Following is the press release from Monitor Audio about their new loudspeaker range…
”Thirty years of experience at raising the bar for the world’s most demanding consumers has inspired Monitor Audio to introduce Gold Signature, a new flagship range that reaches unprecedented standards of design, innovation, performance, technical excellence, build quality and value in its class.
The new six model line-up comprises a stand-mounting speaker, the GS10; two floor standing speakers, the GS20 and GS60; a dual-mode surround speaker, the GS-FX; a dedicated centre-channel speaker, the GS-LCR; and a 1000W (RMS) active subwoofer, the GSW-12.
While the ethos of the original Gold Reference series has been preserved, wholesale improvements have been made in the construction and quality of materials used.
Anti-resonance build
The Gold Signature range’s cast aluminium driver chassis’ are held rigidly in place by an innovative zinc alloy clamp system, providing a structure of contrasting resonant properties with a high degree of inherent resonance cancellation and damping. The cabinet is made more rigid by the use of traditional tongue and groove construction and extensive vertical and radial internal bracing. The plinth for the GS20 and GS60 is also now made from a rigid cast alloy with a discreet aerofoil profile. New metal feet and spikes provide further isolation.
New Drivers
For Gold Signature’s 6.5-inch die-cast aluminium chassis bass and bass-mid drivers, a new Rigid Surface Technology RST2®, C-CAM® alloy cone profile has been further refined by FEA analysis to provide a smoother, more agile response, better control of break-up and a wider dynamic range. The new cone geometry, comprising hundreds of concentric dimples on the cone surface, reduces mass, increases stiffness and eliminates the bending associated with conventional metal cone designs. The driver features a vented rear section for very low distortion and low thermal power compression. For the GS range, a new 1-inch C-CAM gold dome tweeter has been developed to propel high frequency performance to beyond 40kHz.
HiVe Port Design
The Gold Signature bass-mid drivers work in concert with another unique feature: the HiVe port design. The new port technology uses a straight rifled construction to aid air flow and reduce turbulence. The result is fast, powerful bass coupled with superior transient response.
Cabinet finish
Smooth radius edges and selected premium quality wood veneers in Santos Rosewood, Walnut, Cherry and Natural Oak on all surfaces give the GS range a sumptuous yet strikingly clean and modern appearance. Piano black and piano silver gloss finishes are also available. The die-cast alloy terminal panels are mounted low down on the GS20 and GS60 designs to provide easy access and avoid unnecessary trailing cable lengths.
Bespoke Stands
For the GS10 and GSLCR, beautifully engineered stands are available, having the same die-cast alloy foot print as a GS20 and incorporating a neat cable management system in which the cables run through the plinth and are held in place on the support by a channel/clip arrangement.
The GS Range
GS10
With its advanced, low-resonance drivers, rigid build and contoured cabinet edges, the two-way GS10 re-defines accurate, low-colouration sound in a compact, stylish stand-mount speaker. Using the new, low distortion 61/2-inch RST2 bass-mid driver and 1-inch gold C-CAM tweeter developed specially for the GS series, the GS10 is capable of true 3-D imaging and tonal accuracy.
GS20
The GS20’s two-and-a-half way, three-driver configuration is built around a unique dual-cavity cabinet design, in which the 61/2-inch RST2 bass and bass-mid drivers work into separate enclosures, tuned to different frequencies and impedances. This provides improved power handling and delivers faster, deeper, more dynamic bass and greater transparency through the crucial mid-range. Above that, the 1-inch gold C-CAM tweeter ensures a smooth, detailed sound all the way up to 45 kHz, exploiting the full potential of the latest wide-bandwidth digital formats.
GS60
Utilising the discrete cavity technology of the GS20, the three-way, four-driver configuration of the GS60 comprises two 61/2-inch RST2 bass drivers, a single 61/2-inch RST2 bass-mid driver and 1-inch gold C-CAM tweeter. Designed to recreate the deep bass and authentic scale of a performance, the GS60’s potent driver complement will bring life-like power, dynamics and realism to music and film.
GS-FX
The GS-FX is a completely new design from Monitor Audio. Its advanced dual mode configuration can be switched automatically by a 12V trigger to accommodate a range of surround sound applications. The speaker’s slim-profiled angled baffle design incorporates no fewer than three driver pairs. When used in monopole mode to reproduce discrete side or rear channels, its front-firing 61/2-inch RST2 bass/mid driver and 1-inch gold C-CAM tweeter come into play, delivering an accurate wide bandwidth sound-field to complement perfectly a front-channel GS speaker combination. The GS-FX in dipole mode uses two side-firing pairings of 4-inch C-CAM bass/mid driver and 1-inch gold C-CAM tweeter combined with the tailored output from the front-firing bass/mid driver to provide wonderfully diffuse yet tonally precise surround effects.
GS-LCR
The GS-LCR’s array of dual 61/2-inch RST2 bass-mid drivers and 1-inch gold C-CAM tweeter will deliver the dramatic impact of explosions and sound effects as precisely as it recreates the many tonal subtleties of dialogue. Monitor Audio has optimised the design to provide accuracy and control over a wide listening area while preserving the exact tonal signature and balance of the GS Series. This means that the GS-LCR will integrate perfectly with any of the speakers in the Gold Signature range.
GSW-12
The new GSW-12 sub-woofer is bristling with features packed into a compact high power enclosure. A new 1000 watt Class D power amplifier is coupled to a new ultra-long throw 12” C-CAM driver, equipped with a massive 4” voice coil and a substantial (18kg) double stack motor system. Inputs/outputs include a balanced XLR input, LFE input (RCA), L/R stereo inputs (RCA), L/R link Inputs (RCA) and a link output (RCA Slave). All inputs and outputs can be configured via the top-mounted control panel or remote to operate as direct links or have programmable filter settings. The control panel features a push/turn rotary encoder operation with variable phase, volume, low pass filter (independent input/output programmable), four EQ settings and input mode selection. Twelve-volt trigger, 9Pin D-connectors and an optional RF eye are provided for system control after custom installation. The GSW-12 is available in piano black finish or beautiful real wood veneers to match the GS range.
Approx. retail prices and availability
* Availability: December 2005
* GS10: £800 pr; GS20: £1500 pr; GS60: £2000 pr; GS-LCR: £500 ea; GS-FX: £900 pr; GSW-12: £1000 ea
For more information on the complete range of Monitor Audio loudspeakers click here.”
Linear Mode
