- Remarkably accurate frequency response and imaging
- Internal acoustic absorption for greater efficiency
- Self-powered with advanced crossover design
- Custom tuned wood cabinet
- Vented port design for more natural bass
Product Description
Recording engineers and music producers around the world rely on M-Audio reference monitors to insure that their mixes are accurate. The StudioPro 3 active monitors bring that same standard of audio fidelity right to your desktop. Custom-tuned cabinets, optimized speaker design, and advanced crossover technology combine with generous built-in amplification to deliver the best sound you can get in monitors this size. Complete with magnetic shielding to prevent interference with computer and video monitors, StudioPro 3 speakers deliver great audio experiences from your music and multimedia applications. They’re also great for traveling.
Professional Standards
Most small, inexpensive speakers simply don’t have the design and material standards found in professional studio monitors. The StudioPro 3s change that, delivering the same M-Audio technology and attention to detail we put into our monitors used in studios around the world. The StudioPro 3s deliver a host of features not typically found in monitors priced this affordably—MDF rather than plastic cabinets, internal acoustic foam for better bass response, custom port design for optimal efficiency and more.
Stereo Auxiliary Input and Headphone Output
For maximum flexibility, we have included a stereo “Aux” input which allows you to plug in a secondary audio source (such as your portable music player) in addition to the main RCA inputs in the back. The volume control works on both inputs simultaneously. Additionally, there is a stereo headphone output next to the “Aux” jack that mutes the sound coming out of the speakers and redirects it to your headphones.
Natural Bass
The custom bass reflex port design discharges very low-frequency signals and delivers a smooth, substantial bass response. Need more? The rear-panel Bass Boost control gives you additional low-frequency gain and makes the monitors versatile for different spaces and listening preferences.
Speaker Stands
High-frequency audio signals tend to be fairly directional. That’s why we’ve included stands that help point your StudioPro 3s directly at your ears for an optimal listening “sweet spot.”
Enclosure
The StudioPro 3’s enclosure plays an important role. In order to provide more stable performance, we used a special medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and unique interior reinforcement designed to absorb vibration and impact generated under extreme conditions. Additionally, our innovative cabinet includes carefully placed acoustic material that makes the StudioPro 3s sound much bigger than they are—resulting in a smooth, natural bass response.
Specifications:
- Type: two-way desktop reference monitor
- LF Driver: 3.25-inch diameter, magnetically shielded with curved cone with high-temperature voice coil
- HF Driver: 1-inch diameter, magnetically shielded silk dome
- Frequency Response: 100Hz – 20kHz (±3 dB)
- Crossover Frequency: 2.3kHz
- Dynamic Range (Maximum Signal-to-Noise Ratio): >80dB (typical, A-weighted)
- Input Connectors: left and right line input connectors (RCA)
- Polarity: positive signal at “+” input produces outward low-frequency cone displacement
- Dynamic Power: 10 watts into 4 O (per channel) at 0.5% distortion
- Input Impedance: 10k O (unbalanced)
- Input Sensitivity: 100mV pink noise input produces 90dBA output SPL at 1 meter with volume control at maximum
- Protection: RF interference, output current limiting, over temperature, turn on/off transient, subsonic filter
- Indicator: blue power LED ring around on/off/volume knob on front panel
- Power Requirements: 100-120V~50/60Hz, 220~240V~50/60Hz; powered via detachable 2-conductor line cord
- Cabinet: vinyl-laminated MDF
- Dimensions: 7.9″ (H) x 5.5″ (W) x 5.9″ (D)
- Weight: 8.8 lbs./pair (approx., without packing)
M-Audio StudioPro 3 Desktop Audio Monitors
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{ 5 comments }
I’ve been listening to a wide variety of music on these audio monitors for about a week (from rock to classical, studio to live recordings, acoustic to electronica) . I have them placed about 30 inches apart and about 24-36 inches in front of me (depending on how I’m sitting). They are hooked up to my Powerbook using a 3.5mm to RCA cable.
I would describe the bass as being “tight”, meaning it doesn’t trail off into a deep rumble that you feel in your bones. The bass is just enough so that you notice it’s there, but not so much that it rattles the windows in your house. The bass is more accurate than overpowering. The bass boost does what it says, however it still won’t reach those really low frequencies. If you’re looking for that deep booming thump to fill a room, I would recommend getting a 2.1 setup with a dedicated subwoofer. But if you’re looking for clear sounding bass around 100Hz and will be sitting within a few feet of the speakers, these will suit you just fine.
Treble and mid-range are crystal clear, even at louder volumes. So clear in fact that it will bring out the compressions artifacts (clips, pops, warbles) of poorly encoded mp3’s even at 128kbps. Stereo channel separation between the speakers is very good. You will hear distinct instrument placement and nuances that you may not have heard before on typical computer speakers (depending on the source material).
Few things I wish were different on these monitors: Bass reflex ports on the front instead of rear, variable bass control, visible indicator on the volume knob, louder headphone output.
Aside from these minor gripes, the StudioPro 3 is a solidly built product that produces rich sounds. Recommended to those who are producing their own home recordings or looking to upgrade from their tinny computer speakers.
Before I bought the SP 3, I had also considered the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 speakers. Though they sounded good, the bass on the SP 3 sounded better to me as well as the clarity at lower volumes. Also, the Klipsch requires a heavy power brick, whereas the SP 3 has no external power brick. And the SP 3 was $15 cheaper, so it was a better overall value in my opinion.
Rating: 4 / 5
If you search the internet for “m-audio” and “studiopro 3″ you will find that I am not the only person that noticed that the right channel is much quieter than the left channel. If you do not have a balance control on your player you will probably not be happy with these speakers. I bought these specifically for mixing but with improper balance they are useless for that purpose.
Rating: 2 / 5
The previous review says a lot, and I agree with what is said. I also considered the Klipsch, but read some so-so reviews on it. Personally I like things crisp, clear, and hate distortion in the music. I like Bass, and thumping Bass, but not all the time, it can give you a headache after not very long. These Speakers you can listen to all day, and NOT feel audibly fatigued.
They have Bass, but just like other reviews have said, it’s tight and you can actually hear different tones in the low end. Mids stand out well, and I don’t think the highs are tinny. For not very much money at all, you can hear ALL of the music. If you want loud music with lots of Bass, you should be hooking the other channels of your sound card up to your stereo, as I do.
Rating: 4 / 5
Thanks to everyone for the reviews, because of them I purchased these speakers and am totally satisfied. My ear is not trained, knowledgeable, or refined, and many of the reviews were over my head. All I knew is that I have trouble enjoying music when there is too much bass (so I did not purchase the more expensive M-Audios) and that I was not enjoying listening to iTunes on my iMac. These speakers are wonderful, I can hear the highs and lows and all the small wonderful in-between things. I recommend them without hesitation. If you are sitting at your computer dissatisfied with the quality of the music you purchased, DVD’s you are playing, or TV shows you are watching – these are what you need! And, if you are like me and your hearing is getting a bit “blurred,” these are the most wonderful thing that can happen to your ears to make them feel young. As I write this I am listening to Tab Benoit’s new album, Power of the Ponchartrain, and I can actually hear the Triangle in the background – it’s been a long time. Buy and enjoy, you won’t regret.
Rating: 5 / 5
I’ve tested a number of speakers for there different areas: Living Room, Office, and my Desk at Home.
After trying (and returning a number of well reviewed choices) I settled on the following:
Desk at Home – M-Audio StudioPro 3 Desktop Audio Monitors
These simply have the best sound and imaging of everything I tried except the higher end M-Audio reference speakers. No MP3 is going to sound ever as good as a CD through a component stereo(or an LP, but don’t get me started). But I am amazed at the quality of these speakers. They wouldn;t have the power to fill a living room, or even an office. By the time you’re 6′-8′ away from them, the imaging settles out a bit. But for your desk or as satellite speakers for a TV that didn’t come with great ones already, they are perfect. They are a little bigger than many desktop speakers overall, but since many desktop speakers are oddly shaped with leaning towers and wide stands, they actually don;t take up as much more footprint comparatively. The volume and headphone jack and aux in are all on one of the speakers, very handy for access and for plugging in your iPod at your desk. I tried several of the higher end M-Audio speakers, and while I found them to be even better with more power and clarity, it just wasn’t enough better to justify the additional size and expense.
Living Room – Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified 200-Watt 2.1 Speaker System
This system had the best overall power of everything I tried. Everything else sounds good when you’re close enough to the speakers, but as you move away it gets pretty weak. For the living room you definitely need a 2.1 system. Even the M-Audio StudioPro 3 Desktop Audio Monitors, which seem the be the best of the 2 speaker systems couldn’t handle a real room. As mentioned in a number of other reviews, the subwoofer unit is larger than others out there. I expect that’s part of the reason these have good power. Make sure you’ve got a good place to hide it. Sound is very good comparatively. Nothing is going to sound like a real 200w component stereo, but this comes pretty close. I find that the imaging, or perceptual soundstage is a little lacking, not as clearly defined as with the JBL Creature II 3-Piece Powered Speaker System or the M-Audio Studio 3. This got better when I added 6′ RCA cable extenders to the satellite speaker wires which allowed me to separate the satellites a bit. But still not great. The volume knob thing is nice, and it’s nice to have both volume and bass adjustment handy. I guess you could have easily put the controls on one of the satellites like everyone else though. The headphone jack on the volume control seems pointless to me, but maybe you’ll like it. What I wish was that you could have an aux input on the volume thing to plug in your ipod or something else.
Office – JBL Creature II 3-Piece Powered Speaker System
These 2.1 speakers don’t have the total power of the Logitech Z-2300, but they have much clearer and better imaging. Since my office is smaller than my living room, and shares a wall with someone, I don’t need as much power. These were perfect. The high end is crisp, and the subwoofer clean. The volume control on the satellites is handy, but the bass adjustment is on the subwoofer. I thought this would be an issue, but you actually kind of set it and monkey with it a bit in the beginning, and then leave it alone. The satellites are much smaller than the Logitech and less cheesy looking, which makes them nicer on your desk. I have to say again how killer the sound is. Imaging is great, and it’s crazy how they manage to do it with those tiny satellites.
There you have it. Enjoy
Michael Peachey
Rating: 5 / 5
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