The CI loudspeaker category continues to grow in 2024 with a new range from Monitor Audio. The British manufacturer has announced the Climate Series 3G outdoor speakers which are designed to deliver high-end performance regardless of where you install them.
Let’s take a look at what the Climate Series 3G speakers might be able to offer you.
Monitor Audio is initially offering up two models: Climate Medium (CL2 M) and Climate Small (CL2 S)
Climate Series 3G
Here is a roundup of core features that both speakers in this series share.
Transparent Design Philosophy: The Climate Series 3G speakers carry on Monitor Audio’s R&D approach of maintaining a balance between design and technology, both equally important. Musical neutrality and acoustic transparency are balanced within physical speaker designs to provide optimized blending into the environments the speakers will be used in.
C-CAM Gold Dome Tweeter: Since its first appearance in Monitor speakers in 1982, C-CAM tweeters have been refined to deliver better clarity, realism, and detail. This is especially important given the need to provide the best possible highs for both outside and inside listening environments. In addition, the Climate Series 3G features an enhanced gold C-CAM dome which is coated in a deep black finish.
Bass-Mid Driver: Incorporating Rigid Surface Technology II (RST II) the Mid-bass driver provides pistonic motion for optimal realism and clarity, and a precise high-fidelity, life-like sound that delivers enhanced audio listening.
Auxiliary Bass Radiator: For enhanced lower frequency response the Climate Series 3G series speakers incorporate a large, sealed Auxiliary Bass Radiator (ABR) – aka Passive Radiator, on the rear of each model.
The ABR panel is concave complemented with Monitor Audio’s signature Hex pattern. The ABR works like a sealed port tube. It prevents environmental elements from entering the speaker enclosure but supports lower bass frequencies to exit providing similar bass support that a port would provide.
Crossover Design: Speakers that employ tweeter and midrange/woofers need a good crossover to provide a smooth transition from lower to higher frequency reproduction. In the case of the Climate Series 3G, the crossover has been designed, voiced, and tuned by Monitor Audio’s in-house acoustic engineering team.
Sealed Enclosure: The Climate Series 3G speakers incorporate a one-piece molded cabinet, made from dense ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and reinforced with glass fiber, protecting the important elements within for a lifetime of use.
A large Auxiliary Bass Radiator (ABR) and fully sealed front baffle housing the drive units, ensure the whole design can withstand the harshest of weather conditions.
Quik-Link Bracket System: To ensure easy and sturdy wall mounting, the Climate Series 3G incorporates a die-cast aluminum bracket. Lightweight and strong, this allows the speakers to be positioned almost anywhere. The bracket design allows a Climate Series 3G speaker to be rotated through 180 degrees in both the vertical and horizontal plane – so it can be ‘aimed’ into the desired listening location.
IP66 Rating: The Climate Series 3G speakers have an IP66 rating. This means users can place the speakers outdoors safely to enjoy a great audio listening experience.
Climate Medium – CL2 M
Climate Medium is a mid-sized, two-way design that incorporates a 25mm (1”) black C-CAM dome tweeter and a 165mm (6”) RST II bass-mid driver, supported by an Auxiliary Bass Radiator (ABS). Its Quik-Link bracket system makes installation easy. The contemporary design blends in as seamlessly with both outdoor and indoor settings.
Climate Small – CL2 S
The Climate Small is designed to support a great listening experience despite its compact size. The two-way design incorporates a 25mm (1”) black C-CAM dome tweeter and a 100mm (4”) RST II bass-mid driver, supported by an Auxiliary Bass Radiator (ABS). It has the same ‘Quik-Link’ bracket system and contemporary design as the CL2 M.
Climate Series 3G Speakers Comparison
| Climate Medium – CL2 M | Climate Small – CL2 S | |
| Price (pr) | $900 | $750 |
| Speaker Type | 2-Way | 2-way |
| Enclosure Type | Sealed | Sealed |
| Tweeter | 1 x 25 mm (1”) C-CAM black dome tweeter | 1 x 25 mm (1”) C-CAM black dome tweeter |
| Mid-Bass | 1 x 165 mm (6”) C-CAM RST II bass-mid driver | 1 x 100 mm (4”) C-CAM RST II bass-mid driver |
| Auxiliary Bass Radiator | Yes | Yes |
| Recommended Amplifier Power (RMS) | 200 W | 150 W |
| Continuous Power Handling (CTA 426-B) | 100 W | 70 W |
| Nominal Impedance | 6 Ohms | 6 Ohms |
| Frequency Response, On-Wall (-6dB) | 42Hz – 30kHz | 56Hz – 30kHz |
| Maximum Peak SPL (AES75, Z-weighted) | 110 dB | 108 dB |
| Sensitivity (2.83v @ 1m, Installed) | 85.5 dB | 84 dB |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.6 kHz | 3.3 kHz |
| IP Rating | IP66 | IP66 |
| External Dimensions with all accessories fitted (HxWxD) | 332 x 190 x 240 mm (131/16 x 71/2 x 97/16″) | 247 x 140 x 217 mm (93/4 x 51/2 x 89/16″) |
| Weight (each) | 4.1 kg (9 lbs, 1 oz) | 2.7 kg (5 lbs, 15 oz) |
| Finish | Matt Black, Matt White | Matt Black, Matt White |
Initial Impressions
One thing that turns me off with some outdoor speakers is that they sound like outdoor speakers. However, it looks like Monitor Audio has made an effort to bring indoor speaker performance to an outdoor design by incorporating key technologies present in its higher-end speaker products.
That being said, the Climate Series 3G speakers carry reasonable price points that should make them highly competitive in the CI and commercial categories.
The icing on the cake may be that they offer high-end sound quality that will make them ideal for home gyms, home theater spaces, and even your home office if you prefer a wall-mounted option.
Pricing & Availability
The Climate Series 3G speakers will be available beginning in September 2024 through authorized Monitor Audio retail, online, and installation dealers.
- Climate Medium (CL2 M): $900 / £750 / €850 per pair
- Climate Small (CL2 S): $750 / £600 / €700 per pair
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