M-Audio Studiophile AV 20 Portable Desktop Speaker System

by M-Audio

Product Features

• Optimized for computer audio including music, video and games
• Acclaimed M-Audio technology used in pro recording studios
• Separate high- and low-frequency drivers with crossover
• High-fidelity 10-watt-per-channel internal amplification
• Custom cabinet with dense wood construction for full, warm sound

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 9 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 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.
• ASIN: B000ND8CO0
• Item model number: AV20
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,593 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #47 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Studio Monitors

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Hear your music, movies and video games the way they were meant to sound with the M-Audio Studiophile™ AV 20 multimedia speakers. Built with the same M-Audio technology that professional recording studios have trusted for years, the AV 20 system provides an excellent audio upgrade for your computer. With internal amplification plus dedicated high- and low-frequency drivers, the AV 20 system lets you experience every detail of your sound. Custom cabinets with dense wood construction deliver a more accurate bass response than you could ever get from plastic multimedia speakers. And if you’re the creative type, the Studiophile AV 20 speakers are perfect for crafting your next remix, recording original tracks or adding music to a home movie.

Audiophile Sound for Your Computer

M-Audio is known throughout the professional recording world for building some of the most accurate studio monitors on the market. With the Studiophile AV 20, you can enjoy this same technology in a portable, powered speaker that is the perfect addition to any home computer or laptop. Designed specifically for today’s multimedia computers, the AV 20s feature a unique angled cabinet that creates an accurate listening environment even when you’re short on desk space.

Dedicated Drivers and Professional Components

Comprising a 2” composite woofer, 1” ferrofluid-cooled Mylar dome tweeter and an internal Class D amplifier, the Studiophile AV 20 is designed to deliver solid bass, crisp highs and convincing realism while occupying only a fraction of the space of standard desktop speakers. And with sturdy, magnetically shielded cabinets, the AV 20s can coexist with all manner of computer monitors, TVs and other electronic equipment without interference. 

OptImage III Technology

The Studiophile AV 20 features M-Audio’s proprietary OptImage III wave guide, which improves high-frequency response while minimizing phasing issues that can plague other portable monitors. The wave guide evens out the response of the weeter by making it work more efficiently. It also time-aligns the tweeter and the woofer so the audio from each driver reaches the listener at the same time, guaranteeing precise stereo imaging and accurate response.

Pro to Go

If you’re a music or media pro, don’t let the size and price of the Studiophile AV 20 fool you. These speakers deliver far better sound than anything in their range. And their compact size makes them the perfect solution for the traveling musician, filmmaker or anyone who wants top-notch audio from their laptop on the go.

Specifications

low-frequency Driver:	2" composite paper/fiberglass woofer
high-frequency Driver:	1" ferrofluid-cooled Mylar balanced-dome tweeter
stereo imaging:	OptImage III wave guides for superior imaging
shielding:	magnetic shielding
dynamic Power:	5W Class-D amplifier
input Connectors:	RCA unbalanced inputs
indicator:	front-panel controls for volume and on/off
cabinet:	angled wooden cabinet

Product Description

Studiophile AV20 Porable Desktop Speaker System. Optimized for computer audio including music DVDs and games. Acclaimed M-Audio technology used in pro recording studios. Separate high- and low-frequency drivers with crossover. High-fidelity 10-watt-per-channel internal amplification. Custom cabinet with dense wood construction for full warm sound. Tight accurate low-frequency response. Smooth crisp highs. OptImage III wave guides for superior stereo imaging. Portable design. Magnetic shielding for desktop use.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars AV-20s a disappointment, September 9, 2008

By 

RRP (Phoenix) - See all my reviews

This review is from: M-Audio Studiophile AV 20 Portable Desktop Speaker System (Electronics)

I purchased a pair of the AV-20s for my 12-year-old daughter's computer. I didn't listen to them very closely, but thought they sounded pretty good, so I bought a pair for myself to use at my office with my laptop. When listening to them a little more closely, I noticed that the right speaker sounded significantly louder than the left speaker. I thought this was strange so I played different types of music, hooked the speakers up to multiple sound sources, and placed the speakers in different locations. The right speaker was always louder than the left speaker. When I held a hand up to each speaker I could "feel" that the vibrations from the right speaker were stronger than the vibrations from the left. I then listened to the Av-20s hooked up to my daughter's computer and, sure enough, the same problem with the right speaker being louder than the left. I returned the pair meant for my office and got a replacement set and it, too, had the same problem of the right speaker being louder than the left. I have returned the replacement speakers as well, so I've now gone through 3 pairs of the AV-20s that all had the same problem. The returns were very easy with Amazon, but I'm disappointed in the speakers. I own a pair of the M-Audio Studiophile AV-40s and love them. They don't exhibit any of the problems I've had with the AV-20s. I'm going to roll the dice and try a pair of the AV-30s and see what kind of luck I have.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Left Right Unbalanced...say wah????, January 16, 2009

By 

Babs - See all my reviews

This review is from: M-Audio Studiophile AV 20 Portable Desktop Speaker System (Electronics)

Nice looking I thought...taking them out of the box (and they were FREE with a Pinnacle Studion 12 upgrade offer). I plug them in and they sound very decent...then I start trying to unplug my left ear.

Nope. It's the speakers. If I switched the RCA L n R jacks same thing. The right speak is TWICE as loud as the left. Since they were free, I will adjust the balance on my soundcard output and keep them on my desk...they do sound decent for desk-jockey music. Please don't consider paying any money for these, though!!!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not good enough but not bad either, January 6, 2009

By 

damn spot (silicon valley, ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: M-Audio Studiophile AV 20 Portable Desktop Speaker System (Electronics)

By no means, am I an audiophile. I was looking for a good pair of speakers for my computer.
The Advent speakers I had, would no longer power on right away, but they were 3 computers
old (10+ years) and perfect for me: clean sound at a volume loud enough to hear in an
adjacent room should I need to leave the computer, good bass vs. brightness, and lasted
a helluva long time for about the $70 bucks or so I paid at Fry's in the 90s. I was looking for
something similar sound, price, and durability: balanced sound, 50-100 bucks and
last over 5 years.

Given the reviews of the AV 40 I had read, and the discount available on the AV 20, I got
just about what I paid for, <$50. Durable, but not quite OK speakers. I found them lacking
in sound: bass and volume. They look and feel great, and will presumably last a good long
time, but a heavier gauge, longer speaker wire may be required. Ultimately speakers are about
the the sound and these didn't cut it for me.

They are good enough I won't mind "re-gifting" them, but if you work at M-Audio is that
what you really want to hear? The instructions were a little dubious, it was unclear if there
is a true left or right,I figured the on/off/volume control was meant for the right since that
is most folks mouse hand. The Amazon picture I am looking at, has it currently on the left;
I found a song with clear left and right channels, played it on the mac's internal speakers to
determine left and right, and then set the speakers to match. Little bothersome details that
would not be there if they were written in the writer's first language.

I probably paid about the right price for these speakers, 45 w/shipping, but felt gypped and
wanting more.