W
e looked at a few studio monitors in 2005, but M-Audio’s Studiophile LX4
surround system is the first one we can enthusiastically recommend as
both a tool and a toy—albeit a cheap tool and an expensive toy.
This speaker system actually consists of two packages: a subwoofer
and stereo speakers that sell for $350, and a three-speaker expander system
that goes for $200. Put them together and you get a helluva 5.1-channel, self-
powered audio system for the money. Thick MDF cabinets (4.5 pounds for each
satellite, 22 pounds for the sub) ensure that you hear your source material, and
not the enclosures resonating with the beat.
A 125-watt amp in the sub sends 60 watts to its own 8-inch woofer, and
27 watts to each of the five satellites (which house 4-inch polypropylene cone
woofers and 1-inch Mylar dome tweeters). Before you scoff at the 125W spec,
remember that total amplifier power is much less important than accuracy and
efficiency—and the LX4 delivers those
crucial attributes in spades.We paired the LX4 system with Creative’s new Sound Blaster X-Fi
ExtremeMusic System and tested a variety of games, audio CDs, MP3 files,
and DVD-Audio discs. We absolutely dug what we heard. The speakers proved
equally adept at delivering energy, excitement, and enough thundering bass to
fill a small room whether we were playing X-Men Legends 2 or the acid jazz of
LTJ Bukem’s DTS surround-sound disc Planet Earth.
The LX4 Surround System isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It doesn’t have
a built-in decoder, so it’s not appropriate for hooking up directly to a game
console or a stand-alone DVD player. And it’s a near-field system, so it won’t fill
a cavernous living room with sound. But if you’re looking for surround-sound
speakers for mixing and recording, playing games, and recreational music
listening, you should give this
triple-threat a try.
—MICHAEL BROWNM-Audio Studiophile LX4
Budget studio monitors that deliver the goods
M-Audio’s Studiophile LX4 surround sound system neatly avoids
the jack-of-all-trades curse.SPECS
M-AUDIO STUDIOPHILE LX4
$550 (combined price),
http://www.m-audio.com9
MA XIMUMPC
KICKASSSATELLITE SPEAKERS 4-inch polypropylene cone; 1-inch Mylar dome;
magnetically shielded
SATELLITE POWER 27 watts to each channel (Left, Right, Center, Left
Surround, Right Surround)
SUBWOOFER 8-inch pulp cone with high-temperature voice coil
SUBWOOFER POWER 60 watts
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO >100dB
INPUT CONNECTORS Six balanced/unbalanced ¼-inch TRS