Avantone CLA-10 Active Monitor

The Avantone CLA-10 Active is an authentic tribute to one of the most iconic studio monitors in the history of professional music production. Developed in close collaboration with acclaimed mixing engineer Chris Lord-Alge, the Avantone CLA-10 Active faithfully recreates the sound and character of the classic “white cone” speaker that has been a cornerstone of world-class recording studios for over 45 years. Known as the sound behind countless hit records, this monitor has earned a reputation not for casual listening, but as an essential reference tool for critical mix decisions.

Extensive research and analysis of the original models, combined with uncompromising attention to sonic detail, have made it possible to deliver a monitor that captures the spirit and performance of the legendary original. The Avantone CLA-10 Active brings this revered design to a new generation of audio professionals, offering the same unforgiving, mid-forward frequency response that has made the original a staple in studios worldwide.

Housed in the familiar sleek black cabinet and featuring the unmistakable white woofer, the Avantone CLA-10 Active stands out as a true workhorse for any serious mixing environment. Its highly focused midrange allows engineers to zero in on the most critical elements of their mix, particularly vocals, ensuring that the balance and tonal decisions made on the Avantone CLA-10 Active will translate reliably to any playback system.

In essence, the Avantone CLA-10 Active carries forward the legacy of its predecessor, delivering an uncompromising, accurate reference that challenges engineers to perfect their mixes. As the saying goes: if your mix sounds great on Avantone CLA-10s, it will sound great anywhere.

As the availability of aftermarket components for vintage white-cone speakers continued to decline, Avantone Pro recognised the need to fill the gap in the market. Drawing on over a decade of specialised experience in driver construction, they set out to faithfully recreate the key components that made these classic monitors so revered. The result is an impressive line of near-identical reproductions of both the original drivers and the iconic crossover network.

These components are designed to adhere strictly to the original specifications, while also meeting modern environmental standards. Avantone Pro was so successful in matching the performance and design of these vintage components that they decided to make them available as aftermarket replacement parts for ageing white-cone speakers, giving existing owners a reliable way to maintain and restore their monitors.

The AV10-MHF tweeter underwent an extensive engineering process to perfectly replicate the sonic character of the original. This involved identifying and implementing the precise phenolic resin doping required to match the original tweeter’s performance curve with accuracy. In parallel, the AV10-MLF woofer was developed using custom-tooled mechanical components that closely mirror the behaviour and design of its predecessor. Avantone Pro worked closely with one of the original vendors to ensure that the stiffness and weight of the woofer cone aligned flawlessly with the characteristics of the original design.

The only notable change from the original specification lies in Avantone Pro’s decision to use a pressed cone rather than the traditional lapped cone. This modification results in a significant improvement in production consistency, allowing for the creation of perfectly matched driver pairs—something that was difficult to achieve with the original design. Thanks to this advancement, matched pairs of drivers are now readily available, marking a new era for professionals and enthusiasts who rely on this classic monitoring system.

One of the most frequently asked questions about the Avantone CLA-10 Active monitors is, “Which version of the originals are they based on?” The answer is simple: all of them. The Avantone CLA-10 Active features Avantone Pro’s innovative “VTPC” knob, which stands for Variable Tissue Paper Control. This unique feature allows users to simulate the classic high-frequency dampening trick that engineers used on the original speakers—placing tissue paper over the tweeters.

With VTPC, you can dial in settings that mimic the tonal characteristics of various versions, from the vertical “m” model to the horizontal “Studio” model and everything in between. There’s no longer any need to argue over which type of tissue paper produces the best sound or whether it should be single-ply or double-ply—VTPC handles it all, and it’ll save you money on tissue paper over time.

In staying true to the legacy sound, Avantone Pro made the deliberate decision to use a traditional linear power supply in the Avantone CLA-10 Active. They implemented a massive, old-school toroidal transformer to ensure the monitors maintain the sonic qualities that made the originals legendary. Unlike many modern monitors that use Class D amplifiers, the CLA-10 Active employs a monolithic Class AB amplifier design.

This choice delivers outstanding performance, with Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) at just 0.005% at low power and only 0.1% at its rated load. The system provides a solid 200 watts RMS, offering reliable, high-fidelity power that meets the demands of modern professional studios while preserving the character and nuance that mixing engineers have trusted for decades.