A true best-seller for over two decades, the Eltax Monitor III speaker gets a makeover with the new Eltax Monitor III Neo. More modern, more elegant, and acoustically optimized, it retains the spirit of the original model while meeting today’s expectations. To accompany this highly anticipated return, the brand is also launching a wireless, amplified version: the Eltax Monitor III Neo Active BT, designed for users who want to enjoy a comprehensive hi-fi system with ease.
A speaker that left its mark on an entire generation
Launched in the early 2000s, the Eltax Monitor III speaker broke the mold by delivering performance on par with much more expensive reference models. Its reputation was built on a warm, dynamic, and particularly rich sound—uncommon for a speaker of this size. For nearly two decades, the Monitor III has established itself as the undisputed best-seller in its category, appealing to music lovers and movie buffs alike, with nearly 630 reviews on Son-Vidéo.com and an average rating of 4.7/5. More than 20 years after its launch, the new Eltax Monitor III Neo continues to keep the legend alive by bringing the most popular bookshelf speaker up to date.
Eltax Monitor III Neo: modernizing without compromising the original
For this new generation, Eltax has chosen to preserve the fundamentals that made the Monitor III a success while introducing several targeted improvements. The design remains true to the spirit of the original model, featuring a two-way configuration that combines a 13 cm midbass driver with a 25 mm soft-dome tweeter. The main driver’s cone is still made of treated cellulose pulp, a material known for its excellent balance of lightness, rigidity, and natural sound reproduction.
However, the crossover filter has been redesigned to optimize the integration between the two drivers. This improvement results in greater coherence in the midrange and more precise detail reproduction. Eltax’s goal is clear: to recapture the sonic character that made the Monitor III famous while taking advantage of the advances made in recent years in components and acoustic design.
A new visual identity
The Eltax Monitor III Neo speaker also features a more contemporary design. The silhouette remains understated and elegant, but the proportions have been subtly refined to give it a more modern look. The new feet play a major role in this aesthetic evolution. More refined than those on the previous generation, they make the speaker appear lighter while enhancing its character. They also help mechanically decouple the cabinet to limit the transmission of vibrations to the furniture. Available in light wood, dark wood, black, and white, the Eltax Monitor III Neo speaker blends just as easily into a modern interior as it does into a more traditional one.
Its integration is also made easier by its downward-firing bass-reflex system. This design promotes a more even distribution of low frequencies throughout the room and reduces placement constraints. The Eltax Monitor III Neo speaker can therefore be placed close to a wall or on a bookshelf without significantly affecting bass performance—a particularly valuable advantage in tight spaces.
Eltax Monitor III Neo Active BT: the legend in an all-in-one version
While the passive version will naturally appeal to fans of separate amplification, Eltax has also catered to users looking for greater simplicity. The new Monitor III Neo Active BT therefore retains all the acoustic qualities of the passive version but now incorporates its own amplification. Delivering 2 x 50 watts RMS of class D power, it provides a complete hi-fi solution capable of operating without an external amplifier.
To achieve this, the Eltax Monitor III Neo Active BT speaker features a full range of connectivity options, including an HDMI ARC input for easily receiving audio from a TV. It can therefore serve as an excellent alternative to a soundbar while offering significantly better sound quality than the TV’s drivers for movies, TV shows, or concerts.
Vinyl enthusiasts aren’t left out, as the speaker also features an MM phono input that can be switched to a line input for traditional analog sources. The digital section includes an optical input and a USB-C audio port to connect a computer. Finally, Bluetooth 5.3 makes it easy to stream music from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
With the return of the Monitor III, Eltax is reviving a cult classic, proving that it’s still possible to offer a compact, musical, and affordable speaker in an era when audio equipment is often becoming more complex and expensive. Now available for €199 on Son-Vidéo.com, the Monitor III Neo is designed for users looking for their first true hi-fi or home theater speaker. As for the Monitor III Neo Active BT, it offers a particularly well-suited solution for new digital uses by combining the performance of a hi-fi speaker with the simplicity of a modern connected system. It is also available on Son-Vidéo.com for €349 per pair.
