Audio T Verdict
The Climate CL2 S is a proper Monitor Audio loudspeaker designed to cope with life outside, rather than a basic outdoor speaker that happens to make some noise. Its compact cabinet makes it easy to accommodate around patios, terraces and gardens, while the IP66 construction has been developed specifically for exposed installations.
There is some serious loudspeaker technology packed inside too. A 4-inch C-CAM RST II bass-mid driver is joined by a C-CAM black dome tweeter and Auxiliary Bass Radiator, giving the CL2 S considerably more sophistication than its relatively small dimensions might suggest.
The Quik-Link bracket is another smart touch. It makes installation cleaner, hides the cable connection and allows the speaker to be aimed towards the area you actually want to listen in. For discreet outdoor music without sacrificing proper Hi-Fi thinking, the CL2 S makes a lot of sense.
Monitor Audio Climate CL2 S
The Climate CL2 S is the compact model in Monitor Audio's third-generation Climate range of weather-resistant loudspeakers.
Designed to deliver Monitor Audio's familiar high-fidelity approach both outdoors and indoors, its two-way system combines a 4-inch C-CAM RST II bass-mid driver with a 25mm C-CAM black dome tweeter and an Auxiliary Bass Radiator.
- Compact weather-resistant loudspeakers
- IP66 rated
- Two-way design
- 4-inch C-CAM RST II bass-mid driver
- 25mm C-CAM black dome tweeter
- Auxiliary Bass Radiator
- 56Hz to 30kHz on-wall response
- Die-cast Quik-Link mounting system
- Glass-fibre reinforced ABS cabinet
- Suitable for outdoor or indoor installation
- Black and White finishes
- Supplied as a pair
High-Fidelity Sound, Outside
Outdoor loudspeakers face a different set of challenges from speakers used in a conventional listening room, but Monitor Audio has approached the CL2 S as a serious loudspeaker first and foremost.
It is voiced and engineered by the same acoustic team responsible for Monitor Audio's conventional Hi-Fi speakers, with driver, crossover and cabinet technologies chosen to provide clarity, dynamics and controlled bass while also meeting the demands of outdoor installation.
The result is a compact speaker designed for music around patios, terraces and gardens without treating outdoor listening as an afterthought.
IP66 Weather Resistance
The Climate CL2 S carries an IP66 rating and has been engineered specifically to cope with demanding outdoor environments.
Monitor Audio uses a completely sealed cabinet construction with a sealed front baffle, helping protect the drive units and internal components from the elements.
This allows the CL2 S to be installed permanently in suitable outdoor locations while retaining the clean appearance expected from a domestic loudspeaker system.
Outdoor Installation
Although the CL2 S is designed and IP66 rated for outdoor use, installation should still be planned carefully. Use the supplied mounting system correctly, ensure cable connections and seals are properly fitted and follow Monitor Audio's current installation guidance. Avoid locations where the speaker could become submerged or physically damaged.
One-Piece Reinforced ABS Cabinet
The Climate Series 3G enclosure is moulded as a single cabinet structure using dense ABS reinforced with glass fibre.
This provides the combination of rigidity and durability required for a loudspeaker expected to operate in changing outdoor conditions while also creating a stable enclosure for the drive units.
The front baffle is sealed and the cabinet avoids the conventional open reflex port used by many indoor loudspeakers.
4-Inch C-CAM RST II Bass-Mid Driver
The CL2 S uses a 100mm, or 4-inch, C-CAM RST II driver for bass and midrange reproduction.
RST II is Monitor Audio's second-generation Rigid Surface Technology, applied to a C-CAM diaphragm to improve rigidity and help the cone maintain controlled piston-like movement.
The technology allows a relatively compact driver to handle the demands of bass and midrange reproduction while remaining responsive enough to preserve detail and clarity.
C-CAM Black Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are handled by a 25mm C-CAM dome tweeter.
The diaphragm uses Monitor Audio's familiar C-CAM technology, but the dome is finished in black rather than the distinctive gold appearance associated with many of the company's indoor loudspeakers.
This darker finish helps the tweeter remain visually discreet behind the grille while retaining the high-frequency performance expected from Monitor Audio's C-CAM dome technology.
Auxiliary Bass Radiator
Rather than using a conventional open bass-reflex port, the CL2 S incorporates an Auxiliary Bass Radiator, or ABR.
The passive radiator responds to the internal air movement created by the active bass-mid driver, extending low-frequency performance without requiring an open port through the cabinet.
This arrangement is particularly useful for a weather-resistant loudspeaker because it allows Monitor Audio to extend the bass while maintaining a sealed cabinet structure.
56Hz Bass Extension
Monitor Audio specifies an on-wall -6dB frequency response of 56Hz to 30kHz.
That gives the compact CL2 S useful low-frequency extension for general outdoor music listening while the ABR helps produce greater weight than might be expected from the single 4-inch active driver.
A suitable subwoofer can still be considered in more ambitious installations where substantially deeper bass or greater overall scale is required.
84dB Sensitivity
The Climate CL2 S has an installed sensitivity of 84dB at 2.83V/1m.
Nominal impedance is 6 ohms, with Monitor Audio specifying a minimum impedance of 4.9 ohms across the 20Hz to 20kHz range.
Choosing suitable amplification remains important, particularly outdoors where there are fewer room boundaries to reinforce the sound than in a conventional indoor listening space.
70W Continuous Power Handling
The CL2 S has a continuous power-handling specification of 70 watts using the CTA 426-B measurement standard.
Monitor Audio specifies recommended amplifier power of up to 150 watts RMS with a music signal.
The maximum peak sound pressure level is specified at 108dB using the AES75 Z-weighted measurement method.
3.3kHz Crossover
The two-way crossover divides the signal between the C-CAM RST II bass-mid driver and C-CAM black dome tweeter at 3.3kHz.
As with Monitor Audio's conventional loudspeakers, the crossover forms part of the complete acoustic design rather than simply being an electrical dividing network between the drivers.
This helps the two drive units integrate into one coherent loudspeaker across the CL2 S's operating range.
Quik-Link Mounting System
Monitor Audio's die-cast Quik-Link bracket system has been designed to make installation quicker, cleaner and more flexible.
The bracket can be fixed to the mounting surface before the loudspeaker itself is attached, with the speaker cable connected within the bracket rather than being left visibly trailing behind the cabinet.
Protective seals help keep the connection area isolated from the elements once the speaker is installed.
Install the Bracket First
The Quik-Link system allows the installer to position and secure the wall bracket and terminate the speaker cable before attaching the loudspeaker. This can make installation considerably easier than trying to support the complete speaker while making the electrical connections.
Aim the Sound Where You Need It
The Quik-Link bracket allows the CL2 S to rotate on its mounting axis so that the loudspeaker can be directed towards the required listening area.
This is particularly useful outdoors, where seating and entertaining areas may be offset from the most convenient mounting positions.
Rather than simply firing sound straight away from the wall, the CL2 S can therefore be aimed more precisely towards a patio, seating area or other part of the garden.
Vertical or Horizontal Installation
The Climate Series mounting system provides flexibility when deciding how the CL2 S should sit within the installation.
The compact cabinet can be incorporated into a wide variety of positions, helping the speaker work around architectural features while still directing sound towards the intended listening area.
This also makes the CL2 S useful indoors where wall space or room layout makes conventional shelf or stand placement impractical.
Outdoor or Indoor Use
Despite the Climate name, the CL2 S is not restricted to gardens and patios.
Its compact dimensions, clean cabinet design and flexible mounting system also make it useful indoors in spaces where a wall-mounted loudspeaker is preferable.
Outdoor Applications
- Patios and terraces
- Garden seating areas
- Covered outdoor entertaining spaces
- Outdoor kitchens
- Residential and suitable commercial installations
Indoor Applications
- Kitchens and dining spaces
- Wall-mounted stereo systems
- Multi-room audio
- Rooms where stands are impractical
- Discreet custom installations
Compact Dimensions
With all standard mounting accessories fitted, each CL2 S measures:
- Height: 247mm
- Width: 140mm
- Depth: 217mm
- Weight: 2.7kg each
The compact cabinet makes the CL2 S easier to integrate discreetly than a conventional bookshelf loudspeaker while still accommodating Monitor Audio's dedicated two-way driver system and Auxiliary Bass Radiator.
Black or White
The Climate CL2 S is available in two finishes:
The choice allows the loudspeaker to blend more naturally with different exterior finishes, architectural details and interior colour schemes.
Supplied as a Pair
The Monitor Audio Climate CL2 S is packaged and supplied as a pair.
One pack therefore provides a conventional left and right speaker pair for stereo listening, while larger distributed systems can use additional pairs where wider coverage is required.
CL2 S or CL2 M?
Climate Series 3G is available in two sizes, allowing the speaker to be chosen according to available space and the scale of performance required.
CL2 S
- Compact Climate Series model
- 4-inch C-CAM RST II driver
- 56Hz bass extension
- 70W continuous power handling
- 247mm cabinet height
- Ideal where discretion matters
CL2 M
- Larger Climate Series model
- 6-inch C-CAM RST II driver
- Greater bass and output capability
- Suitable for larger listening areas
- Same IP66 weather-resistant concept
- Same Quik-Link mounting approach
The CL2 S is the natural choice where physical size and discretion are priorities, while the larger CL2 M is better suited to installations requiring greater scale and low-frequency output.
Key Features
- Monitor Audio Climate CL2 S
- Climate Series 3G
- Outdoor and indoor loudspeaker
- Packaged and sold as a pair
- Two-way design
- IP66 rated
- 4-inch C-CAM RST II bass-mid driver
- 25mm C-CAM black dome tweeter
- Auxiliary Bass Radiator
- 56Hz to 30kHz on-wall response
- 84dB installed sensitivity
- 6-ohm nominal impedance
- 4.9-ohm minimum impedance
- 70W continuous power handling
- 150W recommended amplifier power
- 108dB maximum peak SPL
- 3.3kHz crossover frequency
- Glass-fibre reinforced ABS cabinet
- Sealed front baffle
- Die-cast Quik-Link bracket
- Concealed speaker cable connection
- Adjustable speaker direction
- Black finish
- White finish
- 247 x 140 x 217mm dimensions
- 2.7kg each
- Five-year manufacturer warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Monitor Audio CL2 S speakers sold as a pair?
Yes. The Climate CL2 S is packaged and supplied as a pair.
Can the CL2 S be used outdoors?
Yes. The CL2 S is specifically designed as a weather-resistant loudspeaker and carries an IP66 rating.
Can I also use the CL2 S indoors?
Yes. Monitor Audio designs Climate Series 3G for both outdoor and indoor use, making the CL2 S suitable wherever a compact wall-mounted speaker is required.
What does IP66 mean for the CL2 S?
The CL2 S has been engineered to meet an IP66 weather-resistance rating. It should still be installed according to Monitor Audio's instructions and is not intended for submerged use.
What size bass-mid driver does the CL2 S use?
Each speaker uses one 4-inch C-CAM RST II bass-mid driver.
What tweeter does it use?
Each CL2 S uses a 25mm C-CAM black dome tweeter.
What is the Auxiliary Bass Radiator?
The ABR is a passive radiator that works with the active bass-mid driver to extend low-frequency output without requiring an open bass-reflex port through the weather-resistant cabinet.
How low does the CL2 S play?
Monitor Audio specifies an on-wall -6dB frequency response extending to 56Hz.
What is the sensitivity?
The installed sensitivity is 84dB at 2.83V/1m.
What is the nominal impedance?
The CL2 S has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
What is the minimum impedance?
Monitor Audio specifies a minimum impedance of 4.9 ohms between 20Hz and 20kHz.
What is the power handling?
The CL2 S has a continuous power-handling specification of 70 watts using the CTA 426-B standard.
What amplifier power does Monitor Audio recommend?
Monitor Audio specifies recommended amplifier power of 150 watts RMS with a music signal.
What is the maximum peak SPL?
Monitor Audio specifies 108dB using the AES75 Z-weighted measurement method.
What is the crossover frequency?
The crossover between the bass-mid driver and tweeter is set at 3.3kHz.
What is the Quik-Link bracket?
Quik-Link is Monitor Audio's die-cast mounting system. The bracket can be installed and wired first, after which the speaker attaches to it with the cable connections concealed within the mounting assembly.
Can the speakers be angled towards the listening area?
Yes. The Quik-Link mounting system allows the CL2 S to be rotated so that the sound can be directed towards the required listening area.
How large is each CL2 S?
With all standard accessories fitted, each speaker measures 247mm high, 140mm wide and 217mm deep.
How much does each speaker weigh?
Each CL2 S weighs 2.7kg.
Which finishes are available?
Black and White.
What warranty do the CL2 S speakers have?
Monitor Audio specifies a five-year manufacturer warranty for Climate Series 3G.
Related Monitor Audio Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy Monitor Audio From Audio T?
An outdoor speaker system needs to be planned around a very different acoustic environment from a conventional listening room. Audio T can help you choose the right speaker size, amplification, positioning and number of speakers to provide useful coverage without simply turning the volume up and hoping for the best.
- Monitor Audio system advice
- Outdoor speaker planning
- Amplifier matching
- Speaker positioning advice
- Multi-speaker system planning
- Indoor and outdoor multi-room audio
- Cable and installation advice
- Subwoofer integration where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss a Monitor Audio Climate CL2 S outdoor speaker system or the right solution for your listening area.