"The Airstream A100 gets our vote for Most Stylish Audio Component. When we first saw the little amp at CEDIA Expo, we wondered if the Brits had gone mad. Why were they showcasing a router? The A100 is more than just a pretty face with its 2x50-watt Class AB amplifier, high-resolution digital-to-analog converter, DLNA and AirPlay compatibility, and Wi-Fi connectivity with apps for Spotify and Last.FM. Connections include an optical digital input, stereo analog inputs and preouts, and a subwoofer output. It even has an Airstream Direct mode for "router-free music."
                                                                                                                - Sound&Vision Staff

Monitor Audio are excited to have an abundance of new speakers coming out this year, but along with that, some older speakers will be getting discontinued. The first on that list is the Shadow series. Currently, all Shadow 60s are sold out, but Shadow 50s, Shadow 25s and Shadow Centers are still available while quantities last.

Additionally, the Platinum PLW-15 subwoofer has also been discontinued. Currently, the PLW-15 in Piano Rosewood is no longer available. The sub is, however, still available in Piano Black and Piano Ebony while quantities last.

Pictured to the left (L to R) Alex Brady - Director of International Sales, Sheldon Ginn - VP of Sales and Mktg (Kevro), Dean Hartley - Technical Director.

In the category of "Exceptional Value", 

the Silver 6 won Product of the Year for 2014!

"No other compact music system that I am aware of could capture the scale of this music so effortlessly, or so energize a listening room, as did these in mine."

"...the perfect solution for someone who cares about good sound."

"Based on what I heard, I'd say that the bar for what one can expect from a speaker costing less than $2,000/pair has been raised."

                                                   - Philip Beaudette
                                                     SoundStage! Access, August 2014

Gold Series
Monitor Audio's enduring Gold Series speaker line has been refined with significant design upgrades to bring out the best in its award-winning provenance. While it duplicates the form-factor of the Gold GX range it replaces, the new 'Gold' line-up is equipped with a trinity of enhancements, including an evolution of the C-CAM® Rigid Surface Technology (RST®) bass cone employed by the Gold GR and Gold GS predecessors, tighter production tolerances for its advanced C-CAM ribbon tweeter, and a smarter more functional grille design. Rejuvenated by these improvements the new eight-model strong Gold range offers greater transparency, a smoother transition from mid's to HF's and visual sophistication to every design-aware music lover, with new grilles.

SB Series
The new SB Series of passive soundbars will contribute the essential high definition audio element to screen entertainment from thin TVs of 50"and above. The compact SB-2 is engineered for seamless integration with 50"-60" TVs while the SB-3 is custom-built for screen sizes above 60". Both models feature three separate driver arrays for left, centre, right channels in a single cabinet. The SB-2 employs individual 4" mid-bass, 1" tweeter and sealed ABR (Auxiliary Bass Radiator) drivers per section; the SB-3 uses twin bass drivers and ABRs in the centre section to provide higher acoustic output and power handling for critical centre channel reproduction. All drivers utilize Monitor Audio's signature C-CAM® material.

Complete with a wide range of mounting options for easy and discreet custom installation, the two super-slim SB models are engineered with flagship cabinet and driver technologies to combine efficient low-profile design with extraordinary room-filling dynamics.

 "I've been looking at speakers for $3,000 / pair or less for a while, and have not heard any that I would prefer to the Monitor Audio Silver 8."

"There's little to say about the Silver 8's treble. Although it was detailed and extended, it was also smooth and untiring."

".... I found the Silver 8's bass remarkably solid and satisfying."

"Talk about hopes realized! From the second the system was powered up, the Silver 8s impressed me."

"I heard a welcome clarity in the midrange that gave all music a natural presence..."

"Indeed, as with the best speakers - those costing far more than the Silver 8's $2,000/pair - the high frequencies, almost all overtones, were unobtrusively integral to the music, not distinct from the midrange fundamentals. I greatly appreciated this with recordings of both small and large ensembles."

"...I can't say that listening in stereo via the Silver 8s was anything less than delightful."

"Their soundstage was deep and, if I wanted to focus on instrument placements instead of the music, there was a wealth of stable detail to appreciate."

"My, did the Silver 8s deliver."

"Regardless of track or changes in players, it all sounded more alive and engaging than I remembered."

"...compared with my admittedly older and discontinued Paradigm Studio/60v3s ($1,699/pair when last available), the Silver 8s were strikingly cleaner in the lower midrange, more open in the upper midrange, and had a subtler treble."

"This review is so brief because I'm at a loss to point to any way in which, for its size and price, the Monitor Audio Silver 8 disappointed.

                                                           - Kalman Rubinson, Stereophile, January 2015

AV Tech  is the Publishing House behind Home Cinema Choice, HiFi Choice and HiFi News. This month AV Tech is publishing their Awards issue which will come as a supplement with each of the respective titles.

We are pleased to announce that Monitor Audio has received several awards from AV Tech! 

As you may already know, the A100 was honored with a Residential Systems RESI Award in 2013. More recently this year, the A100 has been awarded a 2014 Stars Of CES Award, a Reddot Award, a What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision FIVE-STAR Award, and finally a Hi-Fi Choice RECOMMENDED Award!

The Airstream A100 received great reviews from both Hi-Fi Choice and What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision this past July...

"Awesome sonics and stunning design mean Monitor Audio's first amp will be more than just a head turner."
"...spine tingling harmonies that really have to be heard to be believed."
"The A100 is bang on the money..."
- Adrian Justins, Hi-Fi Choice

Click Here to read the FULL REVIEW

"It sounds insightful and composed, with enough in the way of drive and dynamics to satisfy."
"We like the A100's bass weight and grip..."
"...we feel the A100 deserves a five-star rating. It's a brave product that performs well and can be used in situations where conventional alternatives wouldn't even get a look-in. For that alone it deserves plenty of credit."
- What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision

Click Here to read the FULL REVIEW

"Monitor's impressive Silver series is a triumph, a treat to hear, and well worth seeking out for a serious audition."

"Overall, the fit and finish of the speakers is impeccable."

"Honestly, I couldn't have wished for more from any system."

- Thomas Norton, www.soundandvision.com 

Click Here to read the FULL REVIEW

"No other compact music system that I am aware of could capture the scale of this music so effortlessly, or so energize a listening room, as did these in mine."

"Based on what I heard, I'd say that the bar for what one can expect from a speaker costing less than $2,000/pair has been raised."

"This is a tightly contested segment of the speaker market, and there are other worthy options, but they don't all look as good as the Silver 6, and even fewer offer the sort of clarity and resolution of these amazing speakers."

- Philip Beaudette, Soundstage Access

Please see below for some highlights from his review:

"...as soon as I began listening to the CL80s, I realized that these speakers were in an entirely different class."

"I was immediately presented with clean, sweet sounding midrange, where most of the music and vocals take place. Vocals were reproduced with accuracy and sang with realism. String instruments offered great detail and texture. All of the tracks I listened to had a rich, natural sound."

"Something else that I was pleasantly surprised with was the soundstaging."

"Bass performance was well beyond what my JBLs were ever capable of. This was of course thanks to the Auxiliary Bass Radiator and the larger driver / enclosure. This greater bass extension injected some additional life into instruments like bass guitars and kick drums."

"I listened to the CL80s for many hours on my patio and they brought pleasure to my ears every time, regardless of music selection."

"They played equally well with indie rock and classical music, and everything in-between. I also had a chance to play them for a few friends who were quick to comment about their engaging sound quality."

"I have no qualm saying that the Monitor Audio CL80 is the best sounding outdoor speaker I've had the pleasure of listening to because that's truly the case. This speaker enabled me to enjoy music outdoors like never before."

"Aside from a fantastic sound, you'll be pleased with their versatile mounting options and rugged build quality. With four different models, you're sure to find one that suits your patio size and budget. Happy outdoor listening!"

                                                                                                              - Suave Kajko, Canada Hi-Fi, June 2014

Click Here to read the FULL REVIEW

Monitor Audio's AirStream products make it easy to stream music from iPhones, iPads and any other Apple Airplay device. But what about the large amount of consumers that use android devices? Well now, there is an app for Android called BubbleUPnP (Chromecast/DLNA) found in the Google app "Play Store". This app allows any Android DLNA-compatible device to stream music to our Airstream A100, Airstream S300 and ASB-2 Soundbar.

Instructions For BubbleUPnP

• Install "BubbleUPnP" from the Play Store. 
• Select AirStream product in WiFi settings. 
• Select AirStream product in "Devices" in the app. 
• Select app device menu, then select "Settings", then select "UPnP Tweeks (bottom of menu screen). Uncheck "Mime-type check". 
• Select your music and enjoy!

Note: There is no Airplay or DLNA app for Microsoft Windows or Blackberry platforms at this time.

April 17-18 (Independence)

Midwest home and mobile electronics independent sales representative firms are working cooperatively with the support of their manufacturers to promote the latest products and technologies. The two day event will include workshops and training for retailers. There will also be a cocktail party Thursday night at 6:30 PM.

This is an Industry Only Event and is NOT Open to the General Public

Click Here For More Details

AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) Show

April 25-27 (Chicago) 

Click Here For More Details

About.com Stereos Expert Brent Butterworth gave a great review to Monitor Audio's Radius 270 tower speakers...

Click Here to read the FULL REVIEW

What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision recently reviewed Monitor Audio's new Silver Series package and had plenty of positive things to say, along with awarding 5 stars to the package! The 5.1 system itself consists of Silver 6 tower speakers, a Silver Center channel,Silver FX speakers and the Silver W12 Subwoofer.

Read below for some highlights from the review: 

"It's talents start with superb build quality extend to a wide range of finishes, and end with sound quality that will worry most rivals."

"The complete Silver package is a deeply impressive performer."

"Here the Silver's clarity comes to the fore, and the package's ability to keep control over a wide range of sound effects as well as the main vocal track impresses."

"This film also highlights the quality of the Silver Centre, as it renders voices with impressive insight and precision."

"We're taken with the subwoofer too. It's not unduly large but delivers a powerful and punchy performance."

"Overall, this Silver 6AV12 is a hugely capable package... worth serious consideration."

                                                                                                     - What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision

Click Here to read the FULL REVIEW

Hans Wetzel of SoundStage! Access came by Monitor Audio's showroom to audition the A100 and was blown away by it's quality...

The highly anticipated Airstream A100 amplifier will be available in March 2014!

In addition to the AVTech Media Award, the ASB-2 also received some positive recognition in its recent Home Cinema Choice review.

Danny Phillips of Home Cinema Choice recently reviewed Monitor Audio's ASB-2 Soundbar. The ASB-2 not only received a 5 star review full of positive comments and feedback, but was also awarded the Home Cinema Choice BEST BUY Award. See below for some highlights from the review:

"The ASB-2 is powerful and polished in equal measure, with punchy, authoritative bass, clear, decisive mids and jaw-dropping detail reproduction."

"The ASB-2 is blessed with stunning build quality and design."

"Monitor Audio has crafted a fine performer that proves you can cut down on clutter without compromising on quality."

"It digs out the sort of subtle textures that cheaper rivals gloss over. This gives the sound an irresistible and absorbing silkiness and fluidity."

"Explosions are big and visceral, and, after a brief ceasefire, the fighting fires up again and the ASB-2 shatters the silence with a fast, sudden dynamic shift. It's an extraordinary performance - insightful and layered but backed up with depth and a terrific sense of scale. Dialogue is clear and realistic, too."

"With tracks from iTunes streamed via AirPlay showing the same level of sonic refinement as BDs, it's easy to applaud the ASB-2."

Monitor's Silver 8 was probably the highest-value speaker I saw at Expo 2013."

Doug Schneider, SoundStage Hi-Fi, November 2013

Read the full article