Monitor Audio Platnium II

hahahahaha Ricred, I hope for you that you will be here for a much longer period. Time goes on and I think after time you will get a new speaker again.

And that says a person who also owns the Pl-500. I think it is possible to keep it for a very long time in your situation. And it still will be very good in technique and sound quality.

B&W has a huge problem that their D3 speakers are outdated compared to the Platinum II series. This is based on different facts.

- first of all the diamond tweeter of the D3 series is the same as 10 years ago, only they use a new housing of it. The AMT tweerer is in each part superior.

The crossovers of the D3 series can build a stage till maximum 1 metre in depth. This is a hifi stereo parameter. And no one can change this.

The Platinum series 2 are not only able to create a huge 3-dimensional stage in depth and width. But the new AMT tweeter also is exeptional in creating diversity in height. 

In timing the Platinum series II are superior in timing compared to the D3 series. You also hear more layers.

Instruments and voices are more physical apparant and they stand a lot more free in space compared to the D3 series.

We audtined the D3 series many times. All the demos showed a 2-dimensional stage. And also voices and instruments stand on the same height. And again this is a hifi stereo parameter.


The new Platinum series is a different world compared to the 1 series.

read this review:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/monitor-audio-platinum-pl300-ii-loudspeaker#k12OD8cC0plUSkqD.97

We compared the Wilson Audio Sasha 1 against the Pl-200 II. The Monitor Audio outperformed the Sasha with ease.

The used technique, drivers, AMT tweeter (no voice coil anymore) and cabinets are first class and way ahead of it's competitors.They are very addictive in their performance. 

When you use them with the right amps and sources, you can create a 3-dimensensional holographic stage to die for. 

Did anyone get to audition the PL300II's yet?

@ps68 Sorry I dropped off this thread for so long. I had the opportunity to audition the PL300 IIs back in March at a shop in Virginia called Evolution Audio Video. It was my first visit there. Damn, it is a seriously high end place! Sorry i didn't take detailed notes and have lost some of the aural memory to time, but it was very impressive. First of all, the PL300IIs were driven by a stack of top of the line Simaudio electronics and the room was the biggest I've ever seen. Due to the sheer size of the room, the bass could have used a bit more reinforcement for my taste. I usually like a subwoofer with most systems, so keep that in mind. The bass was very well controlled though. My other slight slight nitpick is that the midrange and treble was a tad dry for me. I think these speakers would pair very well with tube electronics as long as you provide enough power and think through the electrical matching. Having said all that, this was one of the most holographic soundstages I've ever heard. Similar to experiences I've had with KEF Blades and Arial Acoustics 7T. To use an overly used reviewer's line, "The soundtrack was vastly wide and deep with excellent center fill and instrument placement". That was the best aspect of these speakers. I'd also say they were very revealing of details on the recording without being fatiguing or bright. They're also one of the most attractive speakers I've come across. The fit and finish are divine. I wish the cabinets had a bit more curve to them, but I still really like them. Phenomenal speakers!

Hi no problem but thanks for the update, much appreciated :). Your impression ties in with some others that have heard these, especially with soundstage and holographic qualities. I'll rty and get to hear some but who knows what they will be partnered with here in the UK. Ironically, they are hard to find here which is a bit of a faux pas for Monitor Audio!

After owning the Monitor Audio PL500 II's for a while, I finally spiked them yesterday. What a difference a spike makes! In my room, there is more air and it's easier to place instruments/singers in the sound stage. So, why did it take so long to install the spikes? My wife stripped one of the threads and spikes when I initially received them. It's funny, but I contacted Monitor Audio and they said spiking them would make minimum difference. I'm sure in some rooms/systems it doesn't make a difference, but in my room, spiking them was significant.
After owning so many speakers, I just can believe how much more I enjoy the PL500 II's compared to the others that I've owned.