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

• 150W active studio monitor with 8" military-grade Kevlar low-frequency driver and 1.25" silk dome tweeter
• Bi-amplified design delivers a sound that's both powerful and precise
• Custom waveguide ensures accurate dispersion for an incredibly tight soundstage
• Optimized rear-mounted port produces defined low-end response with bass extension down to 37Hz
• Acoustic Space Control tailors your monitor to your mix space
• Volume control for dialing in the perfect playback level
• Balanced combo input allows for flexible installation
• Front-panel LED shines brightly when the speaker is positioned at an ideal angle

• Frequency Range: 37Hz – 22kHz
• Crossover: 2.0kHz
• Maximum Peak Input Level: -2dBU
• Input Types: Balanced 20kO XLR, and TRS
• Unbalanced: 10kO TS
• Input Sensitivity: -12dBU
• HF Driver Size: 31.8 mm (1.25“)
• LF Driver Size: 203 mm (8“)
• Amplifier Power: 150W Class A/B
• HF Driver Power Amp: 70W
• LF Driver Power Amp: 80W
• Port: Rear internally flared
• Controls: Yes
• Magnetic Shielding: Yes
• AC Input Voltage: 100–120V, 50/60 Hz 220–240V, 50/60 Hz
• Enclosure Construction: MDF
• Enclosure Finish: Black PVC
• Baffle Construction: Injection-molded ABS
• Baffle Finish: Matte black with Soft-touch
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 384 mm x 250mm x 302mm (15.1” x 9.8” x 11.9”)
• Weight: 10.5 kgs (23.1 lbs)
• Display Carton (HxWxD): 398mm x 345mm x 482mm (15.6” x 13.5” x 18.9”)
• Shipping Carton (HxWxD): 412mm x 359mm x 502mm (16.2” x 14” x 19.68”)
• Shipping Weight: 12.8kgs (28.22lbs)
• Configuration: 2-Way bi-amp
• System Type: Active Monitor
• Fuse Rating: 220–240V~ T1AL, 250V 100–120V~ T2AL, 250V
• Power Consumption: 150W
• Shape: Bass-reflex

Features of the HR824mk2 Studio Reference Monitor:

- High-resolution Active studio reference monitor
- Ultra-linear frequency response for accurate mix translation
- 8.75 in. high-precision, low-distortion LF transducer
- 1 in. titanium dome, ferrofluid cooled tweeter
- Optimized Waveguide for wide, even sweet zone
- Twin FR Series amps -- 150W for LF / 100W for HF
- Cast aluminum Zero Edge Baffle minimizes diffraction
- Full internal damping eliminates midrange artifacts
- Onboard passive radiator extends bass response to 35Hz
- Acoustic Space, LF roll-off, and HF controls
- Balanced XLR, TRS, and unbalanced RCA inputs
- OmniMount ready for easy wall/ceiling placement
- THX pm3 certified for surround sound applications
- Perfect for High Definition audio, cinema and gaming systems

The CMS 50 is the most compact monitoring loudspeaker of all the Focal Professional range. Its design permits listening from 50cm away, while still keeping the possibility of the monitors at a great distance from one another without damaging the soundstage. The 5” mid-woofer reaches down to 55Hz, while offering a controlled bass and a totally linear midrange. The midrange register of the CMS 50 has unequalled neutrality in its price range. The Al-Mg inverted dome tweeter offers outstanding dynamics and a degree of definition in the treble that allow precise measurement of reverb and other effects which are normally very difficult to assess.

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)

PRICE PER UNIT

A revolutionary formula: 2 x 7 = 77

In some set-ups it can be advisable to use a horizontally designed speaker rather than a vertical one. Until now, such monitors were only available within the SX top line.

The brand new A77X, due to its outstanding features, might become a true game changer: Equipped with the same advanced technologies as the A7X, it therefore is very similar to the two-way speaker. The A77X, however, distinguishes itself by much higher, compression-free maximum sound pressure levels and dynamics. Due to its power and radiation characteristics, it also is perfectly suited for both near- and midfield monitoring.

Driver technology

Like all models of the AX series, the A77X features the ADAM proprietary X-ART tweeter. The ʽXʼ stands for ʽeXtended frequency responseʼ and thus for one of the features of the Accelerating Ribbon Technology that has been drastically improved: the frequency response. It now extends all the way up to 50kHz. In addition, the X-ART tweeter has higher efficiency and higher maximum sound pressure levels.

The two 7” woofers are identical with that of the A7X. With their large voice coils (1.5”) and powerful amplifiers, they are capable of both very high maximum sound pressure levels as well as very deep registers. The woofers do not cover the same frequency bands: while both of them are responsible for the (sub-) bass frequencies up to about 400Hz, only one of them reproduces the midrange. This prevents interferences between the two drivers. For stereo setups the A77X is available in A and B versions in order to guarantee a precise stereo image.

Amplifiers / controls

Each driver has its own dedicated amplifier. A 50W A/B amp is responsible for the X-ART tweeter, while the bass-/midwoofers are driven by a 100W PWM amp each. The front panel includes a power switch and a control for the volume that retains the volume setting independently from the on/off switch.

The rear panel features several additional controls: a gain for the high frequencies (± 4dB) and two shelf filters for high and low frequencies.
To ensure greater compatibility, there are both XLR (balanced) and RCA (unbalanced) connectors.

Review samples:

“… a refreshing change“
"… if you liked the A7X youʼll like the A77X even more, and if the companyʼs smaller near-fields werenʼt your cup of tea, the A77X are definitely worth another listen. They are not much bigger than a two-driver cabinet design, so should slip into any installation where a near-field speaker will fit, but the extra low/ mid frequency drivers mean that the bass is more naturally extended and the mid-range clearer and more detailed. I like the A77X a lot and they make a refreshing change from the usual mid-priced near-field speakers." AUDIO MEDIA magazine / February 2012

“… wide and spacious soundstage with solid left/right imaging“
"… they are fun and easy to work with, covering all the essential functions required of high-end monitors with aplomb." MusicTech magazine / April 2012