Customer Reviews

M-Audio Studiophile AV 20 Portable Desktop Speaker System

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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!!!!!

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.

Ok, I AM an audiophile or at least wannabe one.

The good

First of all these speakers are a beautiful black with a cool blue light coming behind the on/off volume knob. I though they looked good online and was not disappointed. They indeed do look sharp.

A nice sturdy design that stays on the desk really good. These speaker are very stable.

The Ugly
There is only one input and it is RCA?? I have a mini phone to RCA adapter so was able to connect them. Wait maybe it came with it..?? Dunno.

The connection between the speakers is a basic unshielded speaker wire. Sure,the likelihood you will get cross talk from local CB'ers or other interference is low but it would have been nice to have it be black at least.

THE BAD
If you look at them and wonder how such a small speaker can deliver such great sound the answer is "It can't." If they didn't look so sexy on my desk I would put back my old Microsoft Digital speakers. They sounded at least as good AND had a woofer.

No Low end. A friend made a few adjustments to my EQ and I did get it a bit better, but MAN what a pile these speakers are! Unless I am missing something having to do with setup they aren't worth the shipping charge.

These will be an improvement over the FREE speakers some systems come with AND they do sound better than the PC speaker.

Shame on you M-Audio. Stick to what you do best because these speakers are absolute garbage. You make great audio interfaces but these speakers are NOT your crowning achievement.

Anyone wanna buy some great looking speakers?

I purchased the M-Audio Studiophile AV 20 Portable Desktop Speakers two years ago to use with my computer. They are made of a nice solid wood but do not have bass/treble adjustments - on/off only. I was fairly satisfied with the speakers until about two weeks ago one speaker quit working. I could not get it to work and the manufacturer advised me to return it for service. I'm guessing that to have the one repaired and all the shipping involved I'd be into well over $100.
So, I looked into something more durable, something that might last more than two years when I stumbled across the GigaWorks T20. When the package arrived I was unimpressed; the speakers looked small at first but when I set them next to the AV 20's they were only slightly smaller and felt about the same weightwise. I set about the task of connecting the wires which took all of 2 minutes and turned on some country music and the sound coming from these little monsters was wonderful!! I hadn't noticed how much rich sound I'd been missing with the AV 20's.

I used to work at a film/video post-production studio where they had M-Audio monitors in the edit bays, so I figured that anything by the company would more than handle the meager demands that I was going to make of speakers that I hooked up to my computer. I just wanted to do some casual iTunes listening, after all. Was I wrong!

I've had these speakers for about two years, and they're starting to die on me. That's the blessing, as I'll now be able to fully justify spending the money for something new.

I've really felt like these speakers have underperformed since day-one, though. I know the drivers aren't huge, but they deliver exceptionally poor bass performance. And, like some of the other reviewers, I have also had problems with the right unit being louder than the left. It was so subtle (but noticeable!) that I thought it was me at first. Then, I ascribed it to the computer that I had them connected to, which was purchased new at the same time as the speakers. Now I know that it's just these crappy speakers.

If they had been half the price (or less), I might be slightly more forgiving. But I paid $100 when I bought them two years ago, and I definitely don't think they've lived up to that expenditure. In short, steer clear of these bad boys!

No problems now with left vs right loudness, both are equally and completly dead after only 2 years. Would not buy again.

I bought these speakers about 6 months back. I was initially impressed with the sound as it was in my Dorm. We later had a party in a large open room and these speakers produced excellent music. They produce great sound, I listen to techno and its hard to come by speakers that can support techno. You can clearly feel the bass and also hear distinct sounds. These are great for a dorm room as well as large spaces. For serious music listeners I would recommend the AV 40 as they are much better and can handle larger ranges of sounds.

Recently the left speaker has stopped working and I have been trying to get it fixed for about a week and a half now and it does not help when there are not many service centers around. So that's a down side with M Audio. and with the price I would highly suggest you go in for a different one at this price like a 2.1 as they will be much better.

However if you are a student looking for speakers for your dorm room or apartment, I would highly recommend these as they have the ability to let your neighbors know you are having a party when the volume is at 50%.

I was really pleased with these speakers initially. Then I realised (slow learner) that the left speaker was 10-20% quieter than the right. Now the left speaker has given up the ghost completely after 18 months' very light use. I would recommend that you look elsewhere.

Works like gangbusters!No problems at all with the use of my many laptops in the home! Best product for the small amount of money spent on such a wonderful device and the seller was prompt with its delivery.