This soundbar has some of the best audio I've ever heard, but there's one thing I can't get over

Last year, the JBL Bar 1000 set a high standard for soundbars. Since then, nothing has come close to the rich, multi-dimensional sound produced by that system, and I cannot imagine any soundbar at the same price point will ever achieve that feat.

That being said, after setting up the Platin Monaco 5.1.2 speaker system and turning on the television, I thought I’d finally found one to rival the Bar 1000.

Also: One of the most immersive soundbars I’ve tested isn’t made by Klipsch or Bose (and it’s $200 off)

It didn’t quite best it, but it came very close. To be fair, even coming close to the JBL is saying a lot because no other soundbar that I’ve tested since has come close to the sound quality produced by the Bar 1000.

The Monaco is an impressive speaker system in its own right, though. Let’s get into it. 

My experience

First off, unboxing the Monaco 5.1.2 was a chore because there was just so much cardboard. After I finally got through it, my next realization came to me: I needed a whole new power strip because every speaker in the setup requires its own connection. That’s six speakers total:

• 1 center channel
• 1 left front
• 1 right front
• 1 back left
• 1 back right
• 1 subwoofer

After scrounging up yet another power strip (you can never have enough), I set about plugging everything in and connecting the center channel to the TV. Once that was complete, I set about connecting the speakers, which was surprisingly easy. Unfortunately, like so many things these days, the setup required an app.

Yup. Another app.

Speaker connectivity is handled through a small puck that you connect to a power source and then your TV (via either HDMI or optical). Once powered on, the puck discovers the speakers, and everything is good. From unboxing to startup, the time was about 15 to 20 minutes.

You can install the Wisa app on both Android and iOS. With it, you can adjust the levels for each speaker, change the audio mode (such as Movies, Music, etc.), bump the highs, midrange, voice, mid-bass, and subwoofer, and more. 

The app is absolutely necessary, which is another reason why the Monaco failed to knock the JBL Bar 1000 from its throne. Having to use my phone as the speaker system remote is just a bridge too far for me, mostly because by the time I’m watching television at the end of the day, my phone is on its charger, and I refuse to touch it (unless there’s an emergency).

Let me be clear about this: not supplying a dedicated remote for things like power, muting, volume, and mode is a bit of a knock against the system. I wouldn’t mind having to use a mobile app for fine-tuning the sound, but basic control? No way. 

Also: This stereo amp made me feel like I was hearing my favorite band for the first time

Sadly, that knock against the system is also a knock against the high-quality sound produced by the Monaco. And it does sound very, very good. There’s deep bass, well-defined mids, and crisp highs, all while ensuring that you do not miss a single word spoken. I’ve honestly never experienced a sound bar that is so good at focusing on the voice, such that every spoken word is clear.

Finally, I will say that the subwoofer is adequate in a small room, but if the room is more than, say, 20 by 20 feet, that sub will feel lacking. Of course, this all depends on the acoustics of the room, but there’s no way around the fact that the Platin Monaco sub lacks power (especially when compared to the JBL Bar 1000).

The audio quality is well-suited to shows and movies, but falls short with music. Trying to get any definition in the low end was next to impossible, and the highs felt hollow. 

Also: One of the best-sounding speakers I’ve listened to is not made by JBL or Klipsch

Part of the reason for the dynamic nature of the Monaco was the WiSA connection. Most soundbars use DSP, which emphasizes sound quality enhancement through real-time signal processing to target audiophiles who prioritize precise sound reproduction. 

On the other hand, WiSA focuses on wireless connectivity, multi-room audio, and flexibility, which makes it suitable for whole-home audio systems and doesn’t depend on high-end equipment to deliver quality sound. The combination of WiSA and the Platin Monaco speakers is a brilliant marriage of technology.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Platin Monaco is an ideal system for streamers who are looking for big, beautiful sound from speakers that take up very little space. This system is ideal for the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV, where audiophile-quality sound isn’t only unnecessary but overkill. If you don’t mind having to use your phone as the remote, the Platin Monaco 5.1.2 is hard to beat. 

However, if you’re looking for a sound system to use primarily for music, skip this system. I found the Monaco fell flat when listening to just about any genre of music.   

Platin Monaco tech specs

• Dimensions: Two front speaker units with up-firing Atmos drivers measuring 9.72 x 4.3 x 5.5 inches (HxWxD) each; the rear surround speakers measure 6.7 x 4.3 x 5.5 inches each; and the center channel speaker measures 4.3 x 10.2 x 5.5 inches.
• WiSA SoundSend
• Certified Tuned by THX
• Eight channels of uncompressed 24-bit 48 kHz sound
• Synchronization rate within 1/1,000,000 of a second
• Plug and play wireless speakers