M-Audio AV 40 Studiophile Monitors Best Value Budget Speakers
The M-Audio AV 40’s were my first studio monitor speakers, and in my opinion the best budget speakers that produce audio quality and detail on par with some of the top and much more expensive pro range speakers that are available in the market today. I still use these speakers because of their small compactness they are perfect for a travelling musician like myself where minimal weight and size is very important and very convenient. Below are some of the points that hopefully will help anyone that is considering this model or is unsure of what budget speakers to purchase.
So what are these all about?
The Build Quality.
The build quality is exceptional considering the price and they are a surprisingly hefty weight considering their size and when sat on the desk these look like a much more expensive unit than they actually are.
The Studiophile AV 40 monitors are designed with the same quality materials and internal electronics that are used in M-Audio?s acclaimed professional monitors. You?ll find features like audiophile-grade Class A/B amplifier architecture and balanced ΒΌ TRS inputs in addition to RCAs. The main base cabinet is made from MDF which is dence, and hence providing enough base in my opinion that is perfect for studio editing on a desktop via a PC. A much better bass response than some Monitor speakers that I have seen with plastic type architecture. One of the speakers houses the internal amlifier which provides 20 watt per channel that utilizes Class A/B architecture.
The Speakers
These are combination of 4 polypropylene-coated drivers and ferrofluid-cooled silk dome tweeters which provides punchy lows, crisp highs and a balanced, uncolored response again for me, perfect for studio editing in a smallish type room, probably not really suitable for a large room of for listening at a distance from the speakers, but really these monitors are not designed for that type of thing. There is certainly enough volume emitted and I have never noticed any distortion even when turned up to near maximum, which may I add I have seldom had to do. Another point is that there is a nice and strong speaker mesh protecting the speakers on this model. ( Some manufacturers or models I have seen have exposed speakers which is a no no if you need to be travelling or moving your speakers around)
Apparently M-Audio?s proprietary OptImage III wave guide improves overall detail and clarity while minimizing sound issues that can plague other compact monitors. The system works by improving the overall efficiency of the tweeter as well as time-aligning the drivers. This ensures that the audio from each driver reaches the listener at the same time, guaranteeing precise stereo imaging and accurate response. Well all that I can say is that it works for me.
Another point to note is that these are Magnetically Shielded for Desktop Use which is a must when working near a laptop or desk monitor because
all speakers emit electromagnetic waves that can wreak havoc with your computer’s video monitor or a nearby TV.
The Studiophile AV 40 speakers are magnetically shielded so that all of your electronic equipment can coexist on your desktop without interference.