OVERVIEW
The Alesis M1Active 320USBs are the first monitor spearkers with a built-in interface. This means you can play and record audio coming in thru your speakers (via 1/4", RCA + 1/8" inch inputs located on the back of the speakers) into the...
expand review computer - no special drivers required. This is the most affordable way to get a pair of powered speakers (no amp or receiver required) AND a digital interface into your studio.
FEATURES
The M1Active 320 USB's are powered speakers (no amp or receiver required) with a USB 1.1 audio interface built in. They feature two 1/4" inputs, stereo RCA inputs, and 1/8" TRS mini-jack input which allow you to plug in your mixers output, turntables, keyboards, guitars, mics, or CD player into the M1Active and record and play directly into your computer at 16 bit/44.1-48kHz via USB. No special drivers required! The speakers also feature a helpful bass boost feature, switchable power supply, and magnetic shielding for placement near TV or computer monitors. Their lightweight and portable design which makes them very easy take along with you on the road.
OUR OPINION
If you are a dj or producer in the market for desktop monitors and an interface, you can't really beat the M1Active 320 USBs. The price is about as much as desktop monitors alone, but with the inclusion of a digital interface the value is incredible. -the mgmnt
OVERVIEW
Alesis has redesigned their famous M1 series of monitors, and introduced the 520 and 620 versions, featuring the same outstanding mix of performance and price point that has made the M1s a home & project studio mainstay for years.
New improvements over...
expand review the old Monitor Ones include three rear-mounted eq switches for controlling high, mid and bass response. There is also a new "acoustic space" switch which allows you to tailor the sound to the size of your control room. Other than that, these monitors continue the M1 tradition of unparalleled accuracy for this price range. They boast a very loud output with a bass response which is specifically tailored for artists working in bass-heavy situations (hip hop, house, techno, almost any dance music).
Studio monitors are mainly used as a gauge for mixing recorded tracks, and the first thing people will tell you to look for when shopping for monitors is a flat response. The less "color" or distortion a monitor adds to your mix, the better a gauge it will be for how your tracks will actually sound outside of the studio. The main reason that the M1's have been so popular over the years is for their professional grade sound reproduction, heralded by nearly everyone as the flattest, best sounding monitors you can find anywhere near this price point. -the mgmnt
OVERVIEW
Alesis has redesigned their famous M1 series of monitors, and introduced the 520 and 620 versions, featuring the same outstanding mix of performance and price point that has made the M1s a home & project studio mainstay for years.
New improvements over...
expand review the old Monitor Ones include three rear-mounted eq switches for controlling high, mid and bass response. There is also a new "acoustic space" switch which allows you to tailor the sound to the size of your control room. Other than that, these monitors continue the M1 tradition of unparalleled accuracy for this price range. They boast a very loud output with a bass response which is specifically tailored for artists working in bass-heavy situations (hip hop, house, techno, almost any dance music).
Studio monitors are mainly used as a gauge for mixing recorded tracks, and the first thing people will tell you to look for when shopping for monitors is a flat response. The less "color" or distortion a monitor adds to your mix, the better a gauge it will be for how your tracks will actually sound outside of the studio. The main reason that the M1's have been so popular over the years is for their professional grade sound reproduction, heralded by nearly everyone as the flattest, best sounding monitors you can find anywhere near this price point. -the mgmnt
These are the latest self-powered edition of Alesis' famous Monitor 1 (M1) line of studio monitors, featuring the same outstanding mix of performance and price point that has made the M1s a home & project studio mainstay for years. They boast a...
expand review very loud output with 100 watts of power, a 38hz bass response which is specifically tailored for artists working in bass-heavy situations (hip hop, house, techno, almost any dance music), and an unparalleled accuracy for this price range. Studio monitors are mainly used as a gauge for mixing recorded tracks, and the first thing people will tell you to look out for when shopping for monitors is a flat response. The less "color" or distortion a monitor adds to your mix, the better a gauge it is be for how your tracks will actually sound outside of the studio. The main reason that the Monitor 1's have been so popular over the years is for their professional grade sound reproduction, heralded by nearly everyone as the flattest, best sounding monitors you can find anywhere near this price point. -the mgmnt
The updated version of Alesis' classic Monitor 1 studio monitors, these are the unpowered models, featuring the same outstanding mix of performance and price point that has made the M1's a home & project studio mainstay for years.
They are capable of...
expand review a very loud output (200 Watt peak) with almost any amp. The 45Hz bass response is less than its powered brother, but is still impressive, and is tailored for bass-heavy situations. Like the active model, the M1 boasts unparalleled accuracy and the flattest sound for this price range. On a side note, Alesis' design is always a visual compliment to any studio. -the mgmnt
OVERVIEW
The RA150 has been highly recommended to us by many of our customers and associates. Because of the very inexpensive price, Alesis brand quality, and sleek design, the RA150 has become almost like an industry standard. The RA150 serves as a no-brainer...
expand review solution to power your home studio or dj setup, just plug it in and get clean, quality sound.
USES:
- easy amplification solution for home studio
- output for DJ setup
- amplifying passive studio speakers
FEATURES
The most popular application for the RA150 is using it to power your sound from your mixing board. With the right adaptors, you can also plug your computer into the amp, boosting your computer's weak audio card. With its no nonsense design, its also popular with DJs who needs easy, quality amplification
Alesis' RA series is engineered for crisp, clear, quiet operation. The sound is completely un-colored to match the flat response of reference monitors. The RA 150 is fitted with both balanced 1/4" and unbalanced RCA inputs. Its standard binding post style inputs accept standard mono and stereo speaker wire.
While many studios have recently opted to use self-powered active monitors, the RA150's quality and price make a strong argument for the amp + speaker monitoring set-up. Maybe you love the way your old speakers sound or you just can't afford to drop a whole paycheck on a set of new powered monitors. Whatever your reason, if you're going for the passive speaker set-up you couldn't make a better choice than to have a RA150 powering them.
OVERVIEW
Alesis' TransActive 50 is a compact, portable multi-purpose amplification system with 2 channels, RCA aux input and a variety of digital effects. This powered stereo systen can work well as a small monitor for DJing, keyboards, or even a compact vocal PA....
expand review
FEATURES
The TransActive 50 powered amp/mixer offers 50 Watts driven by a 5" LF driver and a 1" tweeter for full-range sound reproduction. There are 2 input channels (Channel 1 features an XLR microphone input and 1/4" stereo inputs, while Channel 2 offers (2) 1/4 " stereo inputs) plus an RCA AUX with a 3 band EQ for the master out. Several internal digital effects (reverb, chorus, delays and rotary) are also at your disposal which could be useful for live PA. Also features a headphone out, wall mount capabilities, built-in florescent light above the front panel knobs for viewing settings in low light conditions, and a mic stand mount on bottom of the cabinet to mount the speaker for stage applications. -the mgmnt
OVERVIEW
The RM1 from Digidesign is a professional nearfield studio monitor that delivers top-of-the-line audio in a sleek package that's perfect for any kind of studio. Co-developed with PMC (a world-leading professional monitor manufacturer), the RM1 uses cutting edge technology to produce unrivaled...
expand review tonal accuracy, exceptionally low distortion, stunning clarity, more defined bass response, and incredible dynamic range enabling professionals, aspiring professionals, and audiophiles to truly hear an impeccably accurate representation of their audio mixes at any stage.
PMC's Advanced Transmission Line (ATL) technology allows the monitor to have a consistent frequency response, regardless of volume. The cabinet offers wide dispersion for an excellent listening experience, even from an off-axis position. An onboard 48-bit DSP engine provides accurate digital crossover for terrific imaging and a bass port emulation mode that simulates the tonal qualities of a ported speaker. You can also adjust gain, high and low frequencies, and speaker placement settings for optimal performance in your space. The 5.5" woofer and 1" tweeter are each powered by highly-efficient Class-D linear amplifiers that provide the precision and quality of audiophile-grade amplifiers, but offer the size advantages of digital amplifiers. This gives the drivers maximum power with much lower heat generation. The rear panel of the cabinet offers analog and digital XLR inputs and RJ45 digital in and thru jacks for connection to virtually any professional sound system.
PLEASE CLICK ON MANUFACTURER'S LINK FOR MORE DETAILS -the mgmnt
OVERVIEW
The RM2 from Digidesign is a professional bi-amplified studio monitor that delivers top-of-the-line audio in a sleek package that's perfect for any kind of studio. Co-developed with PMC (a world-leading professional monitor manufacturer), the RM2 uses cutting edge technology to produce unrivaled...
expand review tonal accuracy, exceptionally low distortion, stunning clarity, more defined bass response, and incredible dynamic range enabling professionals, aspiring professionals, and audiophiles to truly hear an impeccably accurate representation of their audio mixes at any stage. It's a bit more powerful than the RM1 (150W vs. 130W and 6.7" woofers vs. 5.5") for those seeking more power.
PMC's Advanced Transmission Line (ATL) technology allows the monitor to have a consistent frequency response, regardless of volume. The cabinet offers wide dispersion for an excellent listening experience, even from an off-axis position. An onboard 48-bit DSP engine provides accurate digital crossover for terrific imaging and a bass port emulation mode that simulates the tonal qualities of a ported speaker. You can also adjust gain, high and low frequencies, and speaker placement settings for optimal performance in your space. The 6.7" woofer and 1" tweeter are each powered by highly-efficient Class-D linear amplifiers that provide the precision and quality of audiophile-grade amplifiers, but offer the size advantages of digital amplifiers. This gives the drivers maximum power with much lower heat generation. The rear panel of the cabinet offers analog and digital XLR inputs and RJ45 digital in and thru jacks for connection to virtually any professional sound system.
PLEASE CLICK ON MANUFACTURER'S LINK FOR MORE DETAILS -the mgmnt
The MA-15D speakers are the top of the line for Edirol's micro monitor series of high quality sound monitors(15W per channel) for those that don't have space for big monitor speakers. They feature 24-bit/192kHz support and S/PDIF optical and coaxial output. Also...
expand review included in the speakers is a built-in bass enhancer that provide a strong low-end for a compact set of speakers, and if you need more bass - they also offer a Sub Out port to connect a subwoofer. 3 line ins (1/8", S/PDIF, and RCA pin line) allow you to listen to audio from any three sources (i.e. computer, stereo) and bass, treble, and 2 independent volume rotary controls are easily accessible on the front of the speaker. Also features 1/8" headphone in and magnetic shielding for close proximity to computer monitors -the mgmnt
The MA-15D speakers are the top of the line for Edirol's micro monitor series of high quality sound monitors(15W per channel) for those that don't have space for big monitor speakers. They feature 24-bit/192kHz support and S/PDIF optical and coaxial output. Also...
expand review included in the speakers is a built-in bass enhancer that provide a strong low-end for a compact set of speakers, and if you need more bass - they also offer a Sub Out port to connect a subwoofer. 3 line ins (1/8", S/PDIF, and RCA pin line) allow you to listen to audio from any three sources (i.e. computer, stereo) and bass, treble, and 2 independent volume rotary controls are easily accessible on the front of the speaker. Also features 1/8" headphone in and magnetic shielding for close proximity to computer monitors -mgmnt
These MA-1EX speakers are ideal for laptop users that want better sound out of their laptop without carrying around a bulky set of speakers. The MA-1EX's offer great sound quality by completely bypassing your internal soundcard and acting as a soundcard themselves....
expand review The speakers feature high quality D/A converters and superior shielding from electrical interference of other components and can act as a simple S/PDIF optical output and headphone amp. USB powered with integrated cord storage so you never have to lug around a bulky power adaptor. -the mgmnt
Now in sleek black. The MA-7A speakers are an excellent choice for those that need high quality sound (7W per channel), but don't have space for big monitor speakers. They feature a built-in bass enhancer that provide a strong low-end for a...
expand review very compact set of speakers, and if you need more bass - they also offer a Sub Out port to connect a subwoofer. 2 line ins (1/8" and RCA pin line) allow you to listen to audio from any two sources (i.e. computer, stereo) and volume and tone rotary controls are easily accessible on the front of the speaker. Also features 1/8" headphone in and magnetic shielding for close proximity to computer monitors. -snackmaster
The MA-7A speakers are an excellent choice for those that need high quality sound (7W per channel), but don't have space for big monitor speakers. They feature a built-in bass enhancer that provide a strong low-end for a very compact set of...
expand review speakers, and if you need more bass - they also offer a Sub Out port to connect a subwoofer. 2 line ins (1/8" and RCA pin line) allow you to listen to audio from any two sources (i.e. computer, stereo) and volume and tone rotary controls are easily accessible on the front of the speaker. Also features 1/8" headphone in and magnetic shielding for close proximity to computer monitors.
The definition of an industry standard. The Control 1x monitors are like the Technics 1200s of compact bookshelf speakers. They are built to last with a rugged metal casing (these things are heavy), and the sound quality has garnered superlatives in audio...
expand review reviews and the average listener. Add the ridiculously low price range, and the Control 1X get our recommendation. -the mgmnt
LaCie's stylish firewire speakers not only look nice on your desktop, but also deliver quality, FireWire-powered sound from your Mac, PC or MP3 player. Featuring a frequency response of 90Hz-20kHz, these little guys add way more thump than your built-in computer speakers....
expand review Plus, the built-in FireWire cable makes them extremely easy to use. Just plug and play - that's it! No need for bulky AC adapters or batteries. Another impessive product from LaCie. -snackmaster
The DX4 retools the M-Audio's Studiophile series into a compact package with a very affordable price. The Studiophile DX4s match custom tuned cabinet design, optimized drivers and advanced crossover technology with plenty of power to insure the highest-fidelity sound available from...
expand review audio monitors of their size. M-Audio's proprietary OptImage wave guide technology also assures improved stereo imaging.
M-Audio's AV20 Studiophile speakers are not only a super upgrade to you're built-in laptop or computer speakers, they are an excellent choice for djs and producers looking for portable powered monitors with great sound quality at an affordable price. The AV20's feature...
expand review M-Audio's proprietary Optimage III wave guide components, 2" composite sub woofers, 1" ferrofluid-cooled Mylar dome tweeterd, and an internal Class D amplifier for crisp highs and solid bass. Plus the unique angled wood cabinet that creates an accurate listening environment when your at a short desk. Solid speakers for those on a budget from M-Audio. Don't let their small size and price fool you - these speakers deliver a sound far better than anything else in it's price range, plus their compact size allows you to take them along with your laptop on the road. -snackmaster
M-Audio's Studiophile AV 40 powered reference monitors deliver the high quality sound in a compact size, suitable for your desktop or home studio. The AV 40's feature 4" polypropylene-coated drivers and 3/4" ferrofluid-cooled silk dome tweeters for punchy lows, crisp highs and...
expand review a balanced, uncolored response. Custom cabinets with dense wood construction deliver more accurate bass response than other compact monitors constructed of plastic. In addition, the Studiophile AV 40 monitors also feature OptImage III wave-guide technology and a 20 watt-per-channel internal amplifier for the highest possible fidelity. Add to this magnetic shielding (important when working with video or multimedia) and integrated bass boost switch for extra low end, and you have an excellent compact monitoring solution. Also features 1/4" TRS balanced and RCA unbalanced inputs, 1/8" headphone output, 1/8" stereo auxiliary input, and front-panel volume control. -snackmaster
OVERVIEW
With the availability and popularity of home production and recording growing every day, so to is the need for reliable, quality monitors to ensure the best performance. M-Audio has introduced the StudioPro 3 monitor system to be the solution for great studio...
expand review reference at a very low price.
FEATURES
Most small speaker systems never come packed with the same design and materials found in their more expensive big-brothers, but these speakers break the mold, including MDF (medium-density fiberboard - a more rigid and sturdy plywood) for the cabinet, internal acoustic foam for better bass, and a custom port design for more efficiency. Not only is the sound great, but the size (roughly the size of a spindle of CD-R's) of these monitors perfect for those working in tight quarters. The main audio connection is via RCA, with a supplied cable provided for converting from 1/8" to RCA. The monitors are also magnetically shielded to prevent interference with computer monitors, and have a stereo auxiliary input on them to allow monitoring of an external audio source.
OUR OPINION
Not only are these monitors perfect as a studio reference, they are well suited for standard computer use, listening to music, or video-editing. -minimal man