Le constructeur anglais Monitor Audio a annoncé le 1er juillet dernier ses nouvelles enceintes Hifi Studio 89. Comme leur référence l'indique, ces modèles puiseraient leurs racines dans les années 80. Mais cette approche est un peu trompeuse. Les Monitor Studio 89 semblent plutôt être les évolutions des Studio "tout court" que nous avons testées en 2019 et que nous classons parmi les meilleures enceintes Hifi de leur catégorie. Ce sont des enceintes 2 voies, à 3 haut-parleurs (2 boomers de 108 cm à diaphragme en nid d'abeille + tweeter à ruban), accordées en bass-reflex par 2 évents laminaires dorsaux.
Les Monitor Audio Studio 89 sont annoncées au prix de 2350 € la paire avec des pieds en option à 600 € la paire.
>>> voir news de présentation des Monitor Audio Studio 89 sur ON-mag
Ci-dessous, l'annonce (en anglais), les spécifications et images officielles :
Monitor Audio Introduces Studio 89. A loudspeaker designed to be different.
Studio 89 is a cutting-edge loudspeaker inspired by individual expression and the culture that shapes it. Studio 89 is the loudspeaker for the new change-makers.
Essex, UK – 1st July 2024: Monitor Audio is proud to announce the launch of the exciting new Studio 89. Born in the 1980s, the legendary Studio Series brought studio monitor-quality sound to the home. Studio 89 is a cutting-edge loudspeaker that takes inspiration from this iconic range and that culturally explosive decade.
Small, compact, and visually unique, Studio 89 is an uncompromising loudspeaker capable of filling large rooms with pristine sound. It benefits from a host of cutting-edge Monitor Audio innovations, is resplendent in a unique finish, and is born of the same Transparent Design Philosophy as the statement Hyphn.
Studio 89 is the loudspeaker for the new change-makers.
Studio 89 is the loudspeaker for the new change-makers.
Acoustic Innovation
Studio 89 may be inspired by the 1980s and the sense of excitement and creativity that decade represents, but in terms of technology, it is a very modern loudspeaker.
Studio 89 is compact, but its topology ensures that even in large rooms, the soundstage, imaging and detail levels are completely enveloping and remain true to the ethos of bringing ‘studio monitoring quality’ into the home. This is in no small part down to the ’point source’ MTM (Mid-Tweeter-Mid) Array drive unit configuration.
Positioning the latest MPD (Micro-Pleated Diaphragm) III high-frequency transducer between twin RDT (Rigid-Diaphragm Technology) III 4 ¼” bass-mid drivers, while a highly optimised third-order crossover ensures the perfect frequency response across each drive unit for total symmetry, which helps control sound dispersion. The resulting high-fidelity sound is of a scale and quality that belies Studio 89’s size.
The twin bass-mid driver cones are made up of three ultra-thin layers to ensure rigidity and strength. A C-CAM outer skin, ‘ceramic-coated aluminium magnesium’, sits over a Nomex honeycomb central core with the underside skin made up of a woven carbon fibre. The result: super lightweight and very,
very strong.
Every drive unit must work in harmony with the others, and the frequency transition between each needs to be seamless. Therefore, the crossovers have undergone hours of listening and part selection, using only the very best bespoke polypropylene and polyester capacitors, air-core and low-loss laminated steel-core inductors to provide maximum signal transfer and reduced distortion for optimum sound delivery.
Cabinet design
Studio 89 also benefits from an extremely strong and rigid cabinet structure. Its compact proportions include an 18mm front baffle with rigid 15mm side walls. Precisely calculated and positioned internal walls provide additional strength and bracing; their clever configuration allows airflow to funnel via the top and bottom of the cabinet through the high-velocity HiVe II slot ports, reducing potential turbulence and air noise.
Transparent Design Philosophy
The cabinet design works in perfect harmony with the drive units and crossover – a total system, delivering on Monitor Audio’s Transparent Design Philosophy, an R&D philosophy of maintaining a balance between Design and Technology. One is never allowed to overpower the other and both play a vital role in delivering on the promise of musical neutrality and acoustic transparency. The physical speakers are designed to sit comfortably within their environment. They are a beautiful statement, but one where perfectly balanced design neutrality means they will blend in for a lifetime of use.
Every Monitor Audio product is the result of intense collaboration, drawing on decades of experience within the design team and ensuring that all the elements of performance, technology and design work in harmony. Studio 89 is the physical manifestation of this approach.
Uniquely finished
Taking its inspiration from the original Studio 15, Studio 89 is resplendent in a high-gloss black finish, coupled with metal cone drivers finished in gold. Studio 89 is the only model Monitor Audio makes that is available in this luxurious finish.
Bespoke stand
To ensure optimum rigidity and a perfect listening experience, bespoke metals have been used for each section of the dedicated Studio 89 Stan. The top plate is laser-cut steel, the pole is extruded aluminium, and the base is die-cast aluminium. The four adjustable feet are supplied with both chrome-plated spikes for carpeted floors and domed rubber feet for hard floors, ensuring that the stands are anchored perfectly in all situations.
Summary of key features:
- RDT III cone produces piston-like control even under the most extreme performance, providing a more precise, lifelike tonal balance and lower distortion.
- C-CAM cones have a much higher resistance to bending stress – they are lighter and stronger than conventional cones.
- 3RD generation MPD III high-frequency transducers reduce distortion, flatten frequency response and lead to wider, cleaner more consistent and lifelike sound.
- Carefully engineered crossovers featuring high-quality components, and voiced over many iterations ensure that the drivers are serviced with the perfect signal path.
- External geometry with thick walls, carefully positioned internal cabinet bracing, combined with through-bolt technology mean the cabinets provide an extremely rigid housing for which the drivers can perform.
- Studio 89 is available in a unique high-gloss black finish, with our most technologically advanced metal cone drivers finished in gold.
- The optional Studio 89 Stand provides maximum placement versatility and assures that the Studio 89 speakers reach their full potential by delivering the best in terms of sonic punch, detail, and rhythm.
Pricing
Studio 89 RRP £2000 / €2,350 / $2,500 per pair
Studio 89 Stand RRP £500.00 / €600.00 / $625.00 per pair
Availability
Studio 89 is available from July 1st 2024
