The Monitor Reference 5A is an active floorstanding stereo set from MAGNAT, the German brand, and pairs a powered master cabinet containing the amplifier and inputs with a passive slave cabinet driven over speaker cable. It sits in the Monitor Reference range next to the Monitor Reference 2A, a bookshelf version of the same concept, and was listed at EUR 799 per pair.
Key specs that matter
Both enclosures follow a 2.5-way bass reflex layout with three drivers. A 25 mm fmax dome tweeter on a ferrite magnet covers the top octaves, and two 17 cm woofers share the lower band - one works as a bass-midrange unit with a coated paper cone, the other is dedicated to deep bass only. The crossover point to the tweeter is 3,200 Hz. A Class D amplifier supplies 2 x 60 W RMS, with 2 x 120 W quoted as peak output. MAGNAT lists a response of 28 Hz to 40,000 Hz. Each speaker measures 20.5 x 90.8 x 28.2 cm, and the powered unit weighs 14.7 kg, while the passive partner comes in at 13.8 kg.
Engineering and use context
Because the electronics are built in, the set works as a complete system for a television or a turntable. HDMI ARC with CEC lets the TV remote handle volume, and an optical input covers older screens. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX streams from phones, and the digital section accepts signals up to 24 bit and 192 kHz. The analogue RCA socket doubles as a phono input through an internal MM preamplifier, so a vinyl deck plugs straight into the master cabinet, and a 3.5 mm jack takes portable devices. Input selection and level are available on the rear panel and on the supplied remote control, and an LED shows the active state. Standby consumption stays under 0.5 W. The MDF enclosure uses an Airflex port with a rounded opening meant to lower air noise at the reflex vent, sits on resonance-damping rubber feet and carries detachable cloth grilles. Cabinets combine a matt black baffle with textured black veneer on the sides and top. Gold-plated screw terminals link the master to the passive cabinet.
Pairing
No separate amplifier is needed. Suitable sources are a flat-screen TV over HDMI ARC, a moving-magnet turntable, a CD player or streamer on the RCA socket in line mode, and handheld devices via the wireless link. There is no subwoofer output, so extension below the woofers is not part of the plan.
Alternatives
For owners who already have an amplifier, the passive MAGNAT Monitor S80 ATM is a floorstanding option with a 90 dB sensitivity main section and an integrated Dolby Atmos height module.