Overview

The Monitor Audio Gold Signature GS20 is a discontinued 2.5-way floorstanding loudspeaker from the mid-2000s Gold Signature line. It uses two 6.5-inch RST (Rigid Surface Technology) C-CAM drivers (one bass, one bass-mid) and a 1-inch gold-anodized C-CAM dome tweeter with nominal crossovers around 250 Hz and 2.7 kHz in a slim reflex cabinet for full-range stereo use. [2]

Scientific Validity

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Sound & Vision’s anechoic HT Labs Measures reports a listening-window response of +1.63/–1.86 dB (200 Hz–10 kHz), with low-frequency extension at –3 dB = 47 Hz and –6 dB = 41 Hz; minimum impedance 5.29 Ω @ 172 Hz, phase –41.44° @ 86 Hz [1]. These indicate well-controlled on/near-axis behavior and useful bass reach for a compact tower. Independent wideband distortion datasets remain scarce, so transparency beyond response/extension cannot be fully quantified.

Technology Level

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The GS20 showcases Monitor Audio’s mid-2000s metal-cone platform (C-CAM dome, RST-profile cones, robust cabinetry). However, it lacks contemporary advances such as waveguide-optimized directivity paired with DSP/active crossovers that enable tighter response shaping and room-friendly behavior in current designs. As a purely passive 2.5-way, its sophistication is respectable for its era but not state of the art today.

Cost-Performance

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Original MSRP was 3,000 USD. Among current, widely measured towers, Polk Reserve R700 (1,099 USD each; 2,198 USD/pair on the official store) is the lowest-priced model we find that meets an “equal-or-better for users” bar on core metrics: floorstanding form factor, F3 ≈ 40 Hz (R700) vs 47 Hz (GS20), and midband linearity about ±2 dB from CTA-2034 data (note the GS20’s window is S&V listening-window 200 Hz–10 kHz, while R700 stats are spin-derived/CTA-2034). Linearity is effectively equivalent within tolerance and the R700’s extension is deeper.
CP calculation: 2,198 USD ÷ 3,000 USD = 0.73 → 0.7. [1][3][4]

Reliability & Support

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The GS20 is discontinued and listed under Monitor Audio Heritage; support/parts are limited to legacy assistance and dealer channels. Passive topology avoids firmware concerns, but specialized metal-cone parts may be costly to replace. [5]

Rationality of Design Philosophy

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While premium materials/mechanics are emphasized, the GS20’s passive architecture does not leverage modern control (DSP/active) that measurably tightens response/directivity for listeners. Relative to what is achievable today at far lower cost, the design direction prioritizes materials/cosmetics over measurable gains in audibility-relevant performance.

Advice

If shopping new, prioritize models with published CTA-2034 data offering deeper extension and controlled directivity at lower prices. As a concrete baseline, the Polk Reserve R700 delivers equal-or-better user-facing performance on extension and effectively equivalent midband linearity at 2,198 USD/pair. If you specifically prefer Monitor Audio, consider current series with updated engineering rather than paying near-MSRP for GS20. [3][4]

References

[1] Sound & Vision — “Monitor Audio Gold Signature GS 20 Speaker System — HT Labs Measures”, accessed 2025-08-24. https://www.soundandvision.com/content/monitor-audio-gold-signature-gs-20-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures
[2] Sound & Vision — “Monitor Audio Gold Signature GS 20 Speaker System”, accessed 2025-08-24. https://www.soundandvision.com/content/monitor-audio-gold-signature-gs-20-speaker-system
[3] Polk Audio — “Reserve R700 (official product page / pricing)”, accessed 2025-08-24. https://www.polkaudio.com/en-us/product/home-speakers/floor-standing/reserve-r700/300035.html
[4] Erin’s Audio Corner — “Polk Audio Reserve R700 Tower Speaker Review (CTA-2034 data; F3 and ±2 dB notes)”, posted 2024-07-14, accessed 2025-08-24. https://erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/polk_r700/
[5] Monitor Audio — “Gold Signature Series (2006) — Heritage”, accessed 2025-08-24. https://www.monitoraudio.com/en/product-ranges/monitor-audio-heritage/gold-signature-series-2006/

(2025.8.24)