Mackie CR4BT Multimedia Monitors 50W with Bluetooth (Pair)

Compact and portable at 12 lb, this pair of 50W CR4BT Multimedia Monitors from Mackie provides audio playback in home and studio environments. As such, they are useful for mixing music or post-production sound, and they boast Bluetooth capability to boot.

The pair consists of one Class AB amplifier-powered monitor and a passive un-powered monitor that you can connect with an included stereo cable. For the low-end, these speakers utilize 4" polypropylene-coated woofers and a rear port tube, while the highs are handled by 0.75" silk dome tweeters; all of this ensures a frequency response of 70 to 20,000 Hz with a maximum SPL of 100 dB.

A switch allows you to select whether the powered speaker will function as the left or right monitor. This is particularly helpful when you must position the speakers near power outlets, or when you have to decide whether you'd rather have your front-panel volume knob situated on your left or right. Also adorning the monitor's front are an LED (indicating whether or not your monitors are on at any given time) and a dedicated headphone output (for private listening; please note that plugging your headphones in will silence the monitors themselves).

You can connect mobile devices and other devices directly to the monitors via 1/8“, 1/4" or RCA inputs—but then again, feel free to skip all that and just go with Bluetooth. The monitors also come with isolation pads for reducing the transmission of structural vibrations.

• 50W peak, 28W RMS
• RCA, 1/8“, and 1/4" TRS balanced and unbalanced inputs
• Supports Bluetooth and stereo headphones
• Lightweight at 12 lb
• Switchable L/R configuration for convenience
• On-board volume knob
• Wood cabinet
• Multiple necessary cables included
• Acoustic isolation pads included

PRICE PER UNIT

The original A5

The small A5 managed to make itself a big name in both professional environments as well as in computer or desktop applications. A wealth of truly outstanding reviews and many awards helped to establish this speaker as one "of the best small monitors” and a "great choice for the small studio.” (Future Music, 01/2009).

The new A5X

The similar dimensions and name could make one believe that the A5X is nothing more than a new version of the A5. A quick listening however leaves no doubt that the A5X is much more than that.

Like all other models of the AX-Series it features the proprietary X-ART tweeter. The very data of this technology shows that it is at the forefront of what tweeters can accomplish. Numerous listening tests have confirmed this.

A 5.5” Midwoofer reproduces the frequencies below 2.5kHz. The diaphragm is made from Carbon fiber/Rohacell/Glass fiber, which is the same composite structure shared in the next two bigger models. This material with minimum weight and maximum rigidity prevents break up resonances, resulting in an outstanding dynamic behaviour and impeccable sound characteristics.

Stereolink

A very handy and exclusive feature found in the two smaller AX monitors is the Stereolink. This is accomplished by a pair of additional RCA connections that allow for a bypass of the second stereo channel to the other speaker.

This new technology connects two A5X speakers in such a manner as to allow the user the option to control the overall stereo volume of the system from either speakers gain control. This makes the A5X a natural for "mixer-less” desktop applications where overall system volume needs to be adjusted easily.

Controls and Connectors

The front of the A5X sports dual ports for surprisingly low frequency response down to 50Hz. The front panel also has power and gain controls. The rear panel includes a tweeter gain control as well as balanced (XLR) jacks and unbalanced (RCA) jacks, allowing for greater connection flexibility. There are also two M6 (6 mm) metric screw threads for stand/wall mounting.

Review: "The A5X: a superb impression.“

"A sparkling and lively desktop monitor with an open, powerful character. Good filters and practical ergonomics as well as useful equipment make ADAMs A5X an ideal partner in multimedia nearfield sound." (Stereo, 10/10)

    * Active studio monitors with USB audio interface
    * 4.25-inch magnetically shielded, inverted cone, copolymer woofer
    * 1-inch silk dome high frequency driver
    * 2 x 20 watts of internal stereo power
    * Two combination mic and instrument/line inputs
    * Two 1/8-inch stereo headphone outputs with level controls
    * Includes Cakewalk® Sonar LE music production software
    * Mic and instrument/line gain control with clip LED
    * 16-bit 44.1kHz/48kHz
    * Stereo RCA and 1/8-inch aux inputs
    * 2-position switch for no-latency direct stereo and mono monitoring
    * Mix control to balance computer and audio sources
    * USB and speaker cable included

PRICE PER UNIT

S2X

The S2X brings together the virtues of the ʽclassicalʼ 7” woofer and tweeter combination by using ADAM innovative technologies and top-class materials.

The HexaCone 7” woofer is driven by a sophisticated magnet system with a 2” voice coil creating a greater linear excursion. This produces more dynamics than one would assume in a monitor of such small proportions. As a result, in addition to the unsurpassed audio quality of the X-ART and A/B amplifier combination, this monitor surprises the listener with a very powerful, deep, but always tight and precise low end.

Review at a glance: "Sonic sensation“

“The ADAM Audio S2X can convince in all areas, concerning the sound as well as the workmanship, and are worth every Euro. […] a no-compromise tool for all who mean serious business, whether in music or postproductions.” (www.96kHz.de, 03/2010)

“We started off with a classical string quartet recording and let´s just say right away that the S2Xs floored us. Several adjectives spring to mind [...] - wide open, transparent, effortless, breathtaking realistic, loud, dynamic, involving... [...] If you close your eyes and continue listening, the S2Xs seem to ‚disappearʽ almost entirely. [...] you gradually become less aware that you´re listening to speakers because they´re like an open window on the music itself. [...] Result: These monitors are up there with the best we´ve tried so far.” (MusicTech, 01/2010)

The Solo6 Be monitor will surprise you in the very first minutes you spend with it, partly due to its size/extended bass response (40Hz at -3dB). The 6.5" "W” composite sandwich mid-woofer combines neutrality in the midrange, fullness in the midbass register and bass control. Its compactness and the choice of a large front laminar port guarantee easy integration in studios that need a near field monitor without any acoustic compromise. The user settings on the back of the Solo6 Be, combined with its compactness, make it easy to carry and to adjust according to the acoustics of each studio.