Monitor Audio Cinergy (5.2.4 Surround-System) Review
Home cinema sound better than in a large Cineplex theater? Is that even possible? Monitor Audio aims to prove it with the Cinergy series. We had the chance to push the set to its limits during a 30-hour video and music session.
We first experienced the Cinergy set by Monitor Audio live at the 2023 Central Germany HiFi Days here in Leipzig. It was powered by electronics from Lyngdorf Audio in a large cinema hall on the 4th floor. For those interested in the specifics: The digital 16-channel high-end surround processor Lyngdorf MP60 2.1 and the 8-channel amplifier Lyngdorf MXA-8400 were used. Nothing was left to chance at the show, certainly the best possible setup partners for such a system.
The overall sound was still fresh in our minds, and likely for many of the enthusiastic visitors of the MDHT 2023.
Cinergy x Lyngdorf: Looking Back
Because it was so impressive, we would like to revisit our impressions from that time. First, the sound was remarkable for its precise signal localization. Then came the bass, which was unmatched. Voices and sounds were both precise and pleasant. What really impressed us was the immense energy the system produced. Such power is what we expect from large Cineplex theaters, but not from speakers designed for home theaters.
We were truly blown away. The only downside: unfortunately, we could only experience the Monitor Audio Cinergy surround system for 30 minutes. After that, our test session was over, and we had to make room for others waiting outside the cinema hall. Due to high demand at the HiFi Days, seating was rotated every 30 minutes, and our spot went to another lucky person. Clearly, 30 minutes is far from enough for a serious test, so we decided to revisit our listening impressions in a more relaxed setting.
Into the Present
So, we took a closer look at the latest cinema speakers from the Brits.
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Just to recap: the setup in our home cinema consists of two Monitor Audio Cinergy 300 speakers as floorstanding speakers, one Cinergy 200 as the center speaker, and two Cinergy 100 as side speakers. We also have two (!) Monitor Audio Cinergy Sub 150 subwoofers. For ceiling speakers, we use four Monitor Audio C3L in-ceiling speakers.
Design and Flexibility
The Monitor Audio Cinergy series clearly caters to home cinema enthusiasts. The speakers do not have a “look-how-cool-my-speakers-are” design but are instead styled specifically for home theater use. The surface is textured and black, which prevents light reflection—a crucial factor for an uninterrupted movie experience. Additionally, they are designed to be flexible, allowing for installation in walls, mounted on walls, or used as traditional floorstanding speakers. The enclosures allow for all these placement options. But that’s not all.
We can adjust the Cinergy speakers to our needs. For instance, we can unscrew the back of the Cinergy 300 and remove the arrays from the front of the enclosure. The necessary cables are connected via plugs, so we just unplug them. We can then rotate the mid-high array by 90 degrees or swap it with the bass driver. Why? Well, if our Cinergy 300 speakers are on a stage next to the screen, it makes sense to have the mid-high drivers at ear level. If the speakers are on the floor, it’s probably better to place the mid-high array at the top. In our home theater, this is the arrangement we’ve used.
With the Cinergy 200 and 100, you can’t swap the bass with the midrange driver, but you can still rotate the mid-high array to position the speakers either horizontally or vertically, making them adaptable to any cinema situation. For instance, in our home theater, the Cinergy 200 is positioned horizontally as the center speaker in front of the screen.
Highs and Lows
For the treble, Monitor Audio uses the Micro Pleated Diaphragm II (MPD II) technology. This ensures that the high-frequency drivers deliver an accurate and realistic sound with no distortion. The alignment of the tweeters creates a wide yet focused soundstage, exactly what you need in a cinema, where it’s important to know where the sound is coming from, while still allowing everyone in the audience to have an equally good listening experience.
For the bass, Monitor Audio uses Rigid Diaphragm Technology II, a “sandwich” of extremely thin, lightweight layers bonded to a honeycomb core made of Nomex. Thanks to this structure, the bass drivers are incredibly strong yet light. According to Monitor Audio, this combination allows for very dynamic, subtle, and incredibly fast playback.
The Monitor Audio C3L in-ceiling speakers are derived from the Creator series, which is designed for custom installation projects. They use the RDT III woofer and the IDC II mid-tweeter module. Their excellent durability is especially crucial for cinema use.
Speaker Specifications
Before we get into the raw numbers of technical capabilities, a key point: the entire Cinergy range is THX Ultra certified. This certification is aimed at high-end home cinema systems and products that are used in large rooms of 430+ square feet (40+ square meters).
All three Cinergy speakers (100, 200, 300) reach a top frequency of 30 kHz. The smallest speaker (Cinergy 100) achieves a low frequency of 65 Hz, the Cinergy 200 reaches 47 Hz, and the 300 handles bass from 42 Hz. All values are measured at -6 dB. Since the THX certification applies to large rooms, it’s no surprise that the Cinergy series demands a lot of power. The Cinergy 200 and 300 require 200 to 1,400 watts of power. The Cinergy 100 gets by with 100 to 800 watts.
The Monitor Audio C3L in-ceiling speakers we installed operate at a frequency range of 45 to 35,000 Hertz at -6 dB, with a recommended amplifier power of 60 to 225 watts.
In our tests, we pushed the system’s requirements to the limit. We can say that even a Marantz Cinema 50 with its 110 watts per channel can get an incredible amount out of the Cinergy speakers. However, it’s worth noting that the Cinergy Sub15 is passive, meaning it requires a separate amplifier. This is not a trick by Monitor Audio to sell more amplifiers, but rather a benefit for customers.
Subwoofer Requirements
These subwoofers are a unique case within the Cinergy series. Normally, THX only allows active subwoofers for certified systems to ensure compliance with regulations. However, Monitor Audio learned from its customers that they prefer the flexibility to pair subwoofers with different amplifiers. We must remember that the Cinergy series is intended for home cinema setups, where speakers are more or less permanently installed.
It is not meant for living rooms—Monitor has other series for that, such as the Monitor Audio Silver 300 7G Dolby Atmos Cinema 5.1.2 surround set, which we enthusiastically reviewed. But back to the topic. If Monitor Audio used active subwoofers, they would need to be larger to accommodate the built-in amplifiers. Larger subwoofers are harder to install and would be more expensive.
That’s why customers in the custom installation home cinema market prefer passive subwoofers, as they are smaller and can be powered by existing amplifiers or, of course, the matching Monitor Audio amps: IA604, IA-125-4, IA750-2, and IA750-4. These were developed specifically for the Cinergy series. Monitor Audio also provides downloadable EQs that fit most use cases and installation scenarios. A quick note: the 4-channel amplifiers (IA60-4, IA125-4, and IA750-4) can also be bridged, providing significantly more power.
Movie Sound
Now for the most exciting part of this review, our experience with the sound. We took our time and used various sources, including the somewhat underpowered Marantz Cinema 50, the more powerful Denon AVR 6200W, and several AV processor/amplifier combos—with appropriate amplifiers for the subwoofers from Lyngdorf, Onkyo, NAD, and Marantz. In any case, we were very impressed, as even less powerful sources could extract incredibly precise and powerful sound from the system. With more powerful sources, the energy of the Cinergy home theater system increased. At that point, it didn’t matter if the movie was good or bad—we just enjoyed the brilliantly crafted sound.
And yes, we can confidently say that none of the professional cinemas in and around Leipzig can present such a detailed and balanced sound. In terms of movie sound, Monitor Audio comes dangerously close to dethroning Perlisten. An impressive feat, considering the US brand charges double the price for their home cinema speakers.
Music
We like the Monitor Audio Cinergy speakers even more when listening to music. Of course, we can listen to CDs via upmix in surround sound, but concert recordings on UHD Blu-ray in Dolby Atmos or DTS:X are even more fun. It feels like we’re right in the middle of it. We’re there when Peter Gabriel sings while cycling, or when Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper perform together in front of thousands. As teenagers, we would have said: simply awesome! And why don’t we say that now? Because it’s true: the Cinergy series from Monitor Audio simply sounds awesome. So, if you’re considering the best possible setup for your home theater, Monitor Audio should definitely be on your radar.
The Cinergy Sub15 subwoofer is extremely powerful and incredibly fast despite its 15-inch driver.
The Cinergy 100 is the ideal surround speaker of the series. Despite its size, it can reproduce frequencies from 65 Hz to 30 kHz.
Jens Ragenow from Monitor Audio’s distributor Pannes Vertriebs KG led the session, providing insights into the Cinergy series.
The Monitor Audio C3L in-ceiling speaker is derived from the Creator series. It uses an RDT III woofer and the IDC II mid-tweeter module.
Cinergy 100, 200, and 300 can also be operated with multiple amplifiers.
Specifications
General
- Device Class: Surround Sets
- Price Category: Luxury Class
- Manufacturer: Monitor Audio
- Model: Cinergy (5.2.4 Surround System)
- Price (RRP): €27,300 (approximately $29,000)
Dimensions (W/H/D)
- Cinergy 300: 30 x 101 x 24 cm
- Cinergy 200: 30 x 90 x 16 cm
- Cinergy 100: 35 x 46 x 16 cm
- Subwoofer: 54 x 54 x 28 cm
- C3L (Ceiling Speaker): 28 x 28 x 16 cm
Weight
- Cinergy 300: 40.4 kg
- Cinergy 200: 30 kg
- Cinergy 100: 18.4 kg
- Subwoofer: 38.5 kg
- C3L: 5 kg
Technical Data (according to the manufacturer)
- Type: Passive
- Design: Bass reflex
- Frequency Range:
- Cinergy 300: 42 Hz – 30 kHz
- Cinergy 200: 47 Hz – 30 kHz
- Cinergy 100: 65 Hz – 30 kHz
- Subwoofer: from 17 Hz
- C3L: 45 Hz – 35 kHz
- Power:
- Cinergy 300: 350 W
- Cinergy 200: 350 W
- Cinergy 100: 200 W
- Subwoofer: 1,500 W
- C3L: 150 W
- Connection to Source: Cable
- Room Recommendation: 30 to 80 square meters
- Individual Sound Adjustment: No
- Inputs: Banana Plugs/Binding Posts
CONCLUSION
With the Cinergy series, Monitor Audio offers home cinema fans a fantastic gift. You get the best possible sound quality at a reasonable price, along with a design perfectly tailored to home theater needs and incredible flexibility regarding placement and orientation. We can confidently say that the Brits have redefined home cinema speakers with this series.
Bass Response: 19.5/20
Midrange Response: 20/20
Treble Response: 10/10
Spatial Sound: 9.5/10
Sound Quality: 69/70
Build Quality/Finish: 9/10
User-Friendliness: 8/10
Add-ons/Downsides: None
Total: 86 out of 90 points
Price/Performance: Excellent (10/10)
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