Showing posts with label speakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label speakers. Show all posts

7/22/2012

JBL LSR2325P Pair of Bi-amplified Studio Monitors Review

JBL LSR2325P Pair of Bi-amplified Studio Monitors
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(More customer reviews)
Me:
Musician, been recording on 4 track, 8 track, 16 track & 24 track recorders since 1996, i have pro mics (M-Audio Sputnik, AKG D5 & C3000, Rode NT3) and have owned many others, i use a TC-Electronic G-Force and a TC Helicon Harmony G-XT.
How i chose these speakers:
- I took a trained sound engineer friend (who has been recording since 1996 too and who attended a Sound Engineer course at SAE) with me because he is the only person whose ears i trust and because i wanted to be sure i wasn't going to choose the wrong set of speakers.
- I went to all the major studio gear stores in Paris, France, in the Pigalle area where all the music stores are. We listened to many many different speakers, sometimes without prejudice and other times with great hopes because we've been reading about brands like Genelec & Dynaudio & all the newer brands out there just like anyone who trusts the specialized press.
- We checked speakers ranging from 200 to 2000 a pair, more or less: we just tested everything they had that looked interesting, including the latest M-Audio, Yamaha, Alesis, Genele, Dynaudio, Adam, etc., etc., etc., etc.
- We tested the speakers on tracks we both knew very well & some very clean recordings as well as some others.
- We selected tracks for reverb to see if the speakers could render the reverb properly, which is something many speakers simply fail to do.
Results of the search:
- Against all expectancies, all the major contenders turned out to be crap. And i mean absolute garbage. Given that we both had exactly the same criticism about each speakers we listened to, i'm pretty sure we weren't being delusional. Now it is possible that the set-up in the stores were not optimal, and maybe the passive speakers were linked up to a bad amp, but most speakers were active & linked to the source via a professional monitoring system with lots of switches designed specifically for this purpose.
- Genelec flaws: no mids AT ALL, same power as a bad car stereo, no bass.
- Dynaudio BM15 ACTIVE: absolute crap amplification, rubbish.
- ADAM A5: aggressive mids, crap treble, no bass. Absolute GARBAGE.
- Yamaha (new NS-10 style speakers) & M-Audio: average sound, not enjoyable at all.
- Most speakers had a very aggressive sound in the mids or treble, and lacked bass. Even in the very expensive range of speakers, none managed to impress us and virtually all were flawed in some aspect that alone would render them totally useless & unbearable.
- The last store we visited was definitely much more pro (Sound Factory) and had real speakers. They played us some PMC passive speakers linked to a 300 stereo amplifier. We were AMAZED. They were fantastic. Well, these were not the most expensive (around 1000 a pair i think), and by far the best. They aren't used at Abbey Road for nothing then...
We then told the salesman we had already heard his Dynaudio BM15's and said we hated them & didn't want to waste his time with those -- "skip em!", we said -- but he had the passive version. And they were very good. The difference was AMAZING. In other words, manufacturers of speakers know how to make speakers, not amplifiers. So get the passive version of whatever you want, and add your own amplifier, the result will be incredibly better, i assure you.
So far the PMC were the best and the Dynaudio were not bad but not cheap. Just out of curiosity i asked to check out the tiny JBL 2325P's that were a ridiculously cheap 400 and were active...i said to him "i guess the JBL are crap but let's give em a try anyway, just to see"...he replied "no, they're not bad actually".
With my friend we both looked at each other with big eyes, we were very pleasantly surprised...they weren't quite as good as the PMC but they easily beat all the others we'd listened to that day.
I ordered this in the US because i now live in Mexico. I got them here on Amazon for 400$ (470$ or so with shipping), with 2 Samson speaker stands and 2 Wirlwind XLR cables. I just set them up today, on their stands.
I don't have a proper good quality source at the moment, my SACD player is in France, so i tried first via the minijack output of my Toshiba P300 laptop and the sound was harsh & had some very apparent artefacts due to the extremely bad quality of this output (Toshiba should be ashamed, really). I then switched to my Archos 5 mp3/video player and the sound is incomparably better. Not perfect, of course, we're not talking about a proper HQ source here, and remember the connection is a cheap minijack=>RCA cable, nothing like XLR=>XLR.
On bad recordings, or old ones, the sound is not so good, and indeed that's exactly how it should be: these speakers tell you when the source is bad. But switch to Kate Bush's Aerial album (her latest, from 2005 i believe), encoded in high quality by myself, and the bass response is amazing, everything is perfect.
Summary:
- Incredible bass response for 5 inch woofer, simply amazing. And it doesn't sound artificially boosted as on some speakers that just try too hard.
- Very well balanced & detailed mids & treble. Although i do prefer the treble & mids on my previous speakers (B&W DM602 S2 -- Bower & Wilkins make excellent passive speakers, with kevlar woofers & perfect tweeters, but you need to be very careful positioning them to get good bass response). But these JBL 5" woofers provide more oompph in the bass than by much bigger B&W's used to. Quite amazing, really. And it's not muddy bass, it's clean, well controlled, has fast attack and nice round oompph. I can hardly imagine how good the 2328p's must be! They were much more expensive, though, & too big & heavy for my needs.
- Very small in width but deep & quite heavy (7.7kg).
Manufacturer's specs seem accurate upon listening (for once) and outperform by far much bigger & much more expensive speakers:
43Hz-20Khz
55 W LF - 35 W HF (don't let this fool you, these speakers are loud enough to make you deaf for indoor use).
You have a treble +/- switch on the back & the same for bass. These work rather well but don't feel too solid & i wouldn't play around with them too much.
The volume knobs are not smooth but have small 'steps' to them so you can set both speakers to exactly the same setting easily. They have a good feel to them.
You have line balanced ins on XLR & TRS jacks, plus unbalanced line in on RCA/cinch.
The on-off switch on the back is silent & a blue light on the front tells you when the speakers are on.
Overall opinion:
The best active monitors by far in 2009-2010 for this money or size? I'd bet they are, yes.

Click Here to see more reviews about: JBL LSR2325P Pair of Bi-amplified Studio Monitors

The JBL LSR2325P Powered Studio Monitor is a bi-amplified 2-way model with a detented level control that allows fine adjustment of individual speaker levels to balance the speaker in your system. Low Frequency and High Frequency Trim controls let you tailor the speaker's response to preference or room acoustics. A neoprene rubber pad on the bottom of the speaker provides acoustic isolation and increases stability when the speaker is placed on a speaker stand or a console top. Mounting points are included and the enclosure has been reinforced for safe mounting using industry-standard mounting hardware. Featured to integrate into professional systems, the LSR2325P includes balanced XLR, balanced 1/4 inch and unbalanced RCA inputs that allow connection to a wide range of playback sources including computer audio workstations, professional mixing consoles, as well as consumer playback systems.

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7/17/2012

Bose T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine Review

Bose T1 ToneMatch Audio Engine
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Make no mistake, this is a state of the art mixer which outputs amazing sound. However, after owning and using this for 10 months as a professional musician, it froze in a blank-blue-screen, and stayed that way. The screen and dials were lit up as if the unit was working, but it was frozen and the screen was totally blank. No amount of 're-booting' helped. I was at a gig at the time, and it was a very bad situation. (understatement) Bose, to their credit, is replacing it with a new one, but I don't think I will trust it to be my sole mixer anymore. Shame.

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The Bose ToneMatch audio engine is designed to enrich the sound of musicians using any L1 system. Its powerful features and tone-shaping tools quickly bring you closer to the true sound of your voice and instruments. This versatile audio engine helps you sound your best in live performances. It expands the input capacity of your L1 system and gives you instant access to a host of proprietary EQ presets, standard effects and processors.The ToneMatch audio engine puts Bose's largest library of customized presets at your command. These presets instantly adjust your system to match the intended natural sound of popular instruments and microphones. So you reproduce factory-specified tonal balance—precisely and at the touch of a button.Different presets can be independently assigned to the engine's four channels. For example, select Audix OM5 mic presets for channels 1 and 2, Taylor guitar for channel 3 and Lakland bass for channel 4—all at the same time. Bose engineers continually work with manufacturers to expand the ToneMatch preset library. Updates are available to you free, with easy downloading via the engine's USB port.Intelligent equalization: zEQ Fine tune your sound with greater accuracy. Bose intelligent zEQ redefines low, mid and high ranges for each ToneMatch™ preset. When you need to cut or boost specific frequency ranges for different instruments and mics, zEQ gives you the power.Suite of effects and dynamics processing Globally assign one of five different reverbs to each mic/line channel. You can also choose from 3 delay types, ten additional effects, and seven dynamics processors—and assign them independently to each channel.Custom scenes Store your customized settings for specific gigs with the "scenes" feature. The T1's engine comes with five predefined Bose scenes and ten you can define. Fast, one-touch scene recall helps you make quick work of repeat setups.Easy connections Simply link the engine to an L1 Model II system via t

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7/05/2012

Bose L1 Compact Portable Line Array System Review

Bose L1 Compact Portable Line Array System
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I am a professional mobile DJ in the Pittsburgh area, and I rely primarily on the Bose® L1 Model II sound system (with two B1® bass units) for my performances. When I need extra boost, I expand my sound by adding a Bose® L1 Classic sound system (the original L1 system) and two more B1® bass units to my Model II system.
However, there are times when I don't need the "muscle" of the full system, such as small venues for birthday parties, outdoor wedding ceremonies, etc. For that, the Bose® L1 Compact sound system is perfect! It will provide excellent sound for 100-150 people. It is an amazingly fast setup and tear-down, and it is light enough to be truly portable. Completely set up, it weighs just 29.2 pounds, so it is great for those tough small venues that have limited space, limited access, stairs, etc.
The sub-bass sound is built into the bottom unit, and there are 1/4" jack inputs for your sound source. The unit is designed to work with the T1 ToneMatch® sound engine (mixer with many presets that can contour the sound nicely). If you are using the ToneMatch, however, be advised that you will have to purchase a power adapter for the ToneMatch. (The ToneMatch is powered from the pedestal base amplifier of the Model II®, but the L1 Compact® will not power the ToneMatch.)
The midrange sound comes from a small, narrow enclosure containing six small speakers/drivers placed at precise angles to deliver sound at a 178-degree "throw" left and right. The sound WILL cover a large area evenly, which is great for those times when the sound has to be softer (dinner music, pre-ceremony music for weddings, etc.). Everyone in the coverage area hears the music at the same volume, which avoids the problem of traditional speaker systems (really loud near the speakers but diminishing volume as you get further away). I was very skeptical of this feature when I first heard about the even sound coverage, but a year and a half of using the Bose® L1 systems has made me a believer. It's sweet!
Another nice feature is that there is a 1/8" stereo input jack for iPods (also works well when sending sound directly from your headphone output of a laptop). This lends a great deal of versatility to the system.
Example 1: I did a wedding reception recently where the father of the bride had a DVD he wanted played after dinner and projected onto a large screen. The location of the LCD projector was quite a distance from my main table, and the hall had not provided for the sound of the DVD show. I brought in the Bose® L1 Compact system and set it up next to the projection table, connecting the sound directly from the laptop that was running the DVD to the Compact system using a 1/8" to 1/8" stereo jack from the laptop to the iPod input on the Compact. The sound was perfect! Far better than any portable speaker system I have heard in the past from photographers/videographers who bring portable sound with them for their PowerPoint shows. It was a simple one-cable connection without anything else.
Example 2: I did wedding ceremonies both outside and inside for crowds of about 150 people or so using the Compact system. I ran all the music from my MacBook Pro through the ToneMatch®. I also connected two Shure wireless mics through the ToneMatch as well (one on the officiant, and one on the groom, which picked up the bride as well.) Additionally, I connected my Sennheiser wireless handheld (for any "emergency" announcements that might have been necessary) through the ToneMatch. This was a more complex setup that involved power for three microphones, one laptop, and the Compact System®.
For both applications, the Compact® delivered great sound and covered the area perfectly. I could not have asked for better sound.
There are two "sides" for input. One side is for line inputs (from mixer, musical instrument, iPod, laptop, ToneMatch®, etc.), and the other side is for a microphone input. Each side has its own volume control, which is crucial if you're a single performer. You can set your voice and instrument levels perfectly. As a DJ, though, I do not use the microphone side, so I cannot comment on how well the two sides work for single performers.
There are two official setups for the L1 Compact®. One setup is to leave the speaker in the base unit (the way it arrives). You would have to put this on a table for good sound coverage. If you used it from floor level, the sound would be muddy. This setup would be perfect if you are supplying the sound system for a keynote speaker at a conference, as an example. The unit could sit on the table next to the podium where the speaker is standing, and the sound the audience would hear would be fabulous--VERY crisp and clean.
The second official setup is to use the two extender sticks to elevate the speaker unit about six feet off the ground, which is the way you would want to set up the unit for full-room coverage for music, especially if there will be dancers!
I saw the unit being used with only one of the extender sticks, which put the speaker unit at "head level" for a seated audience. I don't know why you would use that setup, but it works fine that way (the extender sticks are identical, so there doesn't seem to be any reason you CAN'T use this setup.) Be advised, though, that Bose® does not recommend this setup.
So let's get to the bottom line:
PROs: Compact, portable, sleek. Easy setup with a tiny footprint. Great sound for what it is, delivering full bass, midrange, and highs for up to 150 people. Excellent choice for small venues, whether you are a DJ or a single performer. Great system for speakers at business meetings, conferences, church groups, etc. The sound is crisp, clean, and clear. The bass is far better than anything of comparable size, and the quality of the unit is excellent. This system is what I use for my backup system (to the L1 Model II®). It doesn't take up much space in the car, and if something WERE to happen to my L1 Model II® system during a performance, then I have a better backup system than 99% of the DJs out there.
CONs: While the bass response is very good for the size of the system, it cannot really compare to using two Bose® B1 units with a Model II system. THAT system can provide a chest-thumping bass resonance, but this system would be hard-pressed to do that. Don't get me wrong here: the bass response is very good, but it isn't what you would want for a larger venue where the bass has to carry out all over the area. And, as one should know right up front, it is NOT a unit for larger venues. It is fine for small areas, but if you have a louder, noisier, larger area, the Compact system would not be up for the task.
BOTTOM LINE: If you want terrific sound from a light, portable unit for a small venue, this system can't be beat! If you want a high quality backup system for your main sound system, it would be tough to get a better system with a better sound. If you play larger venues with noisy crowds or if you need a driving bass sound to resonate throughout the venue, then consider another alternative. (And remember, if you use a ToneMatch® sound engine with this, you have to buy the power adapter.)
RATING: Four stars because of its intrinsic limitations. It cannot be a system for a larger venue for 150-200 or more people, but it can be your answer for smaller venues and smaller crowds.
For what it is, though, it is Super!
NOTES:
* Response to reviews: Another reviewer here has stated that there are plug-ins for only voice and guitar, but that is inaccurate (see above for input variety). And as for effects such as reverb, delay, and other effects, those can be created nicely with the Bose® T1 ToneMatch audio engine, as stated above.
* The bass response difference I mentioned above between the Model II and the Compact units is approximately one half octave at the low end, according to Bose. Many people cannot hear the difference, but trained ears can. The limited power and bass response are the reasons I could not give five stars. Still, all in all, a great product!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bose L1 Compact Portable Line Array System

Introducing the L1 Compact portable line array system. Carry it in one trip. Set it up in one minute. Fill the room with Bose sound.The L1 Compact system combines conventional PA and monitors into one sleek unit. Positioned behind or to the side of a performer, DJ or presenter, it delivers wide, even sound coverage throughout the stage area and audience-even off to the extreme sides. It's our smallest, lightest, easiest-to-set-up L1 system, weighing just 29 pounds.Big sound. Small package.Now you can have quality Bose sound for almost any gig, event or occasion. The L1 Compact system is small enough to fit in your trunk or back seat, and its innovative modular design makes setup easy and fast. You can arrange it in either a collapsed configuration for smaller spaces or a taller, extended configuration for larger ones. No extra gear to haul. No heavy speakers to hoist onto stands. No speaker cables.A different loudspeakerThe L1 Compact system's slim loudspeaker distributes sound clearly and evenly throughout the room, thanks to Bose Spatial Dispersion technology. The speaker's unusual vertical shape makes it distinctly different from conventional PA speakers_and has a very positive effect on sound coverage. Even audience and band members off to the extreme sides hear the same clear, tonally balanced sound as those in front.The L1 Compact loudspeaker array is smaller than those in L1 Model I and II systems, but it produces comparable horizontal sound coverage. L1 Model I and Model II loudspeakers project sound further with less dropoff of volume than the L1 Compact array.Integrated systemWith the L1 Compact system, you don't have to carry a separate amplifier, mixer or bass cabinet: They're already built in. The system's power stand includes an integrated bass speaker and amplifier, plus a built-in mixer providing a total of four inputs and two outputs.

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7/01/2012

Yamaha HW10W 10" Powered Studio Monitor Review

Yamaha HW10W 10 Powered Studio Monitor
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speaker did a great job until today where it seems to be blown. is there any type on manuf. warranty on this?

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The HS10W powered subwoofer complements the HS speakers and easily handles today's bass-enhanced music or the most dramatic surround effects. The HS10W woofer uses a bass reflex design cabinet that maintains high efficiency and low distortion. The HS Series has been designed to provide exceptional clarity and flat response, so if your mix sounds good here, it will sound good everywhere in 2:1 (Stereo) or 5:1. The HS10W powered subwoofer contains a long-stroke, 8-in. 120-watt woofer and bass reflex design cabinet that maintains high efficiency and low distortion. Connections include dual XLR and 1/4-in. inputs, and three balanced XLR outputs (Mix, L&R). Controls include master level, phase and low/high cutoff frequency. The HS10W complements the HS speakers, and easily handles today's bass-enhanced music or the most dramatic surround effects.

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JBL JRX112M 12-Inch Classic Two Way Portable Loudspeaker in a Black Carpet Covered Cabinet Review

JBL  JRX112M 12-Inch Classic Two Way Portable Loudspeaker in a Black Carpet Covered Cabinet
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This is a great stage monitor. It has decent output and really makes the vocals crystal clear. No more fighting to be heard over the guitars.
The shipping from this company was fantastic. I think I received the package within 5 days of ordering it. It was inside a large box, secured with plastic rip tags and bundled up inside plastic protective wraps inside the box. It's heavy. Be aware.
The only issue I have with this stage monitor is it needs to be hooked up with a wire. I wish it was wireless so that I wouldn't have to worry about overloading our circuits.
It does not come with a cover.
Overall, great buy. If I wanted a wireless, I should have done more extensive research on the product. It's my fault, so I can't really complain too much.

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JBLJRX112M 12 Inch Classic Two Way Portable Loudspeaker in a Black Carpet Covered Cabinetfor Pole Mount, DJ, FOH and Floor Monitor Applications.

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6/19/2012

Electro-Voice EVID 4.2 Surface Mount Passive PA Cabinet (Pair) Review

Electro-Voice EVID 4.2 Surface Mount Passive PA Cabinet (Pair)
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We used these speakers for our surround sound and they are great! Easy to mount and connect, swivel nicely to point wherever you want them to go.

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Perfect for a variety of environments where full-range audio is needed but space is limited: restaurants, bars, bistros, department stores, and outdoor venues. Offering the bass response of a much larger speaker, dual 4-inch woofers make the 4.2 a phenomenal performer. The 1-inch waveguide coupled titanium tweeter delivers controlled clean mids and highs. Combine it with the optional 12.1 Subwoofer for an amazing listening experience. Full system protection and EV?s unique Strong-Arm-Mount ? (SAM ? ) make the EVID 4.2 a solid choice in any environment.Specs: Frequency Response: 65 Hz - 20 kHz. Power Handling: 150 watts. Sensitivity: 90 dB. Impedance: 8 ohms. Max SPL: 111 dB. LF Transducer: 2 x 4". HF Transducer: 1". Terminals: Spring. Dimensions: 12.2"x6.9"x8.5". Weight: 8.5 lbs. (each).

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6/15/2012

Yamaha HS80M Studio Reference Monitor Review

Yamaha HS80M Studio Reference Monitor
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The HS80M monitor gives you built in power, room adjustment gain controls and good sound. While monitors are probably the most subjective thing you buy for your home or project studio. You usually don't have the option of actually bringing home 2 or 3 pairs of monitors and picking the one that performs best in your space so reputation plays a large role in the decision. These are excellent entry level monitors that will not disappoint you if you really understand what monitors are supposed to do.
I have mine mounted on a set of Auralex MoPad absorbers on top of 36" monitor stands and the absorbers make a big difference. Remember that the room you are listening in plays as big, if not bigger role in what you hear than the monitors you are using. Look into getting some basic acoustic treatments to tame the pumped up bass and harsh treble reflections you can get in most house sized rooms. Put yourself in an equilateral triangle with your head at one apex and the speakers at the other two, with tweeters at ear level facing in at you for the proper stereo image. When you get it right the sound seems to hang in midair about 4-5 feet in front of you and you can't seem to hear anything coming from either speaker unless the music is panned hard left or right.
These monitors have MORE than enough power to set your ears ringing if your not careful so don't treat them like your computer's multimedia speakers and dial up the volume. Start low and remember 83db is the "standard" intensity for monitoring.
So if your in the market for excellent quality, entry level monitors then these would be a fine choice. Also look in into KRK Rockits, Wharfedale Diamond 8.2 and Adam A5 monitors for others of quality you may like.

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If Your Mixes Sound Good on These, They Sound Good on Anything. The new HS Series powered monitors were designed to be true studio reference monitors in the tradition of the famous NS10Ms. When choosing your next pair of near field reference monitors, remember it's not just important that they sound good; they have to be an honest reference for your mix. The new HS Series of reference monitors were designed to give you exceptionally flat response so you can really trust what you hear. That means that mixes that sound good on Yamaha HS speakers will sound good on anything. In fact, that's the ultimate test of a reference monitor. Even better than that, HS series speakers not only sound good, they look great, too.The HS Series is a two-way, internally powered speaker system designed to provide affordable, high quality reference monitoring for all types of recording and multimedia applications – home studios, computer-based music production, gaming systems, keyboards rigs and personal computer systems. All products are sold and packaged individually, making it easy to build flexible monitor setups and 5.1 systems.HS Series cabinets look as great as they sound. Enclosures are constructed of high-quality MDF material and a multiple layer finish that minimizes resonance. Design elements include a black finish and lighted Yamaha tuning fork logo. White polypropylene woofer cones recall the look of the classic Yamaha NS10M, and include low-damping rubber surrounds and full magnetic shielding.

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6/07/2012

Behringer B2030A Active 2-Way Reference Studio Monitor Review

Behringer  B2030A Active 2-Way Reference Studio Monitor
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I purchased these with the assumption that I was not going to get the quality sound I wanted as opposed to KRK monitors (WAAAY overpriced) for my small studio. Boy was I wrong! The sound quality is better than expected to say the least. They're HEAVY, thus you won't be too worried about knocking them over (like the smaller KRK's or M-Audio Studiophiles I've seen). Took these over to a friends house for mixdown of video's he's been working on, and adjusted the settings for his video editing hardware and room dynamics. He then changed his mind after about some 5 hours of video editing. Not the best, but I'll be putting my money into what I can use rather than a name (KRK, JBL, Tannoy, Genlec are just TOO much. . .even for just one monitor). And it'se never about what you got, it's what you do with it.
There are going to be reviews bashing them, but when I have audio engineers telling me "good choice, cuz the KRK's are sometimes WAAY too bassy", I feel I've done my job and research into finding what I can afford.
Just a quick note. . .do give these "burn in" time. meaning give them some time to run before going all out on those mixes. Similar to tube preamps for guitar heads/cabs. . .burn em in slowly so you can get the full effect later. I haven't had these long enough, but I can say they are the best part of my studio.

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The TRUTH B2030A has all of the great features of an active TRUTH monitor packed in a compact cabinet.It's a high-resolution, active 2-way reference studio monitor that is perfect for nearfield monitoring applications: from small mixing environments to multi-channel surround setups.

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5/29/2012

M-Audio Studiophile BX8a Deluxe 130-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors Review

M-Audio Studiophile BX8a Deluxe 130-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors
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I picked up a pair of BX8a Deluxe speakers on Amazon for a great price. I did some reading online and read about speakers randomly dying after purchase, but the price was just too good and I decided to roll the dice.
Well, 2 months in, my right speaker went bad and never would work properly again. When I would turn it on, the woofer would pop, go full throw, and emit a 60Hz hum. Very bad stuff. I looked at my return / repair options and found I had to return them to M-Audio to get it repaired.
I looked at the M-Audio forums and read quite a bit more about M-Audio speakers failing, and decided I'd take my chances and crack open the speaker to see if I could figure out what was wrong instead of suffering through a potentially long and painful RMA cycle.
3 hours later I had discovered the problem: a short circuit on the main amplifier board, underneath the tweeter's power amplifier chip. The amp is a TDA2052 made by STMicroelectronics. You can look at the datasheet here: http://www.st.com/stonline/products/literature/ds/1585.pdf
The short was between pins 4 and 6 of this chip, so it was connecting the negative power supply voltage to the audio input pin on both the tweeter and woofer amplifier - very bad! This explains why I could hear 60Hz power line noise on the speaker every time I turned it on.
I was about to start probing each pin on the TDA2052 to see if I could figure out what wire on the circuit board had a problem when I discovered the short between pins 4 and 6. I carefully removed the solder flux and other debris between the two solder pads and plugged the circuit board in, and the problem was gone. You can see a picture of my circuit board and the location of the short here: http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/3357/img0054un5.jpg
As to why the short-circuit suddenly occurred 2 months after purchase - I can only speculate. One possibility is the dreaded "tin whiskers" problem that has been plaguing electronics manufacturers for years. You can read about it here: http://nepp.nasa.gov/WHISKER/
Since lot's of people are reporting random failures of these speakers, this is a possibility. There are a couple ways to remedy this, but they all involve tweaking the manufacturing process of the circuit board, and this might not be an option because it would impact the cost and profit margin on these speakers. The other possibility is that the assembly quality control is not good enough on these circuit boards and they are not adequately stress tested / verified before being put into the finished product. Again there is a cost issue and I'm just speculating.
Overall I must say the speakers are an excellent value for the price. The speaker box construction is solid, the speakers are decent, and the electrical design is good enough - simple and effective. I am impressed with this product, and it is unfortunate such a great product is subject to such a high failure rate from what looks like a manufacturing/quality issue and not a design problem. I just hope M-Audio can remedy the issues long term as I'd like to see them continue to develop quality products.


Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio Studiophile BX8a Deluxe 130-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors

Recording professionals around the world trust M-Audio Studiophile reference monitors for exceptional sonic accuracy. The new Studiophile BX8a Deluxe system builds on this legacy with new waveguides and enhanced driver integration for greater high-frequency clarity and refined sound. The magnetically shielded monitors feature 8-inch curved Kevlar low-frequency drivers plus high-temperature voice coils and damped rubber surrounds for durability and fidelity. The 1-1/4-inch natural silk, waveguide-loaded tweeters deliver a high end that's both clear and easy on the ears. Custom-tuned crossovers distribute 130 watts of bi-amplified power for optimal frequency handling by each driver.

Deluxe Edition The Studiophile BX8a Deluxe monitors update the best-selling M-Audio BX8a system with a variety of enhancements. The new waveguide delivers a cleaner sound. Custom amplifier tuning enhances the integration between the high and low frequencies, delivering refined spectral balance and a smoother response. An elegant new industrial design completes the package.
Kevlar Low-Frequency Drivers To insure a lifetime of service, we constructed the BX8a monitor's 8-inch low-frequency driver from woven Kevlar. Kevlar's high mechanical and thermal resilience makes it ideal for use in speaker cones. Our engineers also created a curved conical design that improves room dispersion. High-damping reliable rubber surrounds provide percussive musical bass, and insure that the cone reaches its optimal excursion for accurate reproduction. And our high-temperature voice coils reduce power compression, guaranteeing that your monitors will deliver full performance hour after hour.
Silk-Dome, Waveguide-Loaded, High-Frequency Drivers Our high-frequency domes are made from natural silk to counter the high Q ringing that is inherent in the poorly crafted metallic materials often found in other monitors. In addition, our new waveguides refine the high-frequency response. M-Audio's FerroFlow technology uses ferrofluid liquid cooling to dissipate heat for maximum efficiency and extended usage.
Bi-Amplified Efficiency Active monitors have a distinct advantage over unpowered monitors because the built-in power amps are specially designed to work with the drivers and crossovers in a tuned system. Bi-amplification further refines the concept by dedicating separate power amps to the highs and lows. Combined with a finely tuned crossover, this design insures that both the high- and low-frequency drivers are asked to deliver only the frequencies they are most efficient at reproducing.
Rear-Ported Cabinet Design The Studiophile BX8a Deluxe monitor's cabinet is integrally designed with its other components for optimal performance—right down to rounded corners for reduced edge diffraction and superior imaging. Custom rear-port design audibly reduces the turbulence and resulting distortion caused by poorly designed ports.
Magnetic Shielding Unchecked, the electromagnetic waves emanating from your speakers can wreak havoc with your computer's video monitor or a nearby TV. The BX8a Deluxe is magnetically shielded so that all of your electronic equipment can coexist without interference.
What's in the Box Two BX8a Deluxe Speakers, Two Detachable AC Power Cords, User's Manual

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5/26/2012

KRK K10S Powered Subwoofer - 10 Inch, 225 Watts Review

KRK K10S Powered Subwoofer - 10 Inch, 225 Watts
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I purchased this subwoofer as part of a 'system' (which includes 2 KRK RP8 speakers) for my Korg M3 Keyboard Workstation. I was using my old computer speakers until I got this setup. This subwoofer is impressive, however, I must say my days of having 'golden ears' is long gone. Too many years of exposure to loud sounds (concerts, guitars, motorcycles) and age (51) means I don't have the kind of ears that are particularly discriminating. However, the new keyboard needed a sound system that covered lots of frequencies, the bottom end in particular. I looked into a lot of 'studio monitor' systems, and decided that KRK offered the best options in terms of price/performance. I also must admit that I didn't audition any speakers by listening. It was purely a documentation type review. That said, I'm thrilled with what I've got. The subwoofer has a volume control (which needs to be barely cracked off zero to create a balanced sound with the RP8s), and a variable crossover frequency, to allow a good mix with the other monitors (again, this is something someone with good hearing could take advantage of, which I don't; I left the crossover at 130Hz, the top end). KRK offers a tool which is said to create optimized settings for any room, but I didn't see a need for that. You WILL need cables, though, 4 total, two from the mixer/keyboard, and two more from the subwoofer to the other monitors. The nice thing about KRK is that they provide a number of different options for those connections, at least the input to the subwoofer (only XLR or RCA on the output side of the subwoofer). The input to the subwoofer can be XLR, 1/4" (like a regular guitar/amp cord) or even standard RCA (stereo type) cables, those these latter are unbalanced (which essentially means that a long run may end up being noisy, since there is no shielding in this kind of cable). I used old guitar cables at first, while I waited for my the XLR cables which I ordered from Amazon to get here. I'd be lying if I told you that I could tell any difference between the types of cables, sonically. They are equally secure in terms of solidity of connection. Still, if you want the best possible performance, get XLRs.
I'm very happy with this unit. I've read that it puts out 150 watts, and other places say 225, and I'm too lazy to look up the details in the product documentation. Suffice to say, the power is ridiculous, and would, I believe, easily fill a small concert venue. In my office, a 10'x12' room with cathedral ceiling and hard floor, it's way overkill. In fact, with the 8" drivers of the main monitors (the RP8s), I may have been able to get away without the subwoofer. However, because of the synthesizer portion of the keyboard, I definitely wanted to take advantage of the low end it can produce. The K10S definitely fills that part of the sonic spectrum for me. KRK used to make a 12" subwoofer, with even more wattage, which is what I wanted originally, but the K10S is more than I need as it is,
You have the option to remove the grill, to expose the really cool yellow rimmed speaker cone, but probably not a good idea; the grill provides protection (but the RP8 monitors come without grills; they are an extra cost option). One other thing, if, like me, you like to keep things 'clean', the subwoofer doens not come with a cover. I had one made, to keep the dust off.
Overall, highly recommended.

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The KRK K10S powered subwoofer is designed to extend the low frequency portion so your mix can be properly engineered. The K10S cabinet has radically curved surfaces for a great look and amazing performance. The front-firing bass port and KRK's trademark yellow glass-aramid composite woofer ensure accurate and powerful low-end punch. A sturdy grill which is removable protects the woofer and adds to the sleek appearance of the unit. A high power amplifier and active crossovers provide smooth and accurate reproduction. To accommodate any studio environment, the K10s has RCA, 1/4 inch (balanced/unbalanced) or XLR inputs for all your input options.
KRK K10S Powered Subwoofer Features:
225 Watt (peak) powered subwoofer for studio use
SPL rating of 110db music and 113db peak
Frequency response of 34 Hz- 50Hz to 130Hz variable
10 inch high excursion glass aramid composite woofer
Variable and sweepable low pass filter
80Hz high pass filter
Radically curved front baffle design for amazing performance
Front firing port provides low frequency extension without boundary coupling
Bypass control using standard footswitch
A New Standard in Low Frequency Monitoring For years, KRK subwoofers have been the choice for accurate low frequency monitoring in studios large and small. Now, the K10s provides a new standard for even better performance and accuracy, raising the bar once again. Whether you are mixing in a 2.1 or 5.1 surround environment or just looking to upgrade the low-frequency extension of your existing monitors, the K10s will provide the low frequency detail and accuracy that will help you to create a better mix. Let's Be Up Front Take a look at competitive subwoofer monitors and you'll find ports on the back of the cabinet. These rear-firing ports tend to create bass coupling with walls and corners over-amplifying low frequency information which in turn colors your mix. The superior design of the KRK10s includes front-firing ports which are just the right shape to reduce port turbulence. You'll appreciate the clean and accurate bass performance this approach delivers, even at high SPLs. Feel the Bass You need to feel the bass and our proprietary signature yellow woofer delivers tight, clear low end response. Our engineers and listening panel took the K10s speaker voicing to even more accurate levels. Featuring a sweepable 50 Hz – 130 Hz low pass filter, your K10s provides flexible control for any monitoring system. What you hear is what you are intended to hear, coloration is not part of the spec. This performance is brought to you by drivers that are custom-designed by our world-class studio monitor engineering team, for a clear, low-distortion performance. Take Control Professional engineers like the ability to hear how the sub is affecting the mix. Your KRK subwoofer is equipped with a bypass feature which allows you to defeat the sub and provide full range audio to your recording monitors. To use the bypass function, you will need to use a standard latching 1/4 mono footswitch.

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5/25/2012

Yamaha S115V Carpeted 15-inch 2 Way Loudspeaker System Review

Yamaha S115V Carpeted 15-inch 2 Way Loudspeaker System
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I was contemplating getting a set of either Peavy PV 215, JBL JRX115, or Yamaha S115V speakers. After reading many reveiws, both good and bad on all three speakers, and after testing each out at the local Guitar Center, I decided on the S115Vs. I will sum up my review by listing pro's and con's of each and why the Yamahas won my money.
PV 215
Pros: Cheap considering you get two 15's.
Cons: Cheaper construction (they only use 1/2" MDF), highs were virtually non-existant, power handling wasn't that great, and there were no speakon connectors.
JRX115
Pros: Nice lows, reasonably priced for JBL, 3/4" MDF, dual speakon and 1/4" jacks (for daisy chaining, and great power handling (at least what it's rated for that is).
Cons: Highs were a little too, well, HIGH! The highs almost had a twang to them no matter what adjustments were made. There was no defined mid range.
S115V
Pros: Like the JRX115, had nice lows, reasonably priced, 3/4" MDF, dual speakon and 1/4" jacks, and really good power handling. The overall range of sound was amazing compared to the other two speakers. The Yamahas also had the largest tweeter as well.
Cons: A little on the heavy side, but not too bad.
Although the Yamahas were the most expensive of the three, they are well worth the money. Yamaha does have a BR line if you are looking for a cheaper speaker. Personally, I would not sacrifice price for quality; and for what these speakers are going for, you can have GREAT quality at a reasonably good price. I use these for DJing and all my customers love the sound produced. I recommend anyone considering these to try them out first at a local music store. For me, they were EXACTLY what I was looking for in a speaker.

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The S115V is a trapezoid design cabinet, with oversize steel handles, steel corner protectors, a steel jackplate with both dual Speakonâ and high current, heavy duty Switchcraft 1/4" input jacks, and a built-in socket for pole mounting. Its covering is tough black carpet, with a heavy gauge perforated steel grille for driver protection. The woofer, or low frequency driver is a high power design using cast aluminum frame, with a cooling port in the pole piece for extended high power handling. The high frequency driver is a custom, 2" diaphragm (1" exit) design with an exclusive phase plug that reduces harmonic distortion inside the driver itself. This driver is mated to a 90 x 40 constant directivity design to give smooth, even coverage over the pattern of the horn. Both of these drivers are custom made for us by Eminence. The internal passive crossover has protection circuitry to help guard against damage that may occur from over powering the S115V. This loudspeaker is manufactured in the USA. It is covered by a 3-year warranty.

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5/24/2012

PreSonus Central Station Studio Control Center Review

PreSonus Central Station Studio Control Center
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Prior to buying this box, I had my DAW's analog output directly connected to my studio monitors and used an old stereo receiver as a headphone amp. I would not have expected the Central Station to make such a huge difference to my way of working but it's been incredibly convenient to be able to control the system volume with a real knob, switch between studio monitors and a cheap boombox and to have the built-in headphone amp with plenty of volume. I can't explain why but being able to run my sound card (Digital Audio Labs CardDeluxe) at full output has made my mixes come out better in the form of crisper sound and better separation of instruments. Next step is to hook up the DAW's digital output to the CS so that I can have a custom headphone mix and leave it up during the tracking process without disrupting whatever mix decisions I've made. This box did exactly what I needed and helped me streamline my workflow without degrading my audio quality.

Click Here to see more reviews about: PreSonus Central Station Studio Control Center

The Central Station is the ultimate studio-monitoring interface for the modern digital studio. The Central Station features three sets of stereo analog inputs to switch between input sources such as: DAW, mixer, CD/DAT/Tape player, or keyboards/samplers. Two stereo analog inputs feature TRS balanced and the third stereo input features RCA inputs with trim control for level matching of input signals. In addition, the Central Station will accommodate two digital inputs via S/PDIF or ADAT lightpipe providing D/A conversion up to 24Bit/192kHz. This allows you to monitor DAW and CD/DAT outputs through the same professional quality converter for the most accurate A/B comparison and highest quality monitoring environment. The digital to analog converter offers the highest possible audio quality with over 117dB dynamic range and ultra high quality analog circuitry. The Central Station features three sets of monitor outputs, each with their own set of passive trim controls. The monitoring section also provides MUTE, DIM and MONO switches. In addition, the Central Station includes a set of CUE outputs that can feed headphone amplifiers and a separate stereo MAIN line level output.

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5/04/2012

VocoPro PV-802 (PAIR) Professional Stereo 400W Powered Vocal Speakers Review

VocoPro  PV-802 (PAIR) Professional Stereo 400W Powered Vocal Speakers
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I bought these speakers for home indoor/outdoor party use, like listening to music and karaoke. The sound quality of it is what you'll expect from an 8" woofer, if you want a fuller sound, buy a powered subwoofer and you will have a good portable PA system. This pair of speaker has a lot of power and I am happy with my purchase.

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Powered Vocal Speakers

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4/30/2012

KRK RP8G2 Rokit G2 8In Powered Studio Monitor Ea Review

KRK RP8G2 Rokit G2 8In Powered Studio Monitor Ea
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Don't expect these to be a smaller version of PA speakers. Studio monitors are quality over quantity. Yes, these are plenty loud for their intended use. The important part is their sound quality. As with any speaker of this quality, proper break-in really does make them sound better. The RP8G2 is a great value choice. Yes, there are better speakers on the market. You will pay a real premium for them, though. It is hard to evaluate speakers just on the published specs. Sound quality is so much more than technical spectral analysis.
These are solidly built, great sounding monitors that are a good value. I can really recommend them.

Click Here to see more reviews about: KRK RP8G2 Rokit G2 8In Powered Studio Monitor Ea

The KRK RokitG2 Series takes value-priced monitors to a new performance level. All of the great stuff that Rokit's have been known for (front-firing bass port, soft-domed tweeter, glass aramid composite yellow cone) are still there, but the G2 Rokit's feature refined voicing and a new curved baffle that looks great, reduces diffraction and provides even better monitoring accuracy.

No Pain With Gain Why compromise gain structure to achieve a comfortable listening level? As musicians and recording people ourselves, we've asked that question too. So each Generation 2 Rokit comes with an Input Volume Control that provides an adjustable gain range from +6dB to -30dB. Just another way the Rokit lets you focus on your mix, and not on compatibility concerns.
Catch a Wave, for a 3D Mix Recessed tweeters may look the same, but they don't perform the same. KRK has designed a superior tweeter wave guide for the Rokit that provides optimal high frequency pattern control and focuses the sound outward, away from the cabinet. More conventional designs direct sound along the plane of the cabinet where waveform interaction can cause phase problems and increased diffraction. KRK knows a properly engineered high frequency wave guide is a critical component to great sound, and one key to our award winning performance.
You've Got Connections At KRK our focus is your mix. But it doesn't stop at creating accurate monitors. We live this stuff and appreciate the need for monitors that not only sound great but work easily into your particular set up. That's why you'll find plenty of input options with your Rokit, sure to accommodate any studio environment. So if it's RCA, Quarter-Inch (balanced/unbalanced) or XLR inputs you require, Rokit has got you covered.
Even More Accurate Than Before We took a great monitor series and made it better. Our engineers and listening panel took the Generation 2 Rokits' speaker voicing to even more accurate levels. What you hear is what you are intended to hear, coloration is not part of the spec. This performance is brought to you by drivers that are custom-designed by our world-class studio monitor engineering team, for clear, low-distortion performance.
Take Control While your Generation 2 Rokit leaves the factory voiced to our demanding specs, KRK also knows that no two rooms "sound" the same. As such, each Rokit comes equipped with a High Frequency Level Control. This feature provides specific adjustment of high frequency output most commonly affected by room acoustics. It's just one extra level of control that KRK gives you to ensure the most accurate mix for your particular room's acoustics.
Don't Be Square, Curves Ahead Our new Rokit looks different, so it can sound better, and in a wider "sweet spot." Traditional rectangular speakers suffer from diffraction as sounds leaving the edge of the cabinet are reflected back into the original sound field, and at different time intervals. This phase distortion creates a "narrow" or boxy" sound. The Generation 2 Rokit series eliminates this issue with radically engineered curved surfaces, so diffraction is virtually eliminated. Simply put, you'll get better sound in a wider area.
Let's Be Up Front Take a look at competitive monitors and you'll find ports on the back of the cabinet. These rear-firing ports tend create bass coupling with walls and corners amplifying low frequency information which will color your mix. The superior design of the KRK Generation 2 Rokit's include front-firing ports, which are just the right shape and taper to reduce port turbulence. You'll appreciate the clean and accurate bass performance, this approach delivers, even at high SPL's.
Power Up! A great sounding monitor doesn't stop with a great cabinet and custom drivers. Our true bi-amplified amplifier system provides discrete low-distortion power for each driver. While our active crossover systems provide smooth and accurate frequency response, and again, accurate diffraction control.
KRK Rokit 8 Specs
Drivers: 8-inch Glass Aramid Composite Woofer; 1-inch Neodymium Soft Dome Tweeter with Ferro Fluid
Input: XLR (3-pin), RCA & 1/4-inch TRS--10k Ohm, Balanced / Unbalanced
Amplification: HF: 20 Watts/LF: 70 Watts
Freq Response: 45Hz - 20kHz (+/- 1.5 db)
Video Shielding: Yes
Dimensions (H x W x D): 15 x 10 7/16 x 12 inches (38.1 x 26.5 x 30.4 cm)
Weight:26.1 lbs (11.8 Kg)

What's in the Box KRK Rokit 8 Powered Monitor, AC power cord, Owner's manual

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4/26/2012

JBL MRX525 15-Inch Premium 350-Watt Two-Way Portable Loudspeaker Review

JBL  MRX525 15-Inch Premium 350-Watt Two-Way Portable Loudspeaker
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I have a live sound company. I have a small trailer and no employees. I cater to the local scene and have even worked shows with international touring bands. I need to have lightweight yet good sounding speakers. NO, these are not as nice as the JBL SRX series or some of the other pro cabinets BUT...Everybody loves how they sound. I have four of these cabs and mate them to EAW LA400 subs. Yes-I know people say you don't need a sub with these but yes, you do. I run a lot of metal and hardcore shows and subs are essential. Maybe for acoustic shows you can get away without subs..but I always have them.
I run my system in stereo and power these cabs with a Crown XTi 4000 amp. Each set gets an XTi amp. These speakers really like to be turned up. For a smaller room with less screaming metal needs you may want to go with the smaller MRX cabs. I also have a set of those.
Most reviews tell how great the speaker sounds, the highs, the tasty lows. Honestly, so much depends on the room and the way the PA is tuned. Great equipment sounds bad when set up improperly. My board is one of the following: Allen & Heath GL2400, Presonus Live,or a small Mackie. I also use a DriveRack for processing. With proper set-up these speakers will cut through the stage sound and push the vocals through the metal mayhem. I have also used them at acoustic shows and yes they do sound sweet. I could spend more money on SRX cabs and someday I might. But right now these cabs work great because they are not power-hungry and don't need monster 20-amp amplifiers or a three-way system. They are very light and easy to carry. Lastly, they sound great and people constantly compliment me on the sound. If you want to move up from more generic cabs..you won't be disappointed. DJ, metal, acoustic, trance, worship..I have done it all!

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JBLMRX525 15 Inch Premium 350W Two Way Portable Loudspeaker in a Black Duraflex Finish for Pole Mount,FOH, DJ and all PA Applications.

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4/11/2012

M-Audio Studiophile BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors Review

M-Audio Studiophile BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors
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I compared these with the M-Audio AV40. I decided on these. They sound great. They're very clean and as other reviewers noted, a little directional. They are monitors. The cones are open and exposed, so I can't recommend them around small children. Their construction is solid with precise fit and finish. I really like them. There are a couple things you need to know about these before you decide to purchase them.
First, they don't come with cables. They accept standard XLR (3 pin) male plugs or standard 1/4 inch patch chord for the clean, balanced, installation needed in a recording studio. I purchased my cables from a local guitar shop (Guitar Player). Adorama sells special XLR stereo sets with a 3.5mm stereo pin for computers. That's a better set up than the two individual XLR cables and Y-adapter I picked up (less connections). This site (Amazon) lists them as "HOSA STEREO 3.5mm (M) - TWO XLR(M), 3m (9.9 ft.)". They also offer a 6 footer. If my cable set up gets noisy, I'll order one for myself.
Second, the speakers are a bit larger than your typical computer speakers, but not unwieldy. While I was at the Guitar Player, they had the BX8a speakers on display. They were a bit bigger, and also sounded very nice (hard to listen to them over the constant cacophony of disjointed, (bad) guitar and drum players).
The final consideration is that each speaker requires its own power outlet. Keep in mind that they are 70 watt, so make sure you shut them off when you're not using them (unless you like burning 140 watts for nothing :-) ). If you can accommodate the power outlet and cable requirements, these are well worth it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio Studiophile BX5a Deluxe 70-watt Bi-amplified Studio Reference Monitors

Recording professionals around the world rely on M-Audio Studiophile reference monitors for exceptional sonic accuracy. The Studiophile BX5a Deluxe monitors update the bestsellers with new waveguides and enhanced driver integration for a cohesive and refined sound. The 5-inch low-frequency driver cones are crafted from Kevlar, an extremely resilient material. Curved cone design coupled with high-temperature voice coils and damped rubber surrounds deliver excellent fidelity and durability. The 1-inch waveguide-loaded, high-frequency drivers are made of magnetically shielded silk domes for a crisp top end that's gentle on the ears. 70-watt bi-amped power and expertly tuned crossovers round out a first-rate pair of reference monitors with a footprint small enough to fit just about anywhere.

Deluxe Edition The Studiophile BX5a Deluxe monitors update the best-selling M-Audio BX5a system with a variety of enhancements. The updated waveguide delivers excellent imaging. A new low-frequency transducer provides well-defined bass. Custom amplifier tuning enhances the integration between the high and low frequencies, delivering refined spectral balance and a smoother response. An elegant new industrial design completes the package.
Kevlar Drivers M-Audio's Studiophile BX5a Deluxe monitors employ Kevlar for low-frequency driver construction. Kevlar's high mechanical and thermal resilience makes it ideal for use in speaker cones. Our engineers also created a curved conical design that improves room dispersion. High-damping reliable rubber surrounds provide percussive musical bass, and also insure that the cone reaches its optimal excursion for accurate reproduction.
Silk-Dome, Waveguide-Loaded, High-Frequency Drivers Our high-frequency domes are made from natural silk to counter the high Q ringing that's inherent in the poorly crafted metallic materials commonly found in other monitors. In addition, our new waveguides refine the high-frequency response. M-Audio's FerroFlow technology uses ferrofluid liquid cooling to dissipate heat for maximum efficiency and extended usage.
Bi-Amplified Efficiency Active monitors have a distinct advantage over unpowered monitors because the built-in power amps are designed to work with the drivers and crossovers in a tuned system. Bi-amplification further refines the concept by dedicating separate power amps to the highs and lows. Combined with a finely tuned crossover, this design insures that both the high- and low-frequency drivers are asked to deliver only the frequencies they are most efficient at reproducing.
Rear-Ported Cabinet Design The BX5a Deluxe monitor's cabinet is integrally designed with its other components for optimal performance--right down to rounded corners for reduced edge diffraction and superior imaging. Custom rear-port design audibly reduces the turbulence and resulting distortion caused by poorly designed ports.
Magnetically Shielded for Desktop Use Unchecked, the electromagnetic waves emanating from your speakers can wreak havoc with your computer's video monitor or a nearby TV. The Studiophile BX5a Deluxe monitors are magnetically shielded so all of your electronic equipment can coexist on your desktop without interference.
What's in the Box Two BX5a Deluxe Speakers, Two Detachable AC Power Cords, User's Manual

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3/31/2012

Behringer PMP2000 800-Watt 10-Channel Powered Review

Behringer PMP2000 800-Watt 10-Channel Powered
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hmmm... first you will get more than you will pay for this product imagine the clarity sound of a desent studio sound systems, that is what you will hear on the speaker output... well i connected it with my yamaha pa speaker that is programed to 250watts rms to 500watts peak, and im really amazed and pleased to the sound output on it, althogh i dont think it can really push it to 350 watts at the max. and theres a wattage settings that you can read or see on the manual about 4ohms 8ohms to 16ohm thats why it really cant do the 350watts per channel... i just know by hearing it cause i recognized sounds and loud sound ...i also have a LIVE power mixer for my karaoke system that has 225watts per channel and that, i will say its louder but also every amp has its ups and downs and for the behringer pmp2000 this power mixer is better, imagine the clarity of a bose "acoustimas serries"... imagine that, that is what you can hear on a PA speaker... that is how good the sound that this power amp produced... about the down side its not that loud that i expect from a 350watts amp and the low's are not that deep or excelent, but thats maybe the speaker that i am using but still it has a good base but not to compare to a good powered subwoffer or car subwoffers... i will say its just right... but on my own satisfaction i wanted a better bass effect so i think im adding another sub speaker or just mix it with a powered subwoffer...
about the channels i have only tried 3 inputs like the guitar, mic, and cd or dvd sound out. and also media player like zune and cellphone that has a preamp or headphones out...and that it will really hugs your sound loving fellings...
about the mixing like i said on those three , there is no problem at all it dont distort the sound while you were playing it at the same time... what a very nice power mixer because on what it can do i would say you can pay 500 dollars and you will still win on that product of behringer, not to talk about the 99 different echos effects , flanger,chorus, and a lot more but they sounds close... once you tried the first effect or effect 1 and at your 25-30th effect you'll be lost and wont be remembering the difference the sound effect that you used earlier... anyway if you want a close look of what im taking about... check out my video on youtube about pmp2000. WARNING im not a very good camera man but i think ive shown what everybodies want's to hear and see's about this product... just type okeylang47 on the search tab and search for behringer pmp2000 den click... thank you for reading this review to the end ... happy shopping...

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If you need superior stereo sound for small club gigs, churches or speeches, but have to keep the outboard gear to a minimum, the 10-channel PMP2000 can really deliver. This 800-Watt mixer has built-in mic preamps and an FX processor, as well as enough power to drive both mains and monitors, thanks to dual 350-Watt onboard power amps.


Massive Mono or Stunning Stereo The PMP2000 gives you the choice of 2 x 350-Watt stereo, 2 x 350-Watt dual mono or 800-Watt bridged mono output. Whether the center of attention happens to be a folk trio, a speech, or a synth-rock band with mind-boggling stereo patches, the PMP2000 can accommodate. This sonic versatility also makes it an excellent choice for churches, where vocals and stereo recordings often share face time.
Classic Control, State-of-the-Art Sound Leave the mic preamps at home, because the quality of sound that was once only available in the studio is ready to go wherever you do. Nine built-in, boutique-caliber mic preamps with switchable +48 V phantom power make it possible to use either dynamic or condenser mics with the PMP2000.
Built-in Digital Effects Processor It's also equipped with a 24-bit FX processor, giving you 100 mind-blowing digital effect presets such as delay, chorus and reverb. Apply them to any channel, as well as to the monitors and main output. In case you're pulling double duty as sound engineer and performer, the FX processor has a footswitch jack for remote on/off.
Changing the Channels The PMP2000 gives you loads of flexibility in accommodating whatever the center of attention happens to be. Channels 1-6 are for mics, bass guitars or other mono instruments. Stereo channels 7-12 are ideal for keyboards. Use the 2TR IN RCA inputs to feed in external stereo signals from CD players or tape decks.
The Ins and Outs REC OUT RCA outputs send line-level signals from the mixer to a recording device, so you can finally get to work on that triple-live album you've always dreamed of. The left and right Output 1/4-inch connectors are there just in case you need to connect more amps. Connect your monitor power amps or active monitor speakers to the MONITOR output.
What's in the Box Behringer PMP2000, Power Cable, User's Manual

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