-cast alloy driver chassis design
HiVe® port technology for better transient response and tighter bass
Single bolt through driver fixings for improved bracing, rigidity and driver/baffle de-coupling
Die-cast alloy terminal panel arrangement with high quality bi-wire terminals and high end spade type link cables
Pureflow® Silver internal cabling
High quality crossovers with premium grade polypropylene film capacitors used throughout.
Large radius cabinet edges provide low diffraction and smoother overall frequency response.
Curved cabinet profile for increased rigidity and reduced internal standing waves.
Selected premium quality wood veneers or high gloss piano finishes.
Rigid 20mm MDF construction throughout, employing radial and cross-bracing techniques for high rigidity resulting in low cabinet colouration
Invisible magnetic grille fixing provides clean visual styling when used with the grille off.
Metal mesh grille design to give low diffraction, resulting in improved off-axis dispersion.
Gold GX50
The sculpted low-diffraction cabinet of the diminutive GX50 houses a single 5.5” RST® bass driver and C-CAM® ribbon tweeter. The bass driver exhibits the low frequency extension and power handling of a much larger transducer while the excellent C-CAM ribbon soars beyond conventional tweeter domes to a stratospheric 60 KHz. Consequently the GX50 combines the frequency range of the finest studio monitors with dynamics that defy its modest dimensions. Optional, dedicated floor stands are available for the GX50 which can be filled to provide the ultimate foundation for the best possible sound quality
Gold GX100
The GX100 is a larger 2-way stand mount speaker featuring a 6.5” RST bass driver and C-CAM ribbon tweeter. Operating with the performance of a typical 8” driver, our proprietary 6.5” design provides higher overall efficiency with dynamic headroom to deliver impressive bass extension and control. The GX100’s uncomplicated 2-way configuration renders complex material with tonal accuracy and perfect timing. It may occupy the space of a stand-mount speaker, but the GX100 sounds like a reference floor-stander. Optional, dedicated floor stands are available.
Gold GX200
The first of the GX floor-standers is also the most compact. Amazing scale and impressive dynamic control are available from this slender three way design, comprising the GX ribbon and twin 5.5” bass drivers either side of a dedicated 4” mid-range driver housed in a dedicated enclosure. With high overall efficiency, wide bandwidth and vanishingly low distortion, the GX200’s Platinum DNA is waiting to be experienced in a performance comparable with the very best and most expensive high end speaker systems.
Gold GX300
Standing at over a meter tall the GX300 is a majestic three-way floor-standing loudspeaker comprising twin 6.5” bass drivers, a single 4” mid-range driver and a high frequency ribbon transducer. With so impressive a complement of drivers, the GX300 has the power delivery and scale required to fill the largest rooms with jaw-dropping dynamics as well as the finest musical detail. Extending from below 30Hz to over 60kHz, its frequency range is among the widest available from any speaker, irrespective of price. Sublime fidelity, peerless build quality and exquisite design distinguish the GX300 as a future classic.
Gold GXC 150
The ultra-compact GXC 150 centre speaker is small enough to fit into most AV racks and is designed to match the smaller GX speakers in a more bijou home theatre configuration. However because it shares its tonal characteristics with all GX models, its capabilities are also compatible with any GX system design. The GXC 150’s lustrous sealed cabinet is home to twin 5.5” drivers and the GX ribbon in a two and half way orientation, providing superior dispersion across a range from 50Hz to 60kHz. The specialised high frequency ribbon offers exceptional detail and vocal intelligibility, enhancing communication with the listener.
Gold GXC 350
The GXC 350 centre speaker is a no-compromise centre channel solution for serious home theatre installations. Its three-way, four driver configuration mirrors that of the GX300, although the bass drivers are tuned to work in the GXC 350’s sealed cabinet. Unsurprisingly the GXC 350 is the perfect match for its floor-standing counterpart, producing frequencies from 40Hz to beyond 60 KHz. A neutral tonal balance and distortion-free sound gives the GXC 350 the ability to project crystal-clear dialogue and mid-range detail at any volume. A dedicated floor stand is available to ensure the most secure footing and ideal vertical orientation for the GXC 350.
Gold GX-FX
Matching the extraordinary tonal accuracy of its GX range mates, the GX-FX design provides direct or ambient surround sound, which may be switched manually or automatically via a 12V signal from the processor to accommodate the functionality of high-end home or professional cinema applications. Amazing as it may seem, the GX-FX slim wall-hugging profile incorporates no fewer than six drivers.
In monopole mode for discrete side or rear sound channels its front-firing 6 ½” RST® bass/mid driver and C-CAM ribbon transducer deliver accurate ultra-wideband sound to match the tonal balance of any GX speaker combination. In dipole mode the GX-FX uses two pairs of side firing 4” C-CAM bass/mid drivers and 25mm C-CAM® gold-dome tweeters, combined with the tailored output from the front-firing bass/mid driver to provide wonderfully diffuse yet tonally precise surround effects. The GX-FX can be flush-mounted on side or rear walls. Installation is made easy by the inclusion of a ‘sloppy fit’ pre-install bracket, which allows levelling and adjustment prior to fixing.
GXW-15
The GXW-15 is an example of state-of-the-art subwoofer design. In a gloriously glossy, rigid compact enclosure, we’ve installed an ultra-long throw 15” C-CAM bass driver, triple suspended for a full 38mm (1.5”) of linear excursion. Featuring a massive magnet structure and under the DSP control of a 650W D2AUDIO® DSP controlled amplifier, this extraordinary deep bass generator brings a new dimension to bass and reference results for SPL, dynamic control and headroom.
It may deliver taut gut-churning bass all the way down to a seismic 18Hz, but the GXW-15 is also an intelligent design, featuring an advanced automatic room correction system called LEO™ (Listening Environment Optimizer). LEO simply and automatically eliminates the detrimental bass boost of boundaries and corners through the use of a microphone and test tones.
The GXW-15’s sealed enclosure and front firing driver make it easy to install and calibration from the front-mounted controls and dimmable LED display is simple, even from a distant position. It’s equipped with a 12V trigger and remote control with four user EQ pre-sets.
No comments:
Post a Comment