M-Audio StudioPro 3 Desktop Audio Monitors

by M-Audio

Product Features

• 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 Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.5 x 7.9 inches ; 8.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 14 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000BN7CRU
• Item model number: 9900-41319-00
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,810 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #25 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Studio Monitors

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

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)

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for listening to music on your computer, March 9, 2006

By 

booshleeg - See all my reviews

This review is from: M-Audio StudioPro 3 Desktop Audio Monitors (Electronics)

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars if you want to hear 'all' the music, July 12, 2006

By 

Ian (Vermont) - See all my reviews

This review is from: M-Audio StudioPro 3 Desktop Audio Monitors (Electronics)

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Left/Right Balance is Not Centered, December 15, 2007

By 

Jeffrey C. Vandegrift (Acton, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: M-Audio StudioPro 3 Desktop Audio Monitors (Electronics)

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 without an external balance control they can't be used for that purpose. I purchased a Sennheiser HZR-62 Stereo Volume Control from Amazon which is a simple in line balance/volume control to keep on my desktop... problem solved.