Magnat Monitor Active 2000 put to the test: a blast with Bluetooth

E.Contrary to popular belief, Bluetooth boxes are by no means always small and portable: wireless transmission has developed into a versatile and reliable connection that HiFi experts like Magnat have been using for some time. With the Monitor Active 2000, the company from Pulheim (North Rhine-Westphalia) is now throwing classic stereo boxes with Bluetooth technology into the ring at an affordable price. The Monitor Active 2000 costs only 250 euros. Other manufacturers offer significantly smaller PC speakers or even smaller portable boxes at this price. COMPUTER BILD has tested whether Magnat’s loudspeakers convert their size advantage into better sound.

The speaker pair from Magnat comes in a simple black wood finish. One of the two boxes contains all the technology with connections, amplifiers and Bluetooth receivers, the second is connected with a 3 meter long cable. There is an LED light on the main box for colored feedback on inputs with the remote control – for example in pairing mode with Bluetooth. The permanent glow on the front is not a problem, but not everyone likes it. If desired, the front can be covered with two fabric panels. With dimensions of 17.5x29x20.5 centimeters each, the boxes fit on a shelf, on a sideboard next to the record player or on a large desk. At a total of 8.2 kilograms, the stereo speakers weigh a lot, so you better ensure a secure hold if both boxes should find space on the shelf. Speaking of hold: rubber feet on the underside offer a secure footing. A power cord to the main unit is compulsory because Magnat has deliberately omitted a rechargeable battery.

The commissioning of the Bluetooth loudspeakers work very simply: There are various connection options available on the main box. This includes a digital input with an optical connection and analog inputs with a 3.5 mm jack and cinch. Vinyl fans even connect their own record player via the cinch input: the necessary phono amplifier is built into the box and can be switched on – so the beloved discs can be played on a record player without any additional technology. No less important is the wireless connection via Bluetooth, which worked without any problems in the test. After a short pairing process, the speakers are connected to smartphones and the like and can play music, podcasts or audio books from all conceivable sources. Notebooks and smartphones can be used with the stereo boxes without fiddling with cables. Magnat has dispensed with a USB connection for computers, and there is also no HDMI input – that would be too much to ask for a good thing in this price range. The music source can be selected using the mini remote control supplied. On the cheap piece of plastic, however, the keys are hard to tell apart. After all, all important functions can be controlled directly, and there are buttons for bass and treble. Volume and music source can be adjusted on the main box, but the controller is on the back.