Monitor Audio PL300 AV review

In the PL300 AV, Monitor Audio has delivered one of the finest speaker packages available on the market today Tested at £13500.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

One of the finest 5.1 speaker packages on the market; delivers everything you could wish for – and more

Pros

  • +

    Massive, incredibly detailed sound, with taut, powerful bass, superlative space and clarity, and brilliant cohesion

  • +

    stunning build quality and finish

Cons

  • -

    Needs a big room to work at its best

  • -

    it’s not exactly cheap

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

You'll already know about the high regard we have for Monitor Audio's Platinum-series.

So, put different Platinum speakers together, and you ought to have something special. Just how special, though, has come as something of a surprise to us.

The PL300 AV is a fabulous surround system – one of the best we've ever tried.

It plays everything superbly, from live concert Blu-rays to madcap action movies, revealing every last gasp of subtle effects and powering through sofa-shaking dynamics with a deftly judged blend of sublime detail and thrilling drive.

And, of course, it's also sensational in stereo. In fact, after several weeks enjoying its company, we're no closer to exposing any major weaknesses.

So, we've PL300s out front and PL100s bringing up the rear – what about the rest? First, in comes a PLC350 centre channel.

It's substantial, its drive-unit complement matching that fitted to the huge PL300s, which ensures the front three speakers integrate superbly. The optional floorstand, shown here, is a worthy investment at £300.

Bass in your space
Rounding things off is the formidable PLW-15 active subwoofer, which uses a rigid 15in long-throw metal drive unit in a sealed, superlatively constructed 50kg enclosure finished to the same lavish standard as the other speakers.

Fed by an incredibly fast 1000W Class D power amp, capable of reaching down to an ultra-low 16Hz and blessed with extensive tweakability, it's every bit as articulate and potent as it ought to be.

First, remember that a system this capable needs space – but if you can afford the package, that shouldn't be an issue.

You'll also need good partnering kit – amps, a Blu-ray player and the like – because while the Monitors aren't that demanding to drive or fussy about tonal matching, they're just so damn good that to listen to them using anything second-rate would be a crime.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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