If a speaker like the Falcon Acoustics Studio 30’s presentation is too laid back for you, check out the Gold 300

Monitor Audio’s new Gold 100 standmounter is history repeating itself, déjà vu all over again. The company is simply continuing its successful formula of making superbly finished small speakers that are refined beyond their price point. As such, this new model is a complete success, as it equals or betters several rivals costing well over $3,500. Recommended then, because what’s not to like?

There is no denying that going into the Gold 200 review we were expecting a lot from these small floorstanders.

This may be the baby of the latest Gold range, but it has the company's usual impeccable design, fit and finish, and a big sound that belies its compact dimensions

Based on recent experiences with Monitor Audio products, I was fairly sure that the Gold 100 was going to be good. In truth, it is better than that. This is at least 85% of the performance of the PL100 II for a whisker over 50% of the price. That, by anyone’s standards is very, very good going. On a purely subjective level, I think this is the better looking speaker too.

It's rare to find a 5.1 speaker system that combines slam and subtlety quite as skilfully as this one (not to mention wrapping it up in gorgeous enclosures). It's a distinctly high-end presentation, and one that serves your Blu-ray blockbusters and music collection well. I can imagine that, for some enthusiasts, this fifth-generation Gold package, while a long way from inexpensive, could offer the optimal performance/price ratio.

The Gold 300s were a consistent delight on a wide range of program material. Yes, they're expensive, but in today's high-end loudspeaker market you can spend a lot more and get much less. The Gold 300s earn a serious recommendation and deserve an extended audition.

These Gold 300s really grew on me over time, thanks to their powerful presence and substantial sound output.

The Monitor Audio Gold 100 is well worth $2100/pair, and should be on the must-audition list of anyone who’s shopping for high-quality minimonitors.

The reasons to give the Gold 200s strong consideration are numerous, with their naturalistic and even-handed approach high among them. The reasons to dismiss them are few, and are more to do with personal preference than any tangible Monitor Audio shortcoming – if you personal preference is towards an over-caffeinated, up-and-at-’em presentation, for example, you’ll likely find the Gold 200s a little too refined. If you crave a super-wide presentation above all other sonic talents, they’re not for you either.

At the beginning of this review, I mentioned that every Monitor Audio speaker I’ve heard has sounded clean and precise. Those qualities are equally apparent in the sound of the Gold 200. $5500 is a lot of money for a pair of speakers, but given all the Gold 200s deliver in terms of appearance and, especially, sound, I say you get what you pay for. I think the Gold 200 could hold its own against speakers costing up to three times as much. In that, it’s raised the bar for what buyers can expect from a floorstanding speaker costing $5500/pair.