Monitor Audio Anthra Subwoofers – First Look

All Image Credit: Monitor Audio

This, the latest range of three subwoofers from Monitor Audio, is said to have been “engineered with a focus on musicality and control”. With each model said to deliver “devastatingly deep bass with musicality and agility”.

The new range includes; the Anthra W15 with a 15-inch driver and 1400-watt amplifier, the W12 with a 12-inch driver and 900 watts and the W10 with a 10 inch driver and 425 watts. Each subwoofer shares the same design approach, range of inputs, DSP processing, Class D amplifier type and comes in either Satin White or High Gloss Black finishes.

These latest designs use Rigid Surface Technology II (RST II) to make the driver cones more rigid. According to Monitor Audio, these C-CAM cones have a higher resistance to bending forces, improving their operational fidelity by resisting the forces that would twist more conventional driver cones out of shape and distorting the sound.

The drivers are mounted in a sturdy MDF cabinet having a 1.4″ thick front panel and 0.75″ thick side, rear and internal bracing that has been acoustically optimized for extreme strength. Finishes include; Gloss Black and Satin White.

These C-CAM drivers are controlled by a 28bit 50MIPS DSP that provides 3 pre-defined EQ curves plus 3 custom EQ curves, each with 8 band custom EQ. A Class-D amplifier with instantaneous peak powers from 500watts to 2,500watts (240VAC) providing, what should be, ample power for a clear dynamic performance.

Rear panel connectivity includes both stereo RCA and mono XLR inputs and outputs, the outputs allowing for simple daisy-chaining for multiple-subwoofers. A trigger input is also available for remote on/off control.

Control and setup is avilable using both the rear panel LCD display and associated rotary encoder knob or Monitor Audio’s MaestroUnite app, available from the App Store or Google Play store on your smartphone. While the front panel LED shows the subs current status.