Exposes the Shortcomings of Your Mix
The Avantone Pro CLA-10A is a powered re-creation of the ubiquitous white-coned studio monitor that engineers have sworn by for decades. Whereas most active 2-way monitors use a switch-mode power supply and Class D amplifier, Avantone's success with their passive CLA-10 and CLA-200 amplifier allows them to stick with what engineers worldwide have come to expect from this combination. Hence, the CLA-10A boasts a traditional linear onboard power supply and 200 watts of Class AB output. Sure, it's a hefty package with a heatsink, but it sounds amazing!
Related Videos: CLA-10A Active Studio Monitors (Pair)
Active version of a passive re-creation of a classic
Avantone Pro's CLA-10A is based on its passive predecessor, itself a modern reworking of the classic white-coned studio monitor that studio pros have relied on for decades. Like the original, the CLA-10A exposes every shortcoming of your mix. Nail it on a set of these, and you're guaranteed a mix that translates everywhere. Avantone has been making replacement drivers for this monitor for a while now. These direct-replacement parts were painstakingly reverse-engineered from the source components and have garnered acclaim for replicating their sonic signature. The CLA-10A takes it to the next level, reproducing the entire speaker — and adding a beefy 200 watts of onboard amplification. Avantone built the CLA-10A from top-shelf materials (some of higher quality than the originals). If you want to hear your mix — warts and all — this is the speaker to get.
The ultimate reality check
There's nothing flat about this studio monitor's frequency response. Like its predecessors, the CLA-10A delivers a fatiguing, mid-heavy sound. And like most sealed-box speakers, it has limited bass extension. In other words, this isn't the best-sounding speaker in the world. In fact, it sounds downright dreadful in some circumstances — cold and clinical. That said, it's this quality that exposes the flaws in your mix. And that's where this monitor's magic lies — perfect your mix on a pair of CLA-10As, and it's sure to sound great everywhere.
Physically and sonically identical to the original
Except for its built-in amplification circuitry, the Avantone Pro CLA-10A is physically identical to the original. Its tweeter dome uses the same phenolic resin doping to match the original's performance curve. Its woofer uses custom-tooled mechanical parts that mirror the original. The CLA-10A's woofer cone eschews the original's curl-and-join construction for a modern pressed design but is an exact sonic match. Avantone even sourced the cone material from the original vendor! All of the CLA-10A's passive components were reverse-engineered from the original speaker for an exact match throughout the frequency range.
Meticulously tested for top-notch performance
In spite of the CLA-10A being a sonic clone of its vintage counterpart, it uses higher-grade components than the original. This allows for tighter production tolerance and meets current ROHS and WEEE requirements. And these monitors were tested in extremis. At Sweetwater, we've rarely seen such meticulous quality control. Avantone conducted hundreds of hours of testing to ensure as close a match as possible. Every component was tested in one of the world's top studios. Every magnet was tested in the gap for field density, ensuring a uniform performance curve. And before it was given the stamp of approval, a range of esteemed recording engineers reached a consensus that the CLA10 is an exact match to the original — it's the real deal!
Avantone Pro CLA-10A Active Studio Monitor Features:
- Powered re-creation of the ubiquitous white-coned studio monitor
- Onboard 200W Class AB amplification
- Mid-heavy sound exposes every shortcoming of your mix
- Physically and sonically identical to the original design
- Hundreds of hours of testing ensure as close a match as possible
- All components were reverse-engineered from the original speaker for an exact frequency match
- Tweeter dome uses the same phenolic resin doping to match the original's performance curve
- Woofer uses custom-tooled mechanical parts that mirror the original
- Inductors match the original in DC resistance, winding dimensions, and value
- Uses numerous higher-grade components than the original for tighter production tolerance and ROHS and WEEE compliance
