Avantone CLA-10A Chris Lord-Alge Series Powered Reference Monitors (Pair) Avantone Pro

In June 2018, Avantone Pro released the CLA-10 studio monitors, becoming the #1 selling passive studio monitor in the world. The CLA-200 power amp, which soon followed has become another success filling a void for a reasonably priced class AB studio power amp. Avantone Pro is now proud to announce the release of the CLA-10A active studio monitors.

The CLA-10A’s feature the AV10MHF and AV10MLF drivers from the CLA-10 as well as cabinet construction. The CLA-10A’s also feature a beefy Class A/B power amp section.

One of the most common questions asked about the CLA-10’s is which version of the originals are they based on. Now, Avantone can proudly say… all of them! The CLA-10A’s have an all new “VTPC” knob or “Variable Tissue Paper Control.” This VTPC allows you to simulate any thing from the Vertical “m” model to the horizontal “Studio” model and everything in between. This tone control allows each user to choose the best tweeter brightness that serves their individual needs.

Most two way active speakers use a switch mode supply and Class D amplifier. While this has proven to work well in recent years, the traditional design of the CLA-10 calls for something different. With the success of the CLA-10 and CLA-200 amplifier combination, Avantone decided to stay with what engineers all over the world have come to expect from this combination. The CLA-10 Active uses a linear power supply and 200 watts of Class AB output. Yes, it requires a heatsink. Yes, it weighs more. Yes, it sounds awesome.

The CLA-10 uses a monolithic integrated circuit Class AB amplifier with wide voltage range and high current output capability. Operating in Parallel Mode with two devices ganged together to deliver higher output power into low impedance loads, allowing better thermal performance at high power. At low power, THD is a phenomenal 0.005%; at rated load it is 0.1%, yielding excellent performance at power compared to class D amps. The circuit uses a mixed bipolar MOS high voltage technology called BCDII 100/120 which avoids secondary breakdown phenomena. This technology handles high current output without unwieldy circuit complexity and external components. This makes it possible to deliver very high power in a reasonable package with the clean, smooth sound of a linear amplifier.

The system is being run at +/-40 VDC, yielding a rock solid 200WRMS at 1kHz into 8 ohms. Rather than use a switch mode power supply with the associated noise, it stays traditional with a linear power supply. The power supply uses a massive old school toroidal transformer for the classic performance of an AB amplifier. Many companies use SMPS and Class D for this type of system. Avantone’s designers made the decision to stay with classic technology in order to maintain the legacy sound that everybody associates with this design.